The Painted Zebra - Issue 6

the painted zebra ISSUE 6

marketing inspiration and business savvy

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Brand Reveal: Rhonda Bleck Agent Spotlight: Colette Rarden Geographical Niche: Laurie Way Multi-Lingual Support: Santiago Ramos & Maria Ramos Historic Homes Niche: Susan Shorett, Marie Strong Before & After, Luxury Niche: Barbara Clark Solutions: Branding & Systems Testimonials

Meet the Team

from my desk...

2020 has arrived - a new year, a new decade, and a clean slate which allows for new goals, better plans and renewed energy. I am not a person that believes that the beginning of a new year is the only time to make a resolution; I believe that every new day gives us an opportunity to improve our lives and to stop doing things that aren’t serving us well. The key to change is to remove the negotiables in your life to make room for the non-negotiables. Each of us has a specific budget of time to reach our goals, spend time with our loved ones, and take care of ourselves. If you are wasting time on negotiable tasks (such as surfing the web, watching too much television, or wasting time on volunteer activities that aren’t having the impact you want) you won’t have time for the non-negotiables (such as time with kids, important business tasks, or health care appointments).

Building a successful business and making big changes requires an honesty audit on what you do with your time. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or tired it is usually because I have allowed the negotiables to sneak into my schedule.

Instead of a New Year’s resolution, make a promise to do an honesty audit every time you find yourself getting overwhelmed or are having trouble reaching your goals.

Use this opportunity to make 2020 your best year ever both in business and in your personal life!

-Denise Lones, President

brand reveal RHONDA BLECK | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Rhonda Bleck of West Seattle provided us with inspiration to create this very memorable brand that highlights her special passion – mid-century modern homes.

agent spotlight I N T R O D U C I N G

Colette Rarden When we think of niche markets, Colette

go where there is no cell service and get back

Rarden is one of the first people to come

to my roots.

to mind. She and her right-hand associate, Hailey, have jumped head first into consistently

How has this love helped you in your real

marketing themselves as the go-to equestrian

estate business?

experts in their area.

Real estate can consume you if you let it.

Riding allows me to disconnect from the office,

Tell us about your love of horses.

and connect with people who have similar

I have been riding since I was old enough to sit

interests, such as farming, biking, motorcycling

in a saddle. I love to get away on trail rides and

and snowmobiling. Kittitas County is a great

go high-country packing. I have the freedom to

place for recreational activities.

Did you receive any special training or education on the different

Do you have any advice for others considering a niche market?

elements of a horse property?

I highly recommend finding a niche market. Having a niche

Much of my knowledge about equestrian and farm properties

doesn’t mean that you can’t sell other properties. I fought it for a

are from my own experience and wisdom passed down from

while because I thought it would pigeon-hole me and turn away

generations of friends and family. I belong to and support several

potential clients who are not interested in horses. However,

local horse communities such as Roslyn Riders and Backcountry

my specialized marketing rolled into other types of properties.

Horsemen. My expertise and connections have given me the

It doesn’t matter what you do, just specialize in something so

ability to help not only people with horses, but those with

you can stand out above everyone else who doesn’t have that

cattle and other livestock. I am able to provide insight into farm

one thing that makes them special. Don’t be afraid to show your

layouts, in terms of what works best and what can cause issues,

passion, it’s what makes you relatable.

and topics such as functional barn layouts and pasture rotations.

I can spot things that may cause danger and need repairs. My

What advice can you share about marketing yourself?

knowledge of horses makes all the difference.

The biggest thing I am learning is that consistency is key. No

How have you shared this savvy to build your team?

Hailey had limited interaction with horses before I brought her in to work with me five years ago. She rides every chance we get. She is learning firsthand, and already knows so much more about equestrian and farm properties than many brokers.

matter what you do to market your business, find out what works, and stick with it. Niche markets require consistency and a length of time to develop. Give yourself at least a year of solid marketing, and make adjustments as you go. Consistency over time is something I would encourage everyone to try.

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laurie way The most effective farming includes consistent messaging and layers of media to appeal to the widest range of individuals. Seattle’s Lake Union expert, Laurie Way understands not only the appeal of waterfront, but also the responsibilities – docks, plant life, setbacks, and more. As a boat owner, she also offers an additional layer of expertise. Her regularly-mailed communication provides market expertise that is unsurpassed!

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maria & santiago ramos Red Rock Real Estate is led by brother and sister team, Maria and Santiago Ramos. They have built an incredible multi-faceted business that empowers first time homebuyers and have a reputation for providing exceptional support to the Spanish-speaking community. Between commercial real estate, residential real estate, and investing, the Ramos team has the knowledge and passion to help their clients achieve their dreams and beyond.

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susan shorett When you take a passion for history and architecture and combine it with real estate, the result is an agent who cares not only deeply for her clients, but about being good stewards of historic properties. Susan Shorett has restored properties herself and is currently curating and documenting the architectural works of one of the Puget Sound area’s treasured architects and her greatuncle, Arthur Loveless. Her brand incorporates vintage family photos and a book-themed logo that ties in her love of the history behind the homes she sells.

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marie strong Marie Strong is passionate for historic homes, great neighborhoods, good design, and architectural preservation. Marie has served on the Historic Seattle Foundation Board as Past President, the City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board, Harvard Belmont Landmark District Review Committee, and the King County Historic Preservation/Programs Special Task Force. Her first-hand knowledge of the preservation process and her serving as a liaison between the past and present has made her a go-to resource for anyone who has a historic home and is in need of specialty resources or those considering a sale who require distinctive marketing. Marie sees effective preservation as retaining the beauty and uniqueness of the past while building a bridge to the future through functional improvements and re-use.

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before & after BARBARA CLARK

After ten years using her well-known brown and gold brand, Barbara Clark decided she was ready for a brand refresh. Barbara specializes in waterfront and luxury residential real estate in Edmonds, Washington, and is known for exceptional service, staging and interior design expertise, and lifelong client care.

She inspired us with a gorgeous sunset color palette. Using her elegant name treatment and updating the energetic swirls from her original brand, we created a fresh new look that embodies Barbara’s fun, sweet, and classy personality.

Barbara had a unique vision for her monogram logo, which ended up tying the whole brand together. She sketched a calligraphy-style B with a loopy C, and our team created a graphic that brought her vision to life. The final logo perfectly blends the swirls and name treatment she had loved from her original brand.

Barbara collaborated with us every step of the way to achieve her new look, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.

Just Listed

B E F O R E

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A F T E R

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T HE SYST EMS YOU NEED...

CREATE A BR AND

UPDAT E A BR AN D

EXPA ND YO U R S Y S TE M S TO O L B OX

Our brand and system development will provide you with the visual impact your business needs to succeed.

T HE BR AND T H AT T I ES I T ALL TOGE THE R

"The Lones Group has been overwhelmingly the best thing I have ever done for my business."

"I feel blessed to have you in my corner for all my new marketing materials."

“I so appreciate everything you ladies do! Best decision I ever made.”

-Gary Nims

– Francine Schneider

-Andrea Schmidt

Windermere

REMAX

John L. Scott

"I'm a client for life. Love how much you all help."

– Kristin Bushnell Owner, Bushnell Real Estate Solutions

Interested in learning more? Call or Text 360-527-8904 or email support@thelonesgroup.com to book your free consultation today!

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A big thank you to our Real Estate Success Summit 2020 Sponsor: Drew Ebner Senior Loan Officer

Guild Mortgage (206) 686-6015 150 20th Ave Ste. 300 Bellevue, WA 980005

The Lones Group The Team That Specializes in Transforming You!

NMLS #114721 | Company NMLS #3274

Denise Lones

Shauna Naf

Randy Bowers

Nicole Shive

President

CEO

Director of Technology

Director of Design

Jamie Holmes

Jessica Wilbert

Designer

Designer

Izabella Kornelis

Nancy Johnson

Designer

Bookkeeper