You’ll want to dig into our blogs as we share monthly newsletters and profiles of success EXIT Southeast franchises. It’s important to dig deeper beyond a social media post to find inspiration and help to better your own business today.
No one could have predicted the March we are all experiencing. Here's the latest EXIT Southeast newsletter with award winners, rankings, a great cruise review and profile of a Florida owner's success story.The newsletter also includes important information on staying healthy.Click the photo below or click here to read the EXIT Southeast/FL March Newsletter.
Head EXIT Southeast's Facebook page to see all the cruise photos. Thanks again to Jamie Nixon, NixonPRO, for all of the great photos and video.[caption id="attachment_4252" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
(Photo by NixonPRO)[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4253" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Congrats to Baley Bodden, center, for winning EXIT Southeast Karaoke Contest of $5,000! (Photo by Jamie Nixon)[/caption]
Want to join a top team of unstoppable professionals? EXIT Southeast earned 2019 #1 Region for EXIT Realty Corp. International, #1 in franchise sales and top Best In Business for the Nashville Business Journal. 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).
*This profile originally appeared in the March EXIT Southeast Newsletter.  Click here to see the newsletter, rankings & awards info in its entirety.I’m in for the long play explains EXIT Real Estate Property Solutions owner Scott Steger who shares some best practices and amazing news from his 76-year-old floor rep.“The first week of December, I received an incredible call from one of my agents, Joe Schomer, Jr.  On December 5, it would be his final closing of the year and he would hit six figures!  Joe’s previous career was selling aircraft.  Today, he exclusively works for the floor for us taking walk-ins only.  So no past clients or referrals, he earned this success coming in three or four shifts a week!” shared Scott.[caption id="attachment_4259" align="aligncenter" width="447"]
EXIT Real Estate Property Solutions owner Scott Steger with floor rep. Joe Schomer.[/caption]
As the saying goes, 80% of success is just showing up says Scott.  It is important to me to find people who show up and are excited.  “I look for coachable, trainable people. If I put you with a mentor, are you going to learn and use this time wisely?  I want people who wake up energized, excited and ready for the day.  If not, real estate might not be the best choice.  It’s more than a paycheck.  You are starting a small business.“ Scott points out that being a real estate agent requires the least amount of start up costs required with the most potential income.  However, you are still a small business and you have to treat it that way. “You are a small business even if you are an agent by yourself,” he explains.  “You are an owner and have to be present.” And, Joe credits his success on the floor to the marketing and support of his franchise owner.One of the ways Scott says he is growing his business is by being involved in the community and earning that respect"I’m very involved in the community including serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board, business associations, active participation with eh board of Realtors, and several non profit boards – giving back to my community while representing my brand.  I also attend city commission meetings and know the mayor, commissioners, city manager, and most department heads in the cities that we serve.  It makes a difference for my agents.  It makes a difference for our business by building this community respect.  It has taken five or six years.  It is definitely the longer road.  If you are looking to be in business 10, 12 or 20 years, it is important to be a visible part of your community,” Scott said.One of his biggest tips for owners, “hire slow and fire fast.  Make sure the person is the right culture fit for your company.  I’ve really changed my perspective from the early days.  If you choose the wrong person, they will blame you for their failure.  I try to determine if I believe they have what it takes to be successful with realistic outcomes and goals.  I had a mom come in and wanted to make $250,000 the first year.  This isn’t realistic.”[caption id="attachment_4260" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Scott Steger, EXIT Real Estate Property Solutions, earned EXIT Southeast FL Broker of the Year.[/caption]After coming from the nonprofit world, Scott knew he wanted an opportunity he could grow for his lifetime.“I researched and looked at all the models.  I come from a nonprofit background.  I was looking for a company that said helping people pays off in the end.  My team works hard and loves what they do.  We back each other up.  It is why I choose EXIT because this is my philosophy.  We support people in their growth and then they will support you. When I met EXIT Realty Corp. International’s accountant, who was so excited about her job, I knew this was what I wanted to create in my community,” Scott said.Ultimately, Scott says his growth has been slow and steady.  “I’ve been in business for six years.  There have been a lot of lessons learned and I would recommend get all of your systems in place before you begin to grow.”
We wanted to reiterate, during this difficult time, please know we support you as does all of EXIT.  We know you’ve heard by now that EXIT Realty Corp. International has released a stimulus package. Click here for more information.We also want you to know we see how hard you are working, adapting and adjusting to this new and unusual workflow. We are so proud of EXIT Southeast/FL and want to continue to be a resource and support which is why we wanted to work with Annette on this upcoming training session.  Annette also sees we’re unified, determined and will make it through all of this. We think her session will be a big help to so many agents.The real estate industry is essential in so many ways for our communities and country and you are all key to this!  Know we stand with you today and every day.  #AllInForEXIT
Helping their agents reap the benefits of a strong brokerage and company like EXIT is a priority for EXIT Realty Quality Solutions partners, Sharon Henry and Michele Calloway, who are clear in their roles and priorities two years into their partnership and with a friendship of 17 years.(*Note this profile originally appeared in the April EXIT Southeast Newsletter.
"I have several EXIT colleagues across the country, and, with my experience at Coldwell Banker and Sharon‚ with Keller Williams, it supported our research that EXIT lines up with what we believe in. For us, the company stands out for three reasons - corporate support, respects our community ties and independence as a home town brokerage and, finally, sponsorship," Michele explains.
"If we had started EXIT Realty Quality Solutions years ago with EXIT, things would look so different today," says Michele. "No other company is doing this, helping take care of your family, and, it is the cherry on top! EXIT's sponsorship allows you to help other people and leave a legacy and residual income for your family. This is my future and my insurance policy." "A lot of companies are bottom line driven," adds Sharon, "and we love EXIT's culture. We're a big family but with corporate support."
"I am so grateful to Kenny and Stacy‚ our regional owners, for never giving up on us, seeing something in us and believing in us just like corporate," says Michele. "It is important to us. They are to us as we are to the agents. If you have a chain and you have a weak link, you have a weak chain. From top to bottom, we all have to be strong ‚ everybody ‚ cause we are all in this together."
"We have a great technological platform with EXIT and it is free," Michele explains. "Our success plan helps someone get started from the beginning. If you follow every single step, you can get started from flyers to marketing. Besides technology, the human factor of EXIT is important. Everyone is always so friendly before you sign. People ask us, did it change after you signed? I tell everyone from the CEO all the way down to people answering the phone, we immediately get help and everyone is so friendly and it never changes."From regional to national, everyone was on board in helping with a recent opportunity and time zones didn't matter said Sharon. "Annette Anthony, Janice Petteway - everyone was so helpful. And, CEO Tami Bonnell called just the other day to say "see you and you are doing great." I've been with seven other companies, and never, ever had this kind of support.‚ There's a super market for everyone and it's same thing for real estate. We're lucky to find the one that offered the right combination for us and that was EXIT. It is just like the Barbra Streisand song, Finally Found The One. This is definitely our theme song for EXIT," says Sharon!
After opening their doors in November of 2019, today, the duo have 21 agents/brokers and the key to their success is they love what they do. "EXIT gives us great corporate tools, product and technology. We match this up with who we are in the community. It's not for everybody but for the agent who is looking for a future and a career, we'e here to help you with a great platform," Michele said. "With two brokers, we offer a lot of attention and communication is key," says Sharon. We offer one-on-one guidance based on our strengths. No matter how many agents we put on board, we maintain access with our agents to help them grow their business. We're living out the culture of EXIT and the five pillars."
"We definitely distinguish ourselves from other brokers because we have a social conscience," says Michele. "We know we can make a good living while doing good work for mankind but we couldn't grow with a good corporate structure and support from EXIT. We also work with churches and civic organizations and wanted to be sure EXIT supported this work and they do." Michele is chairman of the board of National Association of Real Estate Broker (NAREB) and Sharon is Region 6 VP of NAREB which covers GA, AL, FL. She has just completed a three-year commitment as president of the local chapter of the Empire Board Realtist.
"As a team, we are like yin and yang and Abbott and Costello," says Sharon. "We have experience and different skill sets and personalities we bring to the table. This wouldn't have worked with anyone else. We're the perfect combo. Where I fall short, Michelle holds me up. We communicate with each other, on the same page, as we communicate with our agents. Transparency is a big deal for us. We are consistent, do our research, get the facts and then communicate it. Our top priority is communication. Our agents need clarity. And we respect, communicate and we complement each other's strengths. I look up to Michele. My advice, never enter into a partnership with someone you don't respect and trust," Sharon said.
"I can't imagine doing this separately," Michelle added. "No one person at the helm can handle everything. We're both vested in the success of this and as we grow, we have to divide and conquer. We're clear on how does what."
"For us, treating people with respect, being consistent, honoring and celebrating our agents has helped us reach our goal. We just launched an agent and we take the time to celebrate them, love them, train them and give them everything we have," says Sharon. The duo agrees everything they've never received from previous brokerages they are making sure they are doing. "We want to give what we didn't receive," said Michele. And, they are going deep with their help. "How many times has someone said, make a postcard or graphic for marketing. We go deeper by showing them programs and giving them tools for their tool box. If we make a suggestion, we teach them ourselves or bring in an expert. At the end of the day, we're teaching people to fish so they can do this for life."
If you are in the Metro Atlanta, Cobb County and Gwinett County Georgia areas, connect with Sharon at 404-934-5566 or Michele at 404-424-3298.Want to join a top team of unstoppable professionals? EXIT Southeast earned 2019 #1 Region for EXIT Realty Corp. International, #1 in franchise sales and top Best In Business for the Nashville Business Journal.
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).
In the EXIT Southeast monthly newsletter, Florida owner Vincent Esposito is profiled sharing his motivation and keys to success.  Here's the latest newsletter with rankings and inspirational column for EXIT Realty Corp. International COO Erika Gileo.   Click on the photo below or this link. 
Vincent Esposito is a long way from where he grew up and says the day he met with EXIT Southeast Regional Owners Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl about a Florida franchise, he said “hell yeah, let’s do it” and has never looked back.
 
The Staten Island, New York native had several chapters before finding himself as owner of EXIT Riverside Realty in Dunnellon, Florida.  After transferring with FedEx to Ocala, he retired after 26 years and tried at his hand at several jobs including working for a locally owned independent real estate office. 
 
“After getting my first listing, I was told fake it til you make it.  I quit that day. I took a look at several other operations including an ERA office on my street. Once I saw there were no gimmicks, no empty promises and plain simple truth, I signed on with EXIT. And, 10-7-5 didn’t hurt,” Vinny explains.
 
September 11 means a lot of things to me, Vinny says.  “It’s my birthday and the day my fireman brother, Frankie, died when the World Trade Center collapsed. On his birthday, I got the news at an owner meeting in Canada that I’d be able to start my franchise.  Our first day of business was September 11, 2019.  With a gift left by his brother, he formed TR7 Partners DBA EXIT Riverside Realty. Named after his brother's car which he also inherited and still holds great sentimental value. “I think today my brother would be shocked.  But, I was always told I could sell my mother to my father,” Vinny shared with a laugh.
Vinny’s philosophy is be yourself and go help someone. 
“One way I’ve grown my business is by joining the local Dunnellon Chamber and Business Association. I took four people in the office to that first meeting including a rookie.  We were just ourselves, no pressure. Today, we’ve seen a big influx of new business and made great connections through the chamber – now growing to 14 people since last September.   We also sponsor a little league team and do little things like take pizza and doughnuts to the COVID testing site,”  Vinny said.
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EXIT River Side Realty's community support includes the local little league team.[/caption]
 
I really think being an agent helped me a lot in making the decision to buy a franchise, Vinny explains.
“Everyone is incredibly helpful.  It is sort of like team sport.  And, if you have a question, you get an instant response which is mind blowing. My advice for folks wanting a franchise is to call Kenny and Stacy and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  It takes a lot to get things going due to state requirements, which can take time. It was easy working with EXIT International.  Ultimately, you are the company you keep.  Surround yourself with good people,” Vinny said.
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. 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).
The June newsletter is out with the news that EXIT Southeast has broken EXIT Realty Corp. International's all-time record for franchises sold as well as the latest rankings and an annual convention 2020 and 2021 announcement,
Here's the latest from Regional Owners Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl with their new video series - the first  - Breaking Records!https://youtu.be/1xp-c9lgYdcClick here to see the full newsletter or the image below.
Want to join a top team of unstoppable professionals? EXIT Southeast earned 2019 #1 Region for EXIT Realty Corp. International, #1 in franchise sales and top Best In Business for the Nashville Business Journal. 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).
