As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we sat down to chat with 2025 President Stacey Sanders and Immediate Past President Tina Siebert to reflect on their careers and journeys in the real estate industry. Read on as they share their experiences, career advice, and what it means to lead!
How long have you been involved in Real Estate? How did you get your start or become interested in the industry?
Stacey Sanders: I have been licensed since 1991, so 34 years! Time flies! My adventure started when I began doing marketing for an agent as a "side hustle." She suggested I get licensed so I could do Open Houses for her (and I think she offered to pay me $50 if it sold from the open...wow).
Two things propelled me into the business full-time–I figured out I could make a LOT more money if I sold it instead of handing it to her, and my "real job" found out I got my license, thought it was a conflict, and fired me. I was young and, maybe, a little crazy, but I thought I could make it going full-time in the business. From that point, my ego would never allow me to quit, and I just figured out how to make it happen.
Tina Siebert: I have been a REALTOR® since May 2006. I had been in human resources and business development for 10+ years. I was no longer enjoying it. I started thinking I could rehab a house and get into development. Rehabbing didn't end up being that fun, but I started helping others with their real estate sales and purchases. That is where I found the magic.
What inspired you to get involved at St. Louis REALTORS® and run for a leadership position?
SS: I became involved at St. Louis REALTORS® early in my career and have served in various capacities. I didn't understand the role the board of directors played at first, but once it became clear how much we provided and how our center of excellence (COE) is self-governed, I felt it was the right thing to do to be involved. I've been fortunate to not only serve on committees but also have other involvement through assigned workgroups/task forces and teaching.
To me, the presidency was the right culmination of all my experience, both at the board and in the real estate business, and the opportunity to bring all those pieces together as part of my service.
TS: When I got into the business, you could start your own brokerage with no experience or education outside of the 72 hours required for a broker's license. That wasn't going to fly for me. I needed to be educated and have a network. So, I got involved in the Association and went to every seminar they offered.
Then, I got my Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation. By being around the Association, I was able to get to know the staff and some volunteer leaders. I was asked to join a committee, which led to the next committee and that turned into applying for the Missouri REALTORS® Leadership Academy. With my experience in the field and now backed up with committee and leadership training, I knew I had thoughts and concerns that would be beneficial to our Association and industry. In experiencing how each municipality tries to make rules and laws and understanding what an economic driver real estate is for our metro area, I had to step up. This is my livelihood and my community. My clients need us to stand up for them.
What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given? And what career advice would you give to women getting started today?
SS: The best piece of advice I was given came to me after a few years in the business, struggling along to figure out how to make it a career. I was told to create a plan, break that plan down into daily habits (I still call them that when I train/coach agents), and to do them every - single - day. It was the message of consistency and treating my developing business like a "real job." I was assured that with consistency would come consistent results.
As for advice to women starting today...My first comment is not to consider yourself a "woman" starting today but a professional starting today. Being a woman should not make a difference in the success you will achieve. We are all on an equal playing field and you are just as deserving as anyone else who is pursuing a successful career!
My second piece of advice is to remember that real estate has two parts to the job–finding the business and doing the business. Focus your efforts, every day, on your prospecting efforts to find the business, and you will have more business than you can handle. Your job is to find people who need your help buying and selling real estate. I'll add the advice that was given to me about consistency. My final advice would be to find a mentor to guide you and to always keep your mindset positive!
TS: It was from my Dad—If you are going to do a job, then you have to do your best. He was the hardest worker, and pride in a well-done job was always his hallmark. You don't take the client if you don't think you can do the best for them.
Career advice to women starting today: Get your financial house in order. This is your business, and you have to treat it like one. Earmark money for taxes, retirement, and savings with every single deal, no matter what. When you start with that mindset, it becomes a way of life.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
SS: I've been blessed with numerous awards for successes in production, management, and community involvement, and I'm thankful (and, like everyone, enjoy the recognition) for those, but when I thought about the answer to this question, one thing keeps coming into my mind. I have coordinated training programs for two large companies and taught continuing education (CE) and national designation courses both locally and around the state. More than once, I've had someone who attended one of my classes tell me what an impact I made on their career and, often, quote phrases I used during the class or duplicate hand gestures I use when I quote those phrases. (Who knew I had my own "catchphrases").
The fact that I've made an impact on people who remembered for 10-15 years after the class they attended makes me feel like I've been able to make a difference and have done my job well.
TS: Wow! That is a hard one to answer because I have been blessed by this profession. I will share one about some clients of mine. My clients had been renting for 25+ years. The house we found was very modest, but it was going to be the first home they owned. Sitting around the table at closing, my client said this was going to be our home, and she repeated "our home" louder. She started crying at the closing table; I started crying, then he started crying, and finally, the title person started crying. That is some powerful stuff when you can be a part of that kind of dream—25 years in the making. I am still in touch with them 10 years later, and they are still loving their home.
Stacey and Tina’s stories highlight the dedication that has shaped their careers. Their continued commitment to the industry and the Association inspires REALTORS® and is a testament to how getting involved can leave a lasting impact on clients and the community alike. We’re proud to have them on our leadership team!