We had the good fortune of connecting with Ca’Nisha Warren and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ca’Nisha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have a very deep connection to my grandmother. Her nickname is “City” and as the family matriarch, she has been a powerful example of strength, resilience, resourcefulness and integrity.
When I began to dream of what my brokerage could be, I knew it needed to be something that would last for generations to come. In searching for a name, I discovered “Siti” which means ‘grandmother’ and ‘the power of femininity’ in Lebanese. That is how Sity Realty & Associates came to be. We are an authority on all things real estate, dedicated to serve and uplift the community.
Prior to opening my own firm, I had previously worked with multiple agencies where the focus was predominantly on corporate financial gain. The more time I spent in these circles, the more I desired to elevate the community by providing knowledge and opportunities to build individual wealth through real estate. I didn’t want to continue contributing to lining the pockets of a select few – I wanted the entire community to be uplifted. So I decided to fuse the gap. I started my own mission to spark political shifts in the market in order to make a tangible difference for my clients.
What should our readers know about your business?
One of my lifelong goals is to be the biggest giver God ever made. Through my brokerage, I get to honor my clients not just by providing exceptional service, but also by giving back to the community. Our “Giving Back Program” for Public Service Workers donates a percentage of the sales price to them in the form of a check or they can use the funds towards their closing costs.
Siti Realty & Associates is also in the process of establishing a non-profit that provides community members with the essential tools needed to become homeowners. These are hard working individuals who are able to afford a monthly mortgage payment, but not the tremendous upfront costs and down payment needed to begin ascending the home ownership ladder.
I am so excited about the future! Siti Realty & Associates is now on the Government Committee with the Atlanta Board of Realtors. We have a say in being able to decrease the disparities in our community and are actively pushing the agenda regarding affordable housing.
The road has not been easy, but Siti Realty & Associates is where it is today because of the full-throated support I have from my husband and children. I have and continue to spend countless hours learning everything I can about money, credit, capital and real estate. As a woman and a minority business owner, I have to work twice as hard to overcome obstacles. I am constantly refreshing my knowledge and perfecting my craft so that I can sit at the table with some of the best minds in the business. This is why Siti Realty is so deeply devoted to educating our community on all things real estate, insurance, and financial literacy.
It takes a singular focus some days to do this work. What I have learned is that patience is critically important. Moreover, I have learned to remain dedicated to my goal. My vision, my dreams, my race – it is mine. God gave these things to me and I have to steward myself and my resources in a way that honors Him. This makes it easy to focus on my race and not get caught in the comparison trap. Comparison kills! At the end of the day, I am just doing what I have been blessed to do so that the world will come to know that WE EXIST!
Siti Realty’s success is based on the success of our clients. As a black, female-owned real estate firm, it is our hope to be a power source for our clients and the community. They can come plug in to us and in turn, we will electrify their perspective!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my best friend to D’juans New Orleans Bistros for cocktails and their delicious brunch menu. We would maybe go to the movies afterwards or go for a hike at the Bamboo Forest. Apt4b Atlanta Restaurant and Bar would definitely be the place to go for nightlife. They have a speakeasy on the first floor. And finally, I would stop by Small Onions Studios to film a funny reel.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I attribute my loving heart, tenacity, and resilience to my mother and grandmother. Experiencing these women growing up anchored so many life lessons into the woman that I am today. My power is truly activated by their life stories and how they paved a way for me to be a successful business owner, mother and wife. I thank them both wholeheartedly.
Website: www.sitirealtyga.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sitirealty_associates
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siti-realty/
Image Credits
Luoptic Media and Black Bodden