An experienced account executive, Emma Sarley is transitioning into a career in real estate and is now a licensed real estate professional in California. Emma Sarley is knowledgeable about residential real estate, market trends, and real estate technology, as well as home staging and interior design.
Ms. Sarley worked as an enterprise account executive at Mercato, a tech startup focused on modernizing local grocery delivery. She consistently ranked among the company’s top-performing sales representatives, achieving an average of 125 percent of her sales targets per quarter. Her responsibilities included overseeing a national territory with an annual quota of $1.3 million. She joined Mercato as a mid-market account executive in 2018, a role that involved building out four metropolitan markets and expanding the client base from 20 retailers to several hundred.
Ms. Sarley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in food studies with a minor in business from New York University. Before graduating, she completed internships with the James Beard Foundation, Good Housekeeping magazine, Peanut Butter & Co. and Saveur magazine. She also volunteered as a teacher’s aid in 1st and 2nd grade classrooms supporting students with special needs.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day begins and ends with intentionality. I wake up at 6 am, start with meditation, and take time to set clear goals for the day ahead. Then I either head to a workout class or take my dog for a walk – something to wake up my body and clear my mind.
I aim to be grounded mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually before the day really begins. From there, I follow a structured schedule, prioritizing tasks by urgency and importance. At the end of the day, I carve out a few minutes for reflection, acknowledging both the wins and the challenges, and finish with a gratitude list to stay connected to what truly matters.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by surrounding myself with brilliant people whose strengths complement my own. I believe a great solution is only half the equation and execution is what turns ideas into reality. By working with a team that excels where I don’t, we create a synergy that takes concepts from vision to fruition. It’s all about collaboration and knowing when to let the experts shine.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that truly inspires me is how artificial intelligence is reshaping the real estate industry from the ground up. AI is revolutionizing property research and valuation, making these processes faster and more precise than ever before. Virtual assistants are transforming the way buyers explore homes, offering personalized and seamless interactions that save time and effort. On the management side, AI optimizes building operations by intelligently allocating staff resources – providing support only when necessary while reducing overhead. These innovations are not only increasing efficiency but also redefining the entire real estate experience for buyers, sellers, and managers alike.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me be productive is aiming to be 1% better every day. I’m a big fan of James Clear’s Atomic Habits, where he emphasizes the power of small, consistent improvements. That mindset helps me stay focused on progress over perfection and keeps me grounded in steady, meaningful growth.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It wasn’t until later in life that I learned to be unapologetically myself and to trust the process. I spent much of my youth worrying about the future and second-guessing every move. I made choices, both personally and professionally, based on what I thought my mentors, parents, or partners wanted from me. If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to trust her gut, stop outsourcing her intuition, and live more fully in the moment, because that’s all we truly have.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I firmly believe failure is the secret ingredient to success – something most people shy away from admitting. Failure didn’t just teach me lessons; it built my grit, sharpened my tenacity, and shaped the person I am today. Every time I stumbled, I got closer to my goals because I refused to quit. If you’re willing to lean into the discomfort and learn, failure becomes less of a setback and more of a launchpad.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
As much as it might sound cliché, consistent exercise has been a game-changer for me. I choose my workouts based on my mood: cycling helps me decompress when I’m stressed, strength training keeps me grounded and focused, and yoga or pilates brings balance when I need it most. Taking time each day to move my body isn’t just self-care, it’s a reset that transforms my outlook and helps me tackle whatever comes next.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When things get overwhelming, I pause and check in with myself. Do I need a walk, a glass of water, or maybe a quick chat with a friend? After taking that break, I revisit the to-do list I set in the morning, reprioritize what’s most important, and tackle each task one step at a time. This simple ritual helps me reset, refocus, and face the rest of the day with clarity and purpose.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that’s been pivotal in advancing my career is networking with intention. Finding mentors has been one of the most transformative decisions I’ve made. It’s given me a sounding board, a guide, and someone to lean on when I need perspective. But I’ve also learned that networking isn’t just about who you know, it’s about who you are. Defining and owning my personal brand has been key. I’ve found that if you make yourself someone others want to connect with, the exchange becomes mutual, meaningful, and lasting.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I spent five years working in sales at tech startups in my 20s. Like many people in that world, I got caught up in the hustle culture. Work came first and everything else came second (or not at all). Eventually, I hit a wall and had to step away to reset. That burnout taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: success means nothing without balance and the value of self-care.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
ChatGPT is my productivity secret weapon. Whether I’m using it to brainstorm ideas, streamline communication, or quickly learn something new, it’s a tool that keeps me efficient and sharp. Personally, it’s great for tackling creative projects or problem-solving on the fly. Professionally, it helps me draft content, research market trends, and even refine strategies. It has made me so much more efficient.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Three books that have profoundly impacted my life are Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead, James Clear’s Atomic Habits, and Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference. Each one has shaped how I approach both my personal growth and professional development. Brown taught me the value of vulnerability and courage in leadership, Clear helped me build habits that drive meaningful change, and Voss sharpened my negotiation skills and emotional intelligence. Together, they’ve genuinely transformed the way I live and work.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently binged The Pitt and was hooked from the first episode. Each episode captures one hour of a 15-hour day in an ER. What resonated most was the resilience of the doctors. Their unwavering dedication to their patients, even while navigating work-life balance and workplace morality, was truly inspiring. It’s intense, thought-provoking, and so well done. I absolutely loved it.
Key learnings
- Create a consistent daily routine, including meditation and movement, to maintain focus, energy, and clarity.
- Aim to be 1% better every day – small, incremental habits lead to meaningful long-term growth.
- Invest in building both your network and your personal brand. Relationships and reputation are key to sustained success.
- Failure is part of the process. Treat it as feedback or an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger.