M O B I L E B AY
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
WATSON Top Agent
Leading and Serving with Integrity RISING STAR
Lindsay Grandquest BROKER IN CHARGE
Sam Winter and Company SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Eastern Shore Transfer
M AY 2 0 2 0 @realproducers
2 • May 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 06
07
10
Meet The Team
Publisher’s Note: What A Wonderful World
Partner Spotlight: Eastern Shore Transfer
14
18
22
Broker Spotlight: Sam Winter
Top Agent: Roy Watson
Rising Star: Meet Lindsay Grandquest
If you are interested in contributing or nominating Realtors for certain stories, please email us at Robert.orso@RealProducersMag.com .DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of N2 Publishing but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Mobile Bay Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by N2 Publishing or the publisher. Therefore, neither N2 Publishing nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 5
M E E T T H E M O B I L E B AY R E A L P R O D U C E R S T E A M
Robert Orso
Owner/Publisher
Michelle Medeiros Ad Strategist
Rose & Ken Muse Photographers
What A Wonderful World
Sam Whitt Photographer
Jill Claire Gentry Writer
publisher’s note
Gratitude and Hope creates Perspective Dave Danielson Contributing Writer
F ul l Servic e Home St a gi ng Planning to sell your home in the future? Let's schedule a virtual consultation!
In 1967, Bob Thiele wrote the song, “What A Wonderful World.” It was recorded and released by Louis Armstrong in 1968 and has been deemed one of the most inspirational songs of all time. A simple, lovable tune that causes the listener to reminisce on the simple pleasures and beauty of our world. I have listened to it on YouTube a dozen times in the last few days, and I encourage you to listen too. The most poignant line is, I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do. If you are struggling with how things are, your eyes will probably moisten, but your heart will feel warmed and your hope will soar. The date of this writing is April 5, 2020. No one knows how the current crisis will have evolved by the time you receive this May issue. I am hopeful that our country, community and economy will be experiencing an upward trend. To say the least, these are challenging times! I will try to encourage everyone to be resolved in your efforts to live as normally as possible, and to be hopeful and know that the current situation will improve very soon. President Trump and others have dubbed this as “a war against a silent enemy.” Our country has fought and won many great wars, and we will win this one as well. Let’s be thankful that we are not fighting against foreign soldiers, tanks, planes and other modern weaponry on our own soil. That would be a thousand times worse that the current enemy.
Stephanie Cunningham
251.404.8726 stephanie@sprucedupstaging.com sprucedupstaging.com 6 • May 2020
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While the medical professionals, first responders and government officials are fighting to overcome the coronavirus, those of us in business need to mainly fight the battle raging in our hearts and minds. I have seen a few people on social media who are freaking out, saying they have had enough! And they are very fearful of what they believe the future could bring. I know that the readers of this magazine are highly successful professionals who didn’t get to where they are by being influenced and limited by the negativity around them. We are people who know that behind every obstacle, there are opportunities, and we know how to identify and take advantage of them. In fact, the top agents, brokers and even the rising stars I have spoken to recently are staying busy, still closing deals and using this time to prepare for relaunch when the crisis is over. We are winners because we have vision, and our vision is stronger than what we see. I just want to remind you all to do what you already know you must do. Stay positive, do as much as you can do, safely, and stage your business for the great comeback around the corner. I have a sign in my home that was purchased by my late wife who suffered with an autoimmune disease for many years. It reads, “There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.” We, as a country, community and as individuals, have so much to be grateful for. Let’s focus on those things and the people we are thankful for. Gratitude enables us to remain positive, happy, and even peaceful. Focus on the wonder. If you have questions about this publication or our upcoming events or would like to nominate someone as a feature candidate, please reach out to me at Robert.Orso@realproducersmag.com and connect with the community on Facebook at Mobile Bay Real Producers. Robert Orso Owner/Publisher Mobile Bay Real Producers Robert.Orso@ RealProducersMag.com
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 7
PREFERRED PARTNERS
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LENDER Alabama Ag Credit Andy Grant 9810 Timber Circle Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (251) 626-2929 alabamaagcredit.com MOVERS Eastern Shore Transfer, Inc. Angie Garner 586Theakston Street Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 517-4434 x2512093868
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Serving the Gulf Coast since 2003 8 • May 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 9
“We invest in our employees as much as we invest in obtaining new clients.” Building trust through building relationships
The primary way the Garners have built a company their customers can trust is through developing relationships with their employees. Since opening the business in April 2015, the Garners have added 10 full-time employees, all of whom they view as family.
Eastern Shore
“We pride ourselves in keeping a full-time, professional staff with very little turnover,” Jason says. “Moving can be seasonal, but because of the way we’ve diversified our business, we stay busy all year. Because of that, our employees see this as a family atmosphere rather than just your average 8-to-5 job. To us, these guys are not just a number, and they’re not disposable. We make them feel secure in their career and their lifestyle.”
T R A N S F E R partner spotlight By Jill Clair Gentry Photography by Sam Whitt
A Moving Company Built on
TRUST 10 • May 2020
There are few things that stir up people’s emotions more than moving. Strangers coming into their home, packing up all their possessions, putting everything on a truck and moving it across town (or across the country) can be overwhelming. That’s why Angie and Jason Garner of Eastern Shore Transfer have built a moving company that provides more than just convenience and physical labor – they want to offer every customer peace of mind as well. “When we train our employees, we always start by telling them, ‘You may see furniture when you walk into someone’s house, but, in reality, that’s their life,’” Jason says. “They’ve invested in this, and they’ve put their life into furnishing their home. That’s a huge deal and is something that requires a lot of trust.”
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“I’ve witnessed the amount of time, patience and energy exerted toward each employee and the astoundingly positive results it has when it comes down to relocating someone’s home,” he says. Not your average moving company
In addition to creating a family atmosphere, the Garners say the interesting, varied nature of the work they do makes them different from a typical moving company. Of course, many of the jobs Eastern Shore Transfer completes revolve around packing, moving and storing furniture and other items after a residential or commercial real estate transaction, but the company also specializes in moving antiques, fine art, pianos and other specialty items. “There is a lot of antique trading in Fairhope, and we work with several shops in downtown Fairhope that carry rare pieces,” Angie says. “We can move antiques when people purchase them or when they’re moving to a new home, and we also work with interior designers to deliver and install their projects as well.” Moving expensive art and antiques requires additional insurance, experience and technique, and Eastern Shore Transfer’s employees see themselves as specialists in these niche areas, Jason says.
Angie says a company culture that feels like family is not something that happens on accident. The Garners intentionally invest time and money into developing and caring for their employees, a strategy they believe creates an environment of trust and reliability the company can pass on to its customers. “We’ve built an incredible team – some of our guys have been with us from the start,” she says. “We invest in our employees as much as we invest in obtaining new clients. We aren’t going to let anyone work in your home who we wouldn’t let work in ours. Many of our guys have keys to our home.” Chip Grimes, operations manager for Eastern Shore Transfer’s Daphne office, says working for Jason and Angie since August of 2015 has been a rewarding experience.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 11
Despite its locally focused name, Eastern Shore Transfer completes long-distance moves as well. About 75 percent of its business is local, and 25 percent is long distance, Angie says. The company has an office in Montgomery and will soon open another in Lexington, KY. Moving? Do your homework.
For many people, the idea of hiring movers instills a sense of anxiety – for good reason, Angie says. Not all moving companies are created equal, and it’s important for customers to do some research before choosing a mover. “First of all, you have to make sure they have properly vetted their employees,” she says. “Before we hire anyone, we require a background check and a drug screen, and then new employees always paired with a long-term employee for a minimum of six months before they are allowed to lead a job.” Insurance and proper licensing are equally important, if not more so, she says. “A lot of companies around here are not even licensed,” Angie warns. “If they’re not, you have no recourse if something happens. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fly-by-night companies in this area.” 12 • May 2020
Regardless of the type of move, a moving company should have two licenses, a Public Service Commission License and a Motor Carrier Number. They should also have the following insurance coverage: general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, motor truck cargo insurance and Bailee’s customer insurance. Angie emphasizes the importance of checking for workers’ compensation insurance, as it is not a legal requirement if the company has fewer than three fulltime employees. “If you use a company that doesn’t have workers’ comp, and one of their employees is injured on your property, that person can come after you,” she says. “There are a lot of little technicalities like that people just don’t know about. We really strive to be known as a company that does everything the right way, so we are very careful to have the proper coverage and keep everything above the line. We just want to take the stress out of moving for our customers.”
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 13
&
SAM WINTER
COMPANY REAL ESTATE
Sam Winter Makes His Mark Through
Marketing, Local Involvement and Dedication broker spotlight By Jill Claire Gentry Photography by Rose and Ken Muse
Sam Winter loves a good story, especially when he’s selling a property. Good stories are the reason he moved to Midtown 15 years ago and are the reason he’s carved out a niche selling homes in Downtown, Oakleigh, Midtown and Spring Hill.
sional photography and videos on all our listings. I always say we are a marketing firm that sells real estate. We have all the components of a marketing firm, and it allows us to be very aggressive with marketing our properties.”
“Mobile is full of properties with great stories, and it’s a lot easier when you’re marketing a home if you have a story to tell,” he says. “There’s something incredibly special about the Mobile real estate market – we have some of the best architectural design, history and neighborhoods of anywhere in the country.”
Another focus for Sam Winter and Co. is the dedication and professionalism of its agents.
Winter, who grew up in Mobile, began his career in real estate after graduating from Auburn University in 2004. After eight years with Roberts Brothers, Inc., Winter decided to pursue his lifelong dream of owning his own business, and Sam Winter and Co., Inc. was founded February 1, 2013. Since then, the brokerage has grown to include four full-time REALTORS® and has closed over 425 transactions with a total of over $100 million in sales volume. Winter says his brokerage’s focus on marketing properties with excellence has set it apart from the beginning. “When we started in 2013, we immediately hired a photographer, videographer, social media director and graphic designer,” Winter says. “We were one of only a few companies at that time who did profes-
14 • May 2020
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“We don’t accept any agents who do this as a parttime business or a hobby,” Winter says. “Buying or selling a home is probably the largest financial transaction someone will ever make in their lifetime, and we take that very seriously,” he says. “I don’t know anyone who goes to a part-time doctor, attorney, CPA or stock broker. We are tasked with doing something just as big as these other professions, and I believe we should be fully attentive to our clients. Everyone here does this full time, and we are very dedicated to our clients.” Winter says he views his agents’ professional development as part of his responsibility as a broker. “I want to provide a very supportive work environment and a consistent interest in their career success,” he says. “I work one-on-one with each of them to ensure they achieve their personal best. This profession is a very fulfilling career, and I’m grateful for the support and referral business from past customers and clients. I want them to have the same opportunity.”
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 15
A Staged Home is a
Sold Home
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Left to right - Erin Graves, Graphic Designer, Jennifer Cooley, Marketing Director, Brantley Anne Smith, Realtor, Sam Winter, Broker/Owner, Hartley Winter, Office Manager, Helen Bender, Realtor, Steve May, Realtor
As serious as Winter takes his role, he knows how to have fun, too. Sam Winter and Co.’s culture fits right in with Mobile’s current upbeat momentum. “We’re very much involved in the community and really embrace the local vibe,” he says. “We like to have fun. We sponsor several events, and we get out and do things as a team. Every year during Mardi Gras, we 16 • May 2020
throw a customer-appreciation party at our office, which is strategically located on a parade route. We invite our clients, friends and family to watch a parade with us at the office. They love it.” Outside of real estate, Winter enjoys being outdoors and is a proud family man. He has been married to his wife, Hartley, who handles all the brokerage’s administrative needs, for 12 years. They have three children, Audrey, 10; Sam, 8; and Griffith, 3. Winter is a supporter of various civic and charity causes throughout the Mobile area each year. @realproducers
1680 West 2nd Street, Unit A Gulf Shores, AL 36542
getcleartitle.com 251.980.1500 realproducersmag.com
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 17
top agent
Leading and Serving with Integrity
Photos by Sam Whitt | By Dave Danielson
A WAY OF LIFE The qualities of a leader can make all of the difference in the world. They listen to really understand.
Roy took his first steps toward real estate by going to work with a mortgage company as a loan officer.
They come up with solutions that meet unique needs. And they do it all with a natural heart for giving of themselves.
Change was ahead.
One of those who definitely fits this description is Roy Watson, Associate Broker and REALTOR® with Brett Robinson Real Estate and Development — this month’s Top Agent — who has built a strong career by leading and serving with integrity. A WAY OF LIFE
To say that Roy is a born leader is a definite understatement. In fact, it’s part of his DNA – it’s always been part of the way he’s lived life.
WATSON
You see, service has been part of his life – literally. One of the big ways he’s demonstrated that is by serving his country. In fact, as he grew up in Pensacola and came of age, he served in the U.S. Marines as a member of an infantry unit for four years. As he transitioned back to civilian life, Roy looked for his next opportunities. “As I got out of the service, I wasn’t sure which direction I was going to take,” Roy recalls. “I got a job with GEICO insurance, and after about three months there, a lady there said, ‘You’re really good with people. Have you ever thought about going into sales?’”
18 • May 2020
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“I got my real estate license in San Diego in 2004 and ran my own little shop there for a while,” he remembers. “Real estate was booming, and things were going very well until the crash in 2007.” NEW OPPORTUNITIES
As the bottom dropped out of the market, Roy closed his office and considered his next steps forward. “I had worked at Brett Robinson in high school. When I moved away, my mom started working there. As I was thinking about next steps in my career in 2007, mom suggested that I talk with John Brett. I did, he hired me, and the rest is history.” Sometimes, things happen at the right time – like they were meant to be. And that’s the way it’s been with Roy. Because he came back in 2008, started working with the team at Brett Robinson Real Estate & Development, and has never looked back. “This is an outstanding company to work for. The environment we have here makes my job that much easier,” he says. Along the way, Roy has continued to grow and build his business. In fact, he has con-
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 19
sistently ranked among the top agents in the region, finishing among the top five in the county in 2019, and finishing at the top as a single-producing REALTOR®. For all of the numbers, the thing that drives Roy is his passion for the human element. “I really like the people I meet and get to work with each day. With our beach and the products that I sell, it’s a great opportunity. In many cases, I’m working with people who are looking for a second home, a rental property or a vacation place,” he explains. “After I sell them a property, they come down a few times a year, and I get to see them again. And I become friends with a lot of them.” SUCCESS STARTS WITH SERVICE
“I enjoy what I do. It’s not about the money. I’ve always felt that if you’re good at what you do, the money part works itself out,” Roy says. “It means a lot to me to have a job with the flexibility where I can coach softball, baseball, and spend time with family. Now, at the same time, as a REALTOR®, I’m never really off, but that doesn’t bother me. So even if I’m on vacation, and I’m selling a property, it’s not work to me. And, for me, that is a huge measure of success.” Away from work, Roy’s world revolves around his family, including Laura, his wife of 17 years, and their four children. The Watsons stay very busy between kids’ activities, sports, and volunteering at the school. They also are active in their church, and enjoy giving back to the community – especially through organizations that have a tie to veterans and the military. One of Roy’s passions is coaching. “Even though I have a strong passion for what I do, it is probably healthy for me to have those times when I go to the ball diamond, and I’m working with the kids,” he smiles. “There will be times where I’m
20 • May 2020
Life’s too short to be stressed out.
I try to keep a good perspective and enjoy life. wrapping up something on my phone in the dugout right before practice, and the kids are ready for me. It forces me to have that break for a couple of hours, where my phone stays in the dugout, and I focus fully on the kids.” Those who know Roy appreciate his laid back approach – where he’s focused on serving others – and yet able to relax and enjoy life and the blessings around him. “Life’s too short to be stressed out,” he explains. “I try to keep a good perspective and enjoy life.” As Roy considers his future, he thinks about the sense of service that drives his efforts on behalf of others. “In the Marine Corps, integrity is a big deal. And that stays with me, and I try to carry that with me the best I can through my life,” he says. “I think a lot of it comes down to honesty. And that has helped me in real estate. I tell new agents all the time to just be honest with people and open with them when you meet them at an open house. I think people want you to guide them. That’s how I’ve operated. I want people to know they can call me … and trust that I’ll get whatever they need done.” Day by day, that message continues to be shared with people throughout the area. They know that Roy Watson is someone they can count on to keep leading with service and integrity.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 21
rising star By Dave Danielson Rose and Ken Muse
lindsay M E E T
G R A N D Q U E S T
A Growing
Passion There are some things you encounter in this life that you’re not sure about at first. Then, once you dive in, immerse yourself, and understand what it really is, you find you have a growing passion. That’s how it happened for Lindsay Grandquest, a real estate agent with the Main Street Properties with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
An Early Start
Some have one, two, three or more other careers before finding their home in real estate. For, Lindsay, her adventure in the business started in the ripe old age of 22, after graduating from college with a degree in marketing and communications. “It was about 10 years ago when I had a friend selling real estate. I can’t say that I necessarily had a passion for real estate,” she admits. “But I was in need of a job, but that wasn’t all. I was looking for something where I could do my own thing.” After talking with her friend, Lindsay took the steps she needed to, got her license, and decided to give it a try for herself. “I’d say it took me about three years to really get a grasp on this business,” Lindsay explains. “When I started, it took a while to really feel the weight of what we do – helping to provide homeownership to people from every walk of life, including newlyweds, single men and women … all the way through to empty nesters.” In the process, Lindsay realized she had what it took to help.
22 • May 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 23
“I realized I had the power and skill set to move these people to their next chapter. That’s when I really got my passion, and I have been absolutely loving it ever since,” she says. Results and Rewards
The people Lindsay work with love it, too. The results speak volumes. In fact, she’s been the Top Producer in the office for the past six years. Last year, she recorded an unprecedented 84 units. “I really strive to make sure I’m performing with excellence with every client,” she smiles. “And it makes me feel really good that my business is almost all referral and word of mouth.”
My favorite part is the customer connection.
Lindsay remembers her transition — a gauntlet that tests almost every soul who enters the business. “When I started, the economy was still in horrible shape … but I think that kind of helped to shape me. I really see the importance of what I’m able to do to help people,” she explains. “I knew I had to be super persistent and consistent. It took me several years to build out my customer base, I knew I just had to stick with it.” Growing Day by Day
The love she has discovered since keeps blossoming. “My favorite part is the customer connection. I get a lot of information from my customer base before others even in their family,” she says with a warm laugh. “There are times when I hear about life milestones before others in my clients’ families. They’ll say something like, ‘We’re having a baby, and we will need to be upgrading.’” Those personal connections and insights are what I love with people.” “Derek is really strong in the areas where I’m weak. We were working together in the brokerage, and through conversation, we looked at our strengths and decided to partner up,” she emphasizes. “We were both running ourselves ragged as individuals. We are able to do more as a team. And we have a great balance. We are a team, yet we focus on our own strengths.”
Family is at the center of who Lindsay is, including her nephew, Jacob, and her daughter, Crosby, who live with her, and nephews, Maks and Reks. “They truly are my ‘why’ in life,” she says. “Family is super important for me. Sundays are reserved for family. I really love to cook for family and friends every Sunday. And one thing I believe is that celebrations don’t have to be reserved for the major holidays, so we take every opportunity we can to get together and enjoy each other.”
One element of life that Lindsay puts to work each day is perspective. “We have two choices. We can be a victim or go for victory. Today can be just another day, or it can be day one of another direction you want to take in your life,” Lindsay says. “You can choose to make a change in the way you live or what you want to do. We all go through seasons
One of the elements of her work life she celebrates is her partnership with Derek Peterson. Together, they have formed the Peterson-Grandquest Team for the past six years.
that we need to push through. Any day and time, we can choose the course of action or direction in our life… We can decide who we want to be and do.” Those she has known and those she works with are thankful that Lindsay decided to be a real estate agent … who found a growing passion for what she does.
Their work together has been rewarding.
24 • May 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 25
FAQ
ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE We realize that Real Producers is a new concept here in the Mobile/Baldwin area, and some of you may be wondering what it’s all about. That is why we have created an “FAQ’s About This Magazine” page. Here we will answer the most commonly asked questions around the country regarding our program. My door is always open to discuss anything regarding this community – this publication is 100 percent designed to be your voice!
Q: Who receives this magazine? A: The top 300 agents in the Mobile and Baldwin County
markets. We pulled the MLS numbers (by volume) from January 2019 to December 2019. We cut the list off at number 300, and the distribution was born. For this year’s list,
the minimum production level for our group is on pace for $4.5 million in 2019. The list will reset at the end of 2020 for next year, and continue to update annually. Q: What is the process for being featured in this magazine? A: It’s really simple – every feature you see has first been nomi-
nated. You can nominate other REALTORS®, affiliates, brokers, owners, or even yourself! Office leaders can also nominate REALTORS®. We will consider anyone brought to our attention, because we don’t know everyone’s story, so we need your help to learn about them. A nomination currently looks like this: You email us at robert.orso@realproducersmag.com with the subject line, “Nomination: (Name of Nominee),” and explain why you are nominating them to be featured. It could be they have an amazing story that needs to be told – perhaps they overcame extreme obstacles, they are an exceptional leader, have the best customer service, or they give back to the community in a big way. The next step is an interview with us to ensure it’s a good fit. If it all works out, then we put the wheels in motion for our writer to conduct an interview and for our photographers to schedule a photo shoot. Q: What does it cost a REALTOR®/team to be featured? A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. It costs nothing, my friends, so
nominate away! We are not a pay-to-play model. We share real stories of real producers. Q: Who are the preferred partners? A: Anyone listed as a “preferred partner” in the front of the mag-
azine is a part of this community. They will have an ad in every issue of the magazine, attend our quarterly events, and be a part of our online community. We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. One or many of you have recommended every single preferred partner you see in this publication. We won’t even meet with a business that has not been vetted by one of you and “stamped for approval,” in a sense. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network, not only for the best REALTORS® in the area, but the best affiliates, as well, so we can grow stronger together. Q: How can I recommend a preferred partner? A: If you have a recommendation for a local business that works
with top REALTORS®, please let us know! Send an email to robert.orso@realproducersmag.com. 26 • May 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 27