How long have you been working in the real estate industry?
6 years
How did you get into real estate?
I started as a night shift cop in Madison and my wife asked me to work part-time as her buyer’s agent. I’d finish my shift at 4am, get home, sleep a few hours, start showing houses in the afternoon, and then head back to the police department. I realized I made more and had a better schedule as a Realtor® part-time than I did as a cop full-time, so I made the jump to full-time realty, eventually took over as team lead, and now lead a team of 25-30.
What was one of your greatest challenges starting out? How did you address it?
Changing my mindset from a salaried gig to commission based. It was hard for me to fathom that I could work for a week straight and maybe not get paid. But once I realized that it was a gradual snowball, then the work became a lot easier and I was happy to grind, get humiliated, achieve a few victories, and understand what it took to make a life worth living.
What support or advice did you find most helpful when starting out in the industry?
“Pick up the phone, it makes money when you do that.” I use that phrase because the model we’ve incorporated is simple but not easy. But it’s created a ton of careers and launched multiple agents in the right direction.
What do you enjoy most about working in real estate?
Flexibility. If I want to take Thursday off and go to the zoo, then I’m taking Thursday off and going to the zoo.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone new to the industry, or someone considering real estate as a career?
The traditional approach to lead generation is fine, but understand it’s going to take a while and supplement with obsessive prospecting. Or join a team. If you’re willing to work and be driven, then it will happen.
How has being a member of RASCW benefited you? How has attending association events or being involved helped you further your career?
I like keeping my finger on the pulse of how RASCW agents operate in comparison to east or west coast agents. There’s definitely a bit of a difference.
How are you involved and making a difference in your community?
My wife and I have hosted orphans and helped connect them with their Forever Families. It was time intensive and took a lot of money, but in a span of one and a half years we hosted six kids and got five of them into the adoption process with local families. This year we hosted a Ukrainian family for several weeks as they transitioned to permanent housing. It was eye opening. I hope the world doesn’t forget how awful it’s going over there.
If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, alive or not, who would it be?
Elon Musk
Outside of work, what makes you happy?
Hockey, hockey, and hockey…and babies.
