After graduating from Belmont University and spending my last semester interning in Los Angeles, I wanted to work as a modeling agent. While preparing to move back to Nashville to take a job doing this, I was given the opportunity to work at Newmark Moses Tucker Partners. I started in property management, and I now oversee our multifamily division and all residential leasing and sales. We have either renovated or developed at least one apartment property each year since 2012, and I have been able to see these from conception to full occupancy.
Rachael Scott
PRESSING QUESTIONS
How I knew this was my passion
It was a perfect intersection of creativity, helping people and sharing my excitement about downtown. When people say, “I see your name on all of the apartments downtown!" it makes me really proud of what I’ve accomplished.
Biggest challenges in my career
Early on, I didn’t have much knowledge of my field but desperately wanted to learn. I felt I had to be so tough! I didn’t realize that I could lead with humanity and compassion, but still be forceful when necessary.
My first job and what it taught me
Ambrosia Bakery in Hot Springs. It taught me the basic tenets of being a good employee: being punctual and accountable, being kind to customers and working hard. I’m also still really good at making chocolate covered strawberries!
Nonprofit I wish more people knew about
Donate Life or Be the Match. My dad received a liver transplant in 2008 but unfortunately passed away while on the waiting list to receive another transplant in 2016, so this cause is really close to my heart.
What keeps me coming back to my job every day
The fact that every day is a new adventure. I get to constantly meet new and interesting people, and I’m never looking at the clock waiting on time to pass each day. I’d so much rather be busy than bored.
A skill I never expected to need in this field
You have to be adept at contract management. Contracts are everything in real estate, so the ability to understand a contract and its terms is put into practice every single day.
One practice I use to maintain my mental health
Allowing myself to take alone time. I’m an introvert functioning as an extrovert in daily life and business, so prayer and Bible study is essential for me to stay grounded. I love escaping to Hot Springs on the weekends, too.
Best advice I ever received
I feel blessed to have received amazing advice from many people I love and trust, but the most significant is to be a giver. It’s hard to be sad or have self-pity when you’re doing something for someone else!
The one thing I wish people knew about my field
The concept of agency in real estate. Agents assume that clients will have loyalty to them, but most people just want to find a great deal and don’t mind which agent gets them there.
The first thing I do to course-correct when I hit a wall
I have to reset my day. Just because something goes terribly wrong doesn’t mean that the whole day has to be shot! A day can be saved and turned around for me by consciously hitting a mental reset button.