We are proudly to feature Shermel A. jeffers chandwani, who are currently “redefining business and entrepreneurship” in 2024-25, and give a snapshot of their sectors, impact, and what makes them stand out. As a female entrepreneur in a competitive, male-dominated global real estate market — especially in luxury international property — she serves as an inspiration and a role-model for international women-led real-estate ventures.
Personal & Professional Journey
• Could you share your career journey and what inspired you to venture into interior design and real estate?
Mrs. Shermel A. Jeffers Chandwani, Managing Director of SAJ Interior Designs and Real Estate Services has multiple property listings, with a portfolio in excess of US$300 million to showcase and presents a lot of merit right now for both the buyers and sellers. My expertise in financial banking has enabled me to successfully lead a prominent real estate company in the Caribbean on the island of St. Kitts & Nevis.
My company not only offers real estate services, but we pride ourselves on being able to counsel or guide potential buyers on the financial services, in particular mortgage financing with the local banks. We also go a step further where we introduce and schedule the loan appointments with the financial institution that would best accommodate the client’s financial needs.
My qualifications and extensive knowledge of both the financial industry and real estate investments market has allowed me to offer an elevated level of client service that is undoubtedly unmatched within the real estate industry in St. Kitts and Nevis.
I bring over 13 years of experience from the banking sector and 10 years in the real estate industry.
2005 to 2012: Top Personal Lending Officer at RBC Royal Bank of Canada, St. Kitts. Successfully achieved and won over 25 awards for Royal Performance in the “Sales” category both locally and the Eastern Caribbean Islands.
2017: I served as Secretary to the FND Credit Union Supervisory Committee for 4 years (From 2013 to 2017).
August 2024: SAJ Interior Designs & Real Estate Services has been officially recognized as a Winner of “Best Luxury Boutique Real Estate Consultancy in St. Kitts and Nevis” in the 2024 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards in New York.
October 2024: SAJ Interior Design & Real Estate Services has been selected as one of the TOP 100 Real Estate Brokers of the World in 2024 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards in New York.
March 2025: SAJ Interior Designs & Real Estate Services has been officially recognized a as a Winner of “Leading Luxury Real Estate Consultancy for Personalized Investment Guidance in St. Kitts & Nevis in St. Kitts & Nevis, The Caribbean” in the 2025 by Global Elite Awards in Switzerland.
May 2025: SAJ Interior Designs & Real Estate Services has been officially recognized for the 2nd time as a Winner of “Best Luxury Boutique Real Estate Consultancy in St. Kitts & Nevis” in the 2025 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards.
These incredible recognition by Global Elite Awards in Switzerland and Luxury Lifestyle Awards based in New York, United States underscores our exceptional contributions to the luxury real estate industry.
SAJ have been recognized on multiple international media platforms, such as CEO Magazine, EliteX (Cover Story), MSN News, New York Herald and USA Today.
SAJ Real Estate SKN is an extremely progressive real estate company operating on several social media platforms and with two SAJ websites, as follows;
Add link here: https://www.sajrealestateskn.com
https://stkittsnevisrealtors.com/
Our Other Social Media Profiles:-
https://www.facebook.com/sajrealestateskn
https://www.instagram.com/sajrealestateskn/
https://twitter.com/SAJRealestates
https://www.linkedin.com/company/saj-real-estate/
https://www.pinterest.com/SAJRealestateskn/
• What motivated you to establish SAJ Interior Design and Real Estate, and how has your role evolved over time?
I was revisiting my career path in the banking industry and was inspired by a dear friend to open my own business and venture into real estate. He knew my ambitions, experience, and qualifications. I can clearly remember his words. He said, Shermel, you are great with people and you can sell [anything], you should do it.
About Your Work & Mission
• How would you describe the mission and vision behind SAJ Interior Design and Real Estate?
Our mission and vision behind SAJ Interior Design & Real Estate, as SAJ we accommodate every detail of the real estate needs of our clients. If there is ever a deal to be made, we will be sure to make it! Let us make the winning “It” for you!
• What core values guide your approach when designing spaces and delivering real estate solutions?
The core values that guide my approach when delivering our service, “Always master the art of the Deals”, once you fully understand the game, winning becomes like a “piece of cake”.
• How do you ensure that your work reflects both creativity and functionality for your clients?
My company offers a very unique way of assisting our clients, in that we are able to counsel or guide potential buyers on the financial services, in particular mortgage financing with the local banks. We also go a step further where we introduce and schedule the loan appointments with the financial institution that would best accommodate the client’s financial needs.
Leadership & Impact
• As the founder and leader, what are your key responsibilities in managing both the design and real estate divisions?
As the founder and leader of SAJ, my responiblity is to build trust with all our clients, by showing empathy, and fostering a positive relationship during and after the transaction. Also, always ensuring that client’s has accurate information on their interested property.
• What strategies have you found most effective in leading your team and ensuring client satisfaction?
The strategies that I have found most effective in leading my team and ensuring client satisfaction is the importance of technology that is social media platforms are essential in marketing our properties both locally and internationally. Also, communicating to clients through Gmail, Zoom, etc platforms are so effective and important to be successful in this business.
• Can you share a project or milestone you are particularly proud of that reflects your brand’s excellence?
SAJ is extremely proud of its achievements over the years, the company successfully celebrated its 10 year milestone this year. As an infant in the industry, we went from having one or two property listings to being the primary or number one listing agent in St. Kitts & Nevis. We are well respected by all the local banks and maintain business relationship where we assist the respective banks in liquidating mortgage balances on foreclosed properties.
Industry Insights
• What key trends do you see shaping the future of interior design and real estate?
I see the real estate market changing positively in the next 5 years, with a significant increase in real estate sales and new property development whether for lifestyle or second citizenship through the Citizenship by Investment program.
• How do you stay ahead of changing market demands and design innovations?
It’s important that I stay ahead of the changing market demand and design innovations by staying abreast of updated latest trends and locals laws, and I do so by the following the local news, and social media news platforms.
• What challenges have you faced in the industry, and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge that I faced in this industry, when I first started the company when a client contacted me to inquiry and view a property, I would automatically scheduled the showing without properly vetting their readiness to purchase the home. At first, I was wasting a lot of time and not being successful, as the client would view the property, then when asked for feedback they would then indicate they are going to schedule a meeting with their bank. So, I changed my strategy and on the first communication, I would educate the client on the importance of being “Pre-Approved” first with their bank, as it puts them in a clear financial position on the property purchasing power.
Client & Project Impact
• Could you share a success story where your work made a meaningful impact for a client or community?
SAJ client, Mr. Robert Fong is one of our UHNW client. Mr. Fong contacted us in 2022 as we were coming out the Covid-19 corona virus. He was interested in a particular property that he saw online, after making a full price offer on the said property and the owner was not honest and indicated that she wanted a higher price. I immediately advise Robert that this was totally unfair to him and recommended a new property for him review. With just only one virtual showing, he made a full price offer on the 2nd property, and we successfully closed on that deal and he received his citizenship for St. Kitts & Nevis. After almost 2 years, he finally visited the island and saw the villa that he purchased. When Robert saw the property, the expression on his face was “priceless”, he could not believed he owned this beautiful property directly overlooking the ocean. He was so elated and grateful that I showed him that property.
Personal Insights
• What does leadership mean to you personally?
Leadership is extremely important to me; it’s imperative that I direct or lead my team is a precise and professional manner, as such leadership would differentiate SAJ from our competitors.
• How do you stay motivated and continue to grow creatively and professionally?
I continue to stay motivated by building trust with all our clients, continuously educating our existing and potential clients on how the real estate process and providing accurate information on their interested property or investment opportunity.
• Is there a personal philosophy or quote that inspires your approach to life and work?
A personal philosophy or quote that inspires my approach to life and work, to keep pushing forward, stay motivated and focus on the end goal.
Future Outlook
• What are your upcoming goals or projects for SAJ Interior Design and Real Estate?
Over the past four-(4) years, SAJ has successfully launched promotional campaigns, and we would have a winner or winners of multiple gifts and monetary funds. This year’s campaign, “SAJ102025”, the winner won the value of US$1,850.00.
• Where do you see your company and brand in the next five to ten years?
Over the next five to ten years, I forsee SAJ being a powerhouse broker in the real estate industry not only in St. Kitts & Nevis but throughout the Caribbean Region.
Message to Readers
• What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, designers, or real estate professionals who want to build a successful and impactful career?
The advice that I would give someone who is aspiring to become a property consultant, it’s not all glamour and gliss, you have to be focus, knowledgeable about the market, understands your client need and wants and stay determine to complete the task at hand.
