In her first year as a Nashville agent, Marie Lee cleared just $28,000. By year two, she made more than $250,000, and the lion’s share of that came from organic social media leads.
The industry probably knows Marie Lee best for her social content, and for good reason. She’s built a business off of social media and regularly converts “silent watchers” into actual clients.
But today, we’re talking about her business acumen.
During a recent BAMx Office Hours hosted by Krys Benyamein, Marie joined to share how she’s redefined her niche, set new boundaries, and built a real estate business that actually fits her life.
For Someone, Not Everyone
When Marie started in real estate in 2020, she tried to be everything for everyone. Like most new agents, she said yes to every opportunity, only to realize later that not all business is good business.
Her breakthrough came when she stopped chasing every buyer and started focusing on who she worked best with.
“My ideal clients are generally in their 30s to 40s, usually first-time buyers relocating to Nashville. I was one of the first agents to identify myself as a relocation specialist here, and that’s what really took off.”
By defining her niche, she attracted clients who trusted her process. Most of her buyers were shopping for homes in the $400,000 to $500,000 range, but her content also drew in a few surprising outliers.
“I closed a deal back in 2023 that was a first-time homebuyer and a relocation buyer. They ended up buying a $3.3 million home. They told me later that my content made them feel comfortable and educated about the process, even at that price point.”
Turning Chaos Into a Product
Relocation became Marie’s bread and butter, but it also came with burnout. Between planning itineraries, coordinating showings, and playing part-time tour guide, she realized she needed a better system.
Instead of scaling chaos, she decided to turn the experience into a product.
“I want to create a relocation experience with an economy tier, a luxury tier, and a more curated tier. Flights, hotels, dinner recommendations, the whole thing. I’ve been working with a travel agent to make that happen.”
She also plans to add a retainer for relocation clients.
“I want to get paid for my time. If they buy, it gets credited back to them at closing. If not, I keep it. I’m at the point now where I know when people are wasting my time, and I think people need to have some skin in the game.”
Krys called the approach “out of the box,” praising how it balances value with professionalism.
“It’s smart. You’re creating a better experience for clients while protecting your own time.”
Audit, Then Pivot
Part of Marie’s success comes from tracking her results. Every quarter, she looks at where each deal came from, what worked, and what didn’t.
That habit helped her spot a new market shift early.
“When I started, there weren’t many people doing relocation content. Now, everyone’s doing it. Anytime I notice multiple people doing the same thing, it’s time for me to pivot.”
Her next move? More new-construction content.
“I’ve been helping a lot of relocation clients buy new construction, so I want to start creating content around that. Highlighting builders, incentives, and communities that fit my buyers’ lifestyles.”
That kind of adaptability, Krys noted, is what keeps her business evolving.
“It’s not just about content,” he said. “It’s about looking at your business, finding the patterns, and making strategic pivots.”
Relationships That Return the Favor
Beyond clients, Marie applies the same intentionality to her vendor and referral relationships.
Her newsletter doesn’t just go to buyers. It goes to vendors, lenders, and referral partners. She gives shoutouts to the businesses she works with, shares updates, and makes sure her partners see the results.
“When I shout them out, it encourages them to send business back. I don’t give with the expectation of getting something in return, but that’s almost always what happens.”
Krys summed it up simply.
“Agents have a big microphone in their community. Using it to highlight others is how you keep business flowing both ways.”
Marie’s approach shows what happens when you treat real estate like a real business: clear clients, structured offers, and boundaries that protect your time and energy.
You don’t have to be everywhere or work with everyone. Pick your lane, create real value, and build a business that fits you (not the other way around).
BAMx members can watch the full replay of this BAMx Office Hours with Marie Lee and Krys Benyamein anytime.
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