Determination. Drive. Dedication. Dorry Santiago has all those qualities as a top producer. A former hairdresser, she followed her heart into real estate in 2011 and found happiness in the process. She started the Santiago Group, powered by Keller Williams Realty, in 2015.

 

With her expertise, she pioneered opening the first Market Center for Keller Williams in Monroe County, located in Key West. Dorry also built an expansion team in 2018 servicing Key West and the Keys.

“I was in the hair industry, starting in the mid to late ‘70s, with my husband in Key West,” she says. She opened two salons and served countless clients, learning a lot of transferable skills.  When her husband got ill, they eventually moved to Fort Lauderdale.

 

“My son joined us in the business and has been a hairdresser as well.  He developed a hair care line, and my daughter developed a skin care and cosmetic line,” she adds.

 

They opened a salon locally for seven years. When Dorry’s husband passed away, her heart led her to real estate. “Real estate was always something we had thought about for a long time.”

 

Dorry was invited to come to Keller Williams by her client turned mentor, Vicci Reed, a REALTOR®. “I came to Keller Williams and spoke to the team leader. I just fell in love. It’s like no other company I’ve ever been involved with, especially with its culture.” Eleven years ago, she got her license.

 

“Keller Williams gave me a lot of opportunities in the company,” says Dorry. “My heart was in the Keys. I was living in Fort Lauderdale, and there was no Keller Williams in Monroe County. I made it my mission to bring the company there. It took about three years, but we did it.”  

 

Dorry now leads a small team. She has two buyers’ agents and an admin. “I couldn’t do what I do without them and my transaction coordinator. That is my small but mighty team.” She is also proud of her daughter, Francesca, who is her partner in The Florida Keys - Key West.

 

In addition to helping her clients with their real estate needs, Dorry has a heart for the community. She comments, “I have been involved with Debbie’s Dream, a charity for people who were stricken with stomach cancer and their survivors.”

 

Giving back to KW Cares is also near and dear to her heart. “With each transaction, I donate a portion of my sales.” Funds to go help first responders in areas that are hit by disaster, bringing hope to those who are ravaged by floods, hurricanes, fires and more. They also help Keller Williams agents who are in need or in crisis.

 

Dorry was married to her soulmate for 35 years before he left this earth. They have two children and four beautiful grandchildren.

 

“My son, a sports agent, also specializes in MMA fighters. He has a business, Brand Agents, and is certified in marketing here in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami,” she smiles.

 

Her daughter, Francesca, excels in real estate in Key West and the Florida Keys. Dorry couldn’t be prouder of her with “extensive knowledge” and intricacies in Airbnb rentals and residential sales.

 

In her free time, Dorry has a heart for the arts and loves to paint with acrylics. She also recently purchased a mountain home in North Carolina to retreat, relax and rejuvenate.

 

From being a hairdresser to leading the Santiago Group, Dorry is living her best life. Her drive and determination have made her who she is today, making dreams come true for others in real estate.