This month yours truly was featured on the Cover of this month's CIO Women Magazine with a full article.

Charting a Path to Excellence In the ever-evolving world of real estate, Tracy Uttley stands out as a trailblazer and a superb leader. With her unwavering commitment to excellence and remarkable vision, she has made a significant impact in the industry. CIO Women Magazine is proud to introduce her as one of the Most Influential Women Leaders in Real Estate. As the leader of a prominent real estate firm, Uttley has achieved unprecedented success and demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, earning this recognition.. Her accomplishments and innovative approach have not only impacted the local real estate market but also inspired countless aspiring professionals to follow in her footsteps. Uttley’s journey in real estate has been marked by a series of remarkable achievements. Besides quickly becoming one of the top residential realtors in her area, under her leadership, her company, Uttley Real Estate brokered by Realty Group, has successfully undertaken several higher-profile projects, including the sale of her first large-scale commercial building. With an innate understanding of market trends and a keen eye for buying and selling opportunities, Uttley has consistently delivered exceptional results for her clients. What sets Uttley apart is her ability to lead by example and inspire those around her. She believes in fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment, recognizing that the strength of a team lies in its diversity and shared goals.  Her effective communication skills, coupled with her strategic mindset, enable her to rally her team toward achieving ambitious targets, while also ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported. Tracy Uttley continues to shape the future of real estate, leaving an indelible mark on the field and paving the way for future generations of leaders. Exceptional Real Estate Experiences Led by Uttley, Uttley Real Estate brokered by Realty Group is a trusted real estate agency known for delivering exceptional service and satisfaction. With a focus on integrity and professionalism, the company guides clients through every step of their real estate journey.  Its personalized approach, market expertise, and commitment to client relationships set it apart. Uttley Real Estate’s track record of success and positive reviews solidify its position as a premier agency dedicated to providing exceptional real estate experiences. In 2020, Tracy Uttley obtained her real estate license, marking a pivotal moment in her career. While she had successfully generated substantial profits for others as a Sales and Marketing Director, she realized that she had not placed enough value on herself.  Recognizing this revelation, she felt a surge of determination, akin to a racehorse at the starting gate, eager to sprint forward. She adds, “To reinforce my newfound mindset, I wrote the affirmation ‘I am Unstoppable’ on my bulletin board. Initially, I found it amusing to read such a bold statement, but as I embraced my own audacity, I became increasingly daring.” One notable example of Uttley’s bold approach was her door-to-door prospecting strategy. Fearlessly, she knocked on people’s doors, asking if they were interested in selling their homes. This unconventional method proved fruitful when she secured a listing valued at $845,000—a testament to her fearless persistence and willingness to step out of her comfort zone. Leading the Way in Real Estate  “Growing up in a family business, I understand the importance of exceptional service.” Uttley’s parents, successful entrepreneurs, owned 55 businesses over the years. She witnessed her father’s negotiation skills, inspired by her grandmother’s dealings with cow traders on their Wisconsin farm. After college, she worked as a waitress at Hotel Del Coronado in California, impressing her manager with her Midwestern work ethic.  She later returned to Minnesota, joining hotel sales and rising to Director of Sales and Marketing. Her experience in sales and marketing, coupled with her ownership of hotels and restaurants, provides her a keen understanding of the market. She excels in helping clients achieve top dollar for their homes, leveraging her energy, communication skills, and a lifetime of business expertise. Driven by an inspiring revelation, Uttley embarked on a transformative journey a few years ago when she realized the need for a career change. Although her longstanding aspiration was to work in real estate, an intense fear of rejection had held her back.  However, during the challenging times of the pandemic, Uttley engaged in deep self-reflection, ultimately deciding to overcome her fear and pursue her dream job with unwavering determination. Despite facing multiple cancellations of her real estate exam due to Covid-19, Uttley’s indomitable spirit led her to embark on a journey, emerging triumphant as she passed with flying colors. Unleashing Determination If there were a book chronicling Uttley’s life story, it would undoubtedly be titled “True Grit,” a testament to her extraordinary determination to give her all in everything she undertakes. She has faced numerous obstacles and setbacks, but she has consistently picked herself up, dusted off the setbacks, and forged ahead.  The demanding nature of her role as a Realtor requires her to work tirelessly, dedicating herself to her clients seven days a week and always being on call. Uttley’s dedication is evident in her willingness to drop everything to accommodate her clients’ schedules, ensuring that they have every opportunity to view properties of interest. Being a successful realtor necessitates a multitude of skills, and Uttley possesses them in abundance. From marketing prowess and problem-solving acumen to an in-depth knowledge of the industry, exceptional negotiation skills, ethics and integrity, she embodies the multifaceted nature of the profession. Despite the challenges that come with the job, Uttley wholeheartedly loves what she does, and her enduring tenacity allows her to thrive in the demanding world of real estate. Entrepreneurial Roots Uttley’s entrepreneurial spirit was deeply influenced by her personal life experiences. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, she witnessed first-hand the determination and resilience required to succeed as a small business owner.  She says, “I jumped in head first and did not hold back. Considering ninety percent of realtors fail in the first few years of business, I have done exceptionally well. My strong business sense and entrepreneurial spirit helped me to launch a successful business.” Unlike her previous roles, where she felt compelled to hide her creativity and vulnerability, Uttley made a conscious decision to let her authentic self shine in her real estate career. By embracing her true nature, she has forged genuine connections with her clients, approaching each interaction with a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and kindness. Embracing Authenticity In hindsight, Uttley reflects on the advice she would give her younger self: to be true and authentic. Growing up, her strong sense of empathy led her to prioritize the feelings of others above her own. Seeking acceptance and trying to fit in, she lost touch with her genuine self. The constant pursuit of approval caused her to neglect her own needs and desires. This has proven to be transformative in her relationships and business endeavors. By staying true to her own values and beliefs, Uttley has fostered deeper connections with others. Her empathy has allowed her to connect with people on a genuine level, understanding and resonating with their emotions. She has found fulfillment in both her personal and professional life. Her commitment to being true to herself not only allows her to make a positive impact on others but also fosters a sense of self-acceptance and inner contentment. From Vision to Milestones Uttley had a clear vision in mind: to create creative marketing that stands out from the crowd. Her son, a talented filmmaker, returned home during the pandemic, lending his expertise to produce captivating videos that made waves on social media. She says, “Grateful for his assistance, I launched my business, forever indebted to his contribution.” However, her approach didn’t stop at captivating videos. Despite initial skepticism from her Business Coach, she had the courage to infuse her monthly E-Newsletter with personal touches. Sharing her passion for yoga and the inner strength it cultivated, Uttley touched the hearts of her readers. In a serendipitous turn of events, one recipient forwarded the Newsletter to a fellow yogi who ultimately entrusted Uttley with the sale of a remarkable $1.2 million property. Today, Tracy Uttley stands on the cusp of a remarkable milestone in her career. With her upcoming closings, she will celebrate her 50th successfully closed transaction in just over two years. Notably, her accomplishments extend beyond residential properties, as she recently secured her first commercial building sale, pushing her total sales to approximately $22 million. Moreover, she’s actively engaged in two other commercial transactions that have the potential to more than double her sales record. Uttley’s tenacity has not gone unnoticed, as she recently received the prestigious Directors Group Award for sales volume, ranking among the top 10% of Minnesota’s 18,000 realtors. Fuelled by her fearless approach, she has thrown herself wholeheartedly into the world of real estate, devoting her utmost energy and determination to every endeavor. She adds, “My strong work ethic, steadfast determination, and innate ability to connect with people has catapulted me into the top 10 percent of all realtors in Minnesota.” Gratitude stems from the personal and professional growth she has experienced, while joy arises from the privilege of being a part of her clients’ unique journeys. Unfazed by the fear of failure, Uttley’s enthusiasm for participation has propelled her to remarkable achievements. Rejection as a Catalyst Tracy Uttley understood that success in her field required putting herself out there. She says, “Rejection became a frequent companion, an inherent part of the job. Rather than succumbing to its painful sting, I chose to turn rejection into a game of growth and learning.” For thirty consecutive days, she challenged herself to seek rejection at least once daily. This unique experiment allowed her to face the fear and shame associated with rejection head-on. Instead of avoiding or fearing it, she embraced rejection as an opportunity for personal and professional development. Her shift in mindset proved pivotal in her journey. By reframing rejection as a stepping stone towards growth, she fostered resilience. Each rejection became a valuable lesson, propelling her forward in her real estate career. By transforming rejection into a game of growth, she not only overcame its negative effects but also harnessed its power to become a stronger and more successful realtor. Defying Stereotypes, Building Community Tracy Uttley’s real estate ambitions transcend traditional transactions. She says, “I aspire to sell hotels and prove my worth in a male-dominated industry.” Determined to defy stereotypes, she harnesses the fire within her to overcome challenges and showcase her capabilities. Her commitment to her community shines through her acts of kindness. When she discovered bare shelves at her local Food Shelf, she took immediate action. Organizing a neighborhood food drive, she rallied her generous neighbors, resulting in an outpouring of support.  Year after year, the event grows, collecting increasing amounts of food to address hunger in her community. Additionally, Uttley actively supports the local Women’s Shelter through her involvement in the Giving Circle, providing women and their children with a safe place to live and thrive.. For Tracy Uttley, success goes beyond business transactions. It lies in making a positive impact, and helping families in her community. Through determination, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to service, she exemplifies the power of defying stereotypes and building a better future for all. Word of the wise Do not wait for the right opportunity. Create them. After college, Uttley worked at the Hotel del Coronado, waiting on several celebrities, including Bruce Willis, who invited her to a party he hosted at the hotel. She regretted not going, but she lacked self-confidence. Tracy Uttley said she missed many other opportunities because of self-doubt.. For years she believed that there were a finite number of opportunities. However, she has since learned that the world changes every minute, and new opportunities show up daily. If you missed the last one, another is just around the corner.  Believing in yourself is one of the most important steps to learning how to identify and embrace opportunities. They rarely happen while in our comfort zone. Having the confidence to engage with new people and situations and try new things opens the door to possibilities beyond your wildest imagination.