Meet Sarah McKinney | Go Giving Realtor®

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah McKinney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is my mindset. Henry Ford has a famous quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Many times in my life I have told myself negative things, some very surface level, and others very deeply rooted and depressing. I also believed the negative things others would tell me, and repeated them to myself so often that I didn’t know I was doing it. Like the time a really popular girl in high school told me my feet were ugly. I never paid attention to my feet (or anyone else’s) until then, yet I became suddenly self conscious about my feet for years! I told myself every time I went shopping for shoes that my feet were ugly. This sounds so silly, but this was just one of many negative thoughts I told myself that limited what I did with my life. Imagine a hot Colorado day wearing socks and tennis shoes because sandals and flip flops were out of the question! Now imagine that happening for 10-15 years. It wasn’t until I read Tony Robbin’s book ‘Unlimited Power’ for the second time that I made a conscious decision to pay attention to the limiting beliefs I have of myself and eradicate them that I started to succeed. I would write each belief down as I went through the day. You wouldn’t believe the mean things I said about myself on a daily basis! These are things that I wouldn’t say to my worst enemy! Then, I decided to replace each limiting belief with an unlimiting belief. For example, if I thought to myself, “You can’t do that; you’re too stupid!” I would then say to myself, “You can learn to do that; you’re very smart!” It’s very simple and seems a little cheesy (trust me, I feel silly doing it sometimes), but it actually works. Changing the way I thought of myself changed the way I presented myself to others. It helped me be more understanding, more forgiving, more motivated, and more in control of my future. The end result was becoming more confident in what I do and know so I am able to serve as many people possible.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My grandfather, when he retired from the Air Force, became a Realtor® and I remember watching him thinking I would be just like him one day. He had a way about him that made it look easy to help others – and sometimes that meant NOT selling a house, as that was not what served their best interest. My mom was also a Realtor® when I was younger, making me a 3rd Generation Realtor®! I always thought real estate was just a hobby, and instead got involved in various construction industries. Working for roofing companies, residential engineers, and commercial architects and designers, I realized quickly my passion lies in real estate and helping people. I use my experience in those areas to help me find homes for many of my clients who are often out of state when they purchase a home. My knowledge of the area, construction methods, various builders, and the general market make me a huge asset to my clients. I should mention my husband is a drywall contractor who has also taught me quite a bit about what goes on behind the scenes! I am so excited for my plans for my business! I am intrigued by remodeling homes, and am wanting to learn more in that area. Most of all, I want to help those who need to sell their home in order to keep from going under. I have a lot of connections in the area and offer many services to help a home sell for the most money possible. Too many times I have sold a client’s home who is walking away with the previous owner’s equity because the original real estate agent played it safe and sold the home for way less than they should have. I can’t fathom losing that kind of money for my clients. It might not be my money, but I treat it like it is. Has it been easy? Well of course nothing comes easy! What I have learned is to appreciate when I feel overwhelmed, and use that as a tool to grow and learn. I have quite a few role models in business, and one of them is Gloria Mayfield Banks. She once said to be successful, you must have the courage to become confident over and over again. When you begin to become confident in what you know, it’s time to learn more. The overwhelm starts when you step out of your comfort zone and become courageous enough to admit there’s more to learn. Confidence comes in learning and mastering that new information or skill. Then, the cycle repeats itself. If I had the world’s ear to tell everyone about my story – it’s fairly simple – I trust God and strive to be kind. Putting people before things and serving others is where true success lies. I have never met a happy person who hates others. I have never met a respectable person who put their wants before others’ needs. Robert Ingersoll puts it best when he says, “We rise by lifting others.” The rest will fall into place.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a Colorado Springs Native, I feel like I have seen everything… Until I stumble upon something new! Of course there are touristy places people just have to see at least once like the Royal Gorge, Bishops Castle, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks Open Space, Flyin’ W Ranch, 7 Falls, and The Broadmoor’s Grounds… Then there are the wonderful coffee shops and food trucks that make coffee with friends or grabbing a quick bite so hard because they are all so good! Hint – come to Saturdays at the Square in Widefield where food trucks line up right by MoGlo’s Coffee Shop! But my hands down favorite place to go in Colorado for a ‘staycation’ is Glenwood Springs. It’s about a 4-5 hour drive from Colorado Springs, most of which is gorgeous! They have wonderful restaurants – Masala and Curry being my favorite for dinner and the 19th Street Diner being my favorite for breakfast or brunch. Can you say deep fried french toast!!?? The Two Rivers Park has some great fishing spots and plenty to do for the whole family. It’s also not a complete trip without a visit to The Glenwood Vaudeville Review! Hilarious, family friendly, broadway quality performances are the highlight of our trip. I just love that Colorado has so many hidden gems, it will take the rest of my life to find them all!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that deserve a ton of credit, but ultimately, everything traces back to my dad and my grandfather. Before I was born, my dad suffered a great injury as a high voltage electrician that caused him to nearly lose his legs. He was very young; just barley ìn his 20’s. Miracles upon miracles later, my dad was able to keep his legs but not his Achilles tendons. He could have sued his company for everything and decide to sit on social security for the rest of his life, but unwilling to cause his friends to lose their jobs, he decided instead to work… Sometimes 3 or 4 jobs at a time. Anytime I fall down and think I can’t get back up again, I think of my dad. He gives me drive and motivation to give 150%. My dad shows me that showing up is a daily decision. There’s not a man alive today who will ever come close to the man my dad is, and I am so very grateful for his example. Secondly, my grandfather. With my dad working much of my childhood, my grandfather served as a second father for me. He is retired Air Force, an award winning Realtor®, and hands down the most giving and forgiving person I know. He gave me my love for Real Estate and my desire to put people before things. He showed me that success is more about the people you have served and less about the number in your bank account. He reinforced what my dad taught me, but most importantly, he reinforced my faith in God – which is deeply rooted in everything I do. Of course, my dear mom fostered these needs and desires in my heart, so she cannot go without credit.

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