Ellen Graves

realtor to know Article by Christine Bowen Photos By Liv Michele Berger, The Headshot Gal

Meet the enigmatic force of nature that is reshaping what it means to be a Realtor and rewriting the narrative of success. Ellen Graves, an accomplished real estate agent in Boulder, has grown her business to turn feelings of financial helplessness into empowerment, and now she is paying that forward in our Boulder community.

PROOF

G R A V E S

Ellen never expected to be a Realtor. She approaches the job with a different set of values. Ellen places a strong emphasis on understanding her clients’ unique needs and preferences. She doesn’t just sell houses; she attunes to her clients’ deep desires and sense of possibility, and helps them align with their dreams, leveraging real estate to do that.

She grew up in the picturesque town of Mount Desert in Maine. One day, while flipping through a Yoga Journal Magazine, Ellen discovered Naropa, the only Buddhist university in North America, and felt the call to pursue contemplative psychotherapy there. After a ski season in Vail, she moved to Boulder. The city’s positive atmosphere during snowy days and abundant sunshine quickly endeared Boulder to her, making it a place she hadn’t anticipated staying long-term.

Ellen says, “When it snows here, people are not grumpy, they’re stoked! Don’t get me wrong…Maine is a beautiful place; it’s just different here.”

ELLEN’S JOURNEY:

Following her time at Naropa, Ellen ventured to Alaska, working as a therapist for youth advocates in Sitka.

However, the lack of sunlight during the Alaskan winters proved difficult and prompted her return to Colorado.

Upon her return, a pivotal moment occurred. It led to a decision to step away from being a therapist due to the emotional toll it took on her. “I hold immense admiration for those who can navigate the challenges of that vital profession. However, I realized it wasn’t the right

arious side hustles, ab—anything to make . “It ough difs while seeking a oducers • 27

PROOF

G R A V E S

I HAD THE KIND & COMPASSIONATE SKILLS BUT NEEDED STRENGTH & DIRECTION.

Meet the enigmatic force of nature that is reshaping what it means to be a Realtor and rewriting the narrative of success. Ellen Graves, an accomplished real estate agent in Boulder, has grown her business to turn feelings of financial helplessness into empowerment, and now she is paying that forward in our Boulder community.

Ellen never expected to be a Realtor. She approaches the job with a different set of values. Ellen places a strong emphasis on understanding her clients’ unique needs and preferences. She doesn’t just sell houses; she attunes to her clients’ deep desires and sense of possibility, and helps them align with their dreams, leverag-ing real estate to do that.

She grew up in the picturesque town of Mount Desert in Maine. One day, while flipping through a Yoga Journal Magazine, Ellen discovered Naropa, the only Buddhist university in North America, and felt the call to pursue contemplative psychotherapy there. After a ski season in Vail, she moved to Boulder. The city’s positive

26 • December 2023

atmosphere during snowy days and abundant sunshine quickly endeared Boulder to her, making it a place she hadn’t anticipated staying long-term.

Ellen says, “When it snows here, people are not grumpy, they’re stoked! Don’t get me wrong…Maine is a beautiful place; it’s just different here.”

Following her time at Naropa, Ellen ventured to Alaska, working as a therapist for youth advocates in Sitka.

However, the lack of sunlight during the Alaskan winters proved difficult and prompted her return to Colorado. Upon her return, a pivotal moment occurred.

It led to a decision to step away from being a therapist due to the emotional toll it took on her. “I hold immense admiration for those who can navigate the challenges of that vital profession. However, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me.”

Consequently, Ellen delved into various side hustles, from dog walking to driving a cab—anything to make ends meet, given the high cost of living in Boulder. “It was a challenging period, but I navigated through different jobs, recognizing their difficulties while seeking a better fit for my circumstances.”

The turning point came when, during a moment of reflection in Denver’s City Park, her mother suggested she become a real estate agent. Taking it as a sign, Ellen embraced the idea, completing her classes and obtaining her license on January 1, 2019. Interesting story…prior to obtaining her license and during a cab fare pickup, Ellen encountered the top producer in Boulder at the time. She shared her thoughts about obtaining a real estate license, and this individual wholeheartedly persuaded Ellen to pursue it, highlighting the fulfilling aspects of the profession. Another sign that this was meant to be!

Ellen started her real estate career with 8z, a small local boutique brokerage, and had a wonderful experience with them. She says, “My mentor, Krista Koth, is a powerhouse! She’s incredible. She taught me to negotiate fiercely while being kind and compassionate. I had the kind and compassionate skills but needed strength and direction.”

Later, Ellen transitioned to eXp, where she appreciates the freedom to run her business independently. The skills she acquired as a therapist, including empathy, clarity, and directness, have seamlessly translated into her role as a Realtor.

Ellen takes pride in helping clients navigate the complexities of real estate transactions, and because of her therapeutic background, is uniquely situated to help people move through the challenges of life that come with selling a home.

Whether it is the fear associated with first-time homebuyers, the stress of having to sell a home because of health issues, or the sadness that elders and their families face when handling the sale of an estate, Ellen makes the process feel like growth.

Ellen loves helping new agents build thriving business because her own journey was so empowering for her. Her advice to new agents emphasizes the importance of taking a long-term view and building a solid foundation for their businesses. When Ellen was new at this business, she couldn’t predict how she’d like it. Nevertheless, she took the attitude of approaching it as if she’d be in it for the next 20 to 30 years. In doing so, she considered how her actions that day would contribute to building a great business in the long term.

I HAD THE KIND & COMPASSIONATE SKILLS BUT NEEDED STRENGTH & DIRECTION.

Ellen has contributed financially to support Greenhouse Scholars, a fantastic organization that provides financial assistance to individuals navigating college expenses. Additionally, she endorses Haven Ridge, which aids mothers facing domestic violence situations by offering housing support. On the volunteering front, she contributes her time to the Lafayette Arts Community, an organization responsible for the sculptures seen around town.

It’s really rewarding for her to see the community interacting with and enjoying the sculptures placed. Her husband, Jason, is a renowned muralist and fine artist, so seeing the arts community thrive is a passion.

PROOF

Ellen and Jason share a love for Maui, Hawaii. Both his parents and Ellen’s mom spend time there during January and February. Consequently, they make it a yearly tradition to visit, and it holds special significance as the place where they got engaged and married.

“Our connection with Maui is truly cherished, and we love each visit. Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives, and homes in the fire. While this year I also explored Italy to broaden my horizons, our recurring destinations include both Maine and Hawaii.”

Outside of work, Ellen enjoys the outdoors, participating in activities like paddleboarding, hiking, potlucks with friends, and football days. Ellen, who sings and plays guitar, used to perform before COVID, but now it’s more of a hobby to relax. Her love for music, particularly folk music and artists like Brandi Carlile, is complemented by her husband’s artistic talents. In addition to being a fine art muralist, he is also the owner of Apollo Ink Printing, a reputable and accomplished business that he has operated for over 15 years.

In a world often marked by divisiveness, Ellen sees real estate as an opportunity to foster a sense of connection and shared responsibility. Her vision goes beyond transactions; it is about building a thriving community where homeowners become stewards, caring deeply for the places they call home. Ellen’s journey from therapist to Realtor is not just a professional evolution but one that has deepened her connection to the land, empowered her to contribute, and inspired her pursuit of harmony in the beautiful city of Boulder.

Boulder County Real Producers • 29

The turning point came when, during a moment of reflection in Denver’s City Park, her mother suggested she become a real estate agent. Taking it as a sign, Ellen embraced the idea, completing her classes and obtaining her license on January 1, 2019. Interesting story…prior to obtaining her license and during a cab fare pickup, Ellen encountered the top producer in Boulder at the time. She shared her thoughts about obtaining a real estate license, and this individual wholeheartedly persuaded Ellen to pursue it, highlighting the fulfilling aspects of the profession. Another sign that this was meant to be!

Ellen started her real estate career with 8z, a small local boutique brokerage, and had a wonderful experience with them. She says, “My mentor, Krista Koth, is a powerhouse! She’s incredible. She taught me to negotiate fiercely while being kind and compassionate. I had the kind and compassionate skills but needed strength and direction.”

Later, Ellen transitioned to eXp, where she appreciates the freedom to run her business independently. The skills she acquired as a therapist, including empathy, clarity, and directness, have seamlessly translated into her role as a Realtor.

Ellen takes pride in helping clients navigate the complexities of real estate transactions, and because of her therapeutic background, is uniquely situated to help people move through the challenges of life that come with selling a home.

Ellen and Jason share a love for Maui, Hawaii. Both his parents and Ellen’s mom spend time there during January and February. Consequently, they make it a yearly tradition to visit, and it holds special significance as the place where they got engaged and married.

Whether it is the fear associated with first-time homebuyers, the stress of having to sell a home because of health issues, or the sadness that elders and their families face when handling the sale of an estate, Ellen makes the process feel like growth.

Ellen loves helping new agents build thriving business because her own journey was so empowering for her. Her advice to new agents emphasizes the importance of taking a long-term view and building a solid foundation for their businesses. When Ellen was new at this business, she couldn’t predict how she’d like it. Nevertheless, she took the attitude of approaching it as if she’d be in it for the next 20 to 30 years. In doing so, she considered how her actions that day would contribute to building a great business in the long term.

Ellen has contributed financially to support Greenhouse Scholars, a fantastic organization that provides financial assistance to individuals navigating college expenses. Additionally, she endorses Haven Ridge, which aids mothers facing domestic violence situations by offering housing support. On the volunteering front, she contributes her time to the Lafayette Arts Community, an organization responsible for the sculptures seen around town.

It’s really rewarding for her to see the community interacting with and enjoying the sculptures placed. Her husband, Jason, is a renowned muralist and fine artist, so seeing the arts community thrive is a passion.

“Our connection with Maui is truly cherished, and we love each visit. Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives, and homes in the fire. While this year I also explored Italy to broaden my horizons, our recurring destinations include both Maine and Hawaii.”

Outside of work, Ellen enjoys the outdoors, participating in activities like paddleboarding, hiking, potlucks with friends, and football days. Ellen, who sings and plays guitar, used to perform before COVID, but now it’s more of a hobby to relax. Her love for music, particularly folk music and artists like Brandi Carlile, is complemented by her husband’s artistic talents. In addition to being a fine art muralist, he is also the owner of Apollo Ink Printing, a reputable and accomplished business that he has operated for over 15 years.

In a world often marked by divisiveness, Ellen sees real estate as an opportunity to foster a sense of connection and shared responsibility. Her vision goes beyond transactions; it is about building a thriving community where homeowners become stewards, caring deeply for the places they call home. Ellen’s journey from therapist to Realtor is not just a professional evolution but one that has deepened her connection to the land, empowered her to contribute, and inspired her pursuit of harmony in the beautiful city of Boulder.

www.facebook.com/ EllenPierceRealtor

Ellen Graves (207) 664-9220 ellen@boulderareahomeguide.com ellen@boulderareahomeguide.com

PROOF 28 • December 2023