19 minute read
Southern Is Your Lifestyle
Two modern moms bringing you the hearts and stories of the people creating the best of the South.
BY GREG ALEXANDER (GRACIOUSLY SHARED BY OUR FRIENDS AT VIP DESTIN MAGAZINE)
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FIND THEM Instagram: @thesayitsouthern Facebook: Say it Southern Podcast Web: thesayitsouthern.com Email: helllo@thesayitsouthern.com LISTEN: Itunes, Stitcher, Spotify SUBSCRIBE to their podcasts for new episodes EVERY MONDAY. 18 FALL 2020 Whether you are currently a podcast listener or not, you must immediately subscribe to Say it Southern (finish this article first, but seriously – then go subscribe). With over 700,000 podcasts out there, finding a favorite can be overwhelming. With Say It Southern, you will leave inspired, encouraged and maybe even have a southern accent. Say it Southern is a place to join real, warm conversation, as if you were sitting together on the back porch. Say it Southern tells the stories that matter from the creators and curators of the beautiful South. Say it Southern was co-founded and is co-hosted by two of the savviest southern sweethearts you will ever meet. Courtney Goolsby and Sarah Smith are mothers, doers, and dreamers who want to do good, live well and leave their mark – and always find a reason to celebrate.
Plato said, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and that was the case for starting Say It Southern. As Sarah Stone Smith – former Bachelor Season 8 “winner” was approaching her fortieth birthday, she wanted a new challenge. She described, “I felt like this was the perfect time for me to do and create something I was passionate about, something for me. I had just started listening to podcasts and was searching for podcasts about the people and places of the south. I couldn't find one I liked so I thought, I'll start one of my own. I'll get to meet people and hear stories from all over. But I knew I couldn't do it alone. I needed someone as passionate as I was about creating something they could be proud of,
who would work hard and would hold me accountable. I immediately thought of Courtney. She is smart, funny and real. I was always drawn to her. She is a Christian woman that loves and values family but also knows and shares that life is not always easy. Being a good mother, wife, sister, friend, is tough, and she is open about sharing that with others. When I told her about my crazy idea, she was ALL in and the rest is history.” The duo had no clue how to create a podcast, but they figured it out, and now, it has become something they are proud of with listeners all over the world; 7% in Australia, oddly enough! With thousands of downloads they receive DMs thanking them for doing this: “Your work means something, keep on keeping on." So that's what they plan to do.
Their goal was to shine a light on all the inspiring, one of a kind stories, of the movers, shakers and tastemakers of the South. They wanted to celebrate their successes, learn from their failures and be encouraged by the journey. And Courtney and Sarah have done exactly that, in just over a year, with no sign of slowing down. Their guests are people and products they love and want to learn more about. Sometimes potential guests reach out to them but most of the time they curate them organically.
We all know the South has interesting people and culture. That fact brings lots of color, comedy and even tears to Say It Southern. When asking Courtney about a favorite episode, she didn’t have an answer, and Courtney always has an answer! She finally claimed, “It's really hard to say - do you pick the lawyer turned East Tennessee Moonshiner? The girl who called 911 to enter her prize pie in the county fair only to then be included on Oprah's favorite things list? The mother who lost her son in a drowning accident and has been advocating for water safety in Washington, seen on the Today Show - lobbying for more education about drownings... It's too hard to pick a single one. And it makes the South, the South. We have a grit about us. If we can’t find a way, we make one. Each story becomes my new favorite story.”
As they continue their journey, they plan on doing more public speaking and events for women across the South. Both women love speaking to crowds, sharing their passion and successes they have achieved. But most of all they love meeting people and connecting to southerners from all over. Each listener, man or woman, southern or not, will be magnetized by these beautiful souls and their special gift of engaging the listeners and helping to promote the stories and accomplishments of each of their guests. And if you even think about stopping before an episode ends – don’t, because they finish each one with their self-conceived “Popcorn Round.”
kelly dougherty
REALTOR® c: 615.804.6940 | o: 615.790.3400 | Kellyd@VillageTN.com
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Williamson County Association of REALTORS® Your Experts in Real Estate & Home
The Williamson County Association of REALTORS®. (WCAR) is an important and integral part of the real estate and home community in Williamson County. But unless you work in this industry here you may not know much about them or what they do. YOUR Williamson is grateful for our annual partnership with the WCAR and we are excited to share with you all of the exciting things happening in our real estate and home community here!
Who is the WCAR?
The Williamson County Association of REALTORS® is a trade association that exists to represent the interests of real estate professionals and those who own or desire to own real property. The association was established in 1962 to provide professional development, dispute resolution, legislative advocacy, communication, and community improvement for those it serves. It continues to deliver the same fundamental services, though the details of how they are delivered have changed – and will continue to change – over time.
What They Do
Professional Development is delivered through courses provided at the association’s office and through a series of forums and special events done exclusively by the association or in cooperation with other community organizations.
Dispute resolution is provided using a system of mediation and confidential hearings through which association members and public citizens can present their cases. Decisions are based on the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and the related guidelines provided by the National Association of REALTORS®.
Legislative advocacy is addressed by informing members of key legislation impacting those we serve and organizing appropriate responses such that those interests are protected and enhanced at every level of government.
Communication is focused mainly on the association’s members concerning the activity of the association on their behalf and encouragement to be engaged in that activity. 22 FALL 2020 Community improvement is supported strongest and most affluent counties in through relationships with key organizations the United States and a very desirable in our service area, as well as through the area as far as real estate. As the county REALTOR® Good Works Foundation. expands its economic impact and reach, it attracts commerce from around the globe. The WCAR recently hired a new CEO. Consistently ranked as one of the best Mike Dvorak sat down with us to answer places to raise a family, Williamson County questions and offer some insight into the offers a spectacular quality of life, school WCAR and the overall state of real estate in system, downtown areas, diversity and Williamson County: endless possibilities. Our cities Brentwood, Franklin, YW: You have recently Fairview, Thompson’s Station, come on board as CEO at Nolensville and Spring Hill the WCAR. What is your all have their own unique background and how do offerings. Considering such you see that experience factors as quality of education important in your new role and healthcare, crime rate, at WCAR? average annual household income, parks and recreation, MD: I am excited to etc. Williamson County places come into the REALTOR® near the top of every desirable world with WCAR. Our list to live or raise a family. members are amazing and full of energy and I am YW: How do you see the proud to be part of a threeway agreement organization MIKE DVORAK, CEO pandemic and the economic crisis impacting the housing that advocates for them. In my experience market and development market here? of running other associations and non-profit organizations the process is very similar. I MD: REALTORS® have been in an enviable am a native Chicagoan and began my career position as they have always been deemed with the National Medical Board. I came to an essential service and have allowed to the Nashville area in 2016 and have made my operate during the pandemic. Of course, home in Franklin and Williamson County circumstances have dictated some adjustments along with my wife Stacey and my two sons and creative ways to show homes while Bailey and Braden. I am proud to say we considering the safety of the clients and the are heavily involved in the community and agents. Many REALTORS ® have reported love living and raising our family here. The no discernible change in transactions or county has something to offer everyone. The activity. Our members are here to serve the goal here is not unlike any other association public and they are armed with knowledge - provide your members with good tangible of the industry and willingness to efficiently benefits, stay focused on your core values, and effectively find or sell properties for their advocate for our members and be there as a clients. resource for them at every turn. These factors and our WCAR Strategic Plan are the driving YW: What is the number one thing people forces. moving to Williamson County are looking for in a REALTOR ®? YW: What do you think is the best thing about the real estate community in MD: Folks looking to move to Williamson Williamson County? What are some of the County want a REALTOR ® that listens to challenges facing REALTORS® in Williamson their needs and parameters they set when County? looking for a property. The members of WCAR are skilled at the art of listening MD: Williamson County is one of the and thus can locate properties that fit the
clients needs. Our REALTORS ® want the clients to be happy and satisfied which in turn will result in a satisfied customer, referrals, and repeat business, not unlike in any other profession.
YW: How does WCAR give back to the community?
MD: WCAR has a 501©3 philanthropic arm called the REALTOR ® Good Works Foundation (RGWF), that does a great job at demonstrating personal involvement and investment in the local community. RGWF raises thousands of dollars to provide scholarships for local students while also promoting the fine arts in Williamson County schools. WCAR also has a Community Outreach Committee which searches out opportunities to network with Williamson County civic groups and community partners to improve the quality of life of our residents here in this great county.
Williamson County Association of REALTORS® 1646 Westgate Circle Suite 104 Brentwood, TN. 37027 615.771.6845 wcartn.org
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Letter from the President of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS®
I think everyone would agree that the back meeting also became equally as important. end of 2020 doesn’t look anything like what This was throttled by Franklin being awarded we thought it would when we were began the #7 best community to work remotely by the year. In November of last year as we were NAR. When activities like traveling, going together celebrating the accomplishments of THE DISTILLERY LAUNCHES READY-TO- to public spaces, theaters, parks and events DRINK CANNED COCKTAILS 2019 and making plans for 2020, I spoke to became limited, we saw that outdoor living the membership about how we had come to and community amenities move up on be the association we were at that moment. the priority list. Ask anyone that recently The theme around my remarks all circled considered putting in a pool, they will tell around the decision people make when they you the incredible length of time it is going to decide that they can do more and be better. take just to get on a pool installer’s schedule. When eating out at local restaurants became It all started in a YMCA Auditorium in Chicago IL where a group of real estate professionals on May 12, 1908 decided JORDAN D. VAUGHN President 2020 challenging, kitchen spaces came to life as families spent more meals and more time together. How we used and enjoyed the they could offer better and began what tornado. And as we were there to help square footage in our home quickly became we call today, the National Association of others get back on their feet, we all got a lot more efficient. I know at our home, REALTORS®. Then in 1913, NAR (National knocked down through the Covid-19 board games at the kitchen table or in the Association of REALTORS®) adopted a Code pandemic. As it was for so many, this bonus room with the girls became even more of Ethics that would the benchmark that pandemic brought so many unknowns and special. It became about laughing, coping and was set to make us better agents and better something the leadership before us had never enjoying the new-found time together. professionals. These REALTORS® built the experienced. But we held onto one thing foundation of who we are. as an organization, and that is that we are Now as we are venture into the last quarter of and always will be in this together. As an 2020 we reflect on all that we accomplished Fast forward to November 13, 1962, a organization and even as a community, we and all the positives that came out of local group of REALTORS® decided we united together to stay strong and healthy. something that many thought was only could bring that level of professionalism negative. Nationally homes sales in August to Williamson County and chartered the The real estate industry, deemed essential, rose another 2.4%, the third consecutive Franklin REALTORS®, what we now call kept homeowners safe and followed public monthly rise in existing home sales. Locally the Williamson County Association of mandates, changing and pivoting to keep we experienced a 12.5% rise in single family REALTORS®. These REALTORS built the local housing market moving in a home sales over this time last year (August the framework of our organization and positive direction, helping to maintain the 2020 compared to August 2019), along with challenged us to become better. The leaders, economic growth we have experienced over a 10% rise in the median price of a home board members and presidents all that came the last decade. We increased our creativity, and 20% rise in the average price of a home before today’s leadership focused on that goal continuing to connect home buyers with in Williamson County. The high quality of of constantly becoming better. This led us sellers, while maintaining healthy business life we have worked hard to provide here to the great organization we are today and practices. Virtual 3D tour and virtual in Williamson County, continues to attract that we were able to celebrate in November showing became standard even as the homeowners and businesses alike to our of last year. We would have never guessed priorities of clients began to reshape. We community. what was ahead of us, we were just focused on learned that although we lost the ability meet our goal to constantly be learning from each in person, we didn’t have to lose the personal Upcoming 2020 Events: experience and growing to be the best within our profession. connection we so often make with our clients. We worked hard to bring the housing to our clients, when our clients couldn’t come to us. October 19th 2020 WCAR Golf Scramble We began the year searching for a new CEO to lead our association and to help us fill the new role we have as our organization Many of our clients re-prioritized the important features in a home. As most Benefiting the REALTOR® Good Works Foundation at Westhaven Golf Club (Open to members of the public). has grown and ventured into the next phase of business. Then we paused to be there to help our hurting neighbors through the pain and loss from a devastating industries learned to work from home and not from an office. The large open floor plans many consumers were seeking are still important today, but having a private, secluded space to learn or have a virtual November 19th 2021 Installation of Officers and Committee Chairs The Barn at Sycamore Farms 24 FALL 2020
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Sotheby’s International Realty® is an exclusive network of residential brokerages located in 72 countries and territories and more than 960 offices worldwide. Through that network, we have access to global clientele through exclusive channels and relationships, including the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.
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We’re proud to offer our award-winning Relocation Department, who provide outstanding commitment to our corporate clientele and five-star service for companies and their employees transitioning in and out of the region. Additionally, we’re partnered with Middle Tennessee’s premier real estate photographers and videographers. This allows our experienced and dedicated inhouse marketing team to create strategic digital and print marketing campaigns.
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Deeply rooted in Middle Tennessee, we’re committed to helping develop and sustain the city’s unique culture and sense of community. With 100% of our agents contributing to the Zeitlin Charitable Fund, support is given to non-profit organizations that assist thousands of people living in under-resourced areas in our region.
Although fine art auctions and precious jewel collections may come to mind when you think of Sotheby’s, we believe that luxury is a level of service – not a price point. Whether your definition of luxury is a beautiful view, a walkable lifestyle or the perfect entertaining space, our agents are highly qualified to help you identify the lifestyle you desire. From Green Hills to Germantown, Brentwood to Bellevue, Franklin to Forest Hills or even London to Lisbon, let us help you find your definition of luxury.
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