For Sam Sheets, real estate is a people business—it’s about connections. She thrives where the conversation is face to face. Where a handshake, a laugh, or a late-night text to a teammate keeps things moving forward. Whether she’s hosting a client event, networking with fellow agents, or tapping into Compass’s national network to help a buyer relocate; Sam is at her best when she’s creating opportunities and making things happen

 

That drive to connect is matched by a relentless work ethic. “I’ve always been a ‘go above and beyond’ kind of person,” she says. “If I’m not out there working for my clients, networking to make new connections, marketing myself… I won’t see the results I want.” It’s an approach that’s earned her awards, built her reputation, and created a business sustained by genuine relationships.

 

Before stepping into real estate in December 2018, Sam was climbing the corporate sales ladder in Northern Colorado. She thrived in sales, problem-solving, and relationship-building, but something was missing. “Being behind a desk was not for me,” she says. “I loved the sales and creating relationships with my customers, but I wanted to do it face to face. I wanted to be in an industry I could be passionate about.”

 

Much of her inspiration comes from the strong women in her family. Sam’s Aunt Barb has been a real estate agent in Minnesota for 39 years, and her mom, also an entrepreneur, started a graphic design business so she could work from home while raising Sam. That experience sparked Sam’s own creative side and passion for marketing. Together, they showed her what it means to be driven, entrepreneurial, and connected to the community - strong qualities that continue to guide her career today.

 

Once she made the leap, Sam worked as a bartender while earning her license and building her business. She admits the early days were challenging. “It’s a tough career to get started from scratch,” she says. “Just getting systems in place and the right team around me took a little trial and error. Once I found my place on this team with Compass, I was locked in! It felt like home.”

 

Nearly five years with Compass has given her tools, technology, and a national network that elevate every client’s experience. “They’re always ahead with marketing and resources, which lets me focus on the client,” she says. “Knowing I can connect a client with a trusted Compass agent anywhere in the country and they’ll be in good hands? Amazing.”

 

Sam is passionate about staying visible for her clients, whether it’s through marketing, networking, or client appreciation events. She thrives in a fast-changing market, helping clients navigate shifts with confidence. “The last six years have been a true roller coaster,” she says. “I love showing clients there is always life-changing opportunity in real estate—the approach just has to shift.”

 

Outside of work, Sam’s life is full of activity and connection. She loves paddleboarding, hiking, mountain-town getaways, hot yoga, Pilates, and pickleball. She’s a huge foodie, always on the lookout for new restaurants and a great glass of wine. She surrounds herself with longtime friends who share her love of adventure and connection.

 

She also lends her skills to causes that matter to her. Sam serves on the board for A Better Colorado as Marketing and Community Partnership Advisor, pairing veterans experiencing PTSD with life-changing service dogs. “I love being able to offer my time and marketing experience to help others,” she says. “I could have been an event planner in another life—I love putting together a place for people to have a good time for a good cause.”

 

When it comes to advice for other agents, Sam keeps it real. “Find your people and lean on them!” she says. “Real estate can be an isolating business. Don’t try to do it all on your own. There is room in the industry for all of us. No need to act like other agents are your competition.”

 

When Sam thinks about the mark she wants to leave, it comes down to something simple: kindness. “I just want to be remembered as genuinely kind, even when it feels rare these days,” she says. “The kind of friend you can call after a day or after five years, and know I’ll pick up and listen. No performance, just a real connection.”

 

In an industry that can feel transactional, Sam has built a career on the opposite—making every interaction personal, every client a relationship, and every deal a steppingstone to a lifelong connection. For her, success isn’t just measured at the closing table. It’s measured in the people who still call her years later, knowing she’ll answer.