Nicole Andrews shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Nicole, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What battle are you avoiding?
The never ending battle of laundry and an organized home! The market ebbs and flows and I can always tell what my professional week looked like by the state of the laundry room. In busier weeks- watch out! Save yourselves from the clothing avalanche!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I am Nicole Andrews. I’m a former “Yankee” with planted southern roots raising two wonderful boys in Raleigh with my husband, Jake. Our family is “all in” in Real Estate. Jake and his business partner and life-long friend own Oakwood Builders, LLC, a building company specializing in new construction homes. I have the honor (and, let’s be honest, sometimes frustration) of working side-by-side with them as their designer and Broker. I also assist buyers and sellers in the Triangle area of NC in getting the best possible terms with the least amount of stress. I serve up Real Estate with a side of mom jokes, a touch of sarcasm and a dash of caffeine.
I entered Real Estate almost hesitantly a little over 4 years ago. I was afraid of the poor reputation that agents had and was so reluctant to exit the field of Education, where I had been for 10 years. After begrudgingly taking and passing the NC RE Exam, I learned that this industry is where I am meant to be. I saw quickly how well my skills as an educator transferred. I remember feeling so conflicted about my career decisions and my husband Jake saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time. I am eternally grateful for the gentle nudge because this has become my passion and life.
A forever goal is work-life balance, and I am actively working on taking back my fitness and health. As a busy working mom I prioritized others for years over myself and I am grateful that I have a supportive group of family and friends as I push myself to be stronger.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Fifth Grade. Patricia Will was our French and Spanish teacher at Attica Middle School in Western NY. I grew up in a very small, homogenous town. Traveling was not a priority for my family or many in our socio-economic status. Madame Will was on a desk, acting out a memory while a slide show of her most recent trip to France played on a projector. I will never forget the energy with which she approached teaching. She inspired me to be a Foreign Language Teacher at the age of 10. That Halloween I was Claude Monet. I delved into art, architecture and culture. Learning that our tiny town was just a blip on the radar was eye-opening for me as an 11-year-old.
While I no-longer teach Foreign Language, I carry her passion with me. It is amazing and energizing to be around people who love and believe in what they do. We travel with our children as often as possible and believe dearly in the power of education and cultural acceptance.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
It is OK to be “weird.” If I could tell little Nicole anything it would be to embrace my awkwardness. I did not enjoy the social aspect of school until college when I grew into myself, and I wish I would have just embraced who I was. That kid who had adult interests, liked old music, was an “old soul.” I wish she would have had just an ounce of confidence, because it turns out, she is pretty cool.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I’d hope my closest friends would mention my desire for genuine connection and conversation. Disingenuousness is a pet peeve of mine, but man do I love a truly engaging conversation, even with a total stranger.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Those two sweet, funny, smart boys I call my babies. Our sons are our raison d’être and their smiles spark true joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.costellorei.com/agents/1950291/Nicole+Andrews
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_andrews_realtor
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-andrews-13127b108
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Nicole-Andrews-Realtor-in-the-Triangle-with-Costello-REI-100082680044355/
Image Credits
Nicole Trebour Photography
