Starting a business during a recession takes grit, determination and a special formula to survive and Ed and Janie Andrews had all of this when launching their EXIT Real Estate Solutions franchise in November 2007, which they say was a labor of love. 
[caption id="attachment_4582" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Janie and Ed Andrews, EXIT Real Estate Solutions.[/caption]
With over 60 years of combined real estate experience, the Andrews have a very unique perspective of the industry with EXIT Real Estate Solutions. 
“In the mid 2000s, our business was primarily new construction working with nine different builders, selling new homes and selling clients’ existing homes. We saw the slow down and knew we needed to redefine ourselves. I had actually bought into a KW previously in Hendersonville but we became disillusioned with franchises and ownership,” Ed said.
You know the saying, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Ed and Janie said this was their experience and it took the third time being exposed to the EXIT formula before it resonated!
“Hearing (EXIT Founder/Chairman) Steve Morris speak at an event in Nashville was what we needed. Steve explained EXIT and how it could impact not only our future in real estate but our lives,” Janie said.
Janie originally entered real estate in 1985 and was given one week of training, a desk and the broker saying let me know if you need me.
“We knew we wanted something completely different. Today, our EXIT business is agent focused with us helping them be the best they can be. We take advantage of EXIT training and technology and we really work the 5 Pillars,” she explained.
The duo says working the EXIT Realty’s 5 Pillars of Success have made the difference in their business which includes training, branding, technology, culture, and financial security. Click here to learn more.
Life-changer in two ways is how the Andrews describe the unique EXIT sponsoring system.
“Residuals have helped us recruit new agents but also helped us off set expenses during the beginning as we established our business. It’s helped us invest in our franchise and real estate. We tell our agents to use this to build your portfolio,” Ed said.
It’s definitely changed the Andrews lives says Janie. “It’s been a great recruiting tool for agents. We teach them how to be awesome Realtors and create that additional stream of income. You can make money with listings, selling and helping people realize the EXIT dream.”
A positive mental attitude, incredible staff, while putting God first in life, home and business has been the secret to the Andrews success.
“Honestly, we built our office on a field of dreams – working the 5 Pillars and believing. We built it and they came,” Ed said. “From day one, we said the agents are our clients and you will be first. We started with six and grew to 93 today. Hopefully, each of our agents would say we treat them like our clients when it comes to helping them, and like a family member. No one is treated like a number or taken for granted. Our agents know this and that we are all in for EXIT – 100%. We talk the talk and walk the walk!”
Don’t live by accident. Live on purpose with no regrets and have definitive goals and dreams. They aren’t always the same the Andrews says.
“Our advice for agents is be sure you have a balanced home life, personal life and be focused. When a new agent joins us, we put together a business plan and determine their goals and dreams,” Ed said.
Each year the franchise owners and agents choose a word and in 2021 it has been FOCUS. “This is something we think about daily and even have it on our email signature. Being focused definitely helps everything else fall in line. It also takes teamwork to make the dream work,” he shared.
[caption id="attachment_4588" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
EXIT Real Estate Solutions' support and leadership.[/caption]
It takes years to build a company and you have to build it right says Janie.
“First and foremost, be prepared mentally, financially and be committed to doing it right,” she said. “It is definitely like building a house. You have to have the right foundation, from location to people, so you can put the 5 pillars in place. Start with the right attitude, doing it for the right reasons, and the agents will come.”
You couldn't pick a better company or better region to join says Ed. “This is a tried and true formula and you will be a success if you follow the model and follow the leadership. We’ve had an incredible support system from corporate to regional leadership to mentors like Bob McKinnon and Bob Lamb. It is a collaborative effort with an incredible support system.”
Incomparable is how Ed describes the support they have received!
“We can pick up the phone any time and it starts at the top and it is genuine from Steve, Tami and Erika to Kenny and Stacy. It mirrors the EXIT culture. I’ve been involved with multiple franchise businesses and never seen anything like it – the support is unparalleled and it is a life-changer,” Ed said.
Community outreach is a priority company-wide and EXIT Real Estate Solutions has a community involvement committee to set priorities.
In addition to sponsoring Habitat builds, the office hosts a monthly breakfast for the local V.F.W., furnishing a hot breakfast. This led to them in 2021 to supporting K9’s for Warriors with a golf tournament. Under Realtor Beth Ortel’s leadership, the proceeds are helping pair rescue dogs with veterans helping save a canine and a veteran at the same time which was recently featured in the Nashville daily newspaper, The Tennessean. Click here for story.
Through the Spirit of EXIT, dollar-for-dollar matching program, a donation was also made. A portion of every transaction fee is ear-marked for this charitable fund which has given more than $5.5 million to date.
You can connect with Ed and Janie Andrews today by email Ed@EXITRealEstateSolutions.com or office 615-826-0001.
EXIT Southeast most recently earned #1 Region and #1 in Franchise sales again for EXIT Realty Corp. International, after breaking the all-time corporate record for sales in 2019.  The award-winning region was also just named a 2021 Nashville Business Journal Best in Business finalist! Across Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and now Texas as Regional Directors, EXIT Southeast owners, brokers and agents are respected leaders in the real estate industry. If you are looking to join an award-winning team of professionals, contact EXIT Southeast Regional Owner Stacy Strobl at 412-LOVEXIT (412-568-3948) today!
