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Check Out Shannon Dager’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Dager

Hi Shannon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story began in Atlanta, where I grew up in a middle-class family and attended local schools
from elementary through college. By the age of 14, I was already juggling school and work, and
by the time I graduated high school, I had taken on the full-time role of Office Manager at a
psychology practice. My college years were filled with multiple jobs, and although I wasn’t sure
of my ultimate career path, I was committed to building a life for my family.

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?
At 20, near college graduation, I took a significant leap. My partner and I, with $5,000 in savings
and no children, decided to start a business. What began as a small venture quickly turned into
something larger than we expected. Every Friday, I baked biscuits and delivered them to
contractors around Atlanta, building relationships and securing opportunities to bid on projects.
Our business flourished—until the 2008 financial crisis hit. By then, we had three children, a large home, and a successful business with 35 employees. We made the difficult decision to stop taking paychecks, downsize our lifestyle, sell our home, and transition our children from private to public school. It was a challenging time, but it forced me to rethink my future. After selling the business and going through a divorce, I knew I needed to start fresh. Real estate became my next chapter. Drawing on my existing network, I quickly gained traction and within a very short time was selling a large volume and number of units annually and was consistently recognized as a leading agent in the luxury market. This allowed me to ensure my children could attend college debt-free, and provided stability during uncertain times. In addition, it showed me the potential that real estate could bring to my family for
multi-generational and passive income. While I loved working with clients, real estate began to feel transactional. I cherished the relationships I built with my clients, especially buyers, but I wanted something deeper. I longed
to stay connected beyond the closing table. That’s when I was introduced to Keller Williams. After several conversations, I was offered the opportunity to relaunch a Keller Williams office in Atlanta —a role that reignited my passion for real estate and leadership. This is where I discovered my love of leadership. My husband was offered a career opportunity in Cincinnati and we decided to take a risk and move to a new region where we knew no one. I was fortunate to have established a solid reputation in leadership by this time and was offered a position on the Keller Williams regional team. Eventually, I decided that I wanted to be in the trenches of sales and coaching agent and
today, I proudly serve as the Team Leader for Keller Williams in Cincinnati, where I help guide the careers of over 230 agents. My focus is on practical training, hands-on support, and leadership that emphasizes real-world skills and growth. Additionally, I continue to sell real estate, and I’m licensed in Georgia, Kentucky, and Ohio. I have also founded Heritage Home Partners, a real estate team that serves clients from Cincinnati to Dayton. We are a
multi-generational team that focuses on client service and experience.

Education and mentorship are key parts of my career. Through Keller Williams University
(KWU), I teach real estate agents worldwide. One of my signature classes, helps agents
discover and articulate their unique value propositions, enabling them to win more clients. This
class, like my business philosophy, is grounded in real-world experience and focuses on helping
agents communicate their worth authentically. I believe in teaching agents to discover their
unique brand and to use it to build business that thrive on solid financials and lead generation
strategies and focuses. These classes are broker-agnostic, offering any agent the tools to build a sustainable,
successful business. I believe every agent should have access to the skills and knowledge they
need to thrive. That’s why I focus on teaching practical, actionable strategies.
Through my leadership role, educational efforts, and team-building initiatives, I’ve become a
trusted resource for agents looking to grow their businesses. My teaching style is approachable,
and I focus on simplifying complex topics for agents at every stage of their careers.
But what I value most are the relationships I’ve built. My clients, fellow agents, and team
members have become more than just business associates—they’re family. My connection to
Ohio and my dedication to the community drive me every day. At the end of the day, it’s not just about selling homes. It’s about helping people, building community, and making sure everyone feels valued. That’s what real estate is truly about for me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most proud of my family and how we’ve grown stronger through the challenges we’ve faced. We’ve been through some tough times, but I’ve shown them that resilience and hard work can turn adversity into opportunity. I’m also incredibly proud of the reputation I’ve built in my career. People know me as someone who is honest, hardworking, kind, caring, and authentic. Having that kind of trust and respect means everything to me. What sets me apart is my dedication to authenticity and hard work. I don’t cut corners, and I’m deeply committed to doing what’s right for my clients and my team. I bring a personal touch to my business, genuinely caring about the people I work with. I believe that relationships should always come before sales, and that philosophy has helped me build a lasting career.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice is to work harder than you ever thought possible, especially in those first few years.
That initial grind will pay off in ways you can’t imagine. Surround yourself with people who push
you, who are honest about where you need to grow, and who will lift you up when needed. Don’t
be intimidated by strong personalities—learn from them. They’re not your competition, they’re
your role models. Also, invest early and often—not just in real estate, but in yourself. You should
be your safest and most rewarding investment. I wish I had realized how capable I was when I first started. I let fear hold me back at times when I should have been focusing on long-term goals. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to trust in my own abilities and not let fear dictate my decisions. The sooner you realize your potential, the
faster you can start building the future you want.

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