Buffy Patterson (pictured above) is a real estate broker, boutique owner, and artist.
After several years in law enforcement, she decided a change was in order, so she threw her hat into the real estate ring.
“I’m not really sure how I came to that decision, because it was so out of my wheelhouse, but I soon found out. My Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s shortly after my career change. I knew then that my decision was a Godwink,” Buffy says.
“The flexibility of my new career afforded me precious time to spend with my mom and to help care for her. This was the hardest, saddest, and most challenging time of my life.”
The emotional struggle afterwards led Buffy back to her creative roots.
“Along with the love of my family and my sweet dog Remi, I began painting and creating as my therapy. Remi Art may be seen at Inlet Cottage Vintiques. In 2008, I founded Trading Spaces Realty, a boutique real estate company offering real estate and property management services.”
Located in Pawleys Island, the company offers sales, rentals, staging, consulting, and property management in the Lowcountry.
In addition, she decided to further embrace her artistic side with the creation of her boutique Sage & Salvage Company, which offers local items of interest, including gifts, and art.
“We pride ourselves as being Pawleys Island’s ‘Coolest Boutique,’” she says.
Mentoring others in the real estate industry is important to her: “I am a firm believer in owning dirt - they are just not making it anymore! Not just dirt… rental property. I believe that rentals are the road to riches. Start young, buy what you can afford. Some of my smallest transactions have yielded the most income. I love nurturing young adults and educating them on the benefits of investing in property.”
Buffy and her businesses are involved in several philanthropic endeavors in the community, including Carolina Human Reinvestment Sage (CHR), a nonprofit that benefits the youth and their families of Georgetown county. The mentoring program has also created a community garden on Petigru Drive in Pawleys.
Through the garden, they have provided more than 12,000 pounds of food which is then donated to local food banks and kitchens throughout the community. A partnership with FoodShare, SC has dispersed more than 120,000 pounds of food. It is available to the county at large for $20, but is only $5 through Snap/EBT. Each biweekly box contains 20 to 30 pounds of fresh produce and is a growing effort to fight food disparity. CHR’s aftercare program saw a 100% pass rate last school year, with many of those children rising to honor roll status.
Buffy also serves on the Pawleys Island/Litchfield Business Association Board that promotes and supports the local business community.
As for advice for women starting out on their own in business, she says:
“This is so un-cliche’, but if life throws you lemons… Throw them back and kick some ass… and get a dog! Every day will not start out the way you want it to, but you can make the change. You are the change!”
As for who inspires this busy entrepreneur, she says: “I am inspired every day for a new encounter with amazing human beings. … Someone who has faced adversity and loss and wakes up every day with a smile and continues to help others through their own struggles… I would be remiss if I did not mention my beautiful mother, a nurse who dedicated her life to helping others.
“She was my strongest influence and my rock. She lived and died with dignity and grace and I am forever grateful that God made her my mom.”
Sage & Salvage Co.
10172 Ocean Hwy
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
(843) 833-9344
facebook.com/Sage.SalvageCo/
Trading Spaces Realty
10698 Ocean Hwy., #4109
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Tradingspacesrealty.com
