Autumn Hicks

Motivated by Example

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Stylish Detroit

As a young, impressionable girl, Autumn Hicks adoringly watched her mother raise a family and successfully run a business. When her mother moved her business from the family basement to an office in downtown Plymouth, Autumn and her siblings would visit their mother and admire her ability to manage deadlines and get things done. “It was a special occasion to visit our mom at work,” Autumn recalled. “I would watch her interact with other people and delight in how they would respond and look up to her. I remember feeling like I wanted to be just like her.”

Not surprisingly, Autumn attributes much of her personal success to her mother, who demonstrated the skills and knowledge needed to manage a small business and a family. “She was just living her life,” Autumn said. “I don’t think she realized it at the time, but her choices were shaping me in ways that would later prepare me for a career and a family. As an adult, I still look to her for guidance.”

Autumn’s kindhearted, detail-oriented personality led her to look for a career where she could nurture others and fight for the underdog. As a single mother, she initially explored a career in healthcare and attended nursing school. She would go to class during the day while working nights at restaurants and bars, oftentimes also cleaning homes to earn extra income. “I was getting perfect grades, but I quickly burned out,” Autumn said. “That lifestyle wasn’t sustainable for my sanity, so at the advice of my mother, I decided to get my real estate license.”

Since 2013, Autumn has been building a successful career in real estate. Her nurturing nature has made her a standout among fellow agents and a trusted source with her clients. She’s currently

As the daughter of a mother who is white and a father who is black, Autumn has faced various struggles of acceptance from her peers and her extended family. “Initially, my parents’ relationship did not sit well with some of our family members,” Autumn shared. “However, the adversities I faced growing up shaped me as a professional. It built up my character and a strong sense of empathy for others — a trait I embrace and utilize for the benefit of my clients.”

As Detroit continues to expand its diversity, Autumn is very passionate about promoting the city and all the benefits it can bring to families, businesses and the community. “I am adrenalized about diversity and what that means for our industry,” she said. “My agency has a diversity committee that meets twice a month to discuss how we can make an impact in meaningful, inclusive ways. As a person of color, the meetings have been incredibly therapeutic for me, and the number of people who show up to participate is incredible and inspiring; it feels great to have that kind of support in our real estate office.”

The most rewarding aspect of Autumn’s work is the confidence she has gained over the years. “I didn’t realize what I was capable of handling in one day until I started my career in real estate,” she said, laughing. “Even so, there is a huge mindset switch that happens when you start learning how to balance your work life and your home life; I am no expert, but I have become better at it over time.”

Autumn said that, at one point in her career, she took a step back to evaluate what made her happiest in life. “I realized that I was taking on the wrong responsibilities, and my goals weren’t aligned at all with who I was as a human,” she shared. “I discovered I work best when I lead with my heart and keep my values at the forefront — the rest of the stuff is meaningless noise.”

With her priorities aligned and a shift in mindset, Autumn has not only achieved her personal goals but also those of her clients. “I love the feeling I get when I’ve helped someone fulfill their dream of homeownership,” Autumn said. “Whether it’s a home for personal use or an investment, I know that my role in the process is important, and I take that very seriously.”

Because Autumn is hardwired to go the extra mile for her clientele, she is dedicated to coaching her clients in the homebuying and selling process and assists in necessary steps to achieve success. “I work as a team with my clients and, together, we come out of the process as a family,” she said.

When it comes to her own family, Autumn is extremely attentive and unyielding. Her partner Andrew is a great source of support to Autumn and her work, and they enjoy life together as a blended family. “Thank goodness for Andrew,” Autumn said with a smile. “He’s my partner in crime, a great dad and full of fun. He helps me balance my personal and professional life and knows when it’s time to take me away from work.” Autumn’s oldest daughter Lucy is 15 years old and full of everything that comes with being a teenager. “She is an amazing golfer, beautiful and smart,” Autumn said. “She does the usual teenager things and, quite often, reminds me of myself at her age.” Andrew’s 6-year-old daughter Aria is in first grade and loves chemistry experiments, crafts and YouTube. Together, Autumn and Andrew have a son, Jackson, who is 2 years old. “He is the strongest kid on earth,” Autumn shared. “He can do pull-ups and push-ups, and loves to hang out with his dad and do yard work.”

For Autumn, balancing motherhood and having a successful career has not come without its challenges. Seldom does a day go by when she’s not feeling the stress of how to give the best of herself to work and at home. “I am just as imperfect as any other mom out there,” Autumn explained. “I am not an expert on balance, but somehow I always get it all done, even if I sometimes feel like I am on autopilot.”

Lately, Autumn has found relief in meditation and breathing exercises. “It is literally the only thing that lifts the weight off my shoulders,” she said. “I feel light and free after I meditate; it frees my mind and my spirit.”

Autumn said her family is the “why” in her life and can’t imagine any force that could motivate her more than her family. “My family keeps me on track,” she said. “I love my career and working hard for my clients, while at the same time, nothing makes me happier than being a mother and having a family. As a little girl, I saw that same drive in my mother, and for that, I’m very grateful.”

Agent Spotlight - Autumn Hicks