Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Buettner Wardell.
Hi Andrea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Self-Made Underdog
I’ve been working since I was twelve years old. From the start, service for others has been the throughline of my life. I began with small jobs — daycare, restaurant shifts, odd work — each one teaching me resilience, responsibility, and how to connect with people.
I studied psychology, not for a title, but because I’ve always been fascinated by people: how they think, what drives them, and how relationships shape their lives. That curiosity laid the foundation for my career, because at the end of the day, I’ve always been in the people business.
Seventeen and a half years ago, I stepped into real estate. I didn’t have money, connections, or a clear path — I came in as the underdog. My school years were a mix of privilege and turbulence; I made mistakes, but I refused to let them define me. Every setback became fuel, every obstacle a reason to work harder.
Over the years, I’ve helped buyers, sellers, families, and investors, but what drives me isn’t just the transactions. It’s building trust, creating opportunity, and proving that perseverance outlasts privilege. I am self-made. I am an underdog. And I’m still moving forward.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. The road has been full of twists, setbacks, and lessons. I’ve faced financial struggles, personal mistakes, and the kind of obstacles that make most people quit. But I’ve learned that struggle isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of it. Every challenge has sharpened my resilience, deepened my empathy, and reminded me why perseverance always matters more than privilege.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Before real estate, there was art. As a child, creativity was my first language — modeling, talent shows, collages, piano keys under my fingers. Art was how I made sense of the world and expressed what words couldn’t capture.
That creative energy never left me; it simply evolved. As an adult, I began using art as a way to bring people together. I’ve hosted fashion shows, curated exhibits, and organized concerts that gave a stage to voices and stories within the community. I’ve created more than 50 original pieces of art, taught myself to play drums, and kept exploring music and performance as outlets of expression.
Art, for me, is never separate from life. It’s fueled by the people, challenges, and triumphs around me. It’s not a hobby — it’s a core part of who I am. And it’s that same creativity that shapes my approach to real estate: finding solutions, telling stories, and building meaningful connections.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Learn something from anyone and everyone every day, or else you are dead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wardellholmes.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WardellHolmesRE
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-buettner-wardell-667a9a3a/
