SYDNEY HATHAWAY
Written by Dave Danielson | Photos by Nested Tours
Sydney Hathaway’s journey to becoming a real estate agent with eXp Realty is one defined by resilience, personal growth, and a deep commitment to lifting others up. With a background in transaction coordination and a passion for helping people, Sydney is not only building her career in real estate but also making a lasting impact on the community around her.
From Transaction Coordinator to Agent
Before Sydney became a real estate agent in the spring of 2022, she worked as a transaction coordinator for about three and a half years. It was a position that allowed her to become intimately familiar with the ins and outs of the real estate business. However, Sydney’s path to real estate wasn’t a traditional one. She had just finished college, where she had been a pre-law student, and was in the midst of a personal journey of recovery.
“I’m six years sober and in recovery,” Sydney shares, reflecting on a pivotal moment in her life that shaped the trajectory of her career. While in a sober living program, a visit from someone offering support would ultimately change her path. “He talked to us about different opportunities, and he mentioned that his wife worked for a real estate agent who had an opening for an assistant. I ended up working as a listing coordinator and later moved to a small brokerage in Edmond.”
It was at this mom-and-pop brokerage that Sydney’s mentors encouraged her to get her real estate license. Despite the challenges that came with the decision, including the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sydney persevered. When her former broker transitioned to eXp Realty, Sydney made the move with them, beginning her career as a licensed real estate agent in 2022.
Overcoming the Early Struggles of Transitioning to Real Estate
The first few months in real estate were not without challenges. Like many new agents, Sydney had to wait for her first deal to come through, which was both a stressful and uncertain period. However, she approached it with the same determination and work ethic that had helped her succeed in recovery.
“I treated it like a 9-to-5 job,” she says. “I started with my sphere of influence, wrote letters to people letting them know I was in the business, and then followed up with phone calls. It took some time, but once it started, it really took off.” The early challenges gave way to a flourishing real estate career, fueled by her commitment to connecting with people and making a positive impact on their lives.
Connecting with People and Making a Difference
Sydney’s passion for real estate is deeply rooted in her love for people. “I love connecting with others. Every day, I want to make someone’s day a little bit better,” she says. “Whether it’s easing stress, offering support, or simply collaborating with others, our industry is better when we lift each other up.”
This mindset has not only fueled her success in real estate but also shaped her mission to make a difference in the lives of those in recovery. Through her personal sobriety journey and her involvement with Hope is Alive Ministries, an organization dedicated to radically changing the lives of addicts, alcoholics and those that love them, Sydney has created a powerful homebuyer program for individuals in the sober living community.
Making a Real Difference: Helping People Overcome the Impossible
Hope is Alive Ministries, where Sydney graduated in 2020, has played a key role in her journey. “I stayed involved with Hope is Alive because of the difference they make,” Sydney says. The organization provides support and community for individuals in recovery, and through their charity events, Sydney has found a way to give back. “In November, they have a charity event, and a friend I invited to accompany me told me about a grant available to help. I wanted to help people in the recovery community overcome the stigma that often surrounds it.”
With the help of the grant and the support of Hope is Alive, Sydney created a homebuyer program tailored specifically to individuals in recovery. The program has been a game-changer for many in the community. “We’ve successfully closed on homes for six individuals over the past couple of years,” she shares. “It’s been incredible to see people who thought homeownership was impossible achieve it.”
The pride Sydney feels when she sees someone in recovery sign the papers for their new home is palpable. “To see these individuals who would have never thought they were capable of owning a home accomplish that at the closing table is the best feeling,” she says. “It’s about helping people break through those barriers, overcome the impossible, and shatter stigmas and generational curses.”
A Supportive Family and a Love for Hobbies
Outside of her professional life, Sydney finds strength and balance in her personal relationships. She is engaged to Jonathan Highfield, and the two share a deep bond of support and mutual growth. Sydney also values her time away from work, indulging in her love for reading, crafting, and painting. These hobbies provide her with an outlet for creativity and relaxation, helping her maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Leaving a Positive Impact
Sydney’s ultimate goal is simple yet profound: “My hope is that every time I meet someone, they leave feeling a little bit better about themselves.” Whether it’s through her work in real estate, her involvement with Hope is Alive, or her day-to-day interactions, Sydney is driven by the desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Her journey from a transaction coordinator to a licensed real estate agent with eXp Realty is a testament to the power of determination, personal growth, and the impact one person can have on their community. Through her work, Sydney is not only helping people find homes but is also breaking down barriers and giving others the opportunity to overcome what they once thought was impossible.
For Sydney Hathaway, real estate is more than just a career; it’s a platform for change, healing, and making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
