Kindra Tragesser and Kim Sottong Support Each Other and the City of Tipton
Writer / Julie Yates
Photography Provided
All too often, tales of rivalry and cutthroat competition are told about the business world. In Tipton, however, that is not the case. Small business owners marvel at the support they enjoy, not only from the Chamber of Commerce, but also from each other. Leading by example are two women with a spirit of camaraderie, celebrating individual successes while backing each other’s efforts to promote the town.
For almost two decades, the careers of Kim Sottong, owner of RE/MAX Anew Realty, and Kindra Tragesser, owner of Urban Homestead, have intersected and diverged, only to reconnect again. The concept of home, plus a love of Tipton, have been the common threads through their friendship. The two say Sottong is the one who sells people houses, and Tragesser makes those houses into homes.
“We have had a long business relationship and friendship,” Tragesser says. “Sometimes we don’t always see eye to eye, but we always support each other.”
“Just like sisters do,” Sottong adds.
The two women first met around 2000, when both were selling real estate for a franchise of nationally known RE/MAX. Tragesser, who still holds a real estate license today, left the field for a brief span when she became an appraiser. Meanwhile, Sottong left the agency she was with and when with to work for an
independent broker. Tragesser then came back to selling real estate and began working in the office Sottong managed. In 2015 Kim started Anew Realty with the help of Kindra. In May 2021 Kim purchased the a RE/MAX franchise and is now known as RE/MAX Anew Realty. Kindra worked with Kim until she left in 2019 to open Urban Homestead, a retail interior-design goods store and studio.
“Although I still hold a license, I am not in the real estate business, but I’ve always stayed in the home industry,” Tragesser says. “When I left Anew it wasn’t because I was unhappy. It was a great place to work. I felt that if I wanted to do something else, it was the time to do it.”
During that period, Tragesser, who has experience remodeling and flipping houses, built up a designing and decorating consultation business, which she operated from her home. When the opportunity to buy and renovate Urban Homestead’s current location presented itself, she and her husband Brent decided to take the plunge. As the current vice president on the board of directors for the Tipton County Chamber of Commerce, civic-minded Tragesser rehabbed the building with the intent to revitalize downtown – plus, clients could view merchandise and decor options within a brick-and-mortar space.
“My husband and I wanted to purchase the building and rehab it to help the growth of downtown,” Tragesser says. “If the building spurs it on, that’s what it’s all about. Hopefully we’ve left something behind for the future.”
When Sottong went out on her own to open Anew, she also wanted to leave a legacy in the form of a scholarship program. In partnership with the Tipton County Foundation, money Sottong donates is invested to fund Anew Realty
scholarships. Each year, students from both Tipton High School and Tri-Central High School are given $1,000 to be used for a two-year or certification program. The foundation’s management of the funds Sottong donates ensures that even after she passes on, the scholarships will continue.
Throughout the years each woman has served on boards and committees, and planned events to benefit the community. They have always supported each other’s activities and directed business toward each other. Both have a passion for keeping Tipton on the right track.
“I know I could go and make more money elsewhere, but Tipton is where my heart is,” says Sottong, regarding why she chose Tipton as the location for her business.
“In the past six months, people from places like Marion, Zionsville and Indianapolis have been coming in the shop,” Tragesser says. “Some have asked if I have plans to open a second shop in another community. That would be counter to the purpose of opening it in the first place, which was to bring people to Tipton. If I had another shop in a different location, that wouldn’t bring people to Tipton.”
At the present time, the inventory of houses on the market in Tipton County is very low. Houses are selling so quickly that Sottong hasn’t had the time or the need to stage them. However, she feels the market will even out in the future. At that point she will enlist Tragesser’s help to set the stage for house showings.
Noting that 42% of small businesses are owned by women, Sottong and Tragesser stress that in Tipton, there is room for everyone. They feel the town is unique in the way all business owners cheer each other on. Each is particularly grateful for the help and support they have received from each other.
RE/MAX Anew Realty is located at 221 South Main Street in Tipton, and serves Clinton, Hamilton, Howard, Madison and Tipton counties. Visit anewrealtyhomes.com or call 765-675-3100 for more info.
Urban Homestead is in downtown Tipton at 114 East Jefferson Street. Visit urbanhomesteadllc.com, and follow on Facebook and Instagram, for additional details.
