Starting Before You're Ready
A Bonus Interview with Uplifters Live Sponsor, Heather McMaster of The Corcoran Group
When Heather McMaster helped us sell our Brooklyn home last fall, I discovered she was more than just a real estate agent – she was a true Uplifter. She brought expertise that made what could have been an overwhelming process feel surprisingly manageable (and almost even energizing). She instilled confidence at every step and found buyers who would cherish our beloved home as much as we had.
When I shared the mission of Uplifters Live – celebrating change-making women who lift others as they climb – Heather immediately volunteered to sponsor. This came as no surprise, as she embodies everything our community stands for: courage, authenticity, and supporting others through major transitions.
Every Uplifters Live sponsor must pass one essential test: they must truly be Uplifters themselves. Heather passes with flying colors, and I'm thrilled to share her story with you.
Your career journey has taken some interesting turns. Can you walk us through how you arrived at real estate?
HM: My passion for design led me to real estate, but it was a circuitous path! I moved to New York to get my PhD in English with a focus in Women's Literature, but I soon learned that I detested academic writing and if "publish or perish" was true, I was going to perish! Loving books and literature, I worked in publishing at the Feminist Press and NYU Press, but I felt there was only so far I could go. At 30 years old with a masters degree and only a thesis standing in my way of finishing my PhD, I decided to switch gears and follow my passion—interior design. I enrolled at FIT, but back then there were no online courses, so to finish the degree, I had to quit my job in publishing to take day courses.
That's quite a pivot from academia to design! How did you manage that transition financially?
HM: To make ends meet while finishing school, I thought perhaps I could get my real estate license and do some rentals to pay the bills. Having a background in marketing and an eye for interior design, it turned out to be a perfect fit. While I did finish my interior design degree which has been incredibly helpful when it comes to staging properties, I ended up loving all aspects of real estate sales and here I am 20+ years later.
Building a business from scratch takes courage. What are you most proud of in your journey?
HM: I take pride in the fact that I built my business, on my own, with no one else's help. I started my real estate career by cashing in my 401K, which put $9,000 in my pocket. I worked hard and smart and took a leap of faith. I hope my story can light the way for others who are considering a career change, even if they're starting before they feel fully prepared.
Looking back at your non-linear path, what would you tell someone hesitating to make a big change?
HM: Ever feel like you're not ready? I get it. After leaving academia, I followed my passion for home design which led me to real estate. I cashed in my 401k, quit my day job, and built my business from just $9K. It was risky, starting before I felt ready, but my tenacity lit the way, and now I'm honored to be a sponsor of Uplifters Live! The lesson? Live life now—don't wait until you feel ready.
Learn more about Heather HERE.
💓 Aransas
PS: Did you get your Uplifters Live ticket yet?!? I can’t wait to share this day with you! We have a bonkers lineup of guests and speakers, and as you can guess from this list of sponsors, the swag bag is 🔥! Check out the latest agenda for the event HERE.
