GRAND RAPIDS
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
ANDY
STRAUB SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT LOCKER INSPECTION SERVICES BROKER SPOTLIGHT NICOLE RINKS CHARITY SPOTLIGHT WIGS FOR KIDS Photo credit: Jacob Harr harrcreative.com
MARCH 2021
2 • March 2021
@realproducers
UNLOCK THE DOOR TO HASSLE FREE INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
WHAT WE DO:
WE HELP YOU SAVE
S&G Properties eliminates the stress of property management while saving you money. We have built our reputation on a solid foundation of honesty, integrity, and hard work. Our expertise ensures that our clients enjoy maximum profits while we project their investments.
• We find quality tenants for your property • We provide 24 hour maintenance • We do not up charge on maintenance • Reducing vacancies and late tenant payments • Identify potential problems before they appear • Preform pre-inpections to ensure no time or money is wasted in code violations or late assessments.
CALL US TODAY Let us show you how S&G Property Management is the best solution to managing your investment: Call Bert Heyboer today for a free estimate.
PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
realproducersmag.com
(616)719-0819 4124 KENOWA AVE SW GRANDVILLE, MI 49418 rentsg.com Grand Rapids Real Producers • 3
MEET THE
GRAND RAPIDS REAL PRODUCERS TEAM
Jodie Hawkins Publisher
Jacob Harr Photographer
Troy VanLangen
Production/Videographer
Lindsey Wells Writer
Chris Menezes Writer
If you are interested in contributing or nominating REALTORS® for certain stories, please email us at jodie.hawkins@realproducersmag.com.
COME FLY WITH US + dozens more! Home, Auto, Life, Business, Flood
Philipp Reinartz CIC, LIC Independent Agent
BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP TO PARTNER DIRECTLY WITH LENDERS AND REALTORS Certified Insurance Counselor and Licensed Insurance Counselor
4 • March 2021
@realproducers
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 04
06
10
Meet the Team
Preferred Partners
Sponsor Spotlight: Locker Inspection Services
16
22
26
Broker Spotlight: Nicole Rinks Century 21
Cover Story: Andy Straub
Charity Spotlight Wigs 4 Kids
If you are interested in contributing or nominating Realtors for certain stories, please email us at jodie.hawkins@realproducersmag.com. DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Grand Rapids Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
What We Do?
We provide accurate and complete home inspection reports for home buyers. We work with speed and accuracy and ensure we provide value to our customers.
Why We Do It?
We believe that experience matters. We believe that with experience comes accuracy and comfort of the common unknowns. We believe in sharing our knowledge to make the home buying process less stressful.
About Randy Smith - Owner & Chief Inspector Randy Smith has over 40+ years experience in the new home, remodeling, and real estate business Areas We Serve: Kent County • Ottawa County • Barry County Newaygo County • Muskegon County
616-292-4993
homefacts.weebly.com realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 5
PREFERRED PARTNERS
This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!
FINANCIAL CONSULTING Farm Bureau Insurance Ryan Loucks (616) 988-5072 Farmbureauinsurance.com
INSURANCE AGENCY Farm Bureau Insurance Ryan Loucks (616) 988-5072 Farmbureauinsurance.com
FLOORING Century Flooring and Cleaning (616) 644-5552 century-gr.com
Goosehead Insurance Philipp Reinartz (616) 755-6411 gooseheadgr.com
HOME INSPECTION Big Moose Home Inspections (920) 570-6543 www.Bigmoose.us Home Facts Inspection Services Randy Smith (616) 292-4993 homefacts.weebly.com Locker Inspection Services Josh Locker (616) 490-0512 https://www. lockerinspections.com/ HOME WARRANTY Home Warranty of America Tiffany McDugle (281) 731-7231
6 • March 2021
Michigan Insurance & Financial Services Ben Kacprzyk (616) 918-6868 INTERIOR DESIGN & HOME STAGING Delight In Designs Jessica Crosby (616) 729-4301 delightindesigns.com MORTGAGE Finance of America James Eerdmans (616) 890-9456 foamortgage.com Guaranteed Rate Mike Milanowski (616) 259-5506 Rate.com/ MichaelMilanowski
Lake Michigan Credit Union Zach Tebos (616) 234-6361 LMCU.org
PHOTOGRAPHY harr Creative (517) 974-7809 harrcreative.com
Lake Michigan Credit Union Jake Williams (616) 265-3837 LMCU.org
WindowStill Photography (517) 292-4066
Prime Lending (616) 202-0101 Lo.PrimeLending.com/ GrandRapids Ruoff Mortgage Stacy Miller-Kuiper (616) 430-4141 ruoff.com Team Mortgage (616) 974-9710 ruqualified.com VanDyk Mortgage Corp (616) 940-3000 lendingexcellence.com MOVING SERVICES Scully Statewide (616) 899-7591 scullystatewidemoving.com Trusted Movers (616) 214-2169
PROFESSIONAL JUNK REMOVAL & HAULING Junk Knights Joe Howard (616) 881-4242 junkknights.com RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT S & G Property Management (616) 719-0819 rentsg.com ROOFING/ RESTORATION Roof Maxx Jeff Antvelink (616) 334-3432 roofmaxx.com TITLE AGENCY Lighthouse Title (888) 782-3210 LighthouseTitle.net VIDEO PRODUCTION/ DRONE SERVICES WindowStill Photography (517) 292-4066
@realproducers
With every closing, we’re
clear. concise. communi cation
• Real-time information regarding your loan’s progress. • Includes status updates and/or requested documents. • Alerts you when your loan enters a new stage. • Keeps you informed throughout the entire process: from application to funds wired.
Stacy Miller-Kuiper VP, Branch Manager NMLS: 503826
616.430.4141
stacy.miller-kuiper@ruoff.com Ruoff.com/stacymillerkuiper Ruoff Mortgage Company, Inc., d/b/a Ruoff Home Mortgage, is an Indiana corporation. For complete licensing information visit: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/141868. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS#141868. 06262020
realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 7
8 • March 2021
@realproducers
GET EVERY ISSUE
ON YOUR PHONE GRAND RAPIDS
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
Can’t wait to receive your copy of Grand Rapids Real Producers? Download our digital app and carry every issue in the palm of your hands. Search “Digapub” in your mobile app store, choose “Michigan Grand Rapids Real Producers.” Once there, you can nominate agents, register for our events and share articles to Facebook.
DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP
realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 9
sponsor spotlight Written by Chris Menenzes Photo credit: Jacob Harr harrcreative.com
JOSHUA LOCKER
with Locker Inspection Services
10 • March 2021
@realproducers
PUTTING IN HIS ALL If there is one thing that Joshua Locker knows, it’s homes. A home remodeler before getting into home inspections, Joshua got his start in the industry contracting with insurance companies as an independent inspector. Starting his own business, however, was inevitable for someone like Joshua. Professional, compassionate, and internally driven to give his very best in everything he does, Joshua grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, looking up to his parents, who were both hard-working entrepreneurs. His father was a loan officer and his mother owned her own company. “I spent many nights at my mother’s office and was taught at a very young age what it takes to run a successful business, having literally experienced it firsthand,” Joshua recalls. With entrepreneurialism in his blood, Joshua opened Locker Inspections, LLC. four years ago, and has since built an illustrious reputation in the state of Michigan. Just one quick online search for the countless five-star reviews on this company will tell you everything you need to know. However, we’ll go ahead and tell you more. As a Certified Professional Inspector (which not a requirement for Michigan home inspectors), trained by InterNACHI — the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors — Joshua represents the best trained and most highly qualified inspectors in the business.
realproducersmag.com
With customer service at the forefront, Locker Inspection Services provides a 72-hour inspection guarantee, meaning that your inspection will be scheduled and completed within 72 hours. In addition to the basic home inspections, Locker Inspection Services also
inspects and tests for mold, water quality, radon, and termites. Joshua says they are also expanding into well and septic inspections in 2021 as well. “Our goal is to set a new industry standard on how home inspections are being conducted, including
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 11
exceptional customer service and going above and beyond for our clients,” says Joshua. “We want to create a positive experience for our clients, inevitably making the process of buying a home a great success, not just for our clients, but for all parties involved,” he continues. Joshua knows that education is paramount when it comes to customer service— educating clients about their home, as well as ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding the home inspection process, including the real estate agents he works with. As a certified CE Course Instructor, Joshua also provides REALTORS® with specialized instruction about the home inspection process. When Joshua isn’t helping REALTORS® and their clients, he enjoys volunteering in the community, attending charitable events, and meeting new people. In his free time, he also loves piloting small aircrafts, playing guitar and golfing. To get Joshua and Locker Inspection Services on your team, give him a call at 616-490- 0512, or visit www.lockerinspections.com for more information. “I’ve always been a firm believer in what you put into life, is what you get out of it. I’m dedicated to putting in my very best to help people through the home buying process, to alleviate the potential stress of a home inspection, and to help secure a person’s largest financial investment,” says Joshua.
12 • March 2021
@realproducers
OUR GOAL IS TO SET A NEW INDUSTRY STANDARD ON HOW HOME INSPECTIONS ARE BEING CONDUCTED, INCLUDING EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR OUR CLIENTS.”
realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 13
HOME STAGING T H E P O W E R T H AT S E L L S R E A L E S TAT E
R
E
T A
I
L
S
T
O
R
E
&
D
E
S
I
G
N
S
T
U
D
I
O
5426 NORTHLAND DR. NE GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49525 • (616) 288-9780 • DELIGHTINDESIGNS.COM
WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED!
• FREE Seller’s Coverage • VIP concierge service for agents • No cap on refrigerant • Online ordering • Re-key service and claims www.hwahomewarranty.com - Real Estate Professionals
Ask me about our monthly promo!
Tiffany McDugle | Account Executive
281-731-7231 Tiffany.mcdugle@hwahomewarranty.com
14 • March 2021
@realproducers
CONVENIENCE AND QUALITY Lighthouse Title Group is one of the largest independently owned title agencies in Michigan with many convenient West Michigan locations.
Choose the title agency that regards flawless service as the highest priority. 4165 Prairie St SW Grandville, MI 49418 616-724-2200
4950 Plainfield Ave NE Suite B-1 Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-842-4907
1777 R W Berends Dr SW Wyoming MI 49519 616-432-6430
lighthousetitle.net
Insuring from the house to the lives that make a home.
From home to life insurance we have you covered Ryan Loucks Farm Bureau Agency 616.988.5072 realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 15
broker spotlight Photo Credit: Jacob Harr with harrcrearive.com Written by: Lindsey Wells
Photo Credit: harr Creative
16 • March 2021
@realproducers
Photo Credit: harr Creative
NICOLE RINKS
Century 21 Affiliated
ew and far between are the leaders who are genuinely on your side, who treat your opportunities and challenges as their own. One such leader is Nicole Rinks, a broker at Century 21 Affiliated whose passion for real estate, aside from providing her clients with superior customer service, is mentoring and taking care of her agents.
clients’ faces when they’ve found their dream home. “It’s a whole lifelong process,” she said. “People buy houses when they’re getting married, when they’re having babies, when they’re moving—there are a lot of life experiences that go hand-in-hand, and it’s so nice to be a part of that and walk that walk with friends, family, and even people that you just get to meet.”
Nicole, born and raised in Grand Rapids, was licensed in real estate at the age of 18 in 2001. Her mother-in-law, an already-established agent at that time, piqued Nicole’s interest in the industry and showed her the ropes. “I had a young family at the time; I was a young mom,” Nicole said. “I had young kids, and it worked well for my schedule, being able to be home with them more.”
As for her own family, Nicole’s husband, Barry, works in the construction industry. They have four boys, Justin, Collin, Gavin, and Brady. When she isn’t doing real estate, Nicole is heavily involved in the local 4-H club. She has been a 4-H leader for about 20 years, something she got into when her kids were young. “I’ve always been a horse lover. When I was a kid, I always wanted a horse, and I always wanted to do these things, but we just never had that when I was younger,” Nicole said. She got her kids involved in it and has since continued to
Fast-forward 20 years and, to this day, Nicole never ceases to find joy in seeing the happiness on her realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 17
work with other youth. “4-H doesn’t just deal with animals. Sometimes the kids do art projects, agricultural projects, photography. There’s a whole scope of things that they can do to keep them involved.”
Photo Credt: Signature Photography Studios
Other than that, the Rinks family just enjoys being together, whether that means camping in their RV or spending time at their hobby farm. As broker of her Century 21 Affiliated office, Nicole focuses not only on her clients but the development of the agents she leads. “I partnered to start this office about a year-and-a-half ago. The reason I found Century 21 appealing was that they didn’t already have
Photo Credt: Signature Photography Studios
18 • March 2021
@realproducers
“
REAL ESTATE IS HARD, SO SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH GREAT PEOPLE WHO WALK THE SAME WALK AS YOU IS IMPORTANT.
a huge footprint in Grand Rapids,” she said. “I knew that I could build an office with great people the way that I envisioned a productive, healthy culture. I’ve been pretty motivated and intentional about who comes on because we have a great spirit of camaraderie. We don’t function as a team, but we still very much act that way. Our agents are team players; they always want to help each other.” Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you the atmosphere at this brokerage is a fun-loving one. “It’s just a great environment to come into every day. We can count on each other. I truly love the people who have come to this company, and I couldn’t do this without them,” Nicole added. As of now, there are 42 agents at Century 21 Affiliated in Grand Rapids, one of whom is Nicole’s son, Justin. “Real estate is hard, so surrounding yourself with great people who walk the same walk as you is important. Working in a 100 percent commission business, it’s stressful. You never know where that next paycheck is coming from. Being around people who feel that, who have felt that, it’s just nice to know that they understand what you’re going through.”
Photo Credt: Signature Photography Studios
realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 19
WHO WE ARE We offer local residential and commercial moving services, as well as long-distance moves. We also provide pool table assembly, swing set assembly, white-glove services, wall art placement, and large single item moves such as hot tubs, safes, or other large items. We offer free walk-throughs or virtual walk-throughs in order to customize your move to your exact needs. Call us today at (616) 214-2169 to discuss your upcoming move. 20 • March 2021
@realproducers
Grow your business with
AGENTADVANTAGE AGENTS.RATE.COM
• Linked – The easiest way to connect me and your client • Loan Status Monitor – Text or email updates on the milestones you care about. • A Complete Marketing Platform – Access to a suite of marketing materials to help build your brand. • Coaching Videos – The nation’s top agents share their best practices. • The path to success is just a click away! Mike Milanowski O: (616) 259-5506 Rate.com/michaelmilanowski michael.milanowski@rate.com 6140 28th St SE, Suite 125 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Vice President of Mortgage Lending NMLS ID: 127721 Mike Milanowski: NMLS ID:127721 Guaranteed Rate: NMLS ID: 2611
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/2611
check out Guaranteed Rate’s Agent Advantage realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 21
charity spotlight By Robbyn Moore
Wigs 4 Kids A Beautiful Advocate for Kids
W4K has been able to serve over 4,700 Michigan children from 49 different counties at no charge to them or their families.
When Maggie Varney became a licensed cosmetologist over 40 years ago, she had no idea the impact she would later have on the lives of so many children. Because of her kindness, effort and care, thousands of children who experience hair loss can receive wigs and support services at no charge throughout the state of Michigan. Maggie’s inspiration and passion began when she was volunteering her time through the American Cancer Society to help adults deal with appearance-related side effects from cancer treatments. After years of teaching the class, Maggie met a young girl who attended the workshop with her mother. Thinking the young girl was there to support her mother, Maggie soon learned it was the young girl who needed the assistance. Unfortunately, at the time, wigs were tailored in a style for adults — leaving little or no options for a child or a teen’s head. Maggie invited the young girl to her salon and quickly figured out a way to provide
22 • March 2021
A typical wig retails between $2,500$3,000, costing W4K $800 and 16 hours of labor. “Each child’s story is so unique,” Maggie shared. “It is an honor and privilege to give a unique service during a time of uncertainty.”
Eleni, one of the organization’s newest children who experiences alopecia.
the support she needed. With the young girl as Maggie’s catalyst, she launched Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc. (W4K). Seventeen years later, through the kindness and generosity of others,
The non-profit organization provides wigs and support to children ages 3-18 who experience hair loss due to cancer, alopecia, trichotillomania, hydrocephalus, lupus, blood disorders, severe burns, dog bites, autism, down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Each child gets a custom-made wig based on their individual head size. They also receive support service classes, social activities, field trips and counseling. Maggie explained, “Our goal is to provide a wig to every Michigan child in need. Since we opened our services in 2003 — thanks to the open hearts of the
@realproducers
Emily, the organization’s very first wig recipient who had cancer.
Greg, who had cancer, and received a wig.
community — no child has ever been turned away and there’s never been a waiting list.” Maggie devotes 90 hours a week to managing the organization — including community outreach and fundraising. “I give so much of my time because that’s the level of dedication and commitment it takes to run a successful non-profit group,” she said. “It’s all worth it to ensure every child’s needs are met. I always make sure the children’s needs are taken care of first.” While Maggie is the face of W4K, she points out she is not alone in her efforts. There is a team of talented and hard-working individuals helping to support the group as well as an impressive Board of Directors, and hundreds of volunteers and businesses, schools and churches who believe in the mission. “Our dream is to double the number of children we serve — requiring a much bigger space than our current facility,” Maggie said. “We are in the midst of a capital campaign to raise funds and build a permanent brick-and-mortar wellness center where we can expand our programming.” To help with this initiative — through the donation and support from the DG Foundation and Keller Williams Great Lakes — W4K was given a house to restore and sell for seed money for their capital campaign. “The house was boarded and needed a lot of work,” she said, “But we put $20,000 into it and sold it for
realproducersmag.com
Kendall, who has trichotillomania, the compulsive urge to pull hair.
$60,000 — giving us a solid base to launch our campaign.” Adding to that, W4K was awarded a $122,000 grant from the women’s group, Impact 100 Metro Detroit. “The grant money helped us purchase property to build a facility where the children will always have a place to come and heal from the side effect of hair loss,” Maggie shared. “To me, that was our most successful effort on behalf of the program — validating the work we do, the difference we make throughout the state and allowing us to continue our mission.” The new wellness center will offer further program expansion and increase the capacity of children served. W4K receives calls from around the world, seeking to replicate the program. Maggie explained, “Children experiencing hair loss is not a local or national issue — it’s universal.” The group receives hair donations from 62 countries around the globe. “There’s nothing else like this organization anywhere in the world. We’re unique and address the appearance-related, emotional, social and psychological issues children have as they journey through their health challenge.”
affects them when they are going through health challenges, and then later in life — after they’ve healed — seeing them become more sensitive to others, mentoring to others in the program, and even volunteering and fundraising,” she said. Unfortunately, Maggie sees about 25% of the kids lose their battle to their illness. With a somber tone, Maggie shared, “It’s the most challenging part of what I do — each child is special and leaves an imprint on my heart.” Maggie finds a good life-work balance with the support of her husband, Bobby — a REALTOR® at Keller Williams Great Lakes — who helps her in the community and serves on the advisory board. Also serving on the advisory board is Carol Lukity, Real Living Realty and Karla Orlando, Business Development Officer, Senior Vice President at Huntington Bank. To find out how to get involved or for more information, please visit www. wigs4kids.org or call 586-772-6656.
For Maggie, working with the kids is the most fulfilling part of what she does — seeing the positive impact is the most rewarding. “I watch these children grow up and see how it
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 23
Trust Your Precious Cargo to Michigan’s Best Movers! R E S I D E N T I A L M OV I N G Across the street or across the country, Scully Statewide Moving is your best resource for an affordable residential move. C O M M E R C I A L M OV I N G When moving your business, you want an easy experience with minimal interruption. Scully commercial moves are fast, efficient, and will keep costs down. PAC K I N G S U P P L I E S Scully Statewide Moving has everything you need for packing up all your possessions. Our team of experts knows what works, and will deliver the best packing materials right to your door! LO N G D I STA N C E M OV I N G Across the State or across the Great Lake States
For over 70 years, the Grand Rapids moving experts at Scully Statewide Moving have proudly offered top quality moving services at the lowest rates in Michigan for local and long-distance moves. Our experts will handle all your possessions with care to ensure it always arrives safely and on time.
LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE MOVERS 616.899.7591 • CALL TOLL FREE – 800.213.9653 STORAGE NOW AVAILABLE! LOCAL STATE OF THE ART STORAGE FACILITY • CLIMATE CONTROLLED FACILITY
BRING YOUR WEBSITE TO LIFE!
Your business should be bringing in more leads but your website is holding you back! www.digitaln2.com
24 • March 2021
@realproducers
TEAM MORTGAGE: DEDICATED - KNOWLEDGABLE - EXPERIENCED SERVICES NON-QM Loan Programs VA, FHA, Conventional & much more VA, FHA, Conventional Home Improvement Loans Rural Development Loans Zero Down Mortgage Loans One time FHA VA & RD construction loans Reverse Mortgage Loans
Team Mortgage Company is dedicated to the belief that Everybody Deserves a home! The experience and knowledge deliver quality results!
Who’s your team?
NMLS#129757
WWW.RUQUALIFIED.COM · 616-974-9710
CHANCES ARE, THE ROOF DOESN'T ACTUALLY NEED TO BE REDONE... REJUVENATE! DON'T REPLACE!
WHEN CONFIDENCE MATTERS…
BIG MOOSE DELIVERS!
SERVING WEST MICHIGAN
Top 3 Reasons REALTORS® Love Roof Maxx:
1-800-531-0233 • 616-550-9578
1) Handle roofing objections before they come up & make your listings even more marketable!
bigminspections@gmail.com
2) Save transactions that involve roofing concerns for your buyers! 3) Stay top of mind by referring your past customers so they can save money!
RoofMaxx.com | (616) 334-3432 realproducersmag.com
David Jones
FREE RADON TESTING WITH HOME INSPECTION FOR OUR REAL PRODUCER AGENTS. Mention code #RP10021 - Offer Expires 6/30/2021
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 25
cover story Written by Chris Menenzes Photo credit: Jacob Harr harrcreative.com
26 • March 2021
@realproducers
FINDING TRUE SUCCESS
Andy Straub G
reat success can often come at a great cost. And when we realize what we’ve lost and try to correct course, we often blame some external factor, something we can easily change, rather than focusing on the thing that is hardest to change—ourselves. Andy Straub knows this better than anyone. Andy always wanted to be a successful business owner. He skipped college in order to get a head start on a career, having received a great job offer out of high school. He eventually started a contracting company that did painting, cleaning, carpet cleaning, and restoration for property management companies and colleges. And he was hugely successful, mainly because he worked incredibly hard . . . too hard, in fact. Andy worked so much that he was missing out on his family, especially during summers, when his business was exceptionally busy. Andy and his wife of 22 year, Amy, have five kids— Anna (18), Jenelle (17), Kayla (13), Nathan (10), and Jordan (8).
realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 27
Andy first came to this realization one day when his wife sent him a picture of his son holding a blue sand bucket with a bass hanging out of it. She explained that he caught the fish by putting a piece of bread in the bottom of the bucket and sitting it in the water. “When I saw the photo, and she told me what he did, I went from thinking he was a genius to all of a sudden crying. He would always ask me to fish with him, and I never had the time,” Andy explains. “I remember thinking that he didn’t care where we lived, what I drove, how much money I had, or how big my business was. He just wanted my time and attention.” At that moment, Andy decided to sell his business. And it sold pretty quickly. While waiting on the sale to close, Andy remembers being on his way to a daddy daughter dance, thinking about what he was going to do next and having no clue. After an hour or so at the dance, an acquaintance came up to Andy and told him, if he ever got out of what he was doing that he should go into real estate. “He had noticed how many people I connected with in the short time at the dance and said I would do really well,” Andy explains. “So I signed up for the class that week and was licensed a few weeks later.” When Andy started in real estate in 2015, he quickly did well, and soon, his competitive nature kicked in. His goal was to be the number one agent in his office, or as close as possible to that. As business came in and he started to grow, Andy said yes to everyone. He was scheduling 20+ showings a day, working from 4 AM to almost midnight, nearly every night. He had tremendous success of course—number one in the office, top 15 of all agents in West Michigan. However, he was in the same exact situation he was in before starting real estate in the first place—severely dropping the ball at home, and neglecting his family. Then, the pandemic hit and everything shut down. “During the lockdown, I had a lot of time to think, and also to spend with my family,” says Andy. “After a really hard, but good conversation with my middle daughter at 11pm one night, I started to realize that I didn’t really know my kids as well as I thought, or wanted to, and they certainly didn’t know me.” “I remember thinking to myself that if I wasn’t forced to shut down and do nothing, then that
28 • March 2021
conversation would have never happened. Many times in life, you don’t realize what you’re missing until you realize what you’re missing.” As Andy began to realize the steps he needed to take to get back to his family and engage more at home—namely, selling their newly built dream home and taking his foot off the gas in real estate— he began to see the root of his problems: an over inflated ego, fueled by fear. “Seeing my name go down on the list of top producing agents, when I had always seen it at the top, was a huge lesson in humility and a check to my ego. I never realized how large my ego was and how much I struggled with humility until then,” Andy says. Upon further examination, Andy realized it was all rooted in fear—the fear of scarcity, of business running out, of letting people down. He realized he cared way too much about how people perceived him, and how his success in business provided him a sense of worth. The ironic thing is that those fears were all based on false notions, the more “successful” he became. “I had a lot of business in the pipeline and way more money than I needed,” Andy explains. “So, my fears of scarcity and of failure were at a minimum, and my ego was well cared for. Yet, it was costing me time with my wife and kids. I was gone most of the time and even when I was around I wasn’t present. I would be glued to my phone and completely checked out from engaging with my family. Before I knew it, years were lost.” Andy starts his day praying now for humility and peace to be at the forefront of his mind, instead of pride and fear. He knows that he has to overcome these things every day, to be intentional about maintaining balance, to make sure his family knows that they are his number one priority. He enjoys spending as much time as he can at home now, when he isn’t working. He also enjoys searching for income properties and says he’ll always be involved in real estate investing, even if he hangs up his license one day. “To me, success is having a positive impact on those around you,” says Andy. “But, if you’re not succeeding at home, you’re not really succeeding.”
@realproducers
“
To m e , s u c c e s s is having a positive impact on those around you. But, if you’re not s u c c e e d i n g AT HOME, you’re not really succeeding.
realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 29
$50 GIFT VOUCHER y
Redeemable for $50 Off Your Certified Home Inspection.
SERVICES WE OFFER • InterNACHI Certified Home Inspections • IAC2 Certified Mold Inspections • Air Quality Testing • Radon Testing • Water Testing • Lawn Irrigation System Inspections • Pool and Spa Inspections • Move-in Certified Seller Inspections • Termite Inspections & More
FREE WITH EVERY HOME INSPECTION FREE Basic Termite Inspection FREE Thermal Imaging Inspection FREE Home Maintenance Book FREE Buyback Guarantee
WHAT SETS US APART
LOCKER INSPECTION SERVICES LLC
• 72-hour Inspection Guarantee • 60-Second EASY Online Shceduler • Best Customer Service in West Michigan • InterNACHI Certified Inspectors • Offering Continuing Education Courses • Buyer Protection Guaranteed • Monthly Promotions, Rebates, and Discounts • Payment at Closing Option • And much... much... more!
800 MONROE AVE NW | SUITE 230 | GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503
(616) 490-0512
www.lockerinspections.com facebook.com/lockerinspections josh@lockerinspections.com
|U M
BR
EL
LA
|L IF
E
|B
U
SI
N ES S
WE ARE THE PREMIER HOMETOWN/LOCAL HOME & AUTO INSURANCE BROKER.
|A E M H O
Purchasing your dream home is a huge milestone. Place your trust in us to protect it. We offer total protection for your home, auto, life & business
U TO
MICHIGAN INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
30 • March 2021
We believe our core mission is to bless the communities that we live and work in. Therefore it is our mission as an agency to give back to the Michigan communities that we serve. We refer everyone to our mission via #MIAFSGivesBack.
Benjamin T. Kacprzyk
Agency Partner, Michigan Insurance & Financial Services Phone: 616-918-6868 Cell: 616-821-5950 ben@miafs.com www.miafs.com
@realproducers
realproducersmag.com
Grand Rapids Real Producers • 31
There are Mortgage Lenders
AND THEN THERE’S US
Ed Napieralski
GREG CLAUSEN
BEN KAKKURI
NEIL SIEBERT
Loan Originator NMLS# 1527296 616-970-9800 ed.napieralski@primelending.com
Loan Originator NMLS# 1065023 616-901-0690 greg.clausen@primelending.com
Production Manager NMLS# 728157 616-822-6557 ben.kakkuri@primelending.com
Loan Originator NMLS# 136552 616-450-7886 neil.siebert@primelending.com
Our core purpose is working together to have a profound and positive impact on the lives of all we serve. With our national strength and local expertise, you can feel secure. We make the home loan process simple, clear and timely www.primelending.com Grand Rapids Branch | 3210 Eagle Run Drive NE #202 | Grand Rapids, MI 49525
PrimeLending NMLS: 13649. Equal Housing Lender.