Shelton Wilder is a Top Luxury Real Estate Agent in the Los Angeles area and CEO of the Shelton Wilder Group. The Shelton Wilder Group has been ranked in the Top 1.5% of teams in the US by REAL Trends and Shelton was recently named a 2021 Real Estate All-Star by Los Angeles Magazine. The Shelton Wilder Group specializes in residential and commercial real estate in Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Beverly Hills, making exceptions to travel to other areas where her clients have interests. Shelton’s enthusiasm, positivity and approachability, combined with her creative eye for design and years of real-world experience provides value to her clients. With her innovative marketing, talent for negotiation and personal connections, she successfully assists her clients in achieving their real estate goals.
Tell us a little bit about your background, how you started your company, and then ended up on Shark Tank?
I first started out in the fashion industry in sales, working for Capitol in Charlotte, North Carolina. When I was a fashion stylist, I saw that my clients needed an underpinning. Recognizing the needs of my clients, I started developing a garment that would solve this need. This ultimately led to the creation of the Shemie, a line of modern-day slips for women. I applied to Shark and it was a very quick interview process. From the first call and submitting my introduction video to actually filming the show was less than 4 weeks!
What was the biggest problem you encountered with your business and how did you overcome it?
Although the sharks didn’t bite, I learned extremely valuable lessons from that experience and I am so grateful for that. The biggest lesson I learned was to continue to stay “positron” through the lows of entrepreneurship. Positron is a way of life and that attitude helped me keep moving forward. Yes, I was a “Shark Tank failure,” but it did not let that stop me and I ended up raising all of the money I needed on my own through a Kickstarter campaign. After pitching to the Sharks, I realized I can do anything and now I am fearless. Overcoming that fear has helped me in my daily life and now in my Real Estate career. Now, I can pitch to potential clients on a weekly basis with confidence.
What were the top mistakes you made starting your business and what did you learn from it?
With the Shemie, I had no business plan. This is ultimately why I was a “Shark Tank failure.” Applying what I had learned with the Shemie, I made sure to treat my Real Estate career like a business. With the Shelton Wilder Group, I’ve created a business plan, set up a structure and hired a team. Know your strengths and weaknesses and hire people who fill in the gaps of your weaknesses.
What is one thing that you do daily to grow as an entrepreneur?
Maintaining a work-life balance is essential for growth. A good work-life balance can lead to motivation, efficiency and productivity. Each year, I set goals not just for work but for personal goals such as physical health, mental health and family. I’ve created tangible and realistic steps to achieve these goals and scheduled time in my calendar for each goal. You have to be disciplined in setting a schedule in order to achieve your goals and grow. Daily activities I do to grow include meditation, working out, and staying up to date with the latest Real Estate market offerings.
Tell us something you’ve experienced on the show, we the viewers, might not know or seen when it aired?
What you don’t see, is that we filmed for over an hour, but viewers only get to see the 10-12 minutes of the pitch that they air on TV. The producers definitely highlighted the dramatic parts of my pitch. They mainly focused on my back story, more so than business. I talked a lot more about my business and the numbers, but they only really aired my personal story.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?
When I first started, I thought to myself, “I know TON of people… Everybody is going to call me to sell or buy a home.” That was NOT the case. It was a lot of hard work. The first year I had to work everyday on staying positron because things were not going the way I thought they would be going. I learned that success does not happen overnight and to celebrate the little wins. With a positron mindset, I kept moving forward!
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
At the Shelton Wilder Group, we stay at the forefront of digital marketing. We have been doing videos every Wednesday called #WilderWednesdays for the past 4 years! In addition to our innovative digital marketing strategies, our timeless and sophisticated branding sets us apart from other agents in the crowded Real Estate industry.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
If I only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, I would start a Real Estate business. I would invest in photos and branding. I would buy a ring light in order to do video marketing from my home office. With Real Estate, I love being able to connect my clients with their dream homes. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I love and I know I will be selling Real Estate until I am old & gray.
What’s your best piece of advice for entrepreneurs who wants to apply for Shark Tank?
The entrance video is most important part of the application. The producers told me that I was one of the fastest to be approved to be on Shark Tank. It took less than a month from my initial interview to the actual filming. Make sure that you stand out with your introduction video. The producers are looking for someone not only we a good business idea, but also a good background story.
How can we get in touch with you?
You can find more information about the Shelton Wilder Group at sheltonwilder.com Find me on Instagram @sheltonwilderestates Email: Shelton@sheltonwilder.com
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