How I Overcame a Stutter to Build a Business

By Tim Lockhart

Tim is a 6th generation Texan, grew up in Arlington TX, and after having served 20 years as an Air Force Civil Engineering officer and managing over $1 Billion in facility construction and renovation projects, he retired in 2013. The experience, work ethic and leadership gained in the Air Force propelled him in only 4 years to build a real estate business ranking in the top 20% of agents worldwide in Keller Williams Realty the #1 Real Estate Company in the World. Tim is a Certified Military Relocation Specialist providing the highest level of service to his clients.

Have you ever faced an obstacle so big that it seemed impossible to get past? I sure did. But what I learned was that sometimes, the only way forward is to go through it.

A childhood dream and a big problem. My journey into entrepreneurship didn’t start easy. As a kid, I had big dreams of following in my grandfather’s footsteps. He owned a bottling plant in San Antonio where they made popular drinks like Orange Crush and Frosty Root Beer. I wanted to be an entrepreneur just like him. But there was a huge problem: I stuttered.

In junior high, I could hardly speak on the phone without struggling to get my words out. How could I run a business if I couldn’t even answer a call? I was scared and avoided talking whenever I could. But my speech therapist gave me tough advice. She said if I didn’t face my fear and start speaking, it would only get worse. And worse, the fear would start to control other parts of my life.

The choice to face my fear. I had a choice to make: keep avoiding my fear or face it head-on. I chose to face it. Every time the phone rang, I pushed myself to answer. It wasn’t easy, but over time, it got better. I realized that my biggest obstacle wasn’t my stutter—it was my fear of it.

From the Air Force to real estate. I went on to study mechanical engineering and became a civil engineering officer in the Air Force. There, I managed over a billion dollars in construction projects and briefed generals. Public speaking? It was now part of my job. I had to keep moving forward, no matter the challenge.

When I retired from the Air Force, I knew it was time to take the leap into real estate. I started investing in single-family homes, fix-and-flip deals, and rental properties. I joined Keller Williams Realty, and for over a decade, I’ve ranked in the top 20% of Realtors. In 2022, I received an award for outstanding leadership at an International Realty 2.0 conference in Las Vegas.

Turning challenges into success. Today, I help my community with their real estate needs and guide other business owners as a profit strategist. The dream I had as a kid—to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps—has come true. But I wouldn’t have gotten here without pushing through the obstacles that once held me back.

We all face challenges in life. But the only way through is to face them. Don’t let fear control you. If you want to succeed, you have to move through your obstacles, not around them. If I can do it, so can you. Don’t let anything hold you back. Keep going, and find your success by facing your fears head-on. If you have any questions about real estate, feel free to call or text me at (940) 704-7058. I’d be happy to help you move through your challenges to achieve your real estate goals.