Today we’d like to introduce you to Lida Athearn
Hi Lida, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
At 20 years old I wanted to go into real estate, but knew nothing about it. After interviewing with a real estate company and realizing I only get paid if I sell, I put that dream to bed. I was in college at the time majoring in psychology and really wanted to start a family. Ultimately the family won in the end, and I got married and had 4 boys. I worked for a non-profit organization for 12 years, starting as a volunteer then working my way up to executive director. While I did love what I was doing, real estate was always calling me. At 38 years old I decided to finally commit to the real estate classes. I was scared to go into this field at my age, knowing how competitive it was, but I jumped. 7 years later I had gotten my broker’s license and just a year ago opened my brokerage, Athearn Realty, in downtown Fenton with two of my sons. I now have four agents working for me and haven’t looked back. The thing about real estate that I find so rewarding is truly helping people with their largest financial investment. My clients become like family to me. I am not only their Realtor, but I am also their trusted advisor and friend. I truly want the best for each and every one of my clients. My brokerage has and will continue to grow with intention. I am not trying to be the biggest brokerage out there, I am trying to be the brokerage that when you hear our name you know we care. We are big enough to deliver and small enough to care. My background in psychology has helped me tremendously in my real estate career. I have not yet had a client who wasn’t anxious in a transaction whether it be a first-time home buyer or an investor. It is scary because any sale or purchase is a big deal!
I am an avid reader, last year I actually read 100 books. I love everything self help and am always for looking for ways to grow both personally and professionally. I enjoy spending quality time with my family. I have been married for 24 years and have four boys, 2 dogs and 2 cats.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. I struggled tremendously when I quit my job to go into real estate full time. I decorated Christmas trees for people and local businesses, I organized closets for people, I staged homes, and I sold almost all my personal home decor to pay my mortgage in the first couple years. A few years into my real estate career I quit drinking alcohol and I hired a coach to help me build my business. There was a lot of negative feedback I had to block out. I knew I had to get laser focused if I was going to make it in this industry. I was told I was crazy to go into real estate, I was told opening my own brokerage was suicide and I was asked how I would take care of my family if I opened a brokerage. There were times I struggled with anxiety and self-doubt, but I just kept going. In real estate there is a lot of rejection. I had to get used to the rejection. I had look at it as clarity not rejection. It is all about perspective.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are big enough to deliver and small enough to care. What sets my brokerage apart is we are truly in this to help people. We are not in it to try to be the biggest or have the most volume, we are trying to help as many people as we can. You can learn more about us at www.athearnrealty.com
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I have so many favorite books, it is hard to name just one. I recently have enjoyed Unreasonable Hospitality, Man’s Search for Meaning and Speak. I enjoy the Mel Robbins podcast. I’m currently reading The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.athearnrealty.com
- Instagram: lidaathearn_athearnrealty
