Client Spotlight: Brenda Starnes

Behind every branding session is a woman building something extraordinary. Today, I’m thrilled to feature Brenda Starnes. Brenda is the CEO of Keller Williams Preferred in Columbia and founder of Heart Failure to Fierce. Two powerful roles. One extraordinary woman. And a journey that will leave you completely inspired.

Hi Brenda, It's so awesome to get to know a little more about you. Can you tell us more about your business and what you offer?

I wear two hats that may seem very different, but they're both rooted in the same passion, helping people grow and realize what's possible in their lives.

I'm the CEO of Keller Williams Preferred in Columbia, South Carolina, where I have the privilege of leading a brokerage of more than 160 real estate agents. My role goes far beyond running a real estate company. I'm passionate about creating an environment where agents feel supported, challenged, and empowered to build businesses that actually support the lives they want to live. We focus on relationships, collaboration, education, leadership development, and helping agents grow both personally and professionally.

I'm also the founder of Heart Failure to Fierce, a platform born from my own personal journey. After being diagnosed with heart failure and facing the possibility of needing a heart transplant, my perspective on life changed dramatically. What began as one of the scariest chapters of my life became a journey of healing, rediscovering myself, and learning to live with greater intention.

Heart Failure to Fierce is about sharing that journey and encouraging others to recognize that their circumstances don't have to define their future. It's about resilience, mindset, hope, and finding your strength even when life looks nothing like you planned.

At the heart of both businesses is the same mission: helping people build lives they truly love.

Wow! That’s truly inspiring. Why do you think your clients choose to work with your company specifically?

I believe agents choose Keller Williams Preferred because they feel the difference in our culture. We're not just a place to hang a real estate license. We're a community of people who genuinely want to see one another succeed.

One of my favorite sayings is "Collaboration over Competition," and that's not just something we put on a wall. It's how I believe a business should operate.

I want our agents to know they have a leadership team that's accessible, invested in their success, and willing to roll up our sleeves to help them grow. Whether someone is brand new to real estate or an experienced top producer, my goal is to help them see opportunities they may not have seen for themselves.

I think people connect with Heart Failure to Fierce because it's real. I'm not sharing a story from a textbook or pretending to have all the answers. I've lived through the fear, the uncertainty, and the moments when life changes in an instant.

I understand what it feels like to be told something that makes you question everything you thought your future would look like.

My hope is that by being vulnerable about my own journey, I can help someone else feel less alone and remind them that there can still be so much life, purpose, and joy ahead.

I don't want people to simply hear my story. I want them to recognize the strength in their own.

What interested you in this industry and why did you pick this as your career?

I've always loved people, building relationships, and helping others succeed. Real estate gave me the opportunity to do all three.

Over time, I realized that what fulfilled me most wasn't necessarily the transaction or the sale. It was watching someone grow in confidence, build a successful business, achieve financial freedom, or accomplish something they once thought was out of reach.

That's what ultimately drew me into leadership. I love seeing potential in people and helping them recognize it in themselves.

Heart Failure to Fierce was different because I didn't choose that journey. Life chose it for me.

But I did get to choose what I would do with the experience. I could allow it to define me by my limitations, or I could use it to create something meaningful.

I chose to share my story in hopes that it might make a difference in someone else's life.

What were the first steps in creating your business?

With Keller Williams Preferred, my focus as a leader was first on the people. I wanted to build a culture where agents knew they mattered, their voices were heard, and their success was genuinely important to us.

That meant building relationships, developing a strong leadership team, creating opportunities for growth, and being intentional about the kind of environment we were creating. I believe when you take care of people, the business follows.

Heart Failure to Fierce started much more personally.

The first step was finding the courage to share my story. When you've walked through something life-changing, it's not always easy to be vulnerable and let others see those parts of your life.

But I began to realize that the very things I had struggled through might be exactly what someone else needed to hear.

What started as a personal journey began growing into something bigger, a way to connect with others, share hope, and encourage people to take ownership of their lives and their futures.

What do you want your clients to leave with?

More than anything, I want people to leave an interaction with me believing in themselves a little more than they did before.

For our agents at Keller Williams Preferred, I want them to feel valued, supported, and excited about what's possible. I want them to build successful businesses, absolutely, but I also want those businesses to give them freedom. Freedom to spend time with their families, travel, create memories, give back, and enjoy the lives they're working so hard to build.

Success shouldn't come at the expense of living.

With Heart Failure to Fierce, I want people to walk away with hope. I want them to understand that even when life takes an unexpected turn, there can still be purpose, joy, and incredible opportunities ahead.

If someone leaves a conversation with me feeling stronger, more hopeful, or inspired to make a positive change in their life, then I've accomplished something meaningful.

That’s amazing! Okay, last question… If you could describe your brand in a quote, what quote would it be?

I believe our greatest purpose is to help others discover what's possible, whether that's building a business, overcoming adversity, or finding the courage to create a life they truly love.

Thank you, Brenda! You are such an inspiration and it was an honor to take your branding photos! Make sure you are following Brenda on IG @heartfailuretofierce