Episode 215: Where Real Estate Meets Design with Brandi Salvador
In this episode, we dive into what happens when real estate meets design. Brandi Salvador, broker, interior designer, and founder of Sotherly, joins us in studio to share her unique path from tanning salon entrepreneur to boutique brokerage owner. She’s built a business where real estate and interior design come together seamlessly—and where clients often hire her for both services.
A Natural Entrepreneurial Spirit
Brandi’s entrepreneurial journey started young. At 21, she bought her first business—a Planet Beach tanning salon. Over the years, she gained management experience, learned to trust her instincts, and developed a fearless “just try it” attitude that set the stage for her real estate career.
After a stint as a marketing rep at a title company, she was recruited to join a real estate team. There, she managed buyers, closed up to 60 deals a year, and discovered a passion for helping clients see a home’s potential. That passion would later shape her design-forward real estate model.
When Real Estate Meets Interior Design
Brandi’s transition into a hybrid role happened organically. She began staging listings for family, then offering renovation and design advice to buyers who couldn’t visualize a home’s potential. Eventually, she started charging for design services and officially launched her boutique firm, Sotherly, where real estate and design go hand in hand.
Today, 80% of Brandi’s business is design-based, and her brokerage continues to grow with a small, carefully curated group of agents who share her passion for homes, staging, and aesthetics.
Structuring a Business Around What You Love
Brandi structured Sotherly to reflect her values. Her team includes licensed agents, designers, and support staff who help with staging and renovation. Some team members only work on design projects, while others offer full-service real estate and design support.
Sotherly offers services such as staging, full-scale remodels, paint consultations, Airbnb design, and new build selections. Brandi even created a free paint guide to help agents and homeowners choose colors that work.
Social Media as a Business Builder
Brandi’s Instagram presence grew naturally. She began posting daily design inspiration during her pregnancy and stayed consistent for five years. The account now has over 15,000 followers, and she still gets clients solely through Instagram. Her feed serves as a visual portfolio for prospective clients to understand her style and services.
The key? Consistency and authenticity. Brandi believes your online presence should reflect who you are and the type of client you want to attract.
Advice for Agents Interested in Design
If you’re an agent with a passion for interiors, Brandi recommends starting by offering design services on an hourly basis. Document your work, even small projects, and use those to build a portfolio. Many homeowners prefer working with someone local and more affordable than a high-end designer, creating a unique opportunity for realtors who understand both markets.
This intersection—where real estate meets design—isn’t just a trend. It’s a viable, sustainable way to diversify your business and serve your clients more holistically.
Looking Ahead
Brandi envisions opening two side-by-side offices: one for real estate and one for design. Her dream is to expand the brand while staying aligned with her values. Her selective approach to hiring ensures that every team member fits the brand, maintains the company’s aesthetic, and contributes to a collaborative, creative culture.
Resources from this episode:
Brandy is a mom of two littles Hayes (5) and Ava Jolie (2). She became a Realtor in 2013 and worked at a large real estate firm on a team. After becoming a mom, she moved to a smaller firm on her own and began to stage many of her listings. She started helping her past real estate clients remodel their homes and would also help with furnishings and decor. Her goal is to be able to provide her clients with a full service experience when they want to make big changes to their home life. That goal is why she built a brokerage that offers Real Estate, Interior Design and Staging services. If you’ve ever considered adding design to your real estate business, then this episode is for you!
Find Brandy here: Instagram @southerly_la Facebook @southerlylouisiana Website www.southerlyLA.com email Brandy@southerlyla.com
Grab her amazing paint guide here!
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