Since entering into real estate, I’ve often heard a common sentiment from other brokers and agents that usually goes something like: “I’ve worked in this or that profession, and I’m not sure how I got here (to real estate), but that profession serves me well now that I’m a realtor.”
That about sums it up for my situation; and frankly, it makes sense as to why that is a reality so many realtors have in common. This is because real estate requires you to wear many hats – and to be great in this industry – many of them well.
So, how I got here: I double majored in Marketing and Journalism at UWM, and spent my summers (and many years previously) helping my father (a contractor) whenever I could by doing various handyman-type work. I entered the job market at a time when the Great Recession happened to coincide with the launch of Twitter – two events that significantly changed the fabric of business and media. I spent the next six years writing for a large media conglomerate and other various publications – mainly sports, politics, and entertainment. I loved, and still love writing; but the aforementioned effects of social media, and the uncertainty it brought to Journalism as a whole, spurred me to change course in my late 20’s. With the Great Recession in the rear view mirror, I took a new position in the business world as the marketing manager for a property management firm in Milwaukee, where I eventually became the head of leasing as well. In that capacity, I needed to have a real estate license to negotiate leases. At that point, I had garnered quite a few of the tools necessary to be successful in real estate – none of which were by design. Sounds familiar.
During that time, Faye Becker (of Faye Becker Homes) and my mother Rosa Stong (of RStong Realty) joined forces to form Becker Stong Real Estate Group, Inc. – based in Wind Point. My father supported the firm with his skills as a contractor and Mr. jack-of-all-trades; and I, at the beginning, was doing “real estate things” simply to help. Eventually, that led to the realization that I loved real estate, with the added bonus of working and seeing my family day-in and day-out. I left property management, and cut my teeth at a major real estate firm, before officially joining Becker Stong in 2020.
That has turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Becker Stong has expertise in interior design, law, property management, IT, residential and commercial leasing, and HOA’s – to name a few; with what I humbly contribute, I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this team. We’re not a large firm; but we bring such a wide array of experience to the table, so we are able to offer (and deliver!) to our clients the results and reach of a big-box firm, with the client-focused attention of a boutique firm.
When I’m not working, I love staying active by playing sports, working out, and coaching. I also enjoy going to almost any sporting event; especially Packers, Brewers, and Bucks. You’ll find me exploring around my Brady street neighborhood on Milwaukee’s east side, having a beach day, or going to dinner or a movie.
Now that you’ve gotten to know me, it would be my pleasure to meet and work with you when buying or selling a home!