Case Study: The Wraggs
With over 20 years’ experience in the property industry, Sue Wragg launched her own business powered with KWUK in 2020 – and after seeing early success brought her husband George on board as her business partner. The pair are now valued local property experts in their home village of Rossington and the nearby City of Doncaster, enjoying the success and flexibility of running their own real estate business. The success and models of KW allow the entrepreneurial couple to earn twice the industry standard commission rate when selling client’s home – such is the attention to detail and level of service they offer.
It all began when Sue was made aware of the opportunity with KW by a contact who was an existing Team Leader with a Market Centre. Having always wanted to run her own property business but put off by the pricey technology and platform fees, the opportunity to launch with KW’s assistance and support was in her words, “a no brainer!”. To start off with, Sue continued working with her large, corporate employer whilst she put things in place to launch, but after being asked to return to an office, mid-pandemic, she decided enough was enough and the time was now.
“Neither George nor I are risk takers. He was a military man for 34 years and I was always in full-time employment with large real estate agencies or housebuilders. But I was confident that this was my opportunity to fulfil my dream of having my own estate agency business. And the tools and support offered by Keller Williams made it an easy decision.”
Fast forward to May 2023, and growth has been exponential, particularly since committing to the models, training and advice shared by local leadership:
“The team at KW Plus guided us to use the 411-productivity tool and held us accountable – which has been fundamental to our success. We were enjoying good results prior to this year, but since implementing Claire Reading’s advice in January, we have seen significant growth each and every month. The support from the Regional Leadership, Plus and Leeds Market Centres really has made all the difference. I had to unlearn a lot of bad habits and relearn the Keller Williams way, which is much more customer focused, and the results of doing so were transformational.”
So far this year, George and Sue have secured 26 listings and were recently approached to manage lettings, an entirely new arm of their business. As such, they’ve brought on their first team member as well and an assistant to manage bookings and administration.
There’s a clear split of work, with George managing off-market and investment properties, as well as all viewings, whilst Sue carries the deal forward from the point of sale and manages administration. But the couple carry out every valuation together. George explained why:
“We do things this way because we haven’t lost many valuations that we have carried out together. I think people like the dynamic between us; we bounce off each other. I suppose that’s what happens when you’ve been as married as long as we have!”
The couple are not only reaping the rewards of a successful business, but also enjoying the flexibility it gives them. With Sue now believing herself to be “unemployable” now that’s she’s used to being her own boss, the couple have control over their own time and the ability to spend it with their new grandchild. And that’s their biggest success so far. The couple also appreciate the way they’ve become better known in the local community.
When asked what advice they’d give someone looking to start their own business, Sue answered:
“Do your research and be prepared to work hard. And if you’re starting your business with Keller Williams, read the big red book once a quarter. That’s what I’ve been doing and I find something invaluable each and every time I read it. It’s not rocket science. We’ve done the training, implemented what we’ve learned and made a success of it. Consistency is key.”
George’s answer was a little more philosophical:
“The opportunity is far greater than your fear of doing. Since starting this journey we haven’t looked back.”
George and Sue are a sterling example of what it means to live a life by design and that, with a little hard work, can be achieved with the Keller Williams way.
END OF PRESS RELEASE
For further commentary or photography please contactDylan Harper, +447547362525
Notes to the Editor
Keller Williams is the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count and has more than 1,100 offices and 191,000 agents based in 50 countries across the globe. Since 1983, the company has cultivated an agent-centric, technology-driven and education-based culture that rewards agents as stakeholders.
Keller Williams launched in the UK under the leadership of Ben Taylor, a real estate professional of over thirty years’ experience in 2017. KWUK operates as a master franchise partner of the US based Keller Williams who have now successfully launched in over fifty-two countries worldwide, the premise of the business is simple – to provide coaching and technology to business owners thereby allowing them to follow Keller William’s proven systems to become a ‘millionaire real estate agent’.
KWUK, like all KW master franchisees, is made up of localised regional franchisees known as Operating Principals whose role is to build a team of support functions which empower individuals to become self-employed business owners and realise their entrepreneurial ambitions with the support and reassurance of a proven business model and systems.