We did it.
We left our Keller Williams office.
Now, we stayed with Keller Williams (the company), but switched offices. We needed to find new leadership, new culture and an overall new atmosphere that better “fit” who we are as a team.
We had been with the same office for almost 5 years, and over that time, it was feeling less and less like “home.” So, we started to think about our options. With ZERO resistance from our local office leadership, we set out looking for a new home for our team.
We interviewed (almost) every office (independent and national) in town and began to think that maybe we should venture out on our own. I have to say that this thought both excited AND terrified me.
We researched and researched and researched what it would take to be independent … all the time with that nagging part of me knowing that I would miss being a part of the Keller Williams family.
Then, one day we were asked to check out the little KW office that just opened up in Downtown Colorado Springs. Different location. Different leadership. Different culture. So … on a whim, we interviewed with them.
I never felt do instantly at HOME in my entire life, and we signed up that day.
Of course, the transition has been “interesting” … but the outcome is amazing. Our new office has a great culture, amazing leadership and everyone has welcomed our team with open arms. Not to mention … we scored a KILLER location!
Derek and I are a part of the ALC (Agent Leadership Council – kind of like the Board of Directors) and we attended our first meeting a few weeks ago. I had never been in a more productive meeting in my life. What was really cool, was that the idea was brought up of pulling an office ad in one of the Home-Books … and it was immediately shot down, because “most people start their home search online.” Instead we put together some classes to increase the web presence of our agents … individually.
W00t! These are MY KIND OF PEOPLE!
So, in the footprints of Ines, Ginger, Jim and others … The Wagner iTeam now has a new home.
ines
March 13, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Congratulations Mariana (and Derek) – what I find interesting about this is our conversation a few years ago (can you believe that?) where I told you that we started in KW and their culture did not match ours at all and we were really turned off by the whole KW concept although we really liked their business model.
Goes to show that each office can be very different and the move may not necessarily mean leaving the brokerage. Best of luck to you guys, I know how tough a decision like that can be.
Mariana Wagner
March 13, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Thanks Ines!! We are very very happy. 🙂
Cindy Marchant
March 13, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Freak me out with the snipet on facebook! Got over as quick as my fingers could go…and delighted to see you are still with KW. The thing about KW is that it is education based and puts God first; how do you find a better fit??? That’s my take anyway.
On a side note; I have never seen someone change their profile picture on facebook as much as you do….you hopefully don’t have that many personality’s or will have to change your name to Sybil!! 🙂
Mariana Wagner
March 13, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Cindy – HA! That is funny. I didn’t even think about how that would look from FB. 🙂
(Even funnier … You would not be the first person to compare me to Sybil because of my frequent FB profile pic changes.)
Bill Lublin
March 13, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Mariana ; Just saw the fbook line and jumped over to see whassup with the whoot! Best of luck in your new home – business models aside, being at home in the culture is the real deal –
Missy Caulk
March 14, 2009 at 8:17 am
Yea I’m very happy at KW too.
I asked my son to take all my Remax signs to a friends pole barn the other day.
He asked my why I just didn’t throw them away. I told him, “you never know”.
My team leader is the best manager I have EVER had, but what if he left or moved on?
Scary…
Glad you found a new home but the same home.
Jim Gatos
March 15, 2009 at 6:57 am
Congrats! I was with KW in the 2004 – 2006 years, and went back to CBRB. Deep down I missed the “Model” and after discussions with my former owner from KW, decided to join a smaller KW in Westborough. I can empathize with where you’re coming from. You never know too BUT I can tell you, comparing models, for me, nothing really can beat KW. Sorry Realogy, I really really tried…
Jim
Dere Shuler
March 18, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Congrats Mariana! Wow, it seems like a lot of people have a KW background here. I hope you guys love your new office! I love the support they give for technology and Gary/Dave’s systems approach to building a business.
Derec