Meet Kelly Dominguez: Realtor, lover of nature, writer, dog lover

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Dominguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had always been in the restaurant business, which I enjoyed. I loved the fast pace, the people, the teamwork, the fact that everyday was different. But after a few years in management, there came a point where the time spent at work was taking time away from all other parts of my life and there wasn’t any balance. That’s when I decided to get into real estate. 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Getting into real estate was decision made out of necessity, not really desire. I needed something that would allow me more control of my time, where I could make a decent living, and one that would ensure I was always working with people–I am a people lover :). And let’s not forget the chance to see all kinds of houses! What I didn’t anticipate, is that I would fall in love with it. And it is not because of the money, although that is a plus. Rather, it is the constant learning, the problem solving, and the negotiating. It is the opportunity to guide and educate a client through the process so they can make the best decision possible for themselves. It is walking into a home with your client and seeing the look on their face when they realize it is the one. It is handing over the keys to a house so that someone can make it their new home. Real estate is simple, but it is not easy (many a wise person has said). Every transaction has new and unforeseen challenges and the lesson I’ve learned so far is to not ever give up, there is a solution. People are counting on you to find it. This business provides me the opportunity to find that solution and change people’s lives. I work hard so that my brand–Kelly.is.the.Key–is synonymous with that kind of change. I have also found that real estate allows me to play a larger role in my community. As a Keller Williams agent, I have facilitated food drives and collected donations for various charities in the Coachella Valley. Most recently, we raised over $3000.00 to help the Galilee Center in Mecca feed almost 700 families for Thanksgiving. Talk about rewarding.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, we would definitely explore all of the fantastic hiking trails that are here; Tahquitz, Sawmill, Painted Canyon to name a few. We would do a day trip to Joshua Tree then over to Pappy and Harriet’s for music and food. We would absolutely have breakfast at Shields Date Garden in Indio. A visit to Fresh Agave or Pueblo Viejo for a Mexican one day. La Fe on El Paseo for a great glass of wine and causal dinner. The Nest for a fabulous meal and dancing (not during Covid of course). The Thursday night Street Fair in Palm Springs where we could shop and dine all along Palm Canyon. I also love Mr. Lyons in Palm Springs; the food is amazing and they have a cool speakeasy. And of course we would take a day to drive around the valley looking at all of the cool houses and historical architecture that we are so blessed to be surrounded by.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I decided to change careers, there was a lot of personal upheaval in my life. Things were uncertain and, although I was ready for change, learning an entirely new set of skills in a completely new business was incredibly daunting. My mom was a huge source of support for me, love you mom!! I am also grateful for my core group of friends who pushed me forward with love and encouragement…they would have never let me quit. Professionally, the office I am lucky enough to work out of is filled with people who have coached me through sticky situations, taught me the ins and outs of the business, calmed me down when deals were on the edge, and–most importantly–welcomed me into their world with open arms and loads of support. The brokerage I work for, Keller Williams, encourages a culture of support and shared success amongst agents and the environment created as a result of this was everything I was looking for–and needed.

Website: kelly-dominguez.kw.com
Instagram: kelly.is.the.key
Linkedin: Kelly Dominguez Realtor
Facebook: Kelly Dominguez

Image Credits
Professional photos by Monica Morones.