Princess and I were once again a team. On the road. Each of us giving something back to each other. She was stretching her RPM wings and I was stretching my mind. We both needed this. She sat dormant through the winter as I ran rampant through the winter working endless hours and days, pushing through the turmoil of the market, maintaining, changing tactics, striving to be the best I could be knowing it would pay off in the end.
Now it was time for me to re-group, re-focus, take some time for me, clear my mind, as well as expand my mind and my network.
Princess was the way to do that.
I rolled her out of the garage, set the choke and knew she was going to give me her best from the first turn of the key. She's never let me down. A little rough around the edges her rumble was from sitting, but as I geared up for the road, she smoothed out and her familiar Harley "potato" rumble echoed throughout the neighborhood. Yep - IT WAS TIME! Princess and I were hitting the road! The sun was out and the day promised to be in the 60's! PERFECT!
We were multi-tasking today. Work and pleasure all rolled into one. Princess doesn't mind. She just wants to be on the open road.
We were checking and filling flyer boxes, as well scoping out the neighborhoods in my market area.
Our first stop was going to be the local gas station. Princess has needs too and this is one of them. She likes the "good stuff" too and she deserves it. She gives me her best when I give her the best. I don't mind paying the extra - it's worth it in her performance and what she gives me.
We pull into the gas station and she takes her fill. As I get ready to roll again (huge smile on my face) a car pulls in behind me. (A biker is always watching their back - never know when someone is going to creep up on you and well - we worry about what's behind us as much as what's in front of us...) A little close they were -"hmmm maybe they need this gas pump?" I wonder. I am ready to move quickly if need be...
Just like in real estate I am prepared and know what I need to do to get the job done...
The passenger door opens as I am watching in my mirror and a woman jumps out running up to me --
"WAIT!" she exclaims "Don't start it yet!"
My first networking opportunity of the day has just arrived (and I haven't even gone a mile yet)! Oh how I love how business and pleasure always seem to "ride" hand in hand!
I always get the question of "how did you get the courage to do it? Aren't you scared?"
I tell her that fear and passion for what I do drives my success no matter what it is. When someone tells me "I can't do that" I use that to drive away my fears and carry it to success. Don't ever let anyone tell you "you can't."
As our conversation turns from the envy of Princess and my being a woman rider-especially an older woman rider, I naturally lead the conversation in the direction of my other passion - my business.
As our conversation wraps up (it is getting warm sitting there in leathers and Princess is itching to go, but she's patient) and my admirer is "wowed" that I am "THAT VALERIE" The real estate agent with Windermere?" ;
I pull a business card out of my glove. My latest admirer chuckles as I hand it to her telling her that "I hope she'll think of me if she needs or knows of someone who may need my services and help! I am pretty passionate about my business and give it my all just like I do with my riding."
She takes the cardand again chuckles saying-"I can see your passion in both and I will definitely keep you in mind. It would also be pretty hard to forget you and what you do!"
"One more thing?" she asks as she tucks the card in her purse..."Will you rev it up so I can hear her?"
I laugh with a twinkle in my eye and Princess comes to life with a roar...
Business and Pleasure once again "Ride" hand in hand! I am always working for you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I believe in building relationships for life. People come first... People + a House = A home where memories are made and people live.
For more information about my area, the real estate market, buying and selling a home, and other information visit my Blog or my website.
~~Valerie~~
If you would like more information on Belfair, Allyn and LakeLand Village homes for sale or Hood Canal and Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for Sale, drop me a line, give me a call, or stop on by. You can also check out the many choices and prices on my website!
~~Valerie~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whether you are buying or selling a home, don't put your goals off without talking to a local real estate expert with knowledge of homes for sale on Hood Canal, Southern Puget Sound as well as LakeLand Village, Allyn, Belfair and the surrounding area.
I Build relationships for life. YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!
Windermere Peninsula Properties
My email: vlsallyn@windermere.com
My website: www.valspaulding.with wre.com
My blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com
My Direct line: 360.710.5622
Oh Yea Valerie on the trails again. You're so right and business is always pleasure. That is why I love this business.
Charles- It always works its way into pleasure.. Easy to love what I do. Thanks for stopping in!
Do you wear a helmet with the fuzzy microphone? Maybe you should get a shirt that reads.. "if you can read this, than the buyer fell off."
ROFLMAO!!! Sorry, couldn't resist. Love the fact that you ride! That is soo cool.
Greg - you are hilarious! No helmet with the fuzzy microphone. I do wear a helmet though. Need to protect all these brains and knowledge I have! I like your idea of the shirt saying too..! Hey congrats on the baby - she's a doll!
Valerie- It will do you good to just break free and ride. Watch...your business will pick up, you will be refreshed and all will be good in the house of Spaulding. I have to let my brain escape from the biz once in a while and it ALWAYS pays off! Tearing away is the hard part-Dinah Lee
I really enjoyed what you wrote:)) Free spirited, unique in your field and definitly making a great statement, You go girl............ride on!
Valerie. your story brings a smile to my face as I remember some of my days riding with a former boyfriend.........the wind in my face and the sun on my back! Ah the life! Ride on Sister!
Dinah - Yes tearing away is difficult at times. I do get the chance every once in awhile but even then it shows that I love my business because I am always engaging in conversations that turn to real estate and networking! Riding is an EXCELLENT way to clear my mind that is for sure! thanks for stopping in!
Pattie - Thanks Pattie - I love riding and the interest it peaks when I stop somewhere is always fun!
Caren - Just THINKING about riding brings a smile to me .... love it , love it, love it...!! Thanks for stopping in!
I finally sold my bike two years ago because the weather just never cooperated with me when I wanted to ride it, which was all the time. I can only imagine what you have to put up with in your neck of the woods.