Why real estate is one of the first questions broker/owner Ken Doran asks a potential agent. If the answer does not include the word help, then EXIT Gulf Coast Realty is not the right place for you he says. Leading with the heart is something Ken takes very seriously, and it is making a difference in his business today.[caption id="attachment_4374" align="aligncenter" width="270"]
EXIT Gulf Coast Realty Broker/Owner Ken Doran says leading from the heart has changed his real estate business today.[/caption]“Money is a byproduct of helping someone. Agents need to copy what a top producer does, but they need to be who they are. They just must have that desire to help someone. We want to be a leader, but it is not about the money, we need to be leaders in our real estate industry. I am proud to be a Realtor and even prouder to be at EXIT. We need to get involved in the board of realtors and your local community. Selling or buying a house should be an exciting time in a person’s life. We can help make that a great experience,"  Ken said.[caption id="attachment_4375" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Supporting Feeding America's Red Nose Day is one way EXIT Gulf Coast Realty gives back to the community.[/caption]
Originally from Ohio and now living in Punta Gorda, Florida, Ken has been that agent that he will not hire today.“I’ve been that guy who earned all the awards including qualifying for the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, carried 40 to 60 listings at a time and earning over a half a million dollars in commissions per year. I was not happy because I did not treat business the way I do today. I love my life it makes me happy,” Ken said.Ken came to Florida in 2012 originally to work for EXIT Florida and help sell franchises. Two days were important in his EXIT story. Those days were when he went to EXIT Broker Owner Training and the day, he fired himself as the sales agent and went behind the desk to really build an office his agents can be proud to call home.“We’ve had a solid foundation of agents and did well from day one with the sales in our office, but we didn’t start to build until I went behind the desk as broker and recruiter. It is a process and I am taking the opportunity to nurture agents and their business which will grow the office using all the pillars and the foundation of EXIT which I know makes Kenny and Stacy happy. (EXIT Southeast Regional Owners) Daily affirmations are also particularly important to me. Because I need more work than most people, I try to write 40 to 70 affirmations per day. It helps me stay focused on my day. I work harder every day and I am still learning,” Ken said.
“The key to a successful office and growing my business has always been office administrator and I am lucky to have Caroline. “I was blessed to be asked about my story but truthfully I have just begun the story. There are so many people that have been willing to help me in EXIT Realty that I can’t help but grow our business,” Ken says.
The real estate veteran says the turning point in his decades long career was his first EXIT Realty Corp. International Broker Owner Training. “I still stay in touch with people from my first class. My daughter, who never wants to speak publicly, was so moved by the EXIT training, she got up and spoke which moved me to tears. Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not show that kind of emotion, ever,"  Ken shared.
Ken has owned two other real estate franchises and an independent, sold houses under numerous other companies but says he has finally found a home with EXIT Realty."The people I met at other offices around North America and the people at corporate headquarters are not only my friends but I am proud to call them my family. It has and continues to be a life changing experience, “Ken said. “EXIT Realty has something for everyone. The tools, training and technology are all here and better than I have found in the industry. What other company provides you with a third level of extra income and helps you build your business at the same time. What company worries about your retirement or if something were to happen to you ensures your beneficiary is taken care of? What other company does all that?"Good is not good enough. “I’ve believed this for a long time. You must stand for something. I like to say I help people change their lives through their real estate career. It is what I do for a living. I help people with their real estate dreams and goals. We help people,” said Ken.
Leave it at the door is also an important concept for Ken. “I owe it to my agents and our clients to not be around negativity. Sales is a hard-enough job without having negative people in the office to work around. As Angel Tucker would say, “get those people off the bus!”
When I asked if I am married, he replied,” I got married once, and it will be 39 years in December. I could not have picked a better one. I still wonder what Cindy sees in me, but we have 2 great children which they both now sell real estate with EXIT Realty.”Connect with Ken Doran by texting ITSSOLD to 85377, for his mobile business card.
In 2019, EXIT Southeast earned #1 Region for EXIT Realty Corp. International as well as earned #1 in franchise sales and top Best In Business for the Nashville Business Journal. The duo also broke the all-time EXIT company record for franchise sales. 
Across Georgia, Kentucky Tennessee and Florida, 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).
 
