Shelly and Phil Henderson didn’t set out to start a real estate company. When the idea first came up, they were on their honeymoon. Phil was in medical sales. Shelly was a teacher. But they both felt that unmistakable tug calling them to entrepreneurship.
That dream became reality when they turned a shared hobby of buying and renting investment properties into what is now one of the region’s most trusted full-service real estate firms.
A Business Built From Scratch
Henderson Properties officially opened its doors in 1990 with grit and hustle. There was no internet, no business loan, no family money.
“We started this business while we were starting our family,” Shelly says. “We had a three-year-old and a nine-month-old, and I had already left teaching to be home full-time. Phil turned in his notice at work, and that’s when Henderson Properties was born.”
Their journey, captured in Shelly’s book Starting From Scratch, is a true American dream story.
How Henderson Properties Serves Clients
Today, Henderson Properties is one of the only real estate companies in the area that offers comprehensive services under one roof:
- • Property Management
- • Real Estate Sales
- • Maintenance and Renovations
- • In-House Accounting
They call it the “FARM” approach: Find, Acquire, Renovate, and Manage. Henderson Properties works with a wide range of clients, including:
- • First-time homebuyers
- • First-time and experienced investors
- • Relocating professionals and families
- • Long-term renters looking for community connections
“We’re not just handing over keys,” Shelly explains. “We’re helping people find the right school district, the right neighborhood, and the right fit for their lifestyle. Whether they’re buying, renting, or investing, we want to be a resource through it all.”
Rooted in Values, Growing in Union County and Beyond
The company has come a long way from its “mom-and-pop” beginnings, but it hasn’t lost the personal touch that made it successful. Henderson Properties remains family-run, and family-driven. Both of the Hendersons’ sons now work in the business, continuing the legacy of hard work and integrity their parents instilled.
“Charlotte is growing fast. So is Union County. And so are we,” Shelly says. “But we’re still committed to the same core values we started with: honesty, service, and fun.”
They’ve embraced technology, streamlined procedures, and continue to evolve with the market. What hasn’t changed is their heart.
Leading with Experience and Humility
After more than 25 years in business, the Hendersons have seen it all. They’ve dealt with the challenges of growing a business while raising a family, the ups and downs of real estate cycles, and the hurdles of being a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated field.
“People still assume this is my husband’s company,” Shelly says with a laugh. “But the truth is, we built it together. And like any good partnership, we found what each of us was best at and let each other lead in those areas.”
That spirit of teamwork extends to their staff and clients. At a recent company meeting, Shelly had one of those moments all entrepreneurs dream about: pride in what they’ve built, excitement for what’s ahead, and deep gratitude for the people who have made it possible.
“We’ve coached people up in our company and sometimes coached them out,” Shelly says. “But every experience leads to the next, and that’s success too.”
With decades of experience, a heart for service, and a future-focused mindset, Henderson Properties is ready for what’s next in Charlotte, Union County, and beyond.
Learn more about them at:
Website: https://www.hendersonproperties.com/
Phone: 704-535-1122
Follow Shelly on social media @ShellyLHenderson or to buy her book, click here.
Last modified: June 10, 2025
