We had the good fortune of connecting with Tayja Ellis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tayja, what do you want your legacy to be?
When I think about my legacy, I envision it being successful of course, but also influential. I want to be remembered for never giving up in spite of the hardships and challenges I’ve faced. I want to leave my footprint in the sand to encourage the discouraged. I want to be that figure of inspiration to young girls that look like me. My legacy starting out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and transitioning to Lafayette, La for college, battling through what I now know as “mental health” issues, triumphing through it to graduation, then venturing off independently to Houston, TX shortly after. The moral of my legacy will ring out as perseverance.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Realtor & Teacher here in Houston aaaaand it is NOT easy. However, I am excited about the future to come. I am still building my Real Estate business but have been doing so excellently. From working at school 45+ hours a week, giving all I have to my students, then coming home to serve my clients and having to serve at my church, which is my therapy…these are all things I love. It has been exhausting but the light is my business name is gaining more traction and I have been afforded more opportunities such as this one. I’ve learned that small sacrifices bring big rewards in the end. As much as I want to quit everything, pushing through makes me feel accomplished. I always use where I want to be in this Real Estate business where my portfolio is so large that money is being made in my sleep as motivation to keep going. I love helping people find their dream home as seamless as possible. I joined this profession after losing a job back in 2022 that meant the world to me. I knew I wanted more for myself but I did not know what exactly. God showed me by putting me in position to hear directly from him, helping me exit a job that was weighing on my mental but putting me in a place to influence young people. I became a teacher while completing my real estate license. I completed my program in May 2023 and passed my board exam in June 2023 and took off running from there. It was tough going back to school while keeping up with clientele but with God comes that perseverance!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ok so, I’m kind of a home body lol so this may not be as fun and exciting as people hope!
So when my best touches down, we going to eat! Probably will hit up a happy hour at Park Place in Willowbrook…the $4 margaritas?! Whew! We’ll probably go to topgolf on Katy Fwy..those wings..bomb!
We MUST do brunch at First Watch and/or the Address. We are for sure catching Gigi LIVE Saturday night at SHE goat Daiquiris in Cypress.. be careful with them drinks nah! Y’all know I’m a church girl so you know we’ll be at church at TCWW on Sunday. Pappadeaux for dinner…let me get the Salmon Alexander, well done, no rice extra spinach please! There’s a few places I’ve had my eye on to try! The little art shot place where you shoot at paint balloons on a canvas and the make your own rug place!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Listen…I have to shout out my Lord & Savior…my big homie, Jesus Christ! Without him, I would be NOTHING.
I also have to thank my TCWW (the Church Without Walls) family. Joining as member was one of the best things for me. Thank y’all for all the laughs and prayers that have lifted me along the way.
I also have to thank my mentors and broker at Blair Realty Group. Ashley/Kaci & Lynn, y’all are instrumental in my Real Estate career. There’s been many times I’ve wanted to hang up my license because Real Estate and Full-time teaching is HARD and getting discouraged is REAL! You guys have kept me grounded.
Thanks to all of my family and friends for putting up with me when I’m happy, sad, stressed or indecisive about any and everything. You guys know it’s apart of my process!

Website: https://Tayja.cypresshomeguide.com

Instagram: @_ajyat & @tayjaellisrealestate

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tayjabrg

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Image Credits
Giana Young

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