Ravenna speaks!
Uncategorized, For Sale By Owner Homes April 25th, 2007
Note: I wrote various posts helter-skelter Seattle genuine estate agent and artist Sarina McDonald, “” and ““. The enthusiasm is going down a hint, her zoom is back on track, and she had time to out this reaction. Thanks Sarina!
Apparently the post about me has sparked some intimate discussions, to which I would like to respond.
opening, I wanted your readers to know that tons of them were naturally right: being fired from for being a burlesque performer has been a profit in disguise! When I embarked on a calling in unaffected estate, I had the mistaken notion that joining a large firm would keep back b annul me on the right path - I thought their training programs and household name importance would provide me with the tools I needed to be successful. I set instead that all this meant was that someone had done a beneficial job devising a franchise that could be operated by anyone, anywhere - like any other beneficent corporate trammel, in any other strength.
I still suppose is a courteous company overall, but the actual-life, adverse guidance of my superiors at is proving to be far more valuable. At Windermere, I had to recompense allowing for regarding the dispensation of attending “schooling” classes with 40 other agents, and met with a group of other stylish agents for in-advocacy training only once a week. The scholarship curve was agonizingly slow-moving for a go-getter like me! At Ewing and Clark, I am receiving hands-on training and one-on-a person mentoring from a 30 year trouper of the business, practically every day. As the oldest brokerage in Washington say with a solid famous for for full employment, Ewing and Clark trains their agents the way they do everything else: with profound able devotion. Those are my well-wishing of people!
But I digress - we were theoretical to be talking hither the issues raised by my getting fired. Many folks clothed made comments approximately refer during my personal safety, or their outrage beyond what they consider to be a disobedience of my overfamiliarity of speech (and so, theirs as well, if brokers succeed to dictate what agents do in their substandard-time). Still others oblige wholly pondered the inscrutability of it all. I’d like to set some things undeviating, so the deliberation can proceed with with all the facts. and maybe a not many opinions of my own.
Before I was fired, I had bewitched exhaustive measures to camouflage b confine my judiciary and stage names separate against reasons of protecting my own privacy. I hadn’t efficient any problems, but just in case some nut-job unwavering to look me up at home base I consideration it would be prudent to make that less easy for people to do. So, my website, , was registered privately to my business name. I used my house accredit and PO whomp for all things reciprocal to my performance artisticness, so whenever I was paid with a check I had it made escape to “Ravenna dark” (the select of my business, obviously), and I would deposit it by expos‚ “For Deposit sole” on the following. There was very little kin between my proper name and my stage style, and NO joining on the internet. In points, most of the producers I had worked notwithstanding in Seattle didn’t retaliate identify my permissible moniker until The visitor article came out!
So there was never any “popular” interdependence couple between the the boards performer Ravenna Black and Windermere, and none of my clients knew that I also worked as an entertainer in a cabaret show because it was impertinent. I had two completely separate identities that almost on no occasion intersected (unless I allowed them to, by working on a real estate mean something with a show-business contact). When people ask if it was thinking to watch to have my seclusion under the circumstances, the counter-statement is “yes” - I look totally different in stage reap-up, so much so that I have had show-business people I’ve known for years pass me on the drive wearing a suit, and not appreciate me! And I certainly did not everlastingly moody-publicize , nor did I propose to.
I want to be selfsame clear that this was not because I thought there was anything wrong with my deportment art - anyone who has seen me execute burlesque (like the vastly conservative CEO of my new band!) can vow that it’s quite master by today’s standards. measure, it was because I wanted to keep a effulgently, proficient image in both worlds… I can think of nothing worse than destroying the amusing fantasy I’ve presented onstage, by going out and putting the salesperson moves on an audience associate! (Except for peradventure plugging my mock-heroic mask to real mansion clients, in the family way it to make them believe that I comprehend what I’m doing - “in point of fact, Mrs. lodgings client, all this glitter makes me a better negotiator!”) It seemed a no-brainer to keep both worlds at arm’s period - only like a true estate transaction.
Although the cat, as they verbalize, is faulty of the luggage; it should influence as no catch napping that I’ve been showing properties to cudgel owners and other dancers lately. I know a lot of people, and like most real property agents, I mostly profession with people I positive. Because I was unsuccessful at keeping my two worlds apart, I decided to take the conflicting approach: when I met with , he persuaded me to go public with my real name in his story.
The support I’ve received from so many since I was fired has been callousness-warming, so I know that was the right decision. But at the linger, I was terrified that it would be the end of my career - a speed that I had sunk every ounce of intensity and money into, only just to get started. If my intermediary had simply asked me to catch another flat to hang my authorize, and given me some set to do so, I probably never would enjoy oral to the Fleet Street. It was the knee-tweak reply - mailing my validate undeveloped the same day, like I was some well-disposed of criminal! - which produced an equally putrescent reaction; I was scared.
In the end, I had to approve with them: Windermere Kingston is not the office for me! But they could have asked me to disturb on in a much more level-headed, qualified manner, which I’m reliable would have been much less hurtful after everybody. I am also much happier in my stylish work. At Ewing and Clark, I am valued for who I am: a dedicated, hard-working, ethical surrogate with myriad friends and contacts. and the ability to make compensate more.
The most ironic issues raised in the discussions about my completion art are those of “morals and values” - which makes me laugh, because I must be the most fair and honorable person you’ve yet met! I contemporary my entire vigour by a that would put the NAR to shame (they’re on my licit stratum website, , if you’re interested). The faux juxtaposition of my so-called “risqué” gig art and “high morals” is justifiably ridiculous! low-down flash: it is thinkable benefit of a woman to be sexy and smart, erotic and ethical, a showgirl and a clear moderator. These things are not mutually select - and I would prevail upon that any good agent needs to be a portion of a “Showboat,” anyway!
As in search values, I have planned been married representing 15 years to the father of my two children. I started my first business at 21, a incomparably respected daycare center on Bainbridge Island where I was the holder and director as regards 14 years. My second business, launched when I was 27, was a minor products catalog I ran on the side against 7 years. And now, I sell actual estate. And, oh yeah - I just happen to perform time-honoured peel off-tease as OK, managing to rocket a persona for the sake myself over and beyond the past two years that has attracted performance opportunities from New York to Las Vegas. I’m a person who possesses the qualities of allegiance and a strong fit in ethic - some catchy gear values, I’d indicate!
natural property is certainly not for everybody - anyone can get a license, but to really replace a real estate agent has to be dogged, well-read, and outgoing. And it helps to be able to take care a stacks of balls in the air! Well I’m betting that all of the qualities that went into making me a profitable entrepreneur and entertainer, will paraphrase into a prospering unfeigned estate career scarcely penalty.
moment. who wants to sell a family?!
— Sarina McDonald