Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonny Christopher.
Hi Sonny, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I started as a zookeeper at Zoo Atlanta. I was an intern there the first summer out of college and worked my way up to a full-time keeper. I was working with the primate team there, mainly working with the small African monkeys (Colobus monkeys, Guenons, Drill Monkeys, Lemurs, Tamarins, and sloths). I worked there for about 4 years. I started to feel a little bit of burnout so I decided to take a job at the Nashville Zoo to see if I was burned out or just needed a change of scenery/fresh start.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to tell that I was burned out and ready for a career change. When I lived in Atlanta, I owned a home and did some small renovations while I lived there. So, when I was looking for a career change, I explored real estate. I started to read some books and listen to podcasts and just fell in love. I was fascinated with the investment side of real estate so I started with what is called wholesaling. I joined a brokerage that does that specifically and was there for about 1.5 years.
I started to not see eye to eye with my boss and an opportunity presented itself to work with a local investor on his team. My boss wasn’t very happy with that move and threatened to pursue non-compete legal action. So that opportunity fizzled out quickly. I was about to let my license expire but a friend of mine convinced me to join a residential team. That team started great but after about a year I decided to go out on my own. That was in October of 2022. I have been doing that ever since
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. I feel like I have made just about every mistake in the book when it comes to real estate. But I have learned from those mistakes and I tell people it has been a rocky road from where I started to how I got here but I am very happy with where I am today.
There have been countless times where I wanted to give up, asked myself “Why am I doing this?” thought about just going back to a w-2 style job, thought about trying to go back to the zoo, and have been very close to doing so a couple of times.
Call me crazy but I have decided to stick it out each time. I have had some very lean years financially and had to make some sacrifices. I believe in real estate and the power it can have for myself but more importantly for my clients.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work in real estate and I specialize in investment-style properties. If you want to get more specific- I specialize in rental properties and a term called “house hacking”. That is what I am working on being known for in the real estate world.
Although anyone knows me or follows me, I am also known for being a former zookeeper and for my passion for animals. I lean into and blend both my past as a zookeeper and my real estate business. I Call myself the animal realtor and even have a monkey in my logo.
What am I most proud of? Honestly, being able to stick it out. I don’t think a lot of people, if put in my shoes, would still be in real estate. It has been tough and to be where I am today with where I truly believe I’m going is what I’m most proud of.
I am also proud that I didn’t ignore my passion for animals and instead made it part of my real estate brand and business. Which in turn has helped me stand out. I feel confident in the fact that there are some things I do that no other realtor is doing. I mean what realtor is dressing up as Steve Irwin and impersonating him as he goes through houses?
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
There is so much power in owning a home. Everyone deserves the opportunity to do and it’s not as hard as some may believe. Getting the first home can be the hardest step but it allows you to do so much once you do.
Support your local zoo. The keepers and staff that work there, work incredibly hard, on weekends and holidays, and for very little pay to make sure those animals are as happy and healthy as they can be.
Then once you are there – ask questions and be curious!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @theanimalrealtor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAnimalRealtor
Image Credits
Nita Ann
