Meet Shellsy Ashen | Real Estate Agent

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

Hi Shellsy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My first career was as a high school science teacher and volleyball coach. It was a steady, stable job that was rewarding for me, at times. But every year, I felt like I would start all over again and was left deflated. I felt like all of the hard work and effort that I poured into my class, my team, and the kids I taught was quickly forgotten as they moved on and I was left back at square one. Don’t get me wrong, being a teacher/coach is an incredibly important and impactful career as it is your job to shape the young minds of the next generation. For me personally, I just began to think about what else might be out there for me and I wanted to explore that hunch inside me. I wanted to invest my time to build something of my own and to see all of that hard work grow into something great.

Real estate always fascinated me. To buy a house is the American dream, but it is not just about owning a piece of property, it’s about investing in something tangible, something that has the potential to appreciate in value over time. For many, owning a home represents stability, security, and a sense of accomplishment. It’s a place to call your own, to create memories with loved ones, and to establish roots in a community. But beyond the personal fulfillment, real estate offers numerous opportunities for wealth-building. Whether it’s through rental income, property appreciation, or strategic investments, real estate has long been regarded as a reliable long-term asset for growing one’s wealth. I have heard countless stories where a first time home buyer stretched their finances to the max to buy a house for $30,000 in the 70’s and that same original home is now worth $3,000,000 today!

This fascination in real estate ultimately lead me to quit my job as a teacher and coach and jump in as a full-time real estate agent. Buying or selling a property can be one of the most significant financial transactions someone will make in their lifetime. My objective is to guide my clients to make informed decisions, negotiate effectively, and achieve their real estate goals. I see it not as facilitating transactions, but facilitating dreams. Helping individuals and families find the perfect place to create memories and build their futures is what it’s all about and brings me so much joy!!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I was definitely nervous about switching careers and becoming a real estate agent. I had zero background in business, finance, law, etc. In fact, my previous experiences couldn’t have been farther from preparing me to be an agent as I majored in marine biology! Knowing the scientific name of aquatic plants and animals doesn’t translate very well to real estate contracts (although I don’t regret any of it and still have a strong passion for marine biology!). Also, being an agent is 100% commission based, so I would only get paid if I closed a deal. I could spend years working with a client and then one day they could change their mind and poof, no pay check! I had some money saved up to help me in my transition, but I wasn’t sure how long it would take for me to close my first transaction.

Common statistics say that there is a 87% fail rate for new agents in their first 5 years. But I knew the risk was worth the reward. There was no doubt in my mind that if I worked harder than at least 87% of other agents, I would be successful. My past experience as a Division 1 athlete in college gave me the confidence to know that if I put in the time and the reps it will bring direct results. I might not win every game or close every sale, but I have the tools to make it happen. Every deal, every negotiation, and every setback is an opportunity for growth. No victory is guaranteed, but success comes from consistent effort, resilience in the face of challenges, and a willingness to learn from both victories and defeats.

As a new agent, I know I needed guidance and support so I joined the Stephanie Lowe Group at Compass. Stephanie Lowe is a mentor of mine who has taught me so much about real estate and what it means to put your clients first, always. If you want to be the best, you need to surround yourself with the best, so that is what I did. What I didn’t know is how much I would love running my own business! Every minute of every day that I spend working is a direct investment of my time in growing my business. Each day brings a new adventure whether I am guiding someone through the process of buying their dream home, assisting a seller in maximizing their property’s value, helping tenants find the perfect place to call home, or advising investors on lucrative opportunities. I get so excited when I hand over a set of keys to new homeowners!!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Part of my job is to be the local expert, which includes knowing housing inventory of various neighborhoods, but also the best restaurants, schools, and upcoming events. I’ve got you covered for an epic week in Orange County!

I would say to stay at:
– The Lido House or Pendry in Newport Beach
– Surf & Sand or The Ranch in Laguna Beach
– El Caminante in Capo Beach
– You can really splurge at the Montage, Pelican Hill, or the Ritz Carlton

The best eats:
– Sushi lovers: Nobu, Cafe Sakana, 242, or Gen Kai
– Italian lovers: Louie’s by the Bay, Giana, or Gema’s (or grab a slice at Beach Harbor Pizza or Pizza Port!)
– Coffee addicts: Juliette’s Cafe, KIT Coffee, Reborn, Parakeet Cafe, Urth Cafe, Bear Coast Coffee, or High Tide Coffee.
– Everything else: Malibu Farms, Bear Flag, Pedro’s Tacos, Crystal Cove Shake Shack, Ahba (get the burger), Starfish, Din Tai Fung, or Selanne Steak Tavern.

Drinks with a view:
– Rooftap Lounge, The Deck, Skyloft, Billy’s at the Beach, or Cannery Seafood of the Pacific

Things to do:
– Duffy cruise in Newport Beach (bring a cheese board with some drinks!)
– Bike around Newport Beach Peninsula and take the ferry across to Balboa Island (must grab a frozen banana from Sugar ’n Spice!)
– “Beach it” at Crescent Bay, Thousand Steps, Lasuens, or take a surf lesson at Doheny
– Hike in Laguna Beach or walk the Crystal Cove Headlands (check out the beach cottages on the sand!)
– Shop at Fashion Island or South Coast Plaza

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to Stephanie Lowe who took me under her wing to teach my everything she could to help me be successful in my business. She continues to mentor me, encourage me and inspire me. I am so lucky to have her in my corner. Her guidance has made a significant impact on my career and I would not be where I am today without her! Thank you Stephanie!

Website: https://www.shellsyashenrealestate.com/

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