It has been exactly 365 days since I launched Melanie Everett & Company. In a year, I have felt every type of emotion: elation, relief, worry (mostly at night), peace, enjoyment, crippling fear, and ineffable awe. There have been days when I want to close up shop and stay home forever, and there have been days when I’m bouncing around the house, full of ideas and energy. And yet, 2019 has been one of the most rewarding years of my career — and my life!
Here’s what I want to remember about this past year:
M&Co. was born! I said a heavy-hearted goodbye to Coldwell Banker, and opened the proverbial doors to my very own firm.
Our team of two became a mighty team of three. Candace officially joined M&Co. in March, and I am invariably grateful to have met her.
My firm closed $25,600,400 in sales and 72 total units. Typing that number out is surreal. I am so proud of Courtney and Candace, and my heart is profoundly thankful for the buyers and sellers who trusted us this year.
I launched So You Want to Sell a Condo. After years of teaching So You Want to Buy a Condo, our team switched things up, adding a sellers-only webinar to the mix.
So You Want to Buy a Condo hit its stride. In 2019, we taught 11 seminars for the public at WeWork Kinzie, and we also stopped by a long list of Chicago offices: PerkSpot, G2, Interactive Health, St. Jude, Slalom, Phaidon, Barry Callebaut, Nielsen, Golin, 360interactive, and Walgreens.
Andrew became a broker. My darling husband passed his real estate exam with flying colors. Now, he is fully equipped to support my firm in every way, from running the financials to taking clients on showings.
I spoke on panels. In the spring, I was honored to be a panelist for the Chicago Association of Realtors Young Professionals Network, as well as the North-Shore Barrington Association of Realtors. Then, over the summer, I spoke at an event for Chicago Real Producers.
We gave back. Whether it was volunteering at church or sponsoring various nonprofits, my team strived to put others first. In November, Candace invited us over to decorate Christmas gifts for a local organization that cares for the elderly. I loved doing this together as a trio, and I am especially looking forward to finding new opportunities to help our city in 2020.
I improved my leadership skills. And I’m still learning! Being a manager broker is nothing like I expected, but it is the most gratifying thing in the world to watch Candace and Courtney write contracts, negotiate deals, and help each M&Co. client move from one home to another.
I remembered my true identity. My faith is everything to me. In a cut-throat business like real estate sales, I need to remember who I am — child of God! daughter of the King! loved and accepted! — every single day. When I lose sight of this, I fall prey to fear and worry of all kinds.
…Year One at Melanie Everett & Company was an adventure, and one I will never forget. As we move into 2020, I want to send a sincere thank you to my clients, my team, my husband, my family, and my friends. None of this would be possible without you all.
