How the Rising Cost of Real Estate Impacted the Service Industry (Especially Mine) – and Why I Chose to “Feed the Bear!”

I recently heard an interview where the guest said,

“If me and the bear are fighting, I’m going to feed the bear.”

That line hit me hard – because for me, real estate is the bear.

“Don’t feed the bear!” Normally, this phrase warns people to stay away from something powerful, risky, or unpredictable.

For 15 years, I’ve stood behind the salon chair – and for 7 of those, I stood as a salon owner. From 2017 to 2024, I built my dream salon, pouring every ounce of creativity, money, faith, and hope into the walls that were owned by someone else.

Rising real estate costs didn’t just hit me, they slammed my doors closed for good!

After COVID work-from-home orders drastically decreased the demand for beauty services. Clients no longer needed silk presses for office meetings or gray coverage every four weeks. Meanwhile, empty office suites turned into affordable mini-beauty studios, attracting booth renters away from traditional salons. Owners like me were left without staff to fill chairs, even as lease rates kept climbing. With less salon traffic and fewer booth renters, weekly rates and service prices had to increase just to pay the landlord. Creativity suffered as most stylists were forced to pickup part-time jobs to make pre-COVID wages. Watching my stylists struggle under that burden broke my heart. Eventually, like so many others, and after exhausting many other possibilities, I decided to close my business.

Real Estate: My Bear to Feed

Shortly after, my marriage ended, and I began to rebuild my life from scratch – as a single mom of three amazing kids:

My high school cheerleading diva,
My middle school gamer with a mind sharper than my shears, and
My joyful toddler who teaches me patience and presence every single day.

In that season, home became everything.
It was more than just walls and a monthly payment, it was my peace, security, stability, and a place to breathe again.

That’s when it clicked: Real estate is the ultimate foundation for rebuilding.
It feeds every part of life – family, career, mental health, and future goals.

So Why Become a Realtor?

Real Estate is big, intimidating, risky, and many avoid it out of fear…

However, I have decided to approach, understand, nurture and master it with my time, skills, knowledge and grit! I’m using it to create security not just for my own family, but for other single mothers, families, entrepreneurs, and business owners navigating these rising costs.

Marketing, sales, relationships, studying market trends and making people feel seen is what I have been great at for over 15 years.

The Bottom Line

The rising cost of real estate isn’t just numbers on a Zillow listing.
It’s the difference between a salon staying open and a stylist losing her chair. Between a family feeling secure or feeling stuck. Between dreams closing… or opening new doors.

If we’re fighting the bear, maybe it’s time to feed it instead.

That’s why I’m here.
To help you buy it, sell it, and build security through it – while remaining grounded in your purpose.
Because home isn’t simply where you reside. It’s where you rise.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling in Nashville or surrounding areas, or just want to talk about how real estate impacts your future – let’s connect.

Stay beautiful, stay grounded, and feed your bear today!

- Rachael Hunt