400 Life January 2022

400 LIFE JANUARY 2022

COLE TEAM WITH COMPASS

Conquering the market Secret ingredient for this real estate team is how they do business

Also: Get outside and hike with World’s Best Adventures | Local lawyer advises checking insurance policies How to focus on your mental health in the new year

contents from the editor Motivated. Determined.

Passionate. That’s how I would describe the ladies of Cole Team with Compass.

They have a huge presence in Forsyth County and hold the title to the longestrunning Best of Forsyth real estate team for a reason — they work tirelessly for their clients. And they give back to the community they love so much. They share their success with all of us.

And let 2022 be the year you try hiking, backpacking and camping. You don’t have to be an expert. World’s Best Adventures will guide you on

4 Cole Team with Compass a one-of-a-kind force Cole Team with Compass sold more than 100 homes last year, alone; but the thing that makes this group of women worthy of such a reign is the way they do business — and it’s unlike any other group in the county.

an excursion you won’t forget and teach you skills to keep going.

Speaking of the new year, if you plan to make any resolutions, be smart and read this advice from health and wellness columnist Sudie Crouch first.

And this month, lawyer Steven Leibel talks about what to look for in an insurance policy.

— Tracie Pike

13

contributors Publisher Stephanie Woody

Director of Revenue Leah Nelson

Managing Editor Tracie Pike

Advertising Tim Anderson Stacy Clark Stephanie Tanner

Special contributors Jennifer Colosimo Sudie Crouch Erica Jones Photographer Jeremy Coleman @jcreative_media

This magazine is a product of the www.ForsythNews.com Sign up for daily newsletters at ForsythNews.com

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YOUR RIGHTS: Protect those you love with the right insurance policies.

12 MENTAL HEALTH: Make those New Year’s Resolutions SMARTer!

January 2022 | 400 LIFE | 3

A contract for

Excellen

From left, Cole Team with Compass’s founders Meriellen Cole Arenz and daughter Stephanie Cole Patterson talk with fellow teammates and sales consultants Sarah Johnson and Inez Austin.

4

| 400 LIFE | January 2022

nce

How The Cole Team with Compass does real estate different Story by Jennifer Colosimo

T

here’s a reason the mother-daughter-led Cole Team with Compass holds the record for longest running Best of Forsyth for a real estate team.

Yes, they’ve got years of experience, know FMLS inside and out, and sold more than 100 homes last year, alone; but the secret ingredient, the thing that makes this group of women worthy of such a reign is the way they do business — and it’s unlike any other group in the county.

“We have been working in Forsyth County for nearly 20 years now,” said Stephanie Cole Patterson, founder and team leader of the Cole Team with Compass.

“Before moving here, I lived in Chicago and worked at Leo Burnett, a large national advertising agency. It was after rehabbing a 100-year-old home in downtown Chicago with my husband that I got the real estate bug.

“I quickly learned there was an opportunity to marry my passion for marketing with my passion for real estate and earned my sales license, and soon after, my broker’s license.

“When my brother was relocated to Forsyth County in 2003, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. My dad and my mom decided to move here as well to be close to family. It wasn’t long before we followed.”

Her mom, Meriellen Cole Arenz, Cole Team with Compass’s founder and team lead, has been selling real estate since the ’70s, when she and her husband developed a tract of land and built several homes that she later sold. So once in Atlanta, it didn’t matter that all of her and Cole’s connections were back in the midwest – they were going to sell real estate.

“Mom and I didn’t know anybody when we started our business here,” said Patterson. “We started from scratch. We were motivated and determined to make a difference in the service and experience our clients would receive, as well as in the community that we love.”

Every year has been a little bit different, but it’s been a positive tract upward since those early days.

Photos by Jeremy Coleman | @jcreative_media

Continued, Page 6

January 2022 | 400 LIFE | 5

We don’t give up. We don’t take shortcuts. There’s a lot of opportunity out there, and we will not miss any of it when it comes to our clients.

- Stephanie Cole Patterson, founder and team leader of the Cole Team with Compass

Photo courtesy Ben Brinker

“We do just about everything differently, and I think that’s what has helped us grow into a one-of-a-kind force in this highly competitive market of agents,” said Patterson. “The entire team is creative, and we work tirelessly and are motivated to deliver white glove service to all of our clients.

“We are passionate about technology and marketing our clients’ homes in new and unique ways. We invest heavily in professional photography and video for all of the homes we represent,” she continued.

“No other team in the area has been using social media like we have for our clients. Our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels, along with our database of more than 20,000 have been instrumental in building awareness and success for the homes we sell both in the area as well as across the nation.

“We assess every opportunity to elevate a home’s value,” Patterson added. “Whether a home needs a deep cleaning, staging, painting, or major remodeling and repairs we have an excel6 | 400 LIFE | January 2022

lent program called Compass Concierge that has been instrumental in helping our clients find the highest level of success when selling.

“Compass covers all of the upfront fees, collecting payment for services at the time of the property’s closing.”

Any agent should come with experience and resources, take professional photos, and list it on the appropriate sites, but services like Compass Concierge are what their clients enjoy as the ‘more.’ It’s a full gambit of marketing expertise, leveraging connections, staying in touch with the community, and with current and past clients.

In Patterson’s words, they pour back into the people that allow them to do what they love to do.

“We invest heavily in the community and small businesses in North Atlanta,” she said. “If you check out our YouTube channel,

Continued, Page 8

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Cole Team with Compass’s founders Meriellen Cole Arenz, left, and daughter Stephanie Cole Patterson have been selling real estate in Forsyth County for nearly 20 years.

you’ll find countless videos of interviews with local business owners and tours of neighborhoods and areas of interest.

“This is one of the ways we love to give back and help others that could benefit from some assistance with their marketing, especially with the uncertainty of the last two years. For us, it’s been invaluable to make these relationships with clients and the community.”

It’s also a lot about their people.

“We’ve got a fantastic creative group of individuals,” said Patterson, nodding to Realtors and sales consultants Inez Austin and Sarah Johnson. “We weren’t looking to grow. It happened very naturally. They are both incredibly talented and smart women that were a perfect complement to our team.

“None of us are alike, but our sense of humor, our business philosophy, and the way that we care about others is definitely the same. We push each other to do better and cheer for each 8 | 400 LIFE | January 2022

other’s successes.

“I believe people would say that in addition to bringing our experience to the table, they would say we are caring, genuine, and, honestly, a lot of fun,” Patterson said.

“But we know how to be serious when we need to be. Because we’ve experienced so many different situations over the years, negotiating comes very naturally for us. We know when to unleash the bulldog in each of us.”

That blend of tough interior with warm exterior comes from a common goal of aiming to make the whole process as easy and seamless as possible – whether buyers or sellers – and the best part is, there are no tricks to this kind of trade, because the market is constantly changing. Instead, what the Cole Team offers is a service that is timeless.

“We are dedicated to providing the best experience possible for our clients,” Patterson said. “Our experience plays a big role. The

way that we market our homes makes us different.

“But there’s a method to the madness, and that’s where working with us is really something special. It’s in how we use our database and social media to talk to potential buyers before a house hits the market, in how to create excitement around a home, in how we leverage our technology and partners to get our clients success, regardless of the hour.

“We don’t give up. We don’t take shortcuts. There’s a lot of opportunity out there, and we will not miss any of it when it comes to our clients.”

On the topic of helping clients, Patterson’s biggest piece of advice is not to try going it alone. It may be tempting, with the market seeming almost too easy to play these last several months, but that’s where their experience comes in.

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The Cole Team’s extensive knowledge of real estate is beyond comparison and brings a combined 75-plus years of practice in the industry with more than 1,000 completed transactions and nearly $500 million in real estate sold.

“We have become engrained in the Forsyth County community,” Patterson said. “As a mom of four that are all in our public schools and a wife of a Northside Hospital Forsyth pharmacist (a.k.a. ‘sign guy’), I care deeply about this community. It’s never been about making a sale. It’s always been about creating long lasting relationships.

“My passion may have started with marketing, but now it’s so much more about the people we are blessed to serve. We have the best job. To be able to help others and make an impact with the families we work with is incredible.”

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400 legal

Make sure your family is protected. Have a happy, healthy new year.

I hope 2021 was a good year for all our readers. In preparation for the New Year, I have a few legal suggestions to make 2022 a great and successful year.

Everyone can agree that a great year includes protection for those we love.

This involves planning. By taking stock of our various legal issues and planning to address them, each person can set priorities on how to meet legal and financial goals for the New Year.

In our society, insurance coverage is an integral part of the legal landscape.

Insurance provides a framework for most asset protections. It also allows for physical protection when it involves health care. Because we live in a society that apportions fault to those responsible for injuring others it is vital to have insurance policies that provide protection in the event of a mishap.

There are many different types of insurance policies.

The most common are homeowners and automobile policies. These policies cover risks for fire, and casualty, as well as automobile property and casualty coverage. Obviously, businesses have other policies to protect business property, products liability, workers compensation and other policies protect businesses from interruptions.

As I have written in other columns, it is important to review one’s insurance with a qualified lawyer, or agent.

One normally does not know what coverage is needed without a deep dive into each person’s financial circumstance, and risk tolerance. An example of what should be discussed are terms like “full coverage” and purchase only what you need.

A common confusion in an auto policy is the term “full coverage,” as one person’s full coverage, is another person’s poor coverage. Each part of an insurance policy is supposed to cover specific needs of an insured.

Deductibles should be examined. If you live in a rural area, a lower deductible may be necessary as part of comprehensive coverage as deer and other animals may be more prevalent in your area. Glass coverages may need a lower deductible if you travel highways more frequently.

All these property coverages need to be looked at carefully with an agent before purchasing a policy. Additionally, 10 | 400 LIFE | January 2022

it is recommended that liability and umbrella coverages be looked at depending on your needs.

Do you have enough coverage to protect others from one’ own negligence? Is there enough uninsured motorist covSteven Leibel erage to protect yourself, and your family if someone else responsible for the collision doesn’t have enough policy?

Know that we recommend that one purchase uninsured motorist coverage equal to that of your liability coverage to provide protection from someone who does not have insurance or does not carry enough limits.

Adequate damage protection under a homeowners’ policies are very important. Does the policy pay full value, or a depreciated value of your goods in the event of a loss?

Does it protect the homeowner form water damage, fire, and roof damages?

Does it have a medical pay policy to pay for those who get injured in your home due to no one’s negligence?

Homeowners insurance also provides for liability outside of the home. It may cover negligence claims for your family members who injure others while at school. It may cover claims for slander and libel when posting in social media.

These protections need to be discussed with the agent.

Renters have different considerations because they can’t purchase a homeowner’s policy. However, they can get adequate coverages as a tenant.

As more and more people sell their homes and move to rental communities, these protections become just as vital.

Homeowner’s and renter’s policies can both provide protections for events that are unanticipated.

An overlooked financial protection that an insurance policy provides is for prepaid legal help in the event of an occurrence.

Hourly lawyer time is quite expensive and is paid directly by insurance company’s when insurance coverage is triggered. Paid for legal helps take the financial sting out of any legal controversy. When a situation arises that a lawyer is needed, they should represent

the insured interests over that of the insurance company.

In choosing an agent, or insurance company look to their reputation.

Does that insurance company have financial resources to pay claims? Will they pay claims? Will they protect you if you are sued? Is the agent smart, and give guidance to help select the coverages needed?

A good guide to find out is through reviews such as from Consumer reports, google reviews, and better business bureau complaints.

As we approach 2022, I hope that each of us will take the time to review their financial protection before a bad event can take everything away. As a personal injury lawyer who sees many bad situations due to the negligence of others, I recommend this approach to everyone.

I hope 2022 is good for all and wish every reader a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Steven Leibel is the Principal Attorney at Leibel Law. He is a Georgia Super Lawyer in personal injury and is rated preeminent AV by Martindale.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to email at info@leibel.com or call (404) 892-0700.

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mental health

Make those New Year’s Resolutions SMARTer!

By Sudie Crouch | Health & wellness columnist

A

h, a New Year. A new calendar, a fresh slate ahead of us.

There’s so much pressure and expectations put on this month for us to create the perfect list of resolutions that will help propel us throughout the year.

Many of us gained weight during the pandemic and are still struggling to take it back off, and, after several weeks of indulging in rich food and drinks, we feel compelled to start the new year off on a healthy foot.

There may have also been a bit of procrastination when it comes to our health; it can be normal to put things off until a later date to deal with them, and Jan. 1 is a perfect day for us to start anew.

So as we start our new year, we may find ourselves eager and excited to share our intentions for the year ahead, feeling committed to making some healthy changes in our lives. Yet, studies report that by February, 80 percent of the resolutions made at the beginning of the year have been discarded — what happens in those four weeks?

For starters, a lot of our New Year’s Resolutions may not really be something we really feel invested in. We make a list of things that we may feel obligated to do — quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more — and we may even want to do them, but they are too vague to be achievable.

When we don’t have something concrete in mind, it can be difficult to feel the emotional commitment to it.

That’s why creating a SMART goal can help. SMART is an acronym for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time Bound. Let’s look at those a bit closer to see how this can help us create resolutions we stick to!

SPECIFIC Listing a general aim or goal makes it feel too impersonal and doesn’t make it relevant to us (see how these tie together!). Instead of saying, “Lose weight,” focus on a specific amount, like 5-10 pounds. If your goal is to go the gym more this year, being specific about how many times you will go per week can help make this more concrete.

MEASURABLE Being able to track how you’re working towards those goals can help you see the steps you’re taking. Circling back to our gym resolution, you can make it more measurable by saying you will be able to run a four minute mile or will be working towards being able to lift a certain amount.

ACHIEVABLE Having a goal that is achievable can help reduce that sense of overwhelm and intimidation we often have when we embark on a new goal or changing our habits. If you need to lose 60 pounds, that can feel almost impossible. If you break it down into smaller increments that can help you not only feel like the goal is more attainable, but also help you build on your success with the smaller goal.

12 | 400 LIFE | January 2022

RELEVANT Our resolutions should resonate with us and be meaningful in our lives. If they aren’t, we won’t feel the excitement or motivation to work towards them. An example of this may be we feel pressured to choose a goal or focus that is centered around losing weight, going to the gym, or a myriad of other options, when what we want to focus on is being more creative or doing more artistic projects. Or getting more sleep and practicing self-care. Make sure whatever you choose, that it speaks to you!

TIME BOUND The construct of time with our goals can serve a two-fold purpose. One being that you commit to how much time you invest in your resolution each week. Will you work out for 30-minutes, three times a week? How long will you give yourself to work towards this particular goal?

It can also be helpful to remember that when you reach that date, that it doesn’t mean that the goal is over; it’s simply a time to reevaluate what went well and what to tweak. Another aspect of being time bound is that you can also have a timeframe in mind to be focusing on those goals beyond this first month.

Being able to give yourself the time to actually work towards those resolutions can also relieve some of that self-imposed pressure we have to do everything in 31 days, which is probably why come February, so many of those resolutions have been tossed aside.

If the intent behind the resolutions is to help you be healthier and happier, creating some achievable SMART goals can help you have success. And may your 2022 be full of health and wellness!

Sudie Crouch is a health & wellness coach, helping clients create healthy, attainable changes using positive psychology and cognitive behavior approaches.

World's B es t A d vent ur es

Make Hiking Adventures Your Goal in 2022

Story by Alexander Popp | alex@worldsbestadventures.com

I

n 2021, we in the outdoors industry saw something really amazing.

Amidst a global pandemic which halted travel around the world and kept people isolated in their homes for months at a time, more people than ever before began going outdoors, hiking, backpacking, camping, paddling, and enjoying nature in ways they never had before.

But if you weren’t a part of that movement, don’t feel bad because there’s still time to get outdoors in 2022 — and hiking, backpacking, and camping are a really good way to do that.

Boom, you’re a hiker now.

For backpacking things get a little more complicated, because with backpacking you need gear, food, plans, permits and a bunch of other things that take a bit more planning. Getting started backpacking on your own is possible, but in most cases it’s easier to get started with a friend, family member or professional guiding service that can help you on your way.

For more tips on backpacking, visit www.worldsbestadventures.com.

Are hiking and backpacking right for me?

Why take a trip with World’s Best Adventures?

To make a long story short, yes. Hiking and backpacking are great activities for basically anyone of any age, skill level or physical condition. Not everyone is climbing 12,000-foot mountains on their first outing, but no matter where you live there will almost always be a hike for your skill level.

In addition to its accessibility, hiking is also a really great way to get in shape and stay in shape. Hiking is an exercise that mixes aerobics, endurance, strength training, and is very good for the lungs and heart.

If you are interested in the outdoors, but don’t have the gear, knowledge, or time to plan a trip for yourself, we totally understand. Everyone who loves the outdoors has been there at some point or another.

World’s Best Adventures was founded on the idea that you shouldn’t have to be an expert with tons of time for planning and preparation to have a meaningful wilderness adventure.

Our adventures are all-inclusive, giving you a hassle-free experience that includes gear, food, planning and permits, exceptional service and tons of fun while learning outdoor skills that will lead you on future adventures into the great outdoors.

Learn more about our upcoming Spring 2022 adventures to North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains at www.worldsbestadventures.com.

How do I start hiking and backpacking?

Starting to hike is simple, find a nature trail near you and start walking. If you’re new or aren’t in the best shape, start with something flat and not too long, walk and enjoy the scenery.

From there, start looking for short new hikes (which we call “day hikes”) in your area and as you grow stronger and more used to the exercise, make the hikes longer and more intense.

This article comes to us from our sister company, World’s Best Adventures, based in Gainesville.

January 2022 | 400 LIFE | 13

Healthy (and tasty)

Fruit Smoothies After the holidays, many people start thinking about New Years’ resolutions and eating healthier. There are tons of options for healthy food, including ones that don’t sacrifice flavor. One of my favorite healthy and tasty options for breakfast or a snack on-the-go is a nice fruit smoothie. Here are a few of the many options to try.

CHOCOLATE PROTEIN SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup frozen blueberries • 1 medium frozen banana • 1/4 cup chocolate protein powder • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder • 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt • 2 tablespoons cashew butter • 1/2 tablespoon ground flaxseed • 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk DIRECTIONS

BASIC SMOOTHIE RECIPE There’s a million and one ways to mix it up with the most basic smoothie recipe! The ratio should be 2 to 1 fruit to liquid, and feel free to add in any type of yogurt, protein powder or other additional ingredients to really make it your own recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups frozen fruit: this can be any kind of fruit like berries, pineapple, mango, bananas, etc) • 1 cup liquid: orange juice, milk, water, etc) • Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup any kind of yogurt, 1/2 tablespoon ground flax or chia seeds, 1/4 cup protein powder or a handful of greens like spinach or kale DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

You may need to add a little bit more liquid depending on how thick or thin you like your smoothie.

STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup frozen strawberries • 1 cup frozen sliced banana (about 1 medium banana) • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If you want a thinner smoothie, add a little more milk. For a thicker smoothie, add a little less milk.

14 | 400 LIFE | January 2022

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, scraping the sides of the blender halfway through. If you want a thinner smoothie, add more milk.

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