Today we’d like to introduce you to Sadé Phillips.
Hi Sadé , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For a long time, I had every intention of climbing the corporate ladder. I built my career in project management and envisioned continuing to grow into higher-level leadership roles. But right before I got married, I was laid off, and what I thought would be a short career transition turned into seven months of unemployment.
It was an interesting season of my life because I was newly married and wanted to enjoy that chapter, but at the same time, I was constantly interviewing and trying to figure out what was next for me professionally. I also learned pretty quickly that the stay-at-home wife life was not for me! I remember telling my husband, “I have to do something.”
In April 2025, after seven months of interviewing, I finally landed another project management role and returned to corporate America. But that experience had shifted something in me. I realized how quickly a career can change, even when you’ve done everything “right,” and I started thinking more seriously about building something of my own.
I had always been interested in real estate, so while continuing my corporate career, I decided to finally pursue it. I enrolled in real estate courses, studied while working full-time, and on February 9, 2026, I officially became a licensed Realtor in Tennessee.
Since then, I’ve been very intentional about immersing myself in the industry. I’ve hosted open houses, studied new construction, connected with builders, developers, agents, and potential clients, and put myself in rooms where I could learn and build genuine relationships. Through those experiences, I discovered how much I enjoy luxury and new construction real estate, particularly in the Brentwood, Franklin, and greater Nashville markets.
That journey also inspired me to create Pilates & Properties. Wellness is an important part of my lifestyle, and I wanted to find a way to bring that together with real estate in a way that felt authentic to me. Pilates & Properties combines wellness, luxury real estate, community, and curated experiences. What began as an idea to host a Pilates class inside a beautiful luxury property has evolved into a vision for signature events, brand partnerships, travel experiences, and wellness retreats.
I’m still early in my real estate journey, and I’m proud of that. My story isn’t about overnight success. It’s about building while learning, putting myself out there, nurturing relationships, and being willing to create opportunities instead of waiting for them.
Looking back, being laid off was an unexpected turning point. At the time, all I wanted was to get back onto the career path I had planned for myself. Instead, that season pushed me to explore another side of myself; one that wanted entrepreneurship, creativity, ownership, and the opportunity to build a legacy.
Today, I’m continuing my career in project management while building Sadé the Realtor and Pilates & Properties. I still have big professional aspirations, but my definition of success has expanded. I’m not only interested in climbing the corporate ladder anymore. I’m interested in building my own.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s what has made the journey so rewarding.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning to be patient with the process. I’m naturally very driven, so when I decide I want something, I want to work hard and see the results. Real estate has taught me that you can do all of the right things make the calls, host the open houses, follow up, attend events, build relationships, and still not see an immediate return. Sometimes the seeds you plant today may not turn into an opportunity until months or even years later.
I’m also building my real estate business while maintaining a full-time career in project management, so balancing the two requires a lot of discipline and sacrifice. There are networking events I can’t attend because of work, evenings spent following up with potential clients, and weekends dedicated to open houses and growing my business. I’ve had to become very intentional with my time.
Another challenge has been learning not to take rejection, or even silence personally. Real estate is a relationship business, and not every phone call gets answered, not every follow-up gets a response, and not every opportunity turns into a client. I’ve had to learn that “not right now” doesn’t necessarily mean “never.”
I think the biggest lesson has been learning to trust the process while continuing to show up. I’m still very early in my real estate career, so I’m giving myself permission to learn, make mistakes, ask questions, and grow. Every open house, conversation, connection, and even every “no” is helping me become a better Realtor and businesswoman.
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but I can already see how much I’ve grown in a short amount of time. I’m building something I genuinely believe in, and that makes the challenges worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Tennessee Realtor specializing in luxury real estate, new construction, and helping clients navigate the buying and selling process throughout the greater Nashville area, with a particular focus on Brentwood, Franklin, and Williamson County.
My approach to real estate is very relationship-driven. Of course, my job is to help people buy and sell property, but I want the experience of working with me to feel personal, intentional, and elevated. I’m focused on becoming a trusted resource for my clients, whether they’re actively preparing to make a move or simply beginning to explore what may be possible in the future.
I’ve also been intentional about learning the luxury and new construction side of the business. I spend time inside the homes, learning about the craftsmanship and construction, studying different developments, and building relationships with builders, developers, and other professionals within the industry. I want to be able to speak confidently about the product I represent and provide value beyond simply opening a door.
What I believe sets me apart is my willingness to think outside of traditional real estate marketing. One of the things I’m most proud of is creating Pilates & Properties, a concept that brings together luxury real estate, wellness, and community. Instead of simply inviting people to tour a luxury property, I wanted to create an experience around it. Guests can enjoy Pilates, connect with other women, experience a beautiful home, and engage with real estate in an environment that feels organic rather than transactional.
Pilates & Properties has also allowed me to combine several things I genuinely enjoy real estate, wellness, beautiful spaces, travel, and bringing people together. My vision is to continue growing it beyond individual events into brand collaborations, curated experiences, and destination wellness retreats, while keeping real estate at the heart of the brand.
What I’m most proud of, though, is that I’ve been willing to create opportunities for myself. I’m still early in my career, and I could have waited until I had years of experience or a long list of sales before pursuing some of these ideas. Instead, I decided to start building the brand and relationships now.
I think that’s becoming a defining part of who I am as a Realtor. I’m not afraid to make the call, introduce myself, ask for the opportunity, or walk into a room where I may be new. I’m building my business one relationship at a time, and I want people to know me not only for the homes I sell, but for the experiences I create and the way I make people feel throughout the process.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a big believer in continuous learning, so I’m always looking for resources that help me grow both professionally and personally. I listen to podcasts and audiobooks focused on real estate, entrepreneurship, personal development, and building wealth. I also use social media intentionally to follow Realtors, builders, developers, and entrepreneurs whose businesses or careers I can learn from.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadetherealtortn_/
