AAPI Agent Spotlight: Kenneth King

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In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we invited several Douglas Elliman agents to share their experiences as members of the AAPI community and talk about the role their heritage has played in their real estate career.

Kenneth King, NYC Real Estate Agent

How do you prefer to identify yourself within the Asian American Pacific Islander umbrella?

Thai American.

What aspects of your identity are most meaningful for you? Are there cultural traditions or historic moments or other elements that are a particular source of pride? 

As a foodie and firm believer that the one thing that always seems to bring people together is a great meal—despite any cultural differences—I take pride in traditional Thai cuisine and its role in our culture.

How did you find your path to success in this field?

We work in a people-/relationship-focused industry. For that reason, I would have to attribute my success to networking and the amazing people that I’ve been fortunate enough to encounter, from my early days in the industry up to present day. As the saying goes, “your network is your net worth.”

What values or elements of your heritage do you draw strength from in your work as an agent?  

I was raised to prioritize honesty, integrity, and carry myself to the highest standard in any field that I find myself in. This extends to the relationships in my life. As my father used to say to me: “Whether you are the waiter [which I proudly was in my teenage years] or the CEO, treat everyone with the same level of respect.” It applies heavily to my business, where my clients will find the same level of service and respect, regardless of their price point.

How would you characterize your experience as a member of the AAPI community in the real estate industry? Are there specific moments or episodes from over the years that illustrate what you’ve experienced? 

Being a member of any community naturally has its advantages when you encounter individuals who use that commonality to generate a rapport. Interestingly enough, I often come across individuals that bank on my understanding of how business is conducted in their country of origin to “strike a deal.” It ultimately leads to an education process if they are first timers, whether it be with selling, purchasing, renting or investing. (I’ve had someone bring a duffel bag full of cash to an open house for “proof of funds.”)

What would you like your industry colleagues to understand about your experience and what can they do to be better allies of the AAPI community? 

I was born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens, where I felt most comfortable because of our cultural melting pot. As an industry, I hope that we all become more curious about how we can leverage our differences to achieve our clients’ goal and turn what can be a strenuous process into an enjoyable journey. 

It’s not about sides (buyers and sellers) or differences, but rather coming together to make a deal happen that can often result in what many consider to be the American Dream. I consider myself a student of life; whether I’m learning from a toddler or another community, it all really boils down to one thing: we are all people. It’s our differences that make us the same, and no matter how you slice it, we are all someone’s friend, sibling, child, parent, etc. Being a better ally to the AAPI community means appreciating the individual, no different from how you would consider a friend.

How do you think brokerages like Elliman can help foster greater diversity in the industry?  

Identifying and fostering individuals that have the desire to lead or support with core values that include, but are not limited to, equality and inclusion. Whether it be an administrative assistant, branch manager, team leader or corporate employee, this is something that would cultivate a diverse work culture from all aspects of our business.

Its Time For Elliman

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