Today we’d like to introduce you to Gia Wilson.
Gia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We’ll start with the juicy parts and then get down to business. It was Easter Sunday of 2013, and I was home from college visiting my family for the weekend. I finally had mustered up the courage to tell my parents I was into women.
It went something like, “This is the day that the Lord has risen! Let us rejoice and be glad He did! Oh, and by the way, yeah, I’m super gay.” For the Lord’s sake, couldn’t I’ve chosen a better day to tell my lovely and very religious parents this forbidden information?
At this point, a few other friends and family members already knew, but I decided to tell my mom first that day. Her expression was priceless. Imagine you were a woman in the 1930s. You go to the bank and say, “Hello sir, I’d like to open up a bank account, please.” The banker just looks at you in disbelief and says, “Young lady, how dare you to try and open up your own bank account, much less dare to enter this building alone! Go get your husband and come back so he can do it for you!” My mom was the banker if that wasn’t obvious.
This was a pivotal point in my life and what came next was shocking. I felt extremely vulnerable; I mean, I just shared my raw soul with those who supposedly loved me the most. My heart opened, ready for the love and support I thought I would receive, yet I was met with rejection. My parents have known me my whole life. I thought they, of all people, would accept me with open arms because I’m their child. Right? Wrong. What’s worse is after that faithful day, we barely spoke again for years, and if we saw each other at family gatherings, it was as if I didn’t exist. I felt like they were ashamed or embarrassed to see their angel daughter be so, in their eyes, gross!
It was instilled into me that being gay was an abomination and that my soul was hell-bound. This upbringing and those teachings left me with conflicting mental battles from a torn soul. Why me? I wish I could shake my younger self and shout, “Snap out of it! You have to start by loving yourself first exactly how you are. Stop focusing on the pain and look for the joy! What do you want to see happen for your future self, and what actions can you take right now to help yourself get there? Never mind what everyone else thinks about who you are or what plans they think you should have for your life. Keep moving forward with the kindness from your big heart, let love lead you, and watch the love expand to reflect from everyone you meet.”
These defining moments could have derailed me forever. Instead, I finally began growing into what it meant to exist inside of my skin through owning my truth. Developing an awareness of self had led me to chisel away at the parts of me that didn’t fit with how I felt. I slowly began constructing a healthy self-confidence that I maintain today, giving me the ability to love and receive love in return indeed. It started to feel like I was living a kind of “Hallmark Card” life. “Congratulations, you did it!” “Stay true to yourself, and you can accomplish anything.”
“Strength comes from within; just believe!” Nerdy, I know. But I’m a vivid dreamer and a wild lover at heart. It took years to become comfortable with “living that gay lifestyle,” as my parents would often refer to it as if it were an option not to be myself. Just so everyone is aware, I love my parents so incredibly much, and it took years of growth for all of us to become who we are now, which is terrific. And, I am happy that they are in my life.
Finally, during my fourth year of college, I moved away from my hometown of Syracuse, New York. I was dating a woman in the military, and shortly after visiting her at her first duty station in California, she proposed. So, off I went driving across the country to marry for love. Mind you, at that time, only a few states allowed same-sex couples the right to marry. Think about this for a moment. The federal government finally decided I was entitled to the fundamental right to marry who I loved only six years ago. When officially legalized, they refer to it as “gay marriage.” Still not an equal, something outside the realm of normality. Again, I was faced with that same 1930’s feeling, a woman trying to open a bank account. And, there are so many untold stories that can relate. But I digress.
My spouse and I received our next duty assignment to Augusta, Georgia, and that’s where we bought our first home together. I arrived from California the day before we closed on the house to do the final walk-through of the property. It was the first time I saw the place in person. We bought it “sight unseen.” I practically cried driving into the neighborhood where our house was because life was nothing close to what I imagined once again. Naturally, this was also the first day I met my Realtor. During this initial face-to-face conversation, he asked what I was planning on doing for work here in Augusta.
Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to do with my life, which led me to a typical response of someone in their early 20’s. Then he said, “Well, go get your real estate license and then come work at my company if you’d like.” I laughed because I wasn’t sure if he was just joking or crazy. I had no deep knowledge of the real estate world, much less any interest. I went to college to be an elementary school teacher. In fact, I wanted to be a 2nd-grade teacher, not a real estate agent. This was the second pivotal moment that retrospectively changed the course of my life.
The most significant thing I learned from this experience that I now share with my son is to be open to almost any adventure and live with pure intentions. Try everything at least once… ok, most everything. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, at least you tried something new. To make a long story less long, who knew I would fall in love with teaching adults how to buy, sell and invest in real estate rather than teaching children their ABCs.
We wanted to start a family during our time in Augusta, and people thought we were crazy. Two moms? That can’t be possible; what will your kid think? Which one of you will be called mom? I can laugh about this now because I finally know exactly what he says about it. For example, this is how my five-year-old son Connor introduces himself to literally anyone, in such a chipper tone, “Hi, I’m Connor! I have two moms, and my favorite colors are green and purple.” He’s a natural interviewer and curious little fellow. He’ll immediately follow his introduction up with, “What’s your name and favorite colors?” in the sweetest, most genuine voice.
I think a part of his purpose is to be the ice breaker if you will, the one to spark the tough conversations that will lead naturally to the normalization of a child having same-sex parents. Because boy, oh boy, have I gotten some interesting but most often adorable reactions from these introductions. Even after going through a divorce and transitioning to living the single-parent life, my ex and I made sure Connor knew he still had the best two moms a child could ask for.
A couple of years later, my family and I moved to Savannah, Georgia, where I continued to fall in love with my real estate career. Between the city’s rich history and the community’s uniqueness, Savannah has been a great place to thrive in the real estate world. Within my first year in Savannah, I found myself on the Top Producing Realtors list and not to toot my own horn, but I have been on it every year since. Statistically speaking, to put it in perspective, according to The National Association Of Realtors, in 2019, the average Realtor sold 12 houses.
2019 was my first full year, and I knew I had so much to learn, so I set a realistic goal to close 30 homes. I kept my head straight, focused on the plan, and in turn, I ended up closing on 45 homes that year. That’s 33 more than the national average! Since then, I’ve loved nothing more than improving my craft and making genuine connections with the people I meet in business. In my personal life, I continue to grow daily as a mother, a partner, a friend, an advocate, and a daughter on this deeper path of self-awareness.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everyone faces their own set of challenges, and most often, those challenges come from us resisting something the universe is trying to communicate, direct or indirect. How we choose to react to the self-defined ease or struggle is what defines us the most. There were plenty of things that at the time didn’t go as I imagined, but here’s the catch. It did go exactly how I felt it would. My parents slowly came around because I continuously believed my parents would come around. I never gave up on that dream.
One of my favorite quotes is by philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson who says, “Once you make a decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen.” In short, the decisions you make, whether that’s your thoughts, your words, or your actions, are a direct reflection of your reality. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, change your thoughts, change your reality. Take it a step further and beyond our thoughts; it’s also the words you speak and the decisions you make that manifest your reality.
For example, if you say you’re always late, you will always be late. If you say you always have bad luck, then you will continue to have bad luck. Start scripting what you want to see for your future, then think, speak and act with those goals in mind, and eventually, it will come to be. Practice this daily, and it will change your life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a top-producing Realtor in Savannah, Georgia, at Keller Williams Realty. Keller Williams has some of the most outstanding people I’ve met, but even more, I work on the best team here in Savannah, Team Callahan. Together, we’re one of the highest producing groups you can find, and each of us has significant roles on the team. Our motto is, Sell Houses. Have Fun. Give Back. All of those statements are pure, and I think every person who truly knows our team would agree. We hold ourselves, as individuals and as a team, to higher standards than anyone else. To ensure we deliver on Our Promise, we ask every client for their honest feedback, which is often forgotten in our day and age.
You should know that I love going out to eat or getting drinks with my girlfriend. We especially love trying newly opened restaurants or places we haven’t been before. I know it’s a place I’ll be returning to when at the end of our meal, the chef or owner comes out and personally asks how everything tasted with genuine curiosity in their voice. Those people want the feedback so they know what’s working and what needs improvement or tweaking. When you stay engaged, you will continuously be improving the way you do business. Remember, knowledge is easy to learn; it’s the authenticity and genuineness that sets you apart. It’s something you cultivate within yourself, and then one must consistently nurture it. The rest will follow.
In my field of work, I get to be the one to assist others in making their dreams of homeownership or their vision of smoothly sailing through the selling process come true. I’m honored they trust me to help guide them through this chapter of their lives. My favorite is teaching people how to invest their money in real estate, such as tips and tricks to position their house to sell quickly and for top dollar. I love teaching people how to find and flip homes or invest in multifamily and commercial properties. Helping others succeed brings so much joy, and that’s my ultimate reward. Once, when presenting 12 offers to a seller, I involuntarily laughed from excitement because they were so happy with the results. I probably sounded a little crazy or like I was hallucinating. I just said, “I’m so sorry. I laugh when I’m excited because I’m so happy to see this working out for you better than we both expected.”
I see myself as a great resource of information and connections, whether it’s recommending a roofer or electrician, even a place to eat or drink. Name your need, and I’ve got a recommendation. Not only locally, but I also help people find agents that match my client’s needs all around the country! The last thing I want to see is that my client sells their house in Savannah, moves to a new city, and gets stuck with Joe Shmoe off the street, who just got his license last week, so I help make those connections to ensure they’re in good hands.
I’m an entrepreneur, a mother of a son who is a little genius, and a partner to the most beautiful woman I’ve laid eyes on. My mind is über creative, artistic, logical, and emotional. My business is to constantly be a student of the real estate market in all its forms. My passion is handling my client’s investments and trust – even their emotions – with confidence, care, and the guidance I’d want for myself.
My business is giving back to our community; whether it’s picking up trash every month or raising money for nonprofits while hosting a giveaway event, we’re always doing something! One of my favorites is our annual food drive in November. We love collecting hundreds of bags from the community to donate to a local food pantry. Our team always welcomes volunteers interested in getting involved with giving back to the community during these events, so reach out to us if you’re interested!
To say I’m just a Realtor is far from the end of my story. When you’re the best version of yourself, it’s infectious. People sometimes ask, “So what sets you apart?” I kind of giggle because how do I put all of that into a few sentences? Since we are a reflection of our thoughts, spoken words, and actions, what impression do I want to leave on others? My brand is authenticity and genuineness. It’s being true to myself and being true to others. Doing so opens up doors you never even knew existed and enables you to live a life by design.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Think of your life as a bus, and you’re the driver. It’s your bus. You can design it inside and out however your heart desires. How would your bus look? What would it sound like? Who are you allowing on the bus, and what impact is your bus making on those riding it? Do people stay on the bus for long? Any remain until the end of the line? Is there food? Music? Dancing? Books? Entertainment? Silence? How is your driving? Are you conscious of the speed or the direction you’re heading? Do you take shortcuts, and if so, is it to avoid the traffic or be more efficient? I could go on, but I think you get it. What has impacted me the most was realizing, I’m in control of everything.
Networking, for example – who are the people I’m allowing on the bus, and what impact am I making? Here’s an example of someone waiting at the bus stop, and I pull up. When I’m out and about at the grocery store, I have no hesitation in asking what someone else is cooking for dinner. I may sound crazy to some, but that’s just me.
Now, how can you turn that conversation from “What’s for dinner?” to “Do you have a Realtor you trust for your real estate needs?” Obviously, that’s not always the goal, and sometimes I forget to mention anything about real estate! But here we are, meeting at a stop, and they get onto the bus when I open the bus door. It all comes by practicing, and I can tell you I’ve definitely fumbled through some awkward conversations when I first started trying to talk to people about real estate!
Relatability helps open the door then genuineness helps them onto the steps of the bus. It’s not about selling them a house. When you genuinely care about who they are by listening to their story, the rest will fall into place in its own time. If I walked around Home Depot and said, “Hey, who wants to buy a house?!” I would look a bit ridiculous. If I said, “Hey man, what project are you working on?” it’s easier to transition into, “Do you need any recommendations for a contractor that can help with your project? I’m in real estate and have a great referral network, so I’d be happy to send someone your way.” Boom. Networking.
I have always found that the right mentor falls into my life precisely when I need them to. Before moving to Savannah, I researched and knew who I wanted to work for because I could tell by their team pictures, community events, and reviews that this was where I wanted to be. I wanted to learn from one of the best in Savannah. Of course, the team being a part of the LGBTQ family in Savannah made the decision easier. At the beginning of my interview, Don Callahan says, “Unfortunately, we’re not hiring, but we’re always looking for talent.” My heart broke a little. Here I was; I just moved to Savannah, not knowing anything about the market, pleading my case.
I figured I should interview with another team as a backup plan when I had my mind made up in reality. I interviewed with another group, and immediately, I could feel the difference. One was casual and friendly, talking about goals, dreams, and my whole transition to Savannah. The other was cold and reserved. I felt like I was out of place, like here’s this New Yorker with a big personality trying to act normal.
I was relieved when they called me after the interview to tell me I wasn’t the right “fit” for the team. I said to myself, “Thank goodness!” The point – don’t give up on something if you know it’s where you want to be, especially if you know you can learn a wealth of information and guidance. And if you’re not a “good fit,” that’s a good sign you’re heading in the right direction. Don’t fit in; stand out.
In addition to business, find mentors and friends for your spiritual, physical, and mental growth. My partner contributes to my evolution in so many ways. She’s a badass military vet and a talented artist. Her artwork has a spiritually connected theme that we are all more than the physical, and she coined the term “Thought Package.” If you love art or the mind, you should check it out. Besides spiritually growing together, we’re up at 6 am every day for the gym, stay healthy in the kitchen and play just as hard as we work. Without nurturing my soul, body, and mind, how would I be able to nurture my clients? You must take care of yourself first to perform at the top of your game.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without her and the many others who have shown me love and support along the way. We are all in this business together. My ultimate business is to put my story out there so that whoever can relate to or someone with real estate needs can pick up the phone, dial my number, and connect with me beyond the surface.
My business is leading by example and being the guide in someone else’s story. I hope you always find people with kindness in their eyes and wisdom in their hearts. Welcome to my bus. I hope to see you on it.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected] or 706-877-0154
- Website: https://realestateinsavannah.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianettamarie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamcallahan
- Other: morethanthephysical.com
Image Credits
Brent Ingorsoll
