Kim Rogne is a conduit for the real estate business — in every sense of the word. Not only does she connect agents with each other into an ever-growing network, she is electric in her enthusiasm for a balanced work/life energy within this industry.

This focus comes from her first real job: insurance sales. It really took a  lot of thinking for Kim to finally settle on insurance. “First I thought about being a teacher, then accounting, then a dental hygienist — I don’t even like teeth, so I have no idea why I thought of that! Either way, I was kind of lost on what I wanted to do with my life.”

She began her “career” as a claims processor and worked her up, while taking general courses at an area college, finally earning her insurance license. But there was still something scratching at her mind. She remembers, “I knew there had to be more. More opportunities to make more money, have more freedom, and decision-making power.”

While exploring other sales opportunities, she came across an ad in her local paper and ended up spending a night at a real estate career fair. “I quit my full-time insurance position that was paying me a guaranteed salary and decided to go all in, knowing that there was no predictable income.”

So began her sales career with Shorewest, Realty Executives, and Re/Max. After 14 years she took on recruiting and management at Re/Max. In 2013 she earned her Broker’s license “because that was something I wanted to get to further my education.”

In 2015, she joined Keller Williams as the Team Leader, now running the KW Milwaukee Southwest office in New Berlin. Kim is also part investor of the KW Prestige in Germantown and Cedarburg.

Reflecting on those changes, Kim says, “I was really good as a REALTOR®, but I’m better in a leadership role. As much as I loved helping buyers and sellers, there is nothing like taking on a leadership role and being a part of helping agents grow and meet their potential.”

She continues, “So many in this industry don’t see what they can be. And when I can become a part of their journey of growth — whether that be personally or in business — that’s what fuels my joy.”

Her focus toward that joy is helping agents find their sweet spot between the desire to work every minute of every day and their need for downtime, family time, and the grace to allow themselves time to recharge.

Too often she hears, “I never get a day off, and I would never want my kids to get into this business.” She reminds us that life is too short to spend our time doing nothing but work. “We have to stop this nonsense and be better as a whole,” Kim says. “That’s the ONE thing I want everyone to hear — you are not alone in your feeling of being overwhelmed and without time for rest. I hear this troubling issue way too often to just stand by and allow this to continue.”

Kim stresses how important it is to make health, relationships and time off a priority, as well as to build in fun and celebration along the way.

“I am on a mission to re-write this story and help EVERYONE in this industry find balance, joy and a newfound respect for this business.”

She reminds us that on average a successful real estate agent changes brokerages three times in their career. “I just want to be Plan B, if something changes in their world.”

She loves going to work every day and building more relationships, sharing her message. This is why she picks up the phone to connect with as many agents as she can no matter what brokerage they are with.

“I don’t love houses or decorating, as some might state about this business. I love the agent. I love the business.”