Episode 148 Transcript: Alexandra Bowers
On this episode of The Brad and Taylor Show, we sat down with Alexandra Bowers from the Zuelke Real Estate Team!
To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. To listen, head over to Apple Podcasts. In the meantime, check out the transcript of the conversation below…
Taylor
Hi, how are you doing?
Alexandra
Good, how are you guys?
Brad
We’re good, we’re doing good. Well, let’s get this started! Tell us a little bit about what you do…
Alexandra
First and foremost, I am a mom to two beautiful girls, a wife to a homebrewer, and I’m a real estate agent, too!
I belong to a small brokerage in Milton, WI called “Zuelke Real Estate Team.”
Brad
That’s awesome! So, when you were younger is this what you had planned for your future?
Alexandra
No! I actually wanted to be a third-grade teacher my whole life.
Brad
Oh, nice! Well, did you do that at all?
Alexandra
Uh no, I started pursuing it in college, and then one of my peers said I would be a terrible teacher. It broke my heart, but I already had some insecurities going into that field because I grew up with a bunch of learning disabilities and never wanted to be that teacher that couldn’t explain things differently so that every kid could understand.
I know they teach you that (in college) but I also know there are clothing restrictions and I was getting really into fashion then. It’s not like I was wearing anything weird or anything but I wanted to wear what I wanted.
I actually ended up pursuing fashion instead, in marketing!
Brad
Oh, nice. So, how did you get from that to real estate?
Alexandra
So, I did about 10 years in the fashion field with retail wholesale merchandising and buying, and then about four years ago my dad was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. At that same time, my grandma was diagnosed with dementia and was falling a lot.
So, to help my family out, I talked to my husband and I decided that it was the best move to move in with my grandma, quit my job, and take care of my four-month-old while also taking care of my 90-year-old grandma with dementia.
So, I did that about three and a half years ago and she just passed away in October. I kind of came to a crossroads where it’s like, “Okay, well, what is my next step?”
I wanted that work-life balance and my husband was kind of at that same crossroads and he wanted to figure out, “Well, what is his next step?” He wasn’t really a big fan of his job, so I was kind of talking to him (He’s very “salesy” like me) and I was like, “Oh well, let’s pursue the real estate field because my best friend’s mom, Cindy, has been working for this great company for the last 17 years!”
I reached out to her and was like, “Hey, my husband’s interested in the real estate field, can we set up a meeting?” She’s like, “Well I think this would be a great opportunity for you to come check it out!” So, we both went to the meeting and I really connected with my broker. I got really excited for what that whole field was all about and he kind of looked at me and he was like, “This is more your thing. You need to pursue this.”
So, I got my license back in November and officially started real estate in January!
Brad
That’s awesome! How’s it going so far?
Alexandra
I love it! That was the one thing I was missing in the fashion field. I thought it was just all about fashion and then I realized that I love connecting with people. I love working face-to-face, I love all things “sales,” I love numbers, I love having goals and customization!
Sales I just think is a lot of fun and, you know, being a part of this giant journey for everyone that goes through buying and selling homes.
Taylor
Yeah, absolutely! Take us to your first transaction. How’d that go for you?
Alexandra
It was actually a really great transaction!
So, it was a referral from my old boss and she said that she wanted her parents to move closer to Janesville (WI) and she wanted me to be the one to help him do that. It was kind of bittersweet because her dad also has dementia, so it was kind of cool working with him. It kind of reminded me of little quirks people that have dementia have and I just really bonded with her parents!
So, I actually helped him find a house here and was lucky enough to help sell their home in the Madison (WI) area. It was just a lot of fun. They were so patient and it was a great first transaction.
Brad
That’s awesome! Did you join a team or are you solo?
Alexandra
It’s a very small brokerage here in Milton. There are a husband and wife plus my mom’s best friend Cindy. It’s been just those three for the last 17 years and then in 2020, they added me and four other people. It’s a very tight-knit, family-oriented brokerage, which I love!
Taylor
Yeah, and I’m sure if you have questions there, someone’s there to help you as well.
Alexandra
Yeah! I think it’s kind of new for them too where it’s just like, they never imagined building a team and we’re all kind of helping each other out. The age range is wide and it’s been a lot of fun. I feel like I found my place.
Taylor
That’s awesome! Working next to experienced realtors, have you gotten any advice that has helped you through the last year?
Alexandra
The one thing that stuck with me right when I joined Zuelke real estate, my broker, Jeff, said, “It is what you make of it.” Also, listening to the podcast “Empowering Women in Real Estate” by Karen Cooper. She also states the same thing, like, it is what you make but this field is just too expensive to just sit and wait for the people to come to you.
So, I’m like, “Okay, I have to make this work for me and my family if I’m gonna be investing this much into myself,” and it’s been worth it. It’s been a lot of fun, I’ve been meeting a lot of people, connecting with friends and family in a different way, and I just love it! I feel like this is where I’m meant to be.
Brad
That’s awesome! I like it. Over the last year or so, what’s the worst property you’ve been to?
Alexandra
An abandoned farmhouse! I wasn’t prepared for that. Like, I thought real estate agents were just supposed to be dressing up and rocking heels! I go there and there are mouse droppings and there are spider webs and a bunch of bugs. I just realized, “I need to invest more in a trendy pair of jeans and tennis shoes!”
So, it’s kind of a learning experience. I felt like I was on an HGTV show like fixer-uppers, right?
Taylor
They take you to the worst properties!
Brad
Yeah, that’s funny. Is there any advice you got starting out that helped you along the way?
Alexandra
You are what you make of it. So, I’ve been making sure that I’m always doing something every day. Whether it’s calling friends and family, doing newsletters, “pop-bys,” trying to stay active on social media. That’s really helped me.
Brad
That’s awesome! What kind of goals do you have for the rest of the year?
Alexandra
Well, I’m pregnant with number three, so, there’s that! I’m so excited for the third baby. I’ve got some rentals I’m selling and I kind of want to start learning more about investments. I think that would be kind of a cool field. I want to hit my goal of $2 million in sales in January. I’m less than $400, 000 away from making it (fingers crossed!)
Brad
That’s not a bad first year. Yeah, that’s not a bad first year at all.
Taylor
I know you mentioned earlier about getting that pair of jeans and tennis shoes. Looking into investment properties, you might want to get a pair of boots too.
Alexandra
Okay, well thank you! My husband’s a big red wings fan so maybe I’ll have to talk to him about a Christmas gift of a good pair of red wing boots.
Taylor
Yeah! You don’t know what you’re walking into sometimes.
Alexandra
That’s for sure!
Taylor
If you could start over today, would you do anything differently?
Alexandra
No, no, I felt like because I got my license back in, I want to say November? Jeff told me, “Well, let’s have you start in January because it just didn’t make sense with all the fees for a ‘dead month’ with the holidays. We’re just going to start you in January and then for a month and a half up until January you can do some shadowing with us on listing appointments.”
I just did a bunch of research, listened to podcasts and that really helped me prepare to spend my money and market myself for this coming year.
Brad
Yeah! What kind of podcasts did you listen to? What was your favorite one?
Alexandra
It was, “Empowering Women in Real Estate,” by Karen Cooper. She was just starting her podcast last year so I was able to go with her on her new podcast journey. She literally breaks everything down on how to be a successful real estate agent to her daily business builders, etc.
So, I signed up for her coaching program.
Brad
What’s your favorite way to market right now? I know you probably haven’t done too many options yet but what’s your favorite way right now?
Alexandra
Right now, I like social media and meeting up with people for coffee. As I said, I love that face-to-face interaction. Plus, it’s a chance to get away from my kids for a minute. It’s a break from my “mom life.”
Brad
That’s awesome! How can people get a hold of you?
Alexandra
People can get a hold of me either on Facebook or Instagram. It’s @buywithbowers.
Brad
Awesome. Is there anything else you want to share with everyone before we go?
Alexandra
Nope, I think that’s it!
Brad
That’s awesome! Hey, thanks for coming on and sharing your story with us today.
Alexandra
Yeah, you’re welcome. Thanks for having me!
Check Out Alexandra Bowers:
Zuelke Real Estate Team
http://www.buywithbowers.com/
Facebook: @buywithbowers
Twitter: @buywithbowers
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