I’ve been tested in just about every way you can imagine, but through it all, I’ve always known there was a greater plan at work leading me exactly where I’m meant to be. 

 

One day I thought I had the future mapped out. The next, my marriage ended, and I found myself living in a camper, suddenly a single dad with two kids to provide for.  Now, when you're a parent, especially on your own, you get up, figure it out, and do whatever it takes to keep going.

 

Hard work was no stranger to me. Growing up in Appalachian country of Southwest Virginia, I worked in the coal mines right out of high school. I’m a jack of all trades - doing carpentry, driving an 18-wheeler, becoming a police officer, and even working in maximum security prisons. I was always working two jobs at a time, trying to keep food on the table. That’s just how I was raised. My parents were both hard workers, and they taught me early on that if you want something, you earn it.

 

In 2018, I moved to Tennessee with plans to open a campground. But a bad appraisal changed my plans. Not long after, my marriage fell apart too. I went from chasing a dream to being a single dad with no income and two kids to provide for.

 

With no job lined up, I decided to try something I had first attempted all the back when I graduated high school: Real Estate. Back then, I didn’t pass the test, but this time around, I was extremely motivated (as you can imagine). I picked up yard work just to cover gas money and get to showings. No leads, no safety net—just long days, a lot of prayer, and the drive to figure it out.

 

Bit by bit, things started to click. Clients came in, deals closed, and by the end of that first year, I’d made six figures. It didn’t come easy, but it changed our lives. I could finally breathe.

 

Real estate ended up being a perfect fit because I have always loved serving people. I enjoy guiding my clients through what’s usually one of the biggest decisions of their lives. I’ve worked with veterans, first-time homebuyers, families trying to rebuild—people who just need someone they can trust. I’ve even talked clients out of buying homes when I knew it wasn’t right for them because I believe in doing the right thing and protecting their best interests always. You treat people right, and it always comes back around.

 

None of this would have been possible without God’s blessings. Every step, every obstacle, every moment I wanted to quit—He was there, making a way when I couldn’t see one. My youngest son, Tate, is living proof of that. He’s been through three open-heart surgeries and even met Jesus for a few minutes, but God kept him here. My faith has only grown stronger knowing He always has a plan for us.

 

Now we have a great home, and my three kids are happy and healthy—that’s what matters most to me. Aubrey and Jackson are teenagers now, and even with a busy career, I’ve been able to stay involved in their activities. Tate is a little spitfire, full of energy and keeping  us all on our toes. We also have a dog, Cooper—a 90-pound Goldendoodle who thinks he’s a lap dog. I’m very blessed, and I don’t take a single bit of it for granted.

 

My goal now is to keep growing the business, building an investment portfolio, and flipping properties to create a legacy I can pass on to my kids. But even more important than that, I want my legacy to be providing for my family, treating people right, and serving others the way I’ve been called to.

 

In all of my past jobs, nothing has felt like a calling in the way real estate does. It has given me the chance to connect with people, solve problems, and help them find stability and opportunity. Every day is different, and I never know where it will take me. Getting to know my clients’ stories, their goals, and what matters most to them is what makes this work so fulfilling. I understand what it feels like to start over, to be unsure of what’s next, and to need someone in your corner you can trust. That’s the mindset I bring into every client relationship. 

 

Coming from a background as varied as mine, I bring a unique perspective to the process. I know what it means to work hard, juggle responsibilities, and stretch every dollar. That’s why I’m hands-on, honest, and not afraid to tell a client when something doesn’t feel right. I’ve been in their shoes, and I always treat their situation as if it were my own. That level of care, combined with my work ethic, is what has made me successful and why my clients consistently achieve their goals.

 

Sincerely,

  

 

Shawn Oaks

REALTOR®

Cell (423) 608-9088

shawnmoaks@gmail.com

oakspropertygroup.com