We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marti Voorheis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marti, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I grew up in Norman, Oklahoma with very “normal” parents who never strayed from their extraordinary values of love, commitment, and honesty–just to name a few. I was about 4 years old when they taught me about honesty. My dad was having a suit altered at a mens store. I remember the outing and wandering around the store. When we were leaving, my mom looked back at me in the back seat of the old Oldsmobile and asked what I was playing with. It was a small piece of white chalk. I found it in the store and was still holding it in the my little chalky hands. She immediately had my dad drive back to the store and directed me to go back in the store and apologize to the manager for taking the tailor’s chalk. She explained that I had stolen and I would go apologized and never steal again. What a teaching moment she capitalized on. I was completely humiliated and have never taken, borrowed or stolen since!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always loved moving. My parents used to take me on drives looking for new neighborhoods where we could look at new construction. And we all enjoyed walking through an unfinished home. Dodging nails and debris, we would guess what each room was intended to be. Learning early on site which pipe was for the toilet and which one was the sink. This began at the age of 3 and became a lifelong hobby. One time I even shimmied through an open window and let my parents in the front door. I guess they might call that trespassing today. But in 1973 in the burbs of Oklahoma, it was just a nice Sunday afternoon. I was probably still in my church clothes. So real estate for me was really meant to be from the beginning. I’m grateful every day to be doing what I love.

At 16, I attended the Pratt Institute in New York for Architecture, but did not pursue it. I ended up on the west coast for a couple of years before transferring to SMU where I met my husband. We had 3 children as fast as we could and then the likes of real estate was whittled down to eventually owning a rental property that I enjoyed upgrading between clients and searching the internet for the dream home I didn’t think I would ever own. Searching the on-line sites was nonetheless very satisfying and I spent countless hours scrolling the internet.

Once I talked my husband, Paul, into moving, I guess we got on a roll because we moved 5 times in 5 years. Realizing that I was the only person in the family who was thoroughly enjoying this, I decided to turn this into a career.

Some people say I work too much…I’m going to burn out….I don’t have balance. But I say, my hobby, passion and career is all rolled up into one. With the most supportive husband ever, we are making the most of it. And for the most part, we have swapped roles a time or two.

I love owning my own business. I love the requirement of adaptation and learning to pivot and continue to be successful in this very interesting business that is largely misunderstood by the public. It’s fascinating to me that sometimes you run into someone who doesn’t really value what Realtors do, they have a real problem with the commission structure. And that’s usually because they don’t know. I find that when these types of people start to understand what’s going on behind the scenes, they end up happy with the end result. After all, it’s usually the biggest purchase they have ever made. It’s the most emotional transaction they have ever completed. It’s a big deal. I’m honored to represent my clients and guide them every step of the way. I never take it for granted. There are lots of great agents out there.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My reputation is built on hard work. In an age where people are having instant success via social media platforms, where going viral and getting likes, shares, and comments propel them into monetary success, I earned my success by food old fashion hard work. It’s that easy. Lots of sacrifice. Working when I didn’t feel like it. Being available 24/7. It’s called customer service. I pride myself on being available to my clients when they need me. I see the process through the same lense that they do, with the same urgency that they do, with the same passion and importance that they do. I match their speed, their commitment, and their every preference all along the way. I got into this business and knew that I would have to work harder to gain respect in this competitive field where others have been working off referrals for years. They have already earned it. I don’t mind working long and hard–because I love what I do.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I don’t believe in the quantum leap. I believe in doing the right thing over and over until it pays off. I believe in goals, vision boards, and the law of attraction. If you can think it, you can achieve it. But it’s not overnight. It’s long and arduous…and mundane. It’s doing the simple little things that no one else wants to do. I love the book The Compound Effect. Apply it to anything and you’ll be more successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: marti.daveperrymiller.com
• Instagram: martidallasrealtor
• Facebook: Marti Foor Voorheis
• Linkedin: Marti Voorheis
• Youtube: Marti Voorheis

Image Credits
Jin kim