Shelley Pies

A CAREER BUILT SINGLE-HANDEDLY WITHOUT ANY EXCUSES

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Stylish Detroit

Photos taken at Toll Brothers - Westridge Estates of Canton

Shelley Pies (pronounced “peez”) is a motivated real estate agent at eXp Realty - The Luxe Group who is passionate about her work and steadfast in her faith. She’s known for her unwavering client service and tough negotiation skills, and lives by the motto, “Don’t make an excuse. Make a way.”

With her natural “mom” instincts, Shelley watches over her clients just as she would a newborn baby. “Once a client chooses me to list their home, I let them know they can rest easy because they just hired me to lose sleep for them.”

Shelley’s relentless commitment to her work and family came as a result of several life experiences: years as a wine sales representative, nearly 15 years as a mortgage lender and a divorce that abruptly ended her time as a stay-at-home mom. “With four children — from potty training to puberty — I knew that as a single mom, I could not go back to the daily structure of being gone 40-60 hours a week,” Shelley explained. “It was 2011, and while the economy was still feeling the effects from the housing collapse, I took a chance and decided to get my real estate license where I could have more control over my schedule and work around the needs of my children.”

Emmy Pies, 11, Kyle Pies, 14, Lily Pies, 16, Brian Herbert (Shelley’s husband), Shelley Pies, Jack Pies, 24, & Emma Jones, 22 (Jack’s girlfriend).

Photo by Becky Pies Photography

It was out of pure necessity that Shelley decided to pursue her career in real estate — an effort that was both calculated and aggressive. “My goal was to put my family first and let God work out the details,” she said. “Everyone in my life was strongly advising me to take the safe, guaranteed paycheck from banks and lenders that had offered me positions, but I couldn’t bear to be away from my kids at that time, so I pursued this route, and the rest is history.”

Nine years later, Shelley has a career volume of nearly $50 million. She has surpassed numerous personal and professional goals and is currently on track to earn ICON status with eXp Realty.

As an only child of a single mother, Shelley watched her mother work long hours on the line at Ford Motor Company. Contrary to her own experiences, Shelley did not want her kids growing up in a latchkey-type home. She wanted a career that would ensure she could be available to her children when they needed her. Real estate was a perfect fit.

With her allegiance to her clients and family, Shelley built her business. She brilliantly manages her schedule so she can be fully present at home and at work — typically taking on as many clients as she can successfully manage at one time. “I believe every one of my clients deserve me at my absolute best,” she said. “If I feel I cannot balance my top priority — which is my family — while giving my buyers and sellers the full and present attention they rightfully deserve, I will refer the transaction out to another trusted agent. I will never let anything slip through the cracks because I was too busy or preoccupied with another all-consuming deal. My expectation of myself is to exceed the expectations of my clients.”

Shelley considers real estate to be an industry of service rather than sales and said she never wants to “sell” a house to her clients. “I bring my research, knowledge and experience to the table to help make educated decisions,” she explained. “I do not ever allow my financial needs to influence what is best for my client. At the end of the day, it’s not about the sale: It’s about providing the best service I possibly can and doing what’s best for my client.”

Nearly all of Shelley’s business can be traced back to her trusted relationships formed at church.

Her community of Christian friends has been a sphere of influence, helping to build her business. “Their trust in me is what paid my bills and fed my children,” Shelley said. “Even today, they are my primary source of referral business.”

Shelley is most humbled and honored when friends or family members refer business to her and takes the responsibility very seriously. “I feel as though the referring person is as much my client as the referred client,” she said. “I love getting to know each member of a family that I represent; it’s a connection that makes this career especially satisfying for me.”

With children ranging from the ages of 11-24 years old, Shelley is clearly parenting for the long haul and said she wouldn’t want it any other way. “I always say parenting prepared me for real estate — nothing scares me because I raised four kids basically on my own for many years,” she said with a laugh. Shelley’s kids were motivators to earn a solid income and reminders to work hard without compromising her principles. “The saying ‘the hard thing and the right thing are usually the same thing’ is a great mental narrative for me, especially when things get tough.”

Shelley never used her family as an excuse for not getting things done. When her kids were young and her career was new, she would work an hour before her family woke up and then again all day while they were at school. After dinner, homework and bath time, Shelley would put her kids to bed and start her “second shift” of work. “They were, and always will be, my ‘why,’” she said. “Everything I do, I do for them.”

Shelley was remarried in September 2019 to Brian Herbert, who is a great, tremendous support to both her and her children. Together, their blended families enjoy life with eight kids combined. “We are incredibly proud of everyone in our crew.”

Over the years Shelley has relied on her strong faith to help balance the challenges of work and family. “I am fueled by my trust in God,” she shared. “My advice to other working moms is to trust in a higher power, put your children first and work hard.”

In a season of life that could have crippled Shelley, she managed to build a very successful career. “Four little faces from diapers to driver’s ed depended on me, which launched me into a career that I love,” she concluded. “It can be done. It isn’t easy, but it is possible. I’m living proof.”

Agent Spotlight - Shelley Pies