My name is Shannon McDonough – it's been obvious since I was a young girl that I would become a real estate junkie. I remember as a child walking past this little tiny box of a house on the corner of McMenemy and Belmont as I was on my way to 'Brooks,' the convenient store where my cousins and I would buy candy cigarettes and cream soda. (Yeah, true story!) This house always caught my attention. I decided when I was "bigger" I needed to buy it. I talked my friend Ashley into going in on it with me. We cut out photos from the Home Interior catalog (yes, we're talking 1980's), and magazines my mom subscribed to or even the Sunday newspaper ads. I compiled all the photos into a notebook, each page was a collage for a different room. I was going to live there FOREVER!
From the day I turned 18 I had some pressure from my three biggest role models: my parents and my dad's cousin, Terry McDonough. They thought I needed to get into real estate. Although I'd argued "I'm not a kid anymore" for the previous 4 years, I definitely didn't feel like someone my age was ready to be selling real estate. Who was going to trust me with one of the largest purchases of their life? I figured that was far too much responsibility, so I decided while going to school I would work for a title company.
After two years of working for Edina Realty Title I realized I didn't like the job at all. I wanted to be the one at the closing table handing over the keys and hugging the overly-happy people – not the one watching behind the scenes. At 20 years old I needed to fulfill my need for something more – I went shopping...like most girls do – only I went shopping for my very own house! I now realize for a person like me – that was equivalent to buying a puppy rather than having a baby when that's what you truly desire. The new home was fun and I was on my own (other than my best pal, Mudge, we lived together for several years….great memories there!) but it didn't tie me over for long – I wanted more.
One day this cute blonde lady came into the office for a closing. She introduced herself as Angela Hames, she was a realtor out of the Roseville office which Terry McDonough managed. We chatted for a bit and she encouraged me to get my real estate license. I explained my fears: no guaranteed paychecks, no benefits, no health insurance, etc. She listened to what I had to say but said she thought I had what it took to be successful and I should just suck it up! Later that day I received a delivery, it was an adorable little vase with one gorgeous flower in it. I thought to myself, geez I know my boyfriend is sweet but didn't he buy me flowers yesterday?!? I opened the card and it was from that cute blonde lady. I'm still uncertain whether she was sent on a mission to save me, I mean recruit me, or if she just saw something within (I'm going to go with that).
Not long after my encounter with Angela I decided it was time for me to move on and do what I truly wanted to do with my life. I wanted to start my career in real estate. My dad and Terry helped me schedule all the real estate courses needed to obtain my license. Shortly after completing the classes I passed the state and national exams – chose my broker ªTerry McDonough at Edina Realty of course) – and was on my way! I showed up the first day and didn't know what the heck I was supposed to do…Terry got me set up with fancy "For Sale" signs with my name on them (that was kind of cool), head shots for my business cards (also pretty cool), however, I could have used my senior photo from high school since that was the question I got from everybody. Then the scary part came – he threw me in and fed me to the sharks. I was terrified.
I took the stairs to the second floor because I didn't want to be stuck in the elevator with these scary people in fancy suits, talking about appraisals, inspections and credit scores. I found the little cubicle with my name on it. S. McDonough – it seemed so professional! Before sitting down I took a look around me and noticed a name tag on the door behind my cubicle – it said A. Hames. Whew, I couldn't help but feel relieved! A couple hours later that lady walked in and was excited to see her recruiting mission was a success! We chatted a long time about where to start and how to get your business off the ground since she went through it 3 years prior. I was told to get on the phone and call everyone I knew, ask if they want to buy or sell a home. I thought it sounded a bit awkward but off I went and did as I was told. Lucky for me, a whole bunch of people said YES!! My first year was awesome! At that point I knew I could do it. I was in a career that I loved and I was good at! Then it took off!
Fast forward.
A year and a half ago another agent and I realized we were operating under the same business practices, we were producing the same amount of volume, we had the same values and we were both CRAZY BUSY. By now I have a husband, two kids and a large book of business! We decided it was now or never, we were going to join forces and become business partners! I couldn't be more proud of the person who I call my business partner, she's one of the best in the biz, she is so knowledgeable, quick on her toes, feisty - just like me and one of the most genuine people I know. She happens to be that cute blonde lady who stumbled into my office at the title company 10 years ago, ANGELA HAMES!! We have also found the most talented, funny and creative people to join us and keep us in line, Jen Stephens is our amazing assistant. I'm so blessed to have these two ladies by my side, helping to support my growing business!
Thanks to all of you who have believed in me, supported me and assisted me over the past DECADE (damn that makes me feel old)!! CHEERS to the next decade in Real Estate, cheers to Brooks convenient store and candy cigarettes, and cheers to that cute little house which sparked my interest in real estate as a young girl!!
Here is to 2014 – who's home needs my help next?
From the day I turned 18 I had some pressure from my three biggest role models: my parents and my dad's cousin, Terry McDonough. They thought I needed to get into real estate. Although I'd argued "I'm not a kid anymore" for the previous 4 years, I definitely didn't feel like someone my age was ready to be selling real estate. Who was going to trust me with one of the largest purchases of their life? I figured that was far too much responsibility, so I decided while going to school I would work for a title company.
After two years of working for Edina Realty Title I realized I didn't like the job at all. I wanted to be the one at the closing table handing over the keys and hugging the overly-happy people – not the one watching behind the scenes. At 20 years old I needed to fulfill my need for something more – I went shopping...like most girls do – only I went shopping for my very own house! I now realize for a person like me – that was equivalent to buying a puppy rather than having a baby when that's what you truly desire. The new home was fun and I was on my own (other than my best pal, Mudge, we lived together for several years….great memories there!) but it didn't tie me over for long – I wanted more.
One day this cute blonde lady came into the office for a closing. She introduced herself as Angela Hames, she was a realtor out of the Roseville office which Terry McDonough managed. We chatted for a bit and she encouraged me to get my real estate license. I explained my fears: no guaranteed paychecks, no benefits, no health insurance, etc. She listened to what I had to say but said she thought I had what it took to be successful and I should just suck it up! Later that day I received a delivery, it was an adorable little vase with one gorgeous flower in it. I thought to myself, geez I know my boyfriend is sweet but didn't he buy me flowers yesterday?!? I opened the card and it was from that cute blonde lady. I'm still uncertain whether she was sent on a mission to save me, I mean recruit me, or if she just saw something within (I'm going to go with that).
Not long after my encounter with Angela I decided it was time for me to move on and do what I truly wanted to do with my life. I wanted to start my career in real estate. My dad and Terry helped me schedule all the real estate courses needed to obtain my license. Shortly after completing the classes I passed the state and national exams – chose my broker ªTerry McDonough at Edina Realty of course) – and was on my way! I showed up the first day and didn't know what the heck I was supposed to do…Terry got me set up with fancy "For Sale" signs with my name on them (that was kind of cool), head shots for my business cards (also pretty cool), however, I could have used my senior photo from high school since that was the question I got from everybody. Then the scary part came – he threw me in and fed me to the sharks. I was terrified.
I took the stairs to the second floor because I didn't want to be stuck in the elevator with these scary people in fancy suits, talking about appraisals, inspections and credit scores. I found the little cubicle with my name on it. S. McDonough – it seemed so professional! Before sitting down I took a look around me and noticed a name tag on the door behind my cubicle – it said A. Hames. Whew, I couldn't help but feel relieved! A couple hours later that lady walked in and was excited to see her recruiting mission was a success! We chatted a long time about where to start and how to get your business off the ground since she went through it 3 years prior. I was told to get on the phone and call everyone I knew, ask if they want to buy or sell a home. I thought it sounded a bit awkward but off I went and did as I was told. Lucky for me, a whole bunch of people said YES!! My first year was awesome! At that point I knew I could do it. I was in a career that I loved and I was good at! Then it took off!
Fast forward.
A year and a half ago another agent and I realized we were operating under the same business practices, we were producing the same amount of volume, we had the same values and we were both CRAZY BUSY. By now I have a husband, two kids and a large book of business! We decided it was now or never, we were going to join forces and become business partners! I couldn't be more proud of the person who I call my business partner, she's one of the best in the biz, she is so knowledgeable, quick on her toes, feisty - just like me and one of the most genuine people I know. She happens to be that cute blonde lady who stumbled into my office at the title company 10 years ago, ANGELA HAMES!! We have also found the most talented, funny and creative people to join us and keep us in line, Jen Stephens is our amazing assistant. I'm so blessed to have these two ladies by my side, helping to support my growing business!
Thanks to all of you who have believed in me, supported me and assisted me over the past DECADE (damn that makes me feel old)!! CHEERS to the next decade in Real Estate, cheers to Brooks convenient store and candy cigarettes, and cheers to that cute little house which sparked my interest in real estate as a young girl!!
Here is to 2014 – who's home needs my help next?