This week's contributor profile is Lee Davenport. Check out her work on her Inman profile. I had a little q-and-a session with her, and here is what she had to say: LEE'S INMAN PROFILELee Davenport is a licensed real estate broker and the owner of Agents Around Atlanta Plus, which provides training and on-demand agent coaching for local Realtor associations, franchisers and brokerages. A jack-of-all-trades and a leader in the Atlanta real estate community, Davenport strives to be a multifaceted resource for those she meets. In the aftermath of the 2007 housing market crash, she obtained certifications as an Affordable Housing Specialist and a Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource. She has served as managing broker and mentor for one of Atlanta’s top RE/MAX franchises, RE/MAX Around Atlanta. A licensed minister, Davenport helped start United LifeSavers LLC, an organization dedicated to helping improve communities. Davenport holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in legal studies, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in business administration. Lee recently authored Plan to Win!, a workbook available on Amazon.com and at a discounted price in the FMLS Online Store. Plan to Win! was designed to help real estate agents transform their sales game plan to generate more leads, sell with social media, win listings, wow buyers, and much more. | What is your passion? I am passionate about helping others. This takes many forms from my helping real estate agents and brokers avoid some of the hurdles that I didn't, to my helping non-native English speakers get a better grasp on our everyday vernacular I was a volunteer English teacher in Hungary this summer. What do you do in your spare time? I love spending time with my family and I enjoy meeting strangers that eventually I can embrace as friends and family. I am enlivened and blessed knowing that, just in a small way, I am able to help someone have a better day, week, month, and possibly even life. What made you want to contribute? My desire to connect with and help others ultimately is why I enjoy contributing to Inman and being a part of this robust community. This is a great network of camaraderie, where we can share and help one another grow, in order to reach the next level in both our professional and personal lives. Who wouldn't want to participate in such a group! What advice would you give to other aspiring real estate professionals and contributors? As a new real estate agent, I wish I had know the importance of connecting within our real estate community earlier. Unfortunately, like so many others, I saw other agents as a "threat" instead of seeing the wealth of experience and knowledge that can be gained from connectivity. I eventually learned the importance of collaboration and was able to close my first few deals as a REALTOR due to luxury referrals from top-producing agents that I had gotten to know. Thus, I would encourage aspiring real estate professionals and new Inman contributors to seek fellowship among our dynamic group and industry, and watch your know-how and business flourish. |