I am excited to share some of my past experiences and my vision for real estate going forward.

 

I grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of one of the city’s most prominent real estate brokers, Arnold O Jacobson. My Dad, Arnie was not only had a strong listing and buyer clientele but also was active in building an investment portfolio of over 100 rental properties: single family homes, and multi-family units. I learned early that real estate was a round-the-clock business. I often found myself with Dad at an Open House or a Listing

Appointment! Later, I was involved in keeping the books for his rental properties. My brother and cousins often found summer employment by painting, clean-up, mowing, and snow shoveling for his properties.

 

After attending Johnson High School in St. Paul, I went on to Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill where I earned a BA in Speech Pathology. I continued my graduate education at the University of Illinois where I received an MA in Speech Pathology. After graduating I returned to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area where I took a position as a speech therapist in the schools where I worked 8 years. I also got married and my husband and I bought several income properties- a duplex, 4 plex, and a 13-unit apartment complex that I managed. We owned these properties for several years and eventually sold. The best investments we made were our home in Wayzata,Mn, and a vacation home in Siesta Key,FL. Managing properties kept me busy while raising 3 children. My son, Stuart Francis-EXP Realty, my son ED Francis-Wells Fargo Mortgage, and my daughter Katrina Hovland who now works as a nurse.

 

In the late 80’s my marriage had become stormy, and we separated.

 

During that time, I was forced to seek work that would allow me to be the custodial parent, cook, chauffer, and develop income for myself and family.

 

I started to explore some small business pursuits that allowed me to work around my heavy demands of raising 3 children. I started a wholesale garment business which focused on selling custom shirts, outfits, and resort wear. I designed the pieces and had a team of 5 employees produce the clothing. The line was called Splashing Colors and it was sold to resort shops, school choirs, apple orchards, and individuals. Initially I did the sales…cold calling shops and organizations. Later I had several clothing reps, paid on commission that sold to accounts in the upper Midwest. My grassroots marketing, sales, and management was invaluable in my pursuits going forward. It became difficult to compete with mass produced foreign products

 

When I finally divorced in 1994, I was ready for some new beginnings.

 

I always considered real estate, but as a single parent the flexible time schedule was not realistic with family demands. I had also attempted a return to the school therapy setting but at age 47 had aged out!

 

I had been experimenting with providing social events for single professional adults for profit and had developed a following. Soon after, I found that there was a start-up business called Mile High Adventures and Events (originating in Colorado), now in the Minneapolis area. I went to work in membership sales and developed an interest in buying the business. I met another club member with whom, I partnered and within the year we bought the business; and changed the name to Adventure Seekers, LTD. During that growth period, I hired several event planners, 4 salespeople, and a graphic artist.

 

We produced a monthly magazine for members, provided daily events, from sporty, to theater, dinners, travel, game nights, etc. and Members paid a start-up fee and then for each event. Billing and accounting was handled by my partner and I handled the Sales, large promotional events, marketing, and  event management. The business grew and became the prominent organization for single adults in the Twin Cities. Success came to an abrupt halt due to 9/11. I remember the 9/11 terrorist attack as if it was yesterday. I was doing hiring interviews at the time as we had decided to expand. Sadly, that historic event had a huge impact on the travel and entertainment industry. Sales fell drastically over the following year and I was forced to make a change and cut my loss. My business partner took over Adventure Seekers, until it sold a few years later. Adventure Seekers had worked well for me as a single parent. During those years I worked with over 4000 people. My children were able to work in the business. When my daughter was in high school, she helped with events and collections.

 

Stu worked in membership sales and events for a period and then moved into his real estate career.

 

As my daughter left for her final year of college, I decided that if I needed to make a career change it would be in Sarasota. My aging parents and handicapped sister were there and in need of my support.

 

At last, I was able to pursue real estate! I made the move to Sarasota and quickly got my real estate license. I also got a licensed in Minnesota and promoted to my Minnesota base. In 2004, the market had become “hot” and my timing was good as I settled in with Re/Max on Siesta Key. Unfortunately, 2 years later the great recession started in Fl; and no one wanted to buy or sell! Florida was hit particularly hard for several years as second home sales plummeted. I managed to continue in real estate, but also sold high end RVs at Lazydays RV for a couple years. During this period, I had a real estate partner who had a background in new construction, land sales and listings, and together we managed to continue to develop a local presence. Investors hit the market to purchase short sales and foreclosures. I moved to Realty Executives at the Landings.

 

By 2008 my Mom’s health was deteriorating and I focused on helping Dad with Mom’s care. Slowly, the market was starting to show some small improvement, so I continued to work real estate. I also decide that I needed to develop a local sphere of influence.

 

I was familiar with Meetup.com, an international online community that posted events. Sarasota had not developed any Meetup interest groups. I wanted to do something that would be good for the community and for my real estate clients who wanted to know the area and make friends. In 2009, I started Sarasota Walkers and posted it on the Meetup platform.

Sarasota Walkers has become the largest Meetup group and area walking group with over 3500 members who walk and socialize. Volunteer hosts lead and plan walks, and I am active in overall scheduling and New Member events. Many of the walkers have used me as their realtor!

 

My life-partner, Skip Halsey, has been supportive of my business and my family, especially with my aging Dad who died at 99.5 and lived near us. When I entertain clients or need help with technology or open houses, he is there.

 

In 2020, my son Stuart Francis and his family decided to make a move to Sarasota and expand his hugely successful Minnesota real estate to Sarasota. Moving to the EXP agent-owned cloud-based model allowed him to do real estate in both Mn and Fl.

 

I also moved to EXP REALTY, which has been a wonderful way to expand services. With the Covid Pandemic, about half of my sales became virtual and I have had remarkable success in retaining and growing new business virtually. New construction has been a large part of my real estate sales career and I know the builders well. Investors and second home or luxury properties make up a large part of my listings and sales as well. I continue to work with referrals from Minnesota as well as ongoing referrals from past clients. Stu started the Francis Group and the website: www.thefrancisgroup.net, allows for the Minnesota and Florida clients to visit one site. We each have our own clients but work together to make sure that any needs clients may have can be met by the Francis Group of agents. Visit www.thefrancisgroup.net to meet our other group members.

 

My recent second home investment in Plymouth, Mn area will allow travel between Sarasota and Minnesota easy! I will be available to work with Minnesota clients when I am in town.

 

People often ask me when I plan to retire. I really have no plans to retire. Real estate has been a big part of my entire life. I love the constant changes, the new technologies, a lifetime of real estate experiences, knowledge, and local area information: but mostly it is the lifetime of great relationships that I have as a result of real estate. This new chapter with the Francis Group is going to allow me to be even more effective with back-up from quality agents. I am also enjoying helping our group members through my expertise. Jointly, Stuart and I have over 40 years of real estate experience and service. In real estate, as in life there can often be challenges. We excel at handling any difficult issues, so that your purchase, sale, or investment has a positive result. I look forward to our continued growth and look forward to working with you!

 

Sincerely,