We had the good fortune of connecting with Shane Harper and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Shane, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have been surrounded by entrepreneurs my entire life. Specifically strong black women entrepreneurs! I was blessed to be around that atmosphere as I was growing up and it helped mold me into a business minded individual. Real Estate and Interior Design has been a passion of mine since I can remember. Starting my own real estate group and design company allowed me to have my own creative control, so it was a super easy decision for me!
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I discovered my niche in interior design at an early age. I explored of a lot with interior design simulators, signed up for interior design classes whenever I had the opportunity, and help friends and family design areas in their homes throughout middle and high school. Once I graduated high school I discovered my passion for real estate and realized how real estate and interior design went hand in hand. I was able to intertwine real estate and interior design once I started working for my aunt at her brokerage for a couple of years, within my stent at the her brokerage I was assigned several high profile clients in which I was able to fully stage homes before hitting the market. Shortly after I further expanded my real estate and design career when I relocated to Los Angeles, California where I worked as a designer for a luxury real estate investment company. I was also able to freelance interior design projects while I was in LA and worked on several different projects ranging from Celebrity homes to businesses. I was laid off from my job in LA during the pandemic and I thought my world was ending. Although it was a super difficult decision to move from my dream city I ultimately decided to bring my talents back to my hometown of Birmingham, AL in 2021. I reactivated my Alabama real estate license and obtained my Georgia real estate license. I founded “Harper Ave Realty Group” and started freelancing design projects and selling tons of real estate in the Birmingham and Atlanta areas. Although there has been many challenges along the way, I refuse to give up. I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Every experience has taught me a lesson and when times get difficult, I always reflect, pray, and promise myself that giving up is not an option. Harper Ave Realty Group is continuing to grow and has helped many families and individuals obtain their real estate dreams. I am also proud to announce that the interior design projects keep coming in and “The Haus of Harper”, my new interior design company will be launching later this year!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
“Thursday • pick up from Hartsfield ATL
• Happy hour drinks at 5 church
• Dinner at Politan Row food hall
Friday
• Late brunch at Buttermilk Kitchen
• Braves game at The Battery
• Bar hopping at The Battery
Saturday
• Walk the beltline: stop at ladybird and new realm
• Drinks on The Roof at Ponce City Market
• Dinner at South City Kitchen
• Night out at Tongue & Groove
Sunday
• Go to church: Ebenzer Baptist Church
• Brunch at 10th & piedmont
• Burn off calories at piedmont park
• Dinner at Nobu
Monday
• Georgia aquarium
• Bowling/dinner/drinks at painted duck
Tuesday
• Lunch at slutty vegan
• Burn rubber at Porsche Experience Center
Wednesday
• drop off at Hartsfield ATL”
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate a shout out to my aunt and broker, Tina Tyus! She helped me discover and develop my passion for real estate and design. Tina Tyus is the owner of Town Square Realty, TSR Contracting, Real Estate School of Alabama, and Town Square Investment Group.
Website: www.harperaverealty.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaneaharper/?hl=en