Women Leaders Of Real Estate: Sarah Miskelly of Hylee Capital On The 5 Things You Need To Succeed In The Real Estate Industry

An Interview With Jason Hartman

Building an Online Personal Brand: Establishing a personal brand online pays off, even if immediate monetary gains aren’t apparent. Think of it as a long-term investment. Years down the line, you’ll be grateful for the foundation you laid. It will take time so, persistently build your online presence — it’s an asset that appreciates over time.

As a part of my series about strong women leaders of the Real Estate industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Miskelly.

Sarah, a Toronto native and mother of 2, is a seasoned real estate investor with a compelling journey. From humble beginnings in a 2-bed apartment with her single mom, at 3 years old she met her dad who introduced her to the world of real estate investing. After his untimely passing when she was 16, Sarah took management of the portfolio and at 24 got into real estate sales, becoming Top Agent Under 30 at Keller Williams for 3 consecutive years and selling $55 million in real estate. During COVID, and pregnant with her 1st child, she transitioned to investing full-time and now leads Hylee Capital, guiding women to achieve financial independence and bridge the wealth gap through multifamily real estate investing.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the “backstory” about what brought you to the Real Estate industry?

I owe my early insight into real estate to my father. Managing his properties with him was a defining experience, one that laid the foundation for my passion. However, it was reading ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ at eight that truly unveiled the potential of real estate. I realized it was more than just cleaning and painting; it was a path to genuine financial and time freedom.

Can you share with our readers the most interesting or amusing story that occurred to you in your career so far? Can you share the lesson or take away you took out of that story?

There’s never a dull moment in real estate! I’ve had clients go through divorces right before moving in, and others who let professionalism slide due to my gender. Oh, and then there’s the unforgettable incident of inebriated tenants mistaking my property for their restroom. Through all these experiences, I’ve learned that every role has its challenges. It’s about focusing on the rewards, not the roadblocks.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

I’m most excited about passive real estate investing, many aren’t aware that they can invest in real estate without dealing with the hassle of being a landlord or navigating mortgage qualifications. My role now is to educate and collaborate with individuals and give them access to large-scale and lucrative real estate deals. They get the returns while my team handles everything, from finding deals, management and renovations. These innovative approaches will redefine the way people build wealth through real estate

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

My focus is on closing the wealth gap between men and women. The commercial real estate space has long been ‘an old boys’ club. Because I started young, I’ve gotten access to the inner-circles of commercial real estate where there are the most lucrative opportunities. I’m committed to extending these opportunities to women, enabling them to tap into opportunities that were previously out of reach.

At 16 when my dad passed away I was assigned investment advisors that didn’t understand what I needed. They made everything really complex so I took my money and stopped working with them. This experience taught me the importance of meeting individuals where they are in their investment journey, particularly women. That is the foundational belief of Hylee Capital, to meet people where they are and help educate them on how to navigate new opportunities.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I am most grateful to my dad for instilling in me a strong work ethic and thirst for knowledge. When I was a kid I wasn’t allowed to watch TV, I had to help him work at his properties. At the time I hated it, and now I know how influential it was for me to be the person I am today.

Ok. Thank you for all that. Let’s now jump to the main core of our interview. The Real Estate industry, like the Veterinarian, Nursing and Public Relations fields, is a women dominated industry. Yet despite this, less than 20 percent of senior positions in Real Estate companies are held by women. In your opinion or experience, what do you think is the cause of this imbalance?

The underrepresentation of women in senior positions isn’t solely about capability. Cultural norms often erode women’s confidence to step into these roles. Additionally, the unique financial and lifestyle trajectories women navigate, like becoming a mom, play a significant role. But the tide is turning. Women are reclaiming their power, reshaping both finance and culture. I expect to see a big shift in the next 10, 20 years.

A more an improved gender balance will come from regulation and Company structures that acknowledge and support a woman’s different needs such as flexibility for family and parental care as our population ages

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women executives that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts?

Similar to the above a lack of policy that supports and acknowledges the differing role of women and men in society and how that affects work.

Can you share 3 things that most excite you about the Real Estate industry?

1. Legacy of Multi-Generational Wealth: The remarkable ability of Real Estate to create lasting multi-generational wealth is truly awe-inspiring.
2. Democratizing Commercial Real Estate with Crowdfunding: The democratization of commercial real estate investing is another thrilling development. Thanks to crowdfunding, more people can profit from bigger deals.
3. The Rise of Women Leaders: Witnessing the steady rise of women leaders in real estate is both inspiring and promising. This surge of female talent is reshaping the industry, diversifying perspectives, and leading us towards a more inclusive and innovative future.

Can you share 3 things that most concern you about the industry? If you had the ability to implement 3 ways to reform or improve the industry, what would you suggest?

firstly, the surge of Guru marketing that tends to overlook the true dedication required for success in the industry; secondly, the persistent challenge of affordability that restricts numerous individuals from entering the market; and thirdly, much like the second concern, the escalating interest rate environment and its implications on current property owners’ ability to sustain their assets. In terms of reforms for these issues, my belief is that the market has the capacity to naturally address them. While they may seem unique, they actually align with the inherent cycles of the market.

What advice would you give to other leaders to help their team to thrive?

When building a team, I recommend seeking out emerging talent rather than solely focusing on top talent. This approach fosters a stronger commitment to the company’s objectives and reduces ego-driven dynamics.

Because of your position, you are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

1. Numbers Game and Leads Generation: In this industry, it’s truly a numbers game. The more leads you generate, the more people you can assist, and consequently, the greater your financial success. I discovered this during my time as one of the top agents in my brokerage. Whenever things slowed down, I realized it was often due to a lack of sufficient leads. Just like planting seeds, the more you sow, the more you reap.
2. The Power of Networking: Networking is an absolute game-changer. You never know where a single connection might lead you. Attend events, engage with fellow professionals, and always aim to provide value. To illustrate, I once met someone at a conference who approached me because they recognized me. This unexpected encounter eventually led to a fruitful collaboration. Networking is like planting seeds; you never know which one will grow into a mighty tree.
3. Authenticity Breeds Trust: People trust and want to collaborate with individuals who genuinely portray themselves. Authenticity trumps pretense. Trust me, there’s enough business for everyone. Focus on showcasing your true self and nurturing relationships. I, for instance, didn’t fit the stereotype of a traditionally dressed agent. However, my authenticity attracted clients who related to me, and I thrived with multiple six-figure earnings.
4. Transferable Skills in Real Estate: The real estate sector is a goldmine of transferable skills. Treat your role not just as a sales job, but as an opportunity to build a business mindset. This shift in perspective opens up avenues to leverage these skills in unforeseen ways. I discovered this when I transitioned from sales to different aspects of the industry, finding creative ways to apply my skills and succeed.
5. Building an Online Personal Brand: Establishing a personal brand online pays off, even if immediate monetary gains aren’t apparent. Think of it as a long-term investment. Years down the line, you’ll be grateful for the foundation you laid. It will take time so, persistently build your online presence — it’s an asset that appreciates over time.

How can our readers follow you online?

Instagram sarah.miskelly Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-miskelly Passive Real Estate Wealth Summit www.passiverealestatewealth.com

Thank you for your time, and your excellent insights!

About The Interviewer: Jason Hartman is the Founder and CEO of Empowered Investor. Jason has been involved in several thousand real estate transactions and has owned income properties in 11 states and 17 cities. Empowered Investor helps people achieve The American Dream of financial freedom by purchasing income property in prudent markets nationwide. Jason’s Complete Solution for Real Estate Investors™ is a comprehensive system providing real estate investors with education, research, resources and technology to deal with all areas of their income property investment needs. Through Jason’s podcasts, educational events, referrals, mentoring and software to track your investments, investors can easily locate, finance and purchase properties in these exceptional markets with confidence and peace of mind.

Starting with very little, Jason, while still in college at the age of 19, embarked on a career in real estate. While brokering properties for clients, he was investing in his own portfolio along the way. Through creativity, persistence and hard work, he earned a number of prestigious industry awards and became a young multi-millionaire. Jason purchased a California real estate brokerage firm that was later acquired by Coldwell Banker. He combined his dedication and business talents to become a successful entrepreneur, public speaker, author, and media personality. Over the years he developed his Complete Solution for Real Estate Investors™ where his innovative firm educates and assists investors in acquiring prudent investments nationwide for their portfolio. Jason’s sought after educational events, speaking engagements, and his popular “Creating Wealth Podcast” inspire and empower hundreds of thousands of people in 189 countries worldwide.

While running his successful real estate and media businesses, Jason also believes that giving back to the community plays an important role in building strong personal relationships. He established The Jason Hartman Foundation in 2005 to provide financial literacy education to young adults providing the all-important real world skills not taught in school which are the key to the financial stability and success of future generations. We’re in a global monetary crisis caused by decades of misguided policies and the cycle of financial dependence has to be broken, literacy and self-reliance are a good start. Visit JasonHartman.com for free materials and resources.