Exploring Life & Business with Amanda Sweeney-Jones

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Sweeney-Jones.

Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Extra, that’s one word my twin boys use to describe me. Some people might even say I have a checkered past. Even so like all of us, I truly can’t change who I am-up-beat, positive, quirky, creative, and confident. Growing up as an only child, I was always seeking out excitement by looking for the next big adventure. When I was going into sixth grade, my parents divorced and my mom and I moved to Indiana. My mom, Lee Ann Mills, has always been a patron of the arts, and living in Indiana opened up opportunities in the arts that I would not have had otherwise. My most vivid memories include seeing the musical Cats with my mom. I was in awe of everything; the actors, make-up, dancing, and singing left such an impression that I pursued it and became passionate about participating in and supporting the arts.

I attended Signature School for two years. During those two precious years, I studied theater, dance, and singing.

The highlight of my high school career was taking part in productions at Victory Theatre in downtown Evansville, Indiana. Little did I know that I was learning lessons during my time spent in the theatre was prepping me for new adventures that were on the horizon.

During my freshman year at college, I had the biggest surprise of my life. I became pregnant- with twin boys. I was far from ready to be a mother to one baby let alone two. So I had a heart-to-heart talk with myself and said, “This life is no longer about me-it’s about them.” I had to work harder and be as ambitious as possible for my kid’s sake. I believe that’s why, to this day, I’m considered a go-getter. After taking a break to have my lovely, beautiful, and most importantly healthy babies, I went back to college.

While in college I did a six-month internship at Ethan Allen, and it couldn’t have gone any better. The district manager came in one day and said, “Can you come to my office so I can talk with you?” I followed him into his office and he said, “You’re way too big for Evansville, IN, but we want you to be a part of our family. How does Brentwood, TN sound?” He was offering me a ticket to my dreams and goals; a major opportunity that I didn’t take lightly. I immediately said yes. I went home and told my family, “Let’s go to TN.” So right after that, I moved my family to TN for our new life. I went to work at Ethan Allen, and I loved it. I did especially well. In only a couple of months, I was one of the top 10 interior designers in the whole district. I was impressed; I asked myself, “Where did this lady come from? How is she so confident and incredible with people?” I loved it at Ethan Allen, but working the holidays and weekends wasn’t working for me. I had the boys and a family to take care of, so I felt the need and decided to branch off and started my own business in 2006. This very year I got a big break-I didn’t take it for granted either. Have you ever heard of Alan Jackson the country singer? Well, I was hired to help with a design in Alan’s Lakehouse on Center Hill Lake. In 2006, after that project, thankfully, I started writing for Nashville House Home and Garden magazine. I’m grateful I continue to write to them to this day. In 2009 I was named one of Nashville’s top interior designers, I couldn’t have felt more honored; hard work pays off. In 2010 I was contacted by and featured on Extreme Home Makeover, painting murals and doing special faux finish painting techniques at Light House Christian Academy. Being a designer and entrepreneur, fulfilled my life in so many ways. However, it still took me away from my family more than I wanted. This struggle brought me to my next endeavor.

In 2016, my entrepreneurial spirit combined with my love of design and family took me on yet another new journey with my husband, Ray Jones. Together we started a concrete business. We do a lot of different types of concrete work. Anything from slick finish to stamped to decorative concrete to make it look like pavers or wood planks. It’s really artistic and neat and fulfills my creative side. My twin boys, Gavin and Garett Sweeney worked alongside us for several years. It was just what I dreamed about- owning my own business and spending time with my family in the process. We are a small family company, and we take pride in the fact we have some of the same employees we have had since the start. We love our employees as family, and we greatly appreciate them all. So if you ever need any concrete work, I can help you out there.

As the years went on, I realized I was wanting to learn and grow professionally. Having always been obsessed with design, architecture, and real estate. So I finally decided to get my real estate license in 2020. It was a perfect fit.

Now could I tie all of my past experience with interior design and construction, and use it to grow my million-dollar real estate business? Wow! What a difference that has made! I can understand more than the average agent because I have been a project manager builds-knowing your product (houses) from the ground up literally. I have always loved people and they open up to me freely, maybe because I am willing to listen and share also. There are over 33,000 active realtors in TN so I need to stand out. I have heard my whole life-you have to think outside of the box and be creative, but then, some people find me taking it too far! Is there too far? Too creative? Too honest? I don’t believe so.

I was inspired by a realtor parody video I saw on YouTube by Bob Tompkins-Old Town Realtor Video. He is a realtor in South Carolina with ReMax. If you are ever thinking of buying in South Carolina, he is the man. I had to be the first realtor in Music City to bring it-a fun parody. For this reason, I decided I had to make a parody. I picked a song, re-wrote all of the lyrics to go with real estate, and found an amazing local producer in Nashville to bring my vision to life. Micah Atkinson exceeded my expectations. Micah is truly talented and amazing to work with if you ever need anything-he is it? He works tirelessly as I do, and he is full of ideas and passion for his work and it shows. If you feel like a good laugh, check out our video, Walker Hayes AA Amanda Sweeney-Jones Realtor Parody on YouTube.

After putting the video on social media, I have attracted new clients, articles have been written about me, and even House Hunters, the TV show, contacted me wanting to cast me for their show. So here is the catch. I need buyers or buyers willing to be on HGTV with me. Can’t be an investor or flipper. Budget not to exceed $1,000,000. Must have a good personality. Let me know, we will have fun together.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have had many challenges since my time in Nashville in 2005. In my experience, nothing worth having comes easy.

I faced, along with everyone else, the Covid struggle. Only two months after I got my real estate license-the pandemic hit. I was determined to not let a pandemic stop my success. I was considered an essential employee, so I stayed plugging and selling along. I myself believe mindset has everything to do with how we see ourselves and even how others see us. So staying in an attitude of gratitude is key for me. You can be your biggest obstacle! You must believe in yourself and your abilities and know you are an asset-know you’re worth. The biggest challenge for me is the world will try to hold you back and keep you in a box, don’t listen. This quote helps remind me to keep the negativity far away from me, so I wanted to share it with you.

“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.” – Miechele Ruiz.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I want to let you all know as a realtor, I do work with all different price points in the real estate world. I don’t want to limit myself or my clients- so big or small, residential or commercial properties, I welcome. I am a listing agent and a buyers agent so come one, come all. I can help you all! I would love the opportunity to earn your business. Let’s talk, meet, and see how I can assist you.

What sets me apart from others is just by-not being a pushy salesperson realtor stereotype, but being a human working with another human, making selling and buying real estate as stress-free and fun as possible. Actually taking the time, really understanding and caring about my client’s lives, dreams, goals, and motivations-they see that, and that means more than anything, I believe. my loan lady and the closing company are amazing and I can work with 1031 exchanges, trusts, cash, or all the loan options. If you need approval, give me a call- if it’s possible, my lady will get it done.

My willingness to be open, upfront, authentic, and honest- nonrobotic, sets me apart from my competition. So if you like everything sugar-coated and to be strung along, I wouldn’t be for you. I’m known for being colorful and marching to the beat of my own drum- for example, they offer you scripts to use while talking to clients, but I never use those, ever.

I don’t want to sound like a robot, I am just me, different. I offer more than just selling Tennessee, I offer friendship because I become close friends with my clients. As a realtor, I have literally painted, cleaned nasty bathtubs, done landscaping, laid flooring, decluttered, staged with what we had, and many more things above and beyond for my clients to get their property sold for top dollar and as fast as possible. I know how to get my hands dirty and I’m not afraid to do so for my clients. Volunteering and giving back to the community is always important to me from domestic violence to children’s programs for literacy. I am thankful for all of the programs and nonprofits everywhere- your work is amazing and we all see you and appreciate you, your work is actually changing lives and making this world a much better place.

How do you define success?
I see success as a journey, not a destination. Most success starts with some sort of redemption or reaching goals. We have all had to pick ourselves back up at one time or another. Ask yourself, “How do I want my narrative and story to go?” Success for me is helping others reach their goals and dreams of home ownership. It is such a rewarding experience and making a positive difference in others’ lives. For me, success is about being the best I can be at what I do and doing my job well regardless of what I’m doing.

As my grandpa, Mr. Haerer would say, “If you’re going to do it-don’t half a** it.” Work towards a goal-big or small, with purpose and drive-and celebrate all the small wins along the way. Without all the small wins-you would never reach that major goal-don’t forget that. I frequently volunteered for projects and embraced every opportunity to learn, because education is key to success so I can be better for myself, my clients, and my colleagues. Ultimately, success is being your best, being happy, having peace, helping others succeed, having wonderful family, and friends, and being able to sleep really well at night, because I treat others- no matter what social class you’re in, the way I want to be treated.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AmandaSweeneyJones.com
• Instagram: @RealEstateQueenAmanda
• Facebook: 615-606-8450
• Twitter: @TnEstate
• Youtube: @amandasweeneyjones

Image Credits
Micah Atkinson