Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrena Yehia.
Darrena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in North Carolina and have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Before real estate, I spent 15 years with Chick-fil-A, where I worked my way up to become the Owner/Operator of the Downtown Raleigh Chick-fil-A. Those years taught me that taking exceptional care of people, leading with integrity, and building lasting relationships will always outperform a transactional mindset.
During my time with Chick-fil-A, I was honored to receive several company recognitions, including the Symbol of Success Award and Champions Club. I was also fortunate to earn a Ford Mustang through Chick-fil-A’s national profitability incentive program, recognizing top-performing Operators. While those achievements were exciting, the greatest takeaway was learning how to build a culture centered around hospitality, servant leadership, operational excellence, and creating an unforgettable customer experience—principles that continue to shape my real estate business today.
In 2016, I earned my real estate license while still operating the restaurant, and by 2017 I made the leap into real estate full-time. I loved my career with Chick-fil-A, but I knew I wanted to build something that reflected my own vision and create a business where I could combine my passion for marketing, entrepreneurship, and serving others in a more personal way.
Since then, Home Sweet Home Raleigh has grown into a boutique real estate brand focused on education, strategy, and delivering an exceptional client experience. While I help both buyers and sellers, my true passion is listing homes. I genuinely enjoy everything that goes into preparing a home for the market—from pricing strategy and staging to marketing, negotiations, and helping homeowners maximize their return on one of their largest investments.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to be recognized as a Top 500 REALTOR® in the Triangle for multiple years, earn my Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS™) designation, and become the Managing Broker of Home Sweet Home Raleigh, brokered by eXp Realty. What I’m most proud of, though, is that my business has been built almost entirely through referrals and repeat clients. To me, that’s the greatest compliment because it means people trust me with one of the biggest financial decisions they’ll ever make and feel confident recommending me to their family and friends.
Outside of real estate, I’m a wife and mom to an energetic three-year-old son, Eli. Becoming a mother reshaped my perspective on success and inspired me to build a business that allows me to serve my clients at the highest level while also being present for my family. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve learned that building a business isn’t just about growth—it’s about creating a life that aligns with your values.
Today, I’m focused on the next chapter of Home Sweet Home Raleigh by combining high-touch service with innovative marketing, technology, and education to become one of the Triangle’s premier listing specialists. My goal isn’t simply to sell homes. It’s to help homeowners make confident decisions, tell the unique story of their home, and create an experience that is strategic, transparent, and genuinely enjoyable from beginning to end.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but looking back, I’m grateful for every challenge because each one shaped who I am today.
One of the things I’m most proud of is being the first person in my family to graduate from college. I attended Campbell University, and because I chose a private university, I worked three jobs while earning my degree. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me grit, discipline, and the understanding that sometimes the things worth having require showing up every day—even when it’s isn’t easy.
Starting a career in real estate brought a completely different set of challenges. People often think REALTORS® simply open doors, but in reality you’re building an entire business from the ground up. There are no guaranteed paychecks, no established client list waiting for you, and every relationship has to be earned. Many new agents leave the industry within their first few years because building a sustainable business takes an incredible amount of persistence, consistency, and resilience.
When I launched Home Sweet Home Raleigh, I wanted it to reflect who I am. I designed the logo, built the brand, created the marketing materials, developed the systems, and poured countless hours into creating a client experience I could truly be proud of. It was a chance to put my degree in Graphic Design to work in a completely different way than I ever expected.
There were certainly moments of uncertainty, especially in those early years, but every obstacle became an opportunity to learn. Whether it was figuring out marketing, negotiating contracts, learning the legal side of real estate, or eventually stepping into the role of Managing Broker, each challenge pushed me to become a better business owner and advisor.
Outside of business, becoming a wife and mother gave me an entirely new perspective. It reminded me that success isn’t just measured by awards or production—it’s about building a business with purpose, creating meaningful relationships, and serving people with excellence while still making time for the things that matter most.
If there’s one lesson I’ve carried through every chapter of my life, it’s this: success rarely comes from taking the easy road. It comes from showing up consistently, staying curious, working hard, and treating people the way you’d want your own family to be treated. Those values have guided every chapter of my journey, and they’re still the foundation of Home Sweet Home Raleigh today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Home Sweet Home Raleigh?
My business was built on the foundation of hospitality.
After spending 15 years with Chick-fil-A, I learned that people may forget what you say, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. That philosophy has become the heartbeat of my business. Buying or selling a home can feel overwhelming, so my goal is to create an experience where clients feel informed, supported, cared for, and genuinely excited about what’s ahead.
While I help both buyers and sellers, I primarily specialize in residential listings throughout the Triangle. My passion is helping homeowners prepare their homes for the market and creating a strategy that maximizes both buyer interest and their return on investment.
One of the things that truly sets me apart is my background in design and my passion for presentation. Every listing includes a complimentary staging consultation because buyers don’t simply purchase square footage—they purchase a feeling. Sometimes it’s as simple as rearranging furniture, adding fresh accessories, improving curb appeal, or recommending paint colors. Small details create powerful first impressions, and I love helping clients see their home through a buyer’s eyes before it ever hits the market.
Marketing is another area where I thrive. Every listing receives a customized marketing strategy that includes professional photography, video, digital advertising, social media, print marketing, and a pricing strategy tailored specifically to that property. I believe every home has a story worth telling, and my job is to make sure buyers see it!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
One of my favorite parts of this business is the relationships I’ve built—not just with my clients, but with the incredible professionals who help make every transaction successful.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, I’d love the opportunity to connect and see if we’re a good fit. I truly believe every client deserves a personalized strategy, honest communication, and an advocate who’s invested in their success from start to finish.
I also love collaborating with other local business owners and industry professionals. Over the years, I’ve built an incredible network of trusted lenders, home inspectors, closing attorneys, handymen, contractors, photographers, stagers, HVAC companies, and other small businesses that help homeowners before, during, and long after closing. Real estate is absolutely a team sport, and I’m grateful to work alongside so many talented professionals who share the same commitment to serving others well.
One of my favorite things is connecting people. Whether it’s introducing a client to a trusted contractor, helping a family prepare their home for the market, or collaborating with another local business, I believe strong relationships create stronger communities.
If there’s one thing I’d love readers to take away, it’s that my door is always open. Whether you have a real estate question, need a recommendation for a local service provider, or simply aren’t sure where to start, I’m always happy to be a resource. Even if you’re not planning to move tomorrow, I’m here to help however I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.homesweethomeraleigh.com
- Instagram: @homesweethomeraleigh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeSweetHomeRaleigh/
