Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jaime Snapp. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jaime, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Early in your career, how did you think through the decision of whether to start your own firm or join an established firm?

The first year I started in Real Estate I joined a team. A fairly large one. I have learned to research different positions, companies, and the people who are in charge years ago. This particular team was the only agency that I could find their training program information online. It wasn’t in detail, but it gave a nice outline for me to have a good idea of their structure. Which is what I wanted for my first year. I was so excited. I knew that I had experience in sales, operations, and guest services, decades of it. But I had no knowledge of working within real estate. I wanted to know everything. I wanted to know what each document meant. I wanted to know what to do in different negotiation situations. I was a damp sponge ready to absorb the knowledge.
I am very happy with the training I received. I felt greatly empowered because I knew more than most 2 or 3 year agents.

Jaime, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was raised in Saginaw, Mi and grew up moving around a lot. My Mom was a single parent, so I was in High School before she was able to purchase a home. I watched her work two jobs while attending nursing school. Seeing her fight for our stability as a family unit taught me valuable life lessons before most of my peers. I knew if I wanted out, if I wanted to be successful and build my own stability. I had to go to college. I graduated from Northwood University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude with a dual major in Management and Marketing. After graduation I moved to Florida and excelled quickly in the Hospitality industry working for large corporations such as Disney World, and Omni Hotels and Resorts. Every promotion came with a relocation, causing me to move 6 times within 6 years. One could say I am a professional mover as well! After inspiration from a previous employer in Nevada, I returned to Michigan and jumped into a Real Estate profession.
As a current Freeland resident, I have become an advocate for the community. My contacts, education, as well as a life-long hospitality experience, enhance my ability to market listings and effectively communicate with clients. I am RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert) and SFR (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource) certified. I am currently getting certified for commercial real estate and taking courses for my Brokerage license. I operate on 100% transparency, thorough and detail oriented- making sure my clients fully understand every step of the transaction.
With all of that being said, I am most proud of being an Aunt. I have 17 nieces and nephews who I love with all my heart. They are amazing kids and I am grateful for the opportunity to watch them become awesome adults. Family is important to me, so I treat all of my clients as if they are a part of my family.

Any advice for managing a team?

I have been in charge of hiring, firing, and maintaining teams for over a decade. The best advice I can give is to go with your instincts.
Currently I meet with my Mentees at least one time a week, even if it’s only for an hour. It’s an opportunity for me to check in with them, not only with what they have going on professionally that they need help with, but for me to check in on their morale. I pick up on verbal and physical cues. The tone in their voice can tell me if they are in a negative mindset or if they sit with their legs and arms crossed, It tells me they actually are closed off to the topic being discussed. This helps me determine how they are doing with the vast amount of rejection a Realtor faces daily.
Sometimes they need discipline , sometimes they need encouragement. My goal is to find out what it is, then teach them how to recognize what they need themselves so they can become self reliant.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I am an avid reader. It’s funny because I tried to dodge learning how to read all together in grade school, so they put me in this special reading class forcing me to read more! Elementary school is Tyranny. Today, I read at least a book a week. I like some things by Stephen Covey. Amy Cuddy has a book called Presence that is really good. From Good to Great is also very good. But beyond the self improvement novels, I will play videos of interviews given by Gary Vaynerchuk throughout the entire day for a quick swift in the pants metaphorically speaking. If I am fighting against self pity I find Mel Robbins on YouTube. Listen to her podcast if you really want to improve your life in general. And if I need some sense of direction or a boost in self cofindence, I turn to Brené Brown.
At the end of the day, these are stones for me to sharpen my tools upon. It’s same for everybody. You have to want whatever it is that you think you want.
You want to be a doctor but don’t want to go to college? You don’t want to be a doctor, you want the respect and wealth that comes from the community a doctor is in, you do not want to do the work that goes along with it.
You want to be known as a leader but can’t respect the people around you? You don’t actually want to be a leader, you want to be admired without any effort in building genuine relationships.
You have to be willing to and actually do the work that goes along with whatever it is that you want. Seek encouragement from whatever source you need it from, but roll up your sleeves and get to work to earn it.

Contact Info:

• Website: jaimesnapp.com
• Instagram: @jaimesnapp38
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaime.snapp
• Youtube: @jaimesnapp3086