Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica George.
Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in the North City of Saint Louis. I lived with my mom and older brother. We didn’t have a lot growing up, but my mom always made sure that no matter what we did or didn’t have, we always had values. Before I started kindergarten, my mom decided to enroll my brother and me into the desegregation program, aka, Deseg. From the time I was 5 years old, I was bussed from North City to Brentwood School District until I graduated high school. I am so thankful for that opportunity because if it weren’t for going to Brentwood and being emersed into such a diverse community, I might not be where I am today. Brentwood had the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program there, so I grew up having Deaf classmates and interpreters in my classroom. I constantly watched the interpreter, and I was fascinated with the beautiful language. When I was 13, I told my mom I wanted to be a sign language interpreter. After high school, I attended Columbia College, Florissant Valley Community College, and the University of Missouri Saint Louis, aka UMSL. While in college, I started working for UPS in Earth City, doing payroll. I worked there for 12 years. I graduated from my interpreting program in July 2011. I planned to leave UPS and stay for 10 more years while working as a full-time interpreter.
After working two jobs for 10 years, I decided to leave UPS and pursue another passion where I could be more helpful. I turned to real estate and became a Realtor in October of 2022. I have always been interested in real estate, so I decided to combine my passions for real estate and the Deaf community. I would love for my name to get out there, for people to know that a person is combining ASL with another career. My dream is for more people to become familiar with sign language and use it as a niche for any career they may obtain. More doctors, nurses, lawyers, and Realtors who know the language would be lovely. I love knowing that I can help hearing or Deaf clients with, possibly, the biggest investment they’ll ever make. I would also love to try my hardest to help people obtain their first home. It breaks my heart if people rent because they feel they can never own a home. There are so many programs out there, and people may be surprised. The joy I get from helping people is something I can’t describe, and I look forward to doing it for many years to come!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It could have been a smoother road. Being one of the few black kids at a majority-white school was difficult. I struggled growing up, but all the good 100 percent outweighs the bad! I had a challenging road to becoming a Realtor too. Unfortunately, I failed my real estate exam 13 times and had to retake the entire course. Many people would have given up and considered themselves a failure. However, one of my favorite quotes comes to mind from a man that many people don’t know as Deaf, Mr. Thomas Edison. He said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” That’s how I turned my situation around. I closed on my first home within a month of my license, and it hasn’t stopped since.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed Realtor and licensed and certified ASL interpreter in Missouri. I am very diverse and can talk to anyone. I’ve learned that being able to connect with people is something that comes naturally to me and can’t be taught.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My mom’s car is not starting one snowy winter morning. My brother and I dressed and ate breakfast while my mom was outside in the snow and cold, trying to get the car started. After a while, she returned and said it wouldn’t start, so she had to call off work, and we couldn’t go to school that day. So we snuggled up on the couch and watched cartoons.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ericageorge.realtor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-george-13159b18
- Other: https://blinq.me/0OfkSsKRzaXSnAgdk2mm
Image Credits
John Kaddouri in Saint Louis for my headshot
