Lindsay Simms:

Future Real Estate Top Producer Helps Clients turn Dreams into Reality

By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI, IP MAGAZINE www.infinitieplusmag.com

Lindsay Simms works (passionately) as a realtor for Longview's Trina Griffith and Company. After thirteen years in Corporate Healthcare Analytics, she sensed a change of direction was needed, and this inclination steered her into real estate.

"Real estate was something I had been thinking about for five years, and I had friends and family constantly encouraging me to take the leap of faith," she says.

As she expected, the transition was not easy, but she was not afraid of a challenge and was eager to set her own goals. She switched wholly to real estate and has never looked back. In this line of work, she helps her fellow East Texans make what is usually the biggest financial decision of their lives--home buying. She helps her clients turn their dreams into reality.

"Although I have only been a realtor for six months I have had the opportunity to help individuals and families during the selling and buying of their homes," she says. "There is nothing more rewarding than handing over the keys to the new homeowners on closing day."

Her mother and stepfather were both successful businesspeople, working both as restaurant owner/operators and in construction. Lindsay was the first of her family to earn bachelor's and master's degrees, working her way through college. Between her expertly chosen and accomplished college education she had her parents' excellent example of work ethic. Whenever her parents encountered setbacks, they responded by working harder. The

"If something doesn't work out," she says. "Work harder or try a different way."

Despite her natural ability in this field, her new, real estate career is not something she has had to accomplish alone. Trina Griffith and Company competent employees who are showing her the ropes.

"It doesn't feel like we are competing against each other at all," she says. "We are a team, and I truly believe that is why Trina Griffith's agents are successful."

Such support is needed by anyone entering the complicated, demanding field of real estate. The nature of the business is always the same-

-buying and selling property and homes, but the ways and means of doing this constantly change. Realtors must con- stantly learn and relearn their jobs. They need to be the sort of person who is unselfish, versatile, and industrious.

"I'm willing to outwork most and put my clients' needs first," she says. "I'm a problemsolver and love the challenges each day brings."

Real estate is a burgeoning profession for women. Along with many challenges, it presents opportunities and rewards not always available in other fields. Like in most vocations, failure on occasion is inevitable. Not all deals will go through, so newcomers must not allow themselves to be easily discouraged. The fruits of their labors can be great.

"Advice I would give to young girls today is that it doesn't matter what your current situation is, you always have the power to change those circumstances," she says. "It may not be as easy for you as others, and you may have to jump more hurdles and work harder, but it can be done."

Lindsay Simms is proving the truth of her words.