For our latest Meet a Mom, we spoke with Kelly Herman. Kelly transitioned from a career in marketing and PR in the luxury accessories industry to selling real estate with the Francie Malina team of Compass. She specializes in Rivertowns real estate and prides herself on helping her clients find new homes and acclimate to their new community!
We spoke to Kelly about a wide range of topics from family and life in the Rivertowns, to her career, and how she and her company adapted to selling homes during a pandemic.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have two girls, ages 5 and 7 – and two furbabies, ages 5 and 4 months!
What do you love about living in the Rivertowns?
I love the riverfront parks, and the fact that we have multiple quaint, small villages but we are still part of the larger Rivertowns community.
What are your favorite things to do/places to shop and dine in the Rivertowns?
There are so many it’s hard to choose! I love The Bakehouse – while their baked goods are amazing the hidden gem is their premade foods and frozen soups. Penny Lick ice cream was one of the first places I visited when I moved to the Rivertowns and remains a favorite. Matthiessen Park reopened this fall and my girls are obsessed with the amazing new playground.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a born and bred city kid (I grew up on the upper east side). I left the city kicking and screaming but quickly learned I LOVE suburban life.
Tell us about your career and background, how did it bring you to Compass?
My background was in marketing and PR – I started in luxury accessories at Cartier and Audemars Piguet and then moved into the startup world to Birchbox. I was doing PR consulting but ready for a change when a friend told me I should try my hand at real estate. She introduced me to her amazing real estate agent – Francie Malina – who became my mentor and team leader. We are now 9 agents strong, the #1 team in the Rivertowns and top 5 in Westchester.
How has your job and your company changed as a result of COVID?
I think the great thing about being at a company like Compass is they are a forward-thinking, tech-based company and have the ability to bend and pivot to meet their agents’ needs. Additionally, I’m on an amazing team and we all worked together to overcome new challenges that Covid brought, whether covering for each other during quarantines or figuring out how to best use digital tools to share homes with clients. It was a really busy year for Westchester real estate so while there were challenges it has also been a very exciting time.
What advice do you have for our readers who are considering buying or selling a home?
Use an area expert – someone that knows the community, the building department, and can be a true resource for you. Our team prides ourselves on being full-service. We don’t just sell houses, we sell lifestyles, and help our clients with everything from vendor recommendations to finding a nanny!
How do you balance your career and family life? Any favorite tips you’ve received from a mentor or fellow mom?
I think it’s harder than ever to balance career and family life because there is an expectation that you are always available/accessible. As a real estate agent, I work most weekends so it can be even more difficult. I have gotten much better about time blocking and learning to put my phone down and be more present (ex: when putting my kids to bed) – most of the time that urgent email can wait 30 minutes.
What are you most looking forward to in 2022?
More travel, more amazing clients, and more in-person celebrations – as my older daughter says, “I am done with zoom!”
Where can we go to get more information about Compass and the Francie Malina Team?
You can email me at kelly.herman@compass.com or visit our website here
