A journey of growth: from military veteran to real estate leader

In this episode of the RENEW podcast, host Lauren Martin interviews Sara Fogg, Director of Product and Implementation at PrimeMLS. Sara shares her unique journey from military service to leadership in the real estate industry, highlighting her career growth, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.

Key Highlights from Sara Fogg’s Journey

• Unexpected Entry into Real Estate
  • After a career in the military and a stint as a quality assurance tech, Sara stumbled into real estate by accident.
  • She responded to an ad for a member service representative at Northern New England Real Estate Network (now PrimeMLS) without anticipating the transformative opportunities it would bring.
• Growth Through Learning by Doing
  • Initially told there was “no room for growth,” Sara took it upon herself to learn more about the systems and software used by real estate agents.
  • This hands-on learning approach opened doors for professional development and ultimately led to her taking on a leadership role as the company grew.
• Technical Skills and Embracing Change
  • Drawing on her technical background from the military, Sara helped implement crucial online systems that improved operations at PrimeMLS.
  • Her willingness to dive into new technologies and adapt to industry changes was key to her success.
• Leadership Challenges and Female Empowerment
  • Sara faced challenges in her leadership journey, including internal doubts about not having a college degree.
  • Despite these obstacles, she thrived in a supportive, forward-thinking company culture that champions female leadership.
  • Today, she’s part of an impressive management team alongside other women leaders and is inspired by industry icons such as Mary Jo Cowen, Nicole Jensen, and Megan McFarlane.
• Work-Life Balance and Family Values
  • Balancing a career and family has always been a challenge for Sara, especially before work-from-home flexibility became common.
  • PrimeMLS’s family-first culture allowed her to prioritize her family when necessary, a value she deeply appreciates and passes on to the next generation.
  • Even after 18 years in real estate, Sara continues to struggle with balance, especially while pursuing her MBA, but remains committed to both her career and personal life.
• Final Words of Advice
  • To her younger self, Sara would say: “It’s all going to be okay. Just keep learning.” Her story emphasizes the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and staying open to unexpected opportunities.

Conclusion

Sara Fogg’s journey is a powerful example of how adaptability, determination, and a love for learning can lead to unexpected success. Tune in to this episode of the RENEW podcast to hear more about her experiences in the real estate industry and her insights on leadership, growth, and finding balance between work and family.

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