By Arkansas Black Vitality Staff — Monica Hale is a name to remember. With less than a decade in the real estate industry, her Plush Homes Company-Realtors has quickly risen to become one of Arkansas’s fastest-growing brokerage firms.

Hale’s journey into real estate has been marked by pivotal moments. Initially pursuing a degree in accounting, an early job as a leasing agent set her on a different path—one centered on helping people find a place to live.

“I wanted to be an accountant, and I did go to school for it, but I didn’t complete my degree,” Hale recalled. “However, working as a leasing agent at an apartment complex is where I began learning about real estate.”

A Central Arkansas native, Hale has over 20 years of experience in property management and real estate. Despite the challenges she faced, she remained steadfast, believing that God had greater things in store for her.

As Hale advanced from leasing agent to property manager, she found immense satisfaction in helping people find new homes. She fondly remembers the joy she felt living with her grandmother, Dorothy Mae Walton, the first homeowner she knew.

“Seeing people get excited about an apartment made me think about how transformative owning a home could be,” Hale said. “My grandmother’s four-bedroom house, which seemed so incredible back then, motivated me to pursue a career in real estate.”

Despite her passion, Hale faced challenges. She attended real estate school in 2013 but missed passing the 110-question test for her Arkansas license by just one or two points. This setback delayed her career until a church member’s prophecy in 2016 inspired her to try again.

“I will walk into my own and the money will be there. I have given to people who haven’t paid me back, but I will walk into my own and God is getting to call me for my purpose,” LaWander A. Williams prophesied. Hale obtained her license in 2017.

Later that year, she passed the State of Arkansas Real Estate Exam and started working for a local brokerage. Hale quickly realized she had a special gift in the field and decided to take a leap of faith in August 2019, leaving her job in property management to pursue real estate full-time.

By November 2019, she had passed the Arkansas Real Estate Broker Exam and became an executive broker. That year, Monica was the top producer at a local brokerage.

“At a certain age, I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything significant,” Hale recalled. “So, I went to real estate broker school in 2019, got my broker license, and became an executive broker at my company.”

Armed with new confidence, Hale opened Plush Homes Company-Realtors in June 2020. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, the real estate market rebounded by August, fueling growth for Plush Homes. In 2021, she received the Diamond Award from the Little Rock Realtors Association for achieving $8 million in volume sales.

“Surprisingly, the pandemic actually helped real estate,” Hale said. “I opened my brokerage on June 1, 2020, and we’ve been in business for four years now.”

In these four years, Plush Homes has thrived, becoming Arkansas’s largest Black-owned brokerage firm, according to Hale. The Little Rock brokerage has grown from five to 30 real estate agents.

Hale attributes her company’s success to her hustler’s mentality and passion for helping people achieve homeownership. Her first sale as a part-time agent in 2017 was to a renter she met while managing an apartment complex.

“That first sale confirmed that this was my calling,” Hale said. “Helping people own their own home and build generational wealth is incredibly fulfilling.”

Others recognized Hale’s potential early on. A title company owner was impressed by her quick success, predicting she would excel in real estate.

“He said, ‘If you closed your first deal within two months of getting your license, you’re going to be a killer,'” Hale recalled. “That encouraged me, and I cherish that first client to this day.”

In addition to running a successful brokerage, Hale is proud to mentor other Black real estate agents, helping them navigate and thrive in the industry.

“I encourage all agents that enter Plush Homes to advance their knowledge and become brokers. The most rewarding part of owning a company is helping others reach their potential,” Hale said. “It’s not just about the deals; it’s about lifting others up.”

Hale also finds joy in assisting Black homebuyers in finding their dream homes. Despite high-interest rates, she advises clients on financing options and reassures them that rates will eventually drop.

“I haven’t been in the game long, but I know the market fluctuates,” Hale said. “I always tell my clients to focus on maintaining good credit so they can refinance when rates come down.”

Despite the market downturn, Hale remains optimistic about Plush Homes’ future. Since opening in 2020, Plush Homes has achieved year-to-date volume sales of $100 million.

Hale is an advocate for women, helping them become their best selves by sharing life-changing techniques. She successfully connects them to resources that lead to thriving businesses and lives of purpose, peace, happiness, and love.

Every year, Hale organizes a back-to-school bash for children, a tradition she started during her time working at the apartments. She also regularly visits local schools, speaking to students during career day, emphasizing the importance of education and inspiring them to pursue their dreams. In times of crisis, such as the March 2023 tornado, Hale mobilizes efforts to collect essential items for victims, demonstrating her dedication to her community.

Looking ahead, Hale envisions Plush Homes continuing to set trends and expanding nationally while adapting to industry changes. She plans to enhance the company by incorporating interior design services and re-establishing its property management division.

“I’m an introvert who loves binge-watching Netflix and spending time with my husband, Delvin, and daughter, Destinee,” Hale said. “Destinee is my angel and my motivation for everything I do. She inspires me daily.”