INDIANA 12-6-21

INDIANA EDITION

BE THEIR REALTOR® FOR LIFE:

How to Build a Relationship with Your Clients that Will Last a Lifetime

From Chaos to

CONTROL MODERN EMAIL ETIQUETTE FOR TODAY’S AGENTS

COVER STORY

ERICA AMANS FEATURED AGENT

TRACY RIDINGS

INDIANA EDITION

TRACY RIDINGS

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Tracy Ridings is a realtor based in background in volunt 9 23 Zionsville, Indiana, and serving the ing in her work, alway Indianapolis metro area and surroundeveryone she’s done bu ing counties. Tracy began working as and satisfied. The sa an agent about 4 years ago after having life outside of work, decided on a new career direction. As most of her time w part of a military family, she has moved improvement, paintin around the country and gained extensive volunteering. Tracy is a experience buying and selling homes as well as a board mem personally, and as her children grew up Society for Boone Co ERICA AMANS TRACY RIDINGS and left home she chose to apply that volunteer-operated o experience in a professional setting. cated to animal welfar Now, Tracy works solo with plans to also sponsors So Big, build a team, and has established her nization that runs a loc practice, netting $11 million in salesCONTENTS volume last year and for pregnant women without a safe pl maintaining an 80% rate of repeat and referral business. provides food, housing, clothes, educa and job training, and guarantees wom 15) FROM CHAOS 4) THINGS YOU CAN DO Tracy puts great emphasis on her service-oriented entire year after the baby is born.

CONTROL TO ANTICIPATE YOURand life in general. She TO approach to both business points CLIENT’S NEEDS out that client reviews frequently praise her dedication, As for the future of her practice, Trac 21)sheMODERN work ethic, and particularly the time and energy hired anEMAIL assistant, and is now plann ETIQUETTE FOR TODAY’S devotes to her clients and their needs. Tracy insists on to serve more clients and focus less 6) BE THEIR REALTOR® FOR offering considerate, caring, and personal treatment.

“My details. She also has plans to bring on AGENTS LIFE: HOW TO BUILD A goal is that my clients know that I am their advocate and future, and is looking forward to maki RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR that I am working hard for them,” she says. ing as a teacher to lead prospective te CLIENTS THAT WILL LAST A way she will be able to continue pursu LIFETIME For marketing her listings, Tracy makes use of an app serving and guiding others. called Homesnap. The app provides a Concierge program which allows her to post listings to social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and even to Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 send them directly to clients with |a simple click. She premag@topagentmagazine.com www.topagentmagazine.com fers this level of directness for keeping in touch with past No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent clients isaspublished well: aside from the standard postcards, emails Magazine

by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed and phone calls, Tracy thinks up creative and unique or facts supplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. events for this purpose. She describes a recent house Published in the U.S. party for clients which she hosted herself, where visitors were able to socialize and relax together, and each Top Agent Magazine guest received a pumpkin pie as a way of thanks. Tracy believes that her clients, and people in general, deserve

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Things You Can Do to Anticipate Your Cleint’s Needs First and foremost, the real estate industry is a customer service business. The key to any successful real estate business is one that can build a reputation by providing an unsurpassed level of care. That usually means a transaction that is seamless and stress-free as possible throughout the whole process. Your client’s experience is what keeps them not only coming back, but gets them to recommend you to their friend and family.

tise. By showing you can not only anticipate their needs, but have insight into any potential problems that might arise, they will have complete confidence in you. Achieving that level of trust is the key to a transaction that is as stress-free as possible.

The key to creating a great experience is anticipating your client’s needs. They are relying on your professionalism and exper-

From the moment, you meet a po-tential client, your goal should be to find out not only what they are looking for as far as their real estate

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GET TO KNOW YOUR CLIENTS ON A PERSONAL LEVEL

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goals, but who they are as a person. Listening and asking the right questions from the start is one of the most important aspects of the job.

You almost have to become an amateur psychologist, really honing in on the emotional reasons behind their real estate transaction.

Taking time upfront not only gives you valuable insight into your client, but it is the first impression your clients have that you truly care about them, and that this isn’t just another commission check for you. This goes miles in helping them feel comfortable enough to rely on your guidance.

Knowing who your client is on a deep level will help you navigate the transition ups and downs, allowing you to anticipate the best way to handle it.

SPOT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND PROVIDE SOLUTIONS Having insight into your client’s per-sonality type will come in handy when you anticipate an upcoming snag in the transaction. Most people find the process to be stressful even under the best of circumstances. One of the best rules of thumb is to always provide the solutions to anticipated problems when you present them to the client.

This should be the case even when the problem isn’t on you. Anything that can ruin a client’s overall experience can reflect poorly on you, whether you deserve it or not. This is a business philosophy called “zero risk”. You don’t want to take any chances with having an unsatisfied customer.

This is where your experience in the business pays off. You’ve probably seen most things and can easily anticipate problems that are Top Agent Magazine

likely to delay the process. Remember you are in charge. You are the expert. And, remember, part of avoiding potential problems is making sure your client knows what to expect upfront, always communicate openly and honestly.

Telling people what they want to hear and knowing you can’t deliver it, is destined to fail, and will always reflect poorly on you.

FIND WAYS TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS Recognizing ways to exceed a cus-tomer’s needs is just as important as looking out for potential problems, when it comes to creating an exceptional experience. Have a vetted list of trusted service providers. Be hands on.

There are Realtors® who are out there helping clients pack, mowing lawns, and picking kids up from school. They are there for a client in ways that are unexpected. Having one thing taken off your plate during a stressful period in your life can feel like a lifesaver and is not soon forgotten. It is those “little” things that will turn a client into a lifelong advocate for your business.

TAKE IN FEEDBACK A good service provider is always trying to do better. Many Realtors® have clients fill out surveys after the transaction is over. This serves two purposes. It helps you become better at your job and it shows your clients that you care about them and their opinions. You can also use social media to get feedback via analytics and interactions. All of this information can then be used to create better customer experiences in the future. After all, this is a customer service industry. Treat it like one and you’re bound to succeed.

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Be Their REALTOR for Life: ®

How to Build a Relationship with Your Clients That Will Last a Lifetime In the world of real estate, an agent’s relationship with their clients can make or break their career. This industry revolves around working well with people, and being able to develop a strong relationship with your clients is the foundation that you business is based upon.

Just like with a house, if that foundation is weak, the rest of the structure is also going to be unsteady and fragile. The mark of a good REALTOR® is their ability to build up a good referral network and following of loyal clients. This isn’t something that just happens by accident. Building healthy, strong relationships with your clients takes work and knowing how to gain another person’s trust, respect, and friendship. Here are some ways to make sure you are building the right kind of relationship with your clients.

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1. Use Your Friendliness and Optimism to Win Them Over: No one wants a pushy, overly confident salesperson for a REALTOR®. Clients are much more inclined to put their trust in the hands of someone who is friendly when it comes to one of the biggest financial transactions of their lives. A pleasant, outgoing disposition will win you more clients as well as friends. You want to establish rapport in the first few minutes of first meeting prospective clients. Rather than starting with business right off the bat, begin your meeting with some small talk such as similar interests, hobbies, and family life. This will immediately help to put your clients at ease, and show that you are not simply trying to “sell” them something.

People also respond well to optimism. During what can be a very stressful time, clients need someone to help them stay positive when a situation looks difficult and challenging. Optimism also tends to radiate charisma, and people want to be around and do business with charismatic people. You want to learn how to understand, motivate, and inspire people.

2. Be an Inquisitive Learner and an Empathetic Listener:

On the other side of this coin is knowing how to listen empathetically. Empathy involves actually putting yourself or your mind in their shoes so you can genuinely understand their concerns, needs, and opinions. That understanding and empathy is then reflected in your conversation with that client. Your clients want to know that you care about their situation, and that they’re not just another sale for you to make. People are much more willing to put their trust in you when they can sense that you are actually making an effort to feel what they feel in order to understand their situation.

Showing your interest through questions, and then thoughtfully listening goes a long way towards gaining trust. Showing empathy and acknowledging the feelings and emotions involved in your clients situation helps build a relationship founded on genuine care and trust.

3. Watch for Nonverbal Clues:

Don’t be afraid to show your curiosity and ask your clients a lot of questions. Some of these questions may even be difficult and uncomfortable. You want to discover and learn as much as you can about your client. Don’t make the mistake of jumping straight into the role of the know-it-all. Every different client has unique needs, so you want to learn as much as you can about their specific situation before trying to propose a solution. You want to uncover their primary motive for buying or selling, and flush Top Agent Magazine

out any potential concerns they might have.

After you’ve gained as much information as possible, you can then gauge their interest in your possible solutions by asking “what if” questions. Being inquisitive also demonstrates to your clients that you are genuinely interested and invested in their situation.

Most communication happens nonverbally, so knowing how to interpret your client’s body language can be incredibly helpful. Here are a few things to pay special attention to: Eye contact: Be careful with the level of eye contact you use with clients when first meeting.

Too much and too little eye contact can send the wrong impression. You want to try and maintain eye contact around 70 percent of the time. That is the amount that most people are comfortable with. Pay attention to your client’s level of eye

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contact to determine how comfortable they are.

When someone avoids eye contact that could mean they are not engaged in the conversation.

A good way to quickly build a feeling of rapport when first meeting clients is to make eye contact when you first meet them and then start nodding yes to what they’re saying. If the client reciprocates the eye contact and nodding, you’ve established a connection.

4. Prove your honesty and credibility:

Choose the right handshake for each client: One handshake does not fit all people, and that first handshake can be crucial to making a good first impression. The way to do a good handshake for each client is to try and mirror the other person’s handshake in strength, keep your shoulders aligned as you are preferably standing when you shake hands. While you shake your client’s hand make sure you make eye contact and give them a sincere smile.

Showing a little weakness can actually be to your advantage in this situation, and will actually make others more inclined view you as honest. You don’t want to come across as too good to be true. When revealing this weakness, however, the key to coming out on top is turning what sounds like a weakness into a strength. For example, your service may be more expensive, but that’s because you offer more personalized and extra services than your competitors.

Honesty and integrity are the two traits that 98 percent of buyers and sellers report are qualities they consider “very important”. The thing is you can say you have these traits all you want on your website, bio, etc., but trust has to be earned, and the only way to do this is to prove your credibility.

Here are a few tips for how to sound more credible:

When you talk to your clients avoid using filler words such as “um” and “uh”, which can decrease your credibility. You also want to watch the tone of your voice. People tend to translate a deeper tone as sounding more credible.

You want to develop a relationship to last a lifetime when interacting with your clients. There are many things you can do to accomplish this, and using these tips can take you from getting just a few referrals and repeat customers to gaining a loyal client following. Taking the little extra time to make sure you are projecting the right attitude and making sure that you are doing things to gain your client’s trust can make a world of difference for your business.

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ERICA AMANS

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“Honesty, treating people the way I want to be treated, and having a solid understanding of the industry are traits that I pride myself on.

Clients know they can trust me and that I’m more of a real estate advisor and not a sales agent pushing to close the transaction.”

Erica Amans already had a solid understanding of the real estate industry, having previously worked as an unlicensed assistant, when she dove into real estate in 2013. Her many years of expertise and knowledge of the business allow her to elevate her clients’ experience 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

and provide them with the best care. Currently serving buyers and sellers throughout Steuben County, Indiana, she keeps up with the market swings and offers clients valuable advice as they maneuver through this important life decision.

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Erica credits her core values for her success in real estate as well as her solid base of referral clients. Her listening ear makes her clients feel taken care of, and her integrity allows them to trust her advice. “Honesty, treating people the way I want to be treated, and having a solid understanding of the industry are traits that I Top Agent Magazine

pride myself on. Clients know they can trust me and that I’m more of a real estate advisor and not a sales agent pushing to close the transaction,” she explains. Her work extends past the end of a transaction, and she continues to stay in close touch with her clients and remains a resource for them.

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“The key element of good marketing is knowing the property inside and out. Once you know all the unique details about the home, you are able to portray it in the best possible light.”

A full time agent, consistently being in the top 10% of our 4 county area, Erica has a strong marketing strategy that involves the use of social media, shooting YouTube videos, sending out postcards, giving extensive virtual tours, and going on Facebook live. “The key element of good marketing is knowing the property inside Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

and out. Once you know all the unique details about the home, you are able to portray it in the best possible light.”

Aside from her desire to help people, Erica is genuinely excited about each new home she gets to represent. With a natural love for Top Agent Magazine

architecture and design, she gets to fulfill her passion every single day while working. She is able to work at such a high level because her passion continues to keep her motivated. “I love interior design, I love architecture, and a lot of the components of the housing industry.

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It really doesn’t feel like work to me because I enjoy every part of it.”

When she’s not busy working, Erica loves to travel and spend quality time with her family and loved ones. Together, they enjoy all the Copyright Top Agent Magazine 13

recreational opportunities Snow Lake has to offer and spend much of their time out on the water. She also belongs to the board of directors for her local REALTORS® association, and volunteers at the local animal shelter. “I’m a huge animal lover, it’s a passion of mine.”

In the future, Erica looks forward to further growing her business and maintaining her hands-on

approach during every transaction. She wants to continue cultivating long lasting relationships with her clients, from helping them buy their first home to being there for them as they upgrade and expand into the next one. “I enjoy helping clients determine which lake life they would prefer, something a little more laid back on a no-wake fishing lake or a lake that offers access to all sports such as the Lake James Chain.”

To learn more about Erica Amans email eamans@coldwellhomes.com, visit ericasoldit.com, or call (260) 740–8673 www.

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From Chaos to Control

By Barry Eisen

Below are 24 great ideas designed to give you back your time and life.

Managing time, rather than letting it manage you is an art form. Little changes can make huge differences. Look at what is offered below and incorporate 1 or 2 ideas that make sense to do. You can always come back to the list for more when you’re ready for more.

1. Get Ready the Night Before. Get it out of your head. Plan

out your next day by writing a “killer” To-Do list and prioritize A, B and C business and personal priorities. You’ll sleep better too.

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2. Focus on the Important Things. Less is more. Commit to

doing the A things on your To-Do list. Stop randomly playing games and surfing social media. Focus on what’s important. Here’s the procrastinationbe-gone formula: Do the important stuff first. No “ifs,” “ands,” or “buts” do it.

3. Remove the Clutter. Much of our “visual noise” is caused by

stuff. Practice a three-part clutter rating system that will help you prevent and remove clutter: • It’s important now. Use it and then put it in its home (where it’s supposed to be).

• It will be important. Put it in its home (where it’s supposed to be).

• It’s not important. Get rid of it: Toss it or if possible, consider donating it.

4. Get Organized and Stay That Way. Pick an organizational

system, execute it, and stick to it. Your new system may feel foreign at first, but it will eventually form into a habit. If you slip or feel like you’re ready to give up, recall the benefits of being organized and pick up where you left off. When necessary, make adjustments, but avoid switching to new organizational systems or you’ll lose the benefits.

5. Keep One Calendar. Whether it’s a Week/Month at a Glance

appointment book, wall calendar, smartphone app, etc. - keep ONE calendar.

First, keep track of the usual calendar events: birthdays, and appointments.

Second, use your weekly calendar to keep track of bills, plan menus, make appointments with yourself to write or read, etc. This will help prevent the scenario of sifting through bills, notes, and multiple calendars.

6. Focus on What’s in Front of You. Of course, not all tasks

require 100% focus, but for tasks like prospecting or writing, never multitask.

Lots of studies have shown the inefficiency of juggling tasks. If you refocus your attention on another task, it can take more time to refocus on your original task. Don’t do it. Stay focused. Turn off your phone and disconnect from the internet during tasks, like writing or studying, to focus. Don’t drop what you’re currently doing to address something you just thought of or remembered. If you think of something completely unrelated to what you’re 16

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working on, jot down a few quick notes (a word or two to jog your memory will suffice). Keep up momentum: FOCUS. 7. Execute Decisions Faster. If you find

yourself hemming and hawing over a decision, make a decision then and there. If the task Sometimes a has a lot hanging on the outcome, fresh set of eyes is seek/ask for more information if you need it, but the key all you need to get is: make a decision now. back on track.

8. Delegate and Learn to Love It.

We can be greedy with our workloads. Drop the, “if you want things done right, you have to do it yourself” mentality. If it can be done by someone else (more effectively) and it’s not an important task, delegate it.

9. Just Say “No.” Stop agreeing to take on things for which you don’t

have time. If you don’t have time for it or it will take your focus away from other priorities, say no.

10. HELP Is not a Dirty 4 Letter Word. Ask for help. Sometimes

a fresh set of eyes is all you need to get back on track, but be sure your plea is directed at the right person and is respectful of their own priorities.

11. Time Activities. We all can get swept away by television, social

media, internet browsing, article reading, and games. Allot yourself an amount of time for online activities and playing games. Set an alarm. When the time is up, stop the activity.

12. Time Your Conversations and Meetings. I’m not

recommending that you don’t socialize or be rude. I’m recommending that you don’t allow conversations or meetings to completely disrupt your day.

Allot yourself time. For “water cooler” talks, give yourself 5 minutes and keep them infrequent. For meetings, estimate how much time you’ll need to address the needs of those involved, come prepared, and if there isn’t Top Agent Magazine

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already an agenda, propose talking points to squeeze more value out of the meeting.

13. Call, Don’t Text. Text messaging is supposed to be quick and to

the point... not long, drawn out conversations. For anything beyond a quick yes or no question, call. For example, call for emergencies and all of those “how are you?” and “what ‘cha doin’?” questions. If it goes to voicemail, don’t worry. Most people have access to visual voicemail anyway, so it will be like a text. Either way, trust that they will get the message.

14. Turn Aimless Browsing Into Growth Opportunities.

Create an ongoing list of questions, curiosities, or things you’ve always wanted to find out more about. When you sit down to browse the internet, start looking for answers. You might surprise yourself with what you find.

15. Do Your Errands at the Same Time. Schedule time to

do errands and plan a route ahead of time to ensure you’re not wasting time bouncing back and forth across town.

16. Filter Your Email. How much time do you waste in your inbox?

Filter your email: • Create rules for recurring emails that don’t require an action to be archived in a particular folder.

• Set rigorous anti-spam settings to block unwanted email from reaching your inbox.

• Form a habit of touching an email once: If you open it, you have to address it (e.g., respond and file).

17. Automate Responses. If you find yourself replying with the

same or nearly identical responses for clients keep a template to quickly copy/paste the response and tweak it as necessary to personalize the message.

18. Automate Bill Payments. For any recurring bills that you

have: AUTOMATE. Not only will this save you time, it may even save you money and raise your credit score if you’re the forgetful type.

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19. Sort the Mail in Your Hand. When you get your mail, don’t

let it sit in a pile. Sort out the junk right away and then prioritize other items respectively (see weekly calendar). If possible, go green by electing not to receive the hard copy.

20. Avoid Rush Hour. Do you commute to work? Negotiate a work

schedule to travel during non-traffic delayed times. You can easily turn a 60-minute, traffic-jammed commute into 25 minutes by getting ahead of the traffic or waiting it out. Online apps, like Waze, do a good job informing of traffic problems so you can adjust accordingly.

21. Keep a Running Shopping List. Create a policy that for

whoever squeezes the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube, kills the mustard bottle, etc., they are responsible to write it down on the shopping list. In doing so, this will save time from taking inventory as well as keep your shopping trip quick - get into the store, grab what you need, and go (rather than meandering down aisles).

22. Cook for Tomorrow. Double the amount of what your cooking

and refrigerate/freeze the leftovers. It may take you a small amount of time to double what you’re already making, but it will save you much more time making your next meal by not having to start from scratch.

23. Learn While You Workout. When on a treadmill, elliptical

machine etc., listen to news, pod casts, and audiobooks rather than music to keep up with trends in your niche, current events, books, and learning at large.

24. Exercise More Effectively. Exchange moderation for higher

intensity. You can have a more effective and efficient workout by putting more effort into a 30-minute high-intensity workout than 90 minutes of lowto-medium effort.

Copyright©, 2016 Barry Eisen. All rights reserved.

Barry Eisen teaches personal development seminars and coaches Southern California top producing REALTORS®. “Your business will never grow more than you do” is the theme; self hypnosis and behavior modification are the tools for playing a bigger game. barryeisen.com, barryeisen@LA.twcbc.com 818-769-4300 Top Agent Magazine

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Modern Email Etiquette for Today’s Agents In today’s tech-forward culture, consumers are constantly inundated with promotional emails, alerts, invites, and social media blasts. As a real estate agent or a loan officer, how do you stand apart from the noise? What’s more, how do you stay relevant in a digital landscape that’s constantly changing?

For starters, there are a few timeless techniques you can apply to up your skillset when it comes email and digital communication: asking questions that Top Agent Magazine

inspire conversation, politeness, and following up regularly—to name a few. Likewise, there are surely new tricks you can add to your arsenal to stay ahead of the curve. Let’s outline a few ways you can refine and update your email etiquette to compete in today’s virtual marketplace.

Make your subject line count Too often, we labor over the content of our emails without giving much thought to subject lines.

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Though email is no longer a new-fangled invention, there are certainly ways you can modernize its use and take advantage of its ubiquity.

However, these little headlines can go a long way in luring the consumer to open your email and ultimately click through to your website in search for your services. An enticing subject line should be short and sweet, ideally less than fifty characters.

You might also include the name of the recipient, and be up front (though concise) about the subject matter of your message. Remember: the first thing a client will see is your name and subject line—be sure to make this prime real estate shine.

Think mobile Research tells us that 79% of Americans check their phones within fifteen minutes of waking up. In fact, much of modern day correspondence occurs by smartphone. Accordingly, you’ll want to account for email readability on a mobile phone.

For instance, incorporating paragraph breaks for each new thought allows information to be parceled out in a palatable way for readers utilizing small screens. Also, any sort of graphic flair or links within your email should be shortened and streamlined for mobile consumption. Send yourself an email every now and again and access it from your phone—you’ll be able to double-check that all the elements of your emails are working well on a mobile platform.

Incorporate email tools There are excellent tools out there to enhance your email experience. With just a quick download, 22

you can add spellcheck, a URL address shortening feature, or a delay option that holds emails for thirty seconds before they’re sent. Think about the possibilities! Haven’t you sent an email without including the attachment you intended, or realizing you sent correspondence to the wrong client? If that’s the case, a delay feature can help you save face and build in a window for error— just in case. Regardless of which tools speak to your email habits, there are plenty of add-ons out there that can revamp your digital correspondence style.

Use email to maximize your online presence These days, there are plenty of ways to communicate—email, text, phone, apps, and social media.

When you interact through email, consider it an opportunity to invite your client to follow you elsewhere online. Ensure that your email signature includes unobtrusive, streamlined links to your social media accounts, professional website, or review page. This will build in an opportunity for clients to engage with your brand, and you may even add an online follower for the long term.

Though email is no longer a new-fangled invention, there are certainly ways you can modernize its use and take advantage of its ubiquity. Keep these approaches in mind as you reenergize your email technique and fortify your communication in the digital era.

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TRACY RIDINGS Tracy Ridings is a realtor based in Zionsville, Indiana, and serving the Indianapolis metro area and surrounding counties. Tracy began working as an agent about 4 years ago after having decided on a new career direction. As part of a military family, she has moved around the country and gained extensive experience buying and selling homes personally, and as her children grew up and left home she chose to apply that experience in a professional setting.

Now, Tracy works solo with plans to build a team, and has established her practice, netting $11 million in sales volume last year and maintaining an 80% rate of repeat and referral business.

Tracy puts great emphasis on her service-oriented approach to both business and life in general. She points out that client reviews frequently praise her dedication, work ethic, and particularly the time and energy she devotes to her clients and their needs. Tracy insists on offering considerate, caring, and personal treatment. “My goal is that my clients know that I am their advocate and that I am working hard for them,” she says.

For marketing her listings, Tracy makes use of an app called Homesnap. The app provides a Concierge program which allows her to post listings to social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and even to send them directly to clients with a simple click. She prefers this level of directness for keeping in touch with past clients as well: aside from the standard postcards, emails and phone calls, Tracy thinks up creative and unique events for this purpose. She describes a recent house party for clients which she hosted herself, where visitors were able to socialize and relax together, and each guest received a pumpkin pie as a way of thanks. Tracy believes that her clients, and people in general, deserve such special expressions of gratitude and appreciation from their realtors.

These opportunities to serve others are what Tracy likes most about being an agent. She certainly exhibits her Top Agent Magazine

background in volunteering and teaching in her work, always striving to leave everyone she’s done business with happy and satisfied. The same goes for her life outside of work, where she spends most of her time working on home improvement, painting, and especially volunteering. Tracy is an active volunteer as well as a board member of the Humane Society for Boone County, a nonprofit, volunteer-operated organization dedicated to animal welfare in the area. She also sponsors So Big, a nonprofit organization that runs a local maternity home for pregnant women without a safe place to live. So Big provides food, housing, clothes, education, medical care, and job training, and guarantees women a home for an entire year after the baby is born.

As for the future of her practice, Tracy has just recently hired an assistant, and is now planning on being able to serve more clients and focus less on paperwork and details. She also has plans to bring on a team in the near future, and is looking forward to making use of her training as a teacher to lead prospective team members. This way she will be able to continue pursuing her passion for serving and guiding others.

Contact Tracy at 317-455-5999, tracy.ridings@talktotucker.com, or talktotucker.com/tracy.ridings www.

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