Celebrating One Year of The Front Agency

Folks like to say "Time flies when you're having fun." That statement has never felt truer than right now, as we're celebrating our first anniversary of The Front Agency, a real estate brokerage right here in northcentral Montana.

While we've had many fun-filled moments over the last year, it's also been 365 days of hard work, late nights, planning, stressing, strategy sessions, continuing education, team building and more. And to be honest, I wouldn't trade a single day or a single moment of it.

The best team: Tasha, Helen, Sierra, Jennifer, Jen, Mary Ann and Deanna.

It's no secret that this brokerage is made up of seven incredible women, each with our own set of strengths, experiences, insights and more. To celebrate the amazing team we have at The Front Agency and to mark our first anniversary, I asked each of the ladies to share some of their thoughts with me. I also added my own insights from the last year.

What is your biggest accomplishment in the last year related to The Front Agency?

Jen: The biggest accomplishment for me was building the culture within this team that I envisioned when we started this brokerage. It is a close-knit group relationship in which we are clear on each other's strengths and work together to help all of us succeed. Input is encouraged from everyone in order to consistently improve and make The Front Agency the best we can be in every way.  We have heard multiple times over the last year that we seem more like family than coworkers, and that is exactly what I wanted. Quality over quantity.

Sierra: For me, it was stepping out of my comfort zone and finally investing in a venture I have always wanted to try. I have loved reconnecting with friends and family during the process of buying or selling real estate - the relationships I have with my clients is my favorite part of this.

Jennifer: My biggest accomplishment has been showing up and doing the work. I'm proud of the small wins, like building my first client relationship from scratch and learning to navigate the paperwork and technology. Just making it through the first year and feeling more confident in my role is a huge victory for me.

Helen: I am so proud that I've been able to add another career to the mix, while simultaneously growing two other businesses and still prioritizing my family.

Tasha: My greatest joy has been working alongside friends and especially with my daughter, while watching her succeed in this business.

Mary Ann: Helping create a positive environment in which our new agents can learn and grow.

Deanna: Earning my broker's designation.

What has been your biggest learning?

Jen: My biggest learning is ongoing and it's the most realistic and efficient ways to manage my personal business, while still ensuring every agent in our office feels fully supported, as well as continuing to find interesting and innovative ways to promote the properties we represent AND The Front brand as a whole. Mary Ann and Deanna are the other brokers in our office and we have a method that has been working well.  I thank God for them and wouldn't want to do this without them.  

Sierra: There has been so much, but the one thing that stands out is the importance of teamwork. Every transaction has a new opportunity to learn and being able to call on this team to ask questions, or formulate a plan to best navigate challenge that arises is irreplaceable. This team always steps up to help one another, and we are constantly sharing experiences or advice to help one another learn more about this industry. 

Jennifer: My biggest learning has been the power of patience. I learned to trust the process and understand that building my real estate side of my life will take time. I've also learned a few more things  about myself. This year was all about personal growth, and I'm a much stronger person for it.

Helen: Time management and realigning priorities and accepting that I can't do it all. This has been a challenge.

Tasha: Learning that there is always something to learn - I learn something new every single day.

Mary Ann: My biggest learning from this year has been how to be the best asset to Jen as a broker.

Deanna: The studying I took part in to earn my broker's license, which covered the requirements of how to run a real estate brokerage is valuable. While Jen is successful in running her brokerage, she encourages me to use that knowledge and shares her thoughts with me which allows me to contribute to the brokerage as an active participant and makes me more invested in her goals.

What are you most looking forward to in the years ahead?

Jen: I'm most looking forward to helping each of the four newer agents in our office develop their business in exactly the way that they feel most comfortable and to the level that they each are happy with.  The best part of this group is that we are happy to celebrate individual wins and are genuinely proud of each other and our successes.  

Sierra: I'm looking forward to seeing the impact The Front Agency we will make in real estate, but also in our communities. No one on this team sists still - we are constantly on-the-go, whether it be showing houses or stepping up to help someone in our local communities. I can’t wait to see the impact we have this upcoming year and all the years to follow. 

Jennifer: I'm most looking forward to taking everything I've learned and putting it into action to build my brand as a real estate agent. I can't wait to continue growing my network, deepening my knowledge of the market and helping more people in the coming year.  

Helen: For me, I'm looking forward to utilizing real estate as a way to grow in all aspects of life through relationships and business skills.

Tasha: The opportunity to help friends and family will always be the most rewarding part of this for me.

Mary Ann: I'm looking forward to helping each of our agents become more successful and watching them flourish.

Deanna: I'm most looking forward to seeing our brokerage and individual agents continue on our path of success and positivity.

Marking one year of The Front Agency.

To my friends, colleagues and fellow agents, I'm so lucky to be on this journey with you. Here's to many more.

-Jen Barnett