Laura Elleby, co-founder of E+E Group of Compass, a luxury properties real estate agency, has made a significant impact in the industry. Elleby has set a goal to reach $150 million per year within the next two years.
Elleby did not plan to become a real estate agent, much less build a successful agency in Blue Ridge, Georgia. She and her husband were searching for a home to purchase in the area but were not pleased with the service they received from their real estate agent. At the time, only a few real estate agents were working in the locale, and the one Elleby was working with was considered a top agent. When the agent did not respond to phone calls, Elleby handled most of the work surrounding the home purchase. After the closing, the agent was paid for work they didn’t perform, and Elleby’s husband encouraged her to pursue a real estate license.
At the time, Elleby, a former medical sales representative, was a stay-at-home mother and yoga teacher. Elleby’s nature is to pursue any endeavor wholeheartedly, and she soon acquired her license. Three years of difficulty establishing herself in the real estate market in the small town of Blue Ridge followed. She was considered an outsider, and others in the industry doubted her skills. During this time, Elleby and her family also worked to establish themselves as part of the community. Despite her challenges, Elleby was not discouraged and continued to spend funds on advertising and marketing for her real estate business.
Elleby’s first major success was when a chief executive officer in Atlanta contacted her through Zillow. This led to an introduction to a top builder, and she later facilitated the $2.3 million sale of the builder’s most expensive property. This sale was instrumental in establishing her as a formidable real estate professional, gaining her recognition in the industry and community for her accomplishments.
As Blue Ridge has become the “Aspen of the East,” Elleby has built a successful career. The town is nestled in a county that is 60% national forest and protected core property. Elleby describes Blue Ridge as “very cute” and points out that it features all locally owned businesses and no chain restaurants.
“The beauty of that is we can’t become like Hollywood. It’s almost a supply-and-demand thing. 80% of the lake here is national forest, so that is why the lake properties are pretty much double those in the county. We were a secondary market, but now, people coming in are on their third and fourth homes,” Elleby explains.
Elleby continues to plan for the future. In 2024, she became a broker to elevate her status in terms of renegotiating contracts and give her more power in the marketing budget.
Elleby’s advice for others is, “Anything is possible. It doesn’t matter how you started or where you came from. If you have faith and dreams and stay consistent and persevere, you can make your dreams come true.”
