Using my NFL experience to help...Advice Please

[Sydni Chattman]

Hello all,

I am currently a cheerleader for the NFL. I am a fairly new real estate professional! I have rental, multifamily, and SFH management experience! My end goal is to become a real estate developer. I will be working with a small development company fairly soon as their property management! They know my end goals and are willing to assist to make that happen!

Question: Should I speak about my being affiliated with the NFL for leverage in the Real Estate profession? When networking, is this a appropriate as a conversation starter?

I've been a dancer my entire life and I love football! I've danced/cheered for well over 7 years for Professional teams. Although I want to be respected as a Real Estate professional, I've found in personal relationships that this being a great conversation started and really get people excited to get to know me. Obviously that is not what I want to be the main focus and definitely not the only aspect that I have to offer, however, as professional as I am, and the NFL organizations are, I think it could be beneficial. But I also think that it could hurt me, professionally and some may see it as a negative.

Please let me know your thoughts. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who just met me at a Real Estate Professional Networking event or an employer.

Thank you all!

-Sydni

[Michael Johnson]

Hi Sydni,

Although also new to real estate, I think that I may be able to help you here.  I personally believe that this would be a great conversation starter and that it is in your best interests to use it to differentiate yourself.  You would know better than anyone: how many other NFL cheerleaders make a career change of this magnitude or are interested in having a professional life after cheerleading?  I don't know much about it, but I would venture to say that you are in the minority! Congrats and good for you!  I believe that networking in this field is no different than the networking I do within the New York City & Philadelphia finance community.  It is a part of your story and, when framed properly, it will differentiate you and make you stand out to people.  By being unique you make yourself more memorable and, truthfully, being memorable is half of the networking battle!  

Best of luck,

Mike