Staci Kowalczyk

A REAL ESTATE CAREER PRIMED THROUGH LIFE LESSONS

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Stylish Detroit

Photos taken at Cranbrook Custom Homes - Montcaret in Northville

Staci Kowalczyk’s optimistic outlook on life is what has made her successful. She intentionally used her hardships and sacrifices as tools to build a career and savored moments of greatness as inspirations to make a difference. She turned life events into opportunities to become a tough negotiator, a compassionate professional and a top-producing agent.

As a teenager, Staci traveled around the United States playing softball. “Some of my fondest memories were made during those years on the field. I loved being a pitcher and playing on a team,” she said. “My dad was one of the coaches and instilled hard work and dedication, creating my strong work ethic and being a team player. It was a great life experience that I will always treasure.”

Staci went on to attend college at Central Michigan University. While there, she had the opportunity to work as an intern in the Disney College Program. During that time, she learned the secret “magic” to Disney’s customer service. Today, Staci continues to draw upon that knowledge in her real estate work. “I sprinkle kindness and knowledge into each client experience and transaction,” she said with a wink. “Everyone deserves the best possible experience, especially if it has to do with personal investments.”

Growing up, Staci’s parents were successful entrepreneurs and insisted that the family help with the maintenance on their investment properties. “Through endless hard work and tons of painting from myself and my sisters, Jennifer and Samantha, we helped my parents work on rental homes,” Staci explained. “It was never an option; it was expected. Whether we were painting, patching a roof, putting in new cupboards, hauling out garbage or tearing out carpeting, we all helped and worked together to get the job done. I’m thankful for those days because it made me who I am today.” Staci continued, “Real estate has always been in my blood. It influenced me and developed my desire to someday become a real estate agent.”

While Staci had the dreams, drive and knowledge to work in real estate, unforeseen life events led her down a path that looked much different than the one she had originally envisioned.

In 2000, Staci’s son Blake was diagnosed with Autism at age 2. One of the best doctors in the country, a University of Michigan Autism expert at the time, diagnosed that Blake would never talk, read or write. He recommended to Staci and Blake’s dad that they should not waste their time or money on therapies and to simply just love their son, and keep him in special education. Furthermore, they were told that Blake would live with them for the rest of his life.

With grit and determination, tons of love, patience and tears, Blake’s parents found therapies and support to develop Blake’s verbal and social skills, and fine and gross motor capabilities. “I’m pretty sure my intense determination to never give up or quit advocating during Blake’s school years for a free and appropriate public education under the state and federal law was a training ground for future real estate negotiations,” Staci said. “I worked tirelessly to be an advocate — not only for my son but for many others who also were in search of solutions.”

At the time, Staci said she had difficulty finding professionals who were familiar with the complexity of Autism or how to manage it. “Other than the movie ‘Rain Man,’ nobody understood the disability. Therefore, I had to scour the country looking for alternative therapies and like-minded support groups,” she explained. The dynamics of learning about something very few people understood were stressful to Staci, but she forged ahead with a knowledge-is-power mentality.

“Imagine being young parents in your 20s when the internet was a foreign research tool,” Staci said. “Because this was so personal, I became an expert and learned very quickly that no one cares or fights harder about your child than you.”

Because of Staci’s relentless efforts, Blake never relied on medications and successfully attended school in a regular classroom where he learned to read, write and speak. “To this day, it touches my heart when I see the friends he has made over the years at school and in theater,” she shared.

Today, at age 22, he is very social and has a job at The Henry Ford Museum in guest services. He loves painting, building LEGOs and enjoys participating in local theater. “I never accepted the limitations that he was given,” she said. “I was determined to find a better way for my son to have a life he wanted, not what was going to be decided by others. And I did.”

As a result of her dedicated work, Staci became a special education pioneer for Michigan special needs families. She co-founded numerous groups that raised awareness and support for Autism, including My Great Kid, LLC and Great Expectations Family Speech, Sensory Integration & Learning Center. Additionally, Staci launched and co-hosted the radio show “My Great Kid” from 2009-2012, which aired on WAAM Talk Radio in Ann Arbor and Clear Channel Radio. Furthermore, Staci helped co-found and manage The Liberty Kids, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that raised $50,000 in scholarships, which were given to children with Autism and other related disorders.

“Just because life doesn’t go as you may have planned or expected, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world,” Staci shared. “I am stronger today because of these obstacles.”

Six years ago, Staci earned her real estate license, and today, she is with Moving The Mitten Real Estate Group. She has closed more than 200 transactions, along with an impressive career volume of over $52 million in sales. She is a Master Certified Negotiation Expert and one of her brokerage’s top producers.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is being trusted with some of the biggest life decisions a couple, a family or single person can make,” Staci said. “There are so many different variables that bring people to sell or purchase a home. Most of the time it’s an occasion filled with excitement; however, a transaction can also be a result of a divorce or death, and that requires a great deal of compassion.” Regardless of the circumstances that bring Staci’s clients to her, she is unyielding with her empathy and unshakable with her consistent communication and availability.

However, do not mistake Staci’s kindness for weakness.

She is affectionately known in the real estate world as the Sunshine Bulldog. While she has a cheery disposition and sweet demeanor, she is also fearless when it comes to contract negotiations. “I can go head-to-head with the best of them,” Staci said. “I will get the greatest deal I can for my clients and still maintain solid relationships with everyone in the transaction.”

Staci also found personal happiness and love later in life with her boyfriend John. “He’s my love and my best friend,” Staci said. “John and Blake are good friends, and that means the world to me. We all make each other happy with lots of laughter, great conversations and spend quality time together. Life is good; I keep waiting to wake up from this wonderful dream.”

“Despite some ups and downs in my life, everything has worked out better than I ever imagined,” Staci said. “I always wanted to make my real estate dreams come true, and I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of that happening. I can happily say it’s no longer a dream: it’s a reality.”

Agent Spotlight - Staci Kowalczyk