A turning point.
(Warning: An uncharacteristically thought-filled post ahead!)
My closest friends know, I'm at a pivotal turning point in my life. I've spent the last 8 years growing our family; a blessing. As we fully exit the 'baby stage' I feel pulled towards something different.
I loved starting my residential real estate business 10 years ago. When we moved to Austin - where I knew exactly zero people - I challenged myself to create a brand new business using the digital marketing and communication skills I'd acquired over the previous six years. It worked. My first year, I was awarded the Rookie Award at my brokerage. My second year, I finished in the top 7% of my brokerage, closing almost 30 transactions. My business hit a record high (one I didn't even think possible) in 2021 when I closed over $8.6M in sales as a solo agent. But at the end of 2021, I wasn't screaming "Let's do that again!" I was slogging through my days thinking, "I am so, so tired."
I'm not ready to admit an Achilles tendon rupture in February has changed my life (HAHA). But let's just say, sitting on my tail for the last five months of recovery gave me ample time to think. For a young millennial, it felt a lot like a mid-life crisis yall.
Today, back to my usual routine (although yesterday's bootcamp was still way harder than it was in January), I think I might have finally edited through a cover letter worth sharing.
I'm at a turning point.
“News” is now “Blog.” But don’t worry. I still have a fact and researched-based writing style. Maybe now I’ll just have a little more fun!
“Emily has 15 years experience in various industries with one common goal in mind: To help others lead an informed, joy-filled, profitable life. This “why” has taken mixed entrepreneurial forms - digital marketing contractor and copywriter, residential Realtor, multimedia journalist and board member.
From 2006 to 2012, Emily was a producer, multimedia reporter, videographer and photographer for various publications and blogs, most notably producing at MSNBC New York.
After graduating with her Master’s from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Emily partnered with VUURR digital marketing to deliver data-driven B2B and B2C marketing campaigns for various companies across the United States. In late 2012, Emily and VUURR moved to San Francisco to be closer to their tech-driven clients. She also contributed to the co-founding of Levers, a predictive analytics software startup, as Director of Communications.
Emily moved to Austin, Texas in September 2014, where she tested her digital marketing skills by starting a residential real estate business. In the last 10 years, Emily has sold over $36M in residential sales as an independent Realtor. By developing her own custom retention plans and marketing automation through a CRM platform, Emily’s CAC is 84% lower than the industry average. Additionally, her business now runs 100% on client referrals. In March 2024, she was asked to write an opinion article for USAToday.com regarding the NAR settlement and potential effects on the American real estate industry.
Her love of research, data analysis, content strategy, writing and editing remains a focal point. She built and maintains EmilyRoss.com, a website providing market information, local news and listing support for homebuyers, sellers and multifamily investors in Central Austin. Additionally, she consults digital marketing strategy for various online websites like Connect MLS and Holloway Books, and loves serving on the board of her church where she volunteers writing, editing and Google Analytics skills to the staff.
Emily spends most of her free time outside playing with her three daughters, reading, getting messy baking in the kitchen, on the Peloton or the yoga mat!”