I haven't always been a Realtor. In fact, initially I was turned off to becoming a real estate agent. When I first started in sales positions I was taught to get the deal done, more often than being a problem solver. I was told to dress this way... Say this line to close the deal... Don't take 'No' for an answer... All of the 'one size fits all' approach was preached to me and I believed it - for a while at least. Many years have passed since my early days in sales. I have managed employees. I even ran my own business. I have learned to be comfortable in my own skin, I realized I didn't need to put on the 'snakeskin' personality of the salesperson I despised. You know the type: the door to door salesperson... the cold caller... the cheesy personality... the salesperson that only sees a client as dollar signs... I got a my start leasing apartments in San Francisco. I was excited and intimidated at the same time. The main office is in a fancy building downtown on the 20th floor. The San Francisco rental market is infamous for being competitive and expensive. I had a lot to learn. There was over 200 buildings, neighborhoods that started and ended every few blocks, and a microclimate that changed faster than I could handle. But I adapted quickly. I studied the 42 page lease so I could answer every single question that came up. I toured every building. I asked questions to tenants about why they were moving here. And after meeting 1000s of people, and leasing 100s of apartments, I can boldly say that I am an expert when it comes to leasing apartments. Sure, I made a few mistakes along the way, but with some good support, I was able to fix issues quickly. Leasing apartments is fun, exciting, and also tiresome. It requires me to get to San Francisco on an hour long BART ride. There are days I walk up to 7 miles showing people different apartments. So naturally, I wanted to branch out and take on bigger challenges in real estate. But I wasn't sure where to get started.I was ready to take full ownership of my future. I was looking for an opportunity to marry my love of learning with my entrepreneurial itch. Real estate seemed to check the boxes. But working for yourself is no easy task. Since I had already run my own business, I knew that taking calls all day and working 80 hours a week was more typical than sitting on a beach and just raking in the money. You see, ever since the day I got licensed by the real estate board, I was targeted. Brokerages started mailing me fancy letters bragging how they were the best and I should work for them. Coaching programs popping up online, saying they would get me results. Online marketers promising me that they would create Facebook and Instagram posts that would have clients flooding in. Get rich quick signs and I had to do was call a phone number. But I knew better. I knew that would lead to cold calling, spamming, and becoming a real estate pest. What I know, is that as a client, you want to see several homes, and I enjoy that search.The hunt and thrill of seeing homes, picturing yourself in each one, and imagining the future in that home. It's important to be informed on the good, bad, and ugly of each home. I tell you everything about the home, because nobody wants to be surprised! Once we find a home and get an accepted offer the real work begins. I know that you want to be communicated with and be responded to quickly. I know that there are many parts, like the loan, the appraisal, the inspections, and the contract. I like to tell you up front on what to expect. As a father, husband, and community member of Pleasanton I like to do a lot of storytelling. My story wasn't written overnight. Either will my legacy. It is being built day by day, connecting with people one at a time.