Jennifer Johnsen Cameron, Vice President of Brand Development with Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty (RSIR), sat down with broker Andrea Blackhurst recently to discuss how she balances her family and broker life, her passion for art, and the three things in her purse that she can’t make it through the day without.
Jennifer: How have you balanced being a young mom with your real estate career and what skills have you developed as a mommy that contribute to your success as a broker?
Andrea: Some days are more challenging than others! My main goal is making sure everyone feels supported – my daughter, my family, friends, and clients. Yoga, hiking, and working out are my places of rejuvenation. It’s an opportunity to get out of my head, shut off my phone, and focus on making the most out of that time. It is important to take some time for yourself between the daycare runs, client showings, new client meetings, and contracts, because it’s easy to let that take over. It is that “me time” that allows a recharge for what’s next. The biggest take-away I have learned from being a mom is patience. In real estate, emotions can run high as you are dealing with the biggest purchase of most people’s lives. I can’t take people’s emotions personally and I have to try and understand where everyone is coming from. Moms wear a lot of hats – therapist, safety blanket, disciplinarian, negotiator, and friend – all the same qualities we need in real estate. Adults can throw tantrums just as bad as my toddler and although funny, it doesn’t help if I throw a tantrum back and panic.
Andrea says her daughter has taught her how to be a more patient person both personally and professionally, though she says it’s key to make sure to fit in some “me” time to recharge her batteries when she can.
Jennifer: You are a truly talented artist. What inspired your passion for painting?
Andrea: Thank you, I am honored to even be considered an artist. I have been drawing since I was a little girl. I think my grandmother latched on to my creative side when I was around 2 and ran with that. My grandpa went in for heart surgery and I drew him a picture to make him feel better. From that point on, she was always my biggest cheerleader when it came to being creative. Each visit to their home brought with it a new medium of paint, or clay for sculpture, and no matter what I did, she looked at it and displayed it as if it were created by Monet. Now that my grandparents aren’t around, it’s something that I get to share with family and friends and I love that part. My family members are still my biggest cheerleaders. They each have a list of paintings they constantly want; I think 70% of all my pieces end up with one of them.
A collection of Andrea’s watercolor paintings, which are inspired by Pacific Northwest living.
Jennifer: If I looked in your purse right now, what are 3 things I would be find that you can’t make it through your day without?
Andrea: A pen, baby wipes, and my debit card. A pen is needed for everything, all day. I am the worst when it comes to carrying my business cards around and there have been a few times I have drawn out my picture and written my info on paper – definitely one way of being remembered! Baby wipes are a must with a toddler and they come in handy for a quick clean-up. I feel like it’s something all people should have on hand. A debit card is self-explanatory – coffee and lunch stops when I am out and about, client meetings and happy hours. I should say my phone but it’s always in my hand so that doesn’t count right?
Read more posts from Jennifer Johnsen Cameron’s Broker Interview Series here.