Meet multi-talented, hard-working, creative, fun, and endlessly amusing Peterson Wellford – the hottest addition to the Memphis real estate market. Like many of us, real estate was not anywhere near his first job or passion. His passion was healthcare.

 

Born and raised in Memphis, Peterson graduated from MUS and the University of Alabama. He came back to Memphis and worked at St. Jude for a year before continuing his studies in an MA in Healthcare Administration at the University of Kentucky. He thought he’d eventually like to run a hospital, but the constant focus on continual cost-cutting instead of patient care ate away at his soul and made him rethink his future.

 

Then he discovered fitness. He started teaching at Cycle Bar, was eventually hired as the manager in Germantown, and opened Cycle Bar Midtown 3 years later. He managed and taught at both studios for 2 years. Then Covid came along and made him appreciate the possibility of a more stable income. He took a step out of management in 2021 (but kept teaching and still does) to reassess what he wanted to do for a living. He knew he didn’t want to sit at a desk or be tied down to one space every day, and he really wanted to work with people.

 

Real Estate entered into the chat, he found a great online course, finished the whole course in one month, took his RE exam the next week and “Peterson Wellford – REALTOR®” was born! He kept teaching fitness full-time throughout 2021 and thought he wouldn’t see really see any RE action for a year. However, Peterson got a couple of clients and closed his first deal in January 2022 – only six months after getting his license and closed the second one soon after. It was a real high. It was also a confidence boost that he had proven to himself that he could gain peoples’ trust in a way that allowed him to help them.

 

He found his real estate home in The Firm after meeting Broker,Elizabeth Duke, and another member of the Firm, Anna Dobbins, at a class he was teaching at Cycle Bar. Anna mentioned The Firm and he gave it some thought, had lunch together and made the decision that he’s be a great fit. He is truly indebted to Elizabeth and can’t sing her praises enough. She has been kind, patient, and present in every way. He is absolutely delighted with the camaraderie, energy and passion of The Firm. He says it’s a great group of 20 people who want to be good at what they do and help each other succeed. His biggest high to date was winning Rookie of the Year honors!

 

He now has listings with a few close friends and feels very blessed to be able to help them. The most rewarding part of the business so far has been selling his very best friend’s condo (where he, himself, once lived). The sale has such sentimental value and helping her sell it is bittersweet, but mostly sweet!

 

Peterson loves freedom and flexibility, he can be as busy as he wants to be and he is a little surprised but delighted by his success so far. Right now, Real Estate fits his lifestyle and just feels right. It allows him space for his other passions and every single day is different and never boring. His plan is to always be the hardest-working one in the room. He’s in for the long haul.

A little-known fact about Peterson is that he went to the University of Hawaii for his first year in college before transferring to the University of Alabama. Fact #2 – he loves a good margarita- especially if it is a half frozen, half on the rocks from Las Delicias! His advice to future Rising Stars is it always ask questions even if you think you know the answer. People are so willing to help if you’re open and vulnerable. Plus, it’s always good to get someone else’s perspective.

 

One of Peterson’s greatest gifts is his savvy of social media. He is a digital and social media marketing expert. He’s always loved it and has a large local following. It lets him be his authentic self and has also been very beneficial in his business.  Out of his 14 transactions last year, five of those clients came about from social media. He loves being able to connect with a larger community because people tend to care more if they know a little bit about you. So, check him out on Instagram: @pwellford