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

Leigh, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you ever seen (or implemented) a really awesome way to show a client you appreciate them

Showing appreciation for clients is a major consideration of mine when building my business. I have worked in the service based industry my entire professional career and understand the value in rewarding the ones who work with you, versus focusing your attention towards new inbound clientele. Phone networks, insurance companies, TV networks, all to me appear to focus on rewarding consumers who join them, versus rewarding the ones who are with them and stay with them. It’s all about consumer capture versus retention.

During my time with the Portland Timbers, my role was geared towards season ticket renewals, experience and fan engagement. By developing a stronger culture and relationship with the consumer who has already engaged with you, it created an environment that others wanted to be a part of. Offering renewal gifts, building a season ticket holder engagement program and providing them exclusive prizes, experiences and events all tied into the experience and showing of appreciation. This was the culture I wanted to replicate and develop upon where I can.

Appreciation can come in many forms with simply always being available or being on time, up to lavish gifts. And I believe varying levels of appreciation are okay, but I try to keep things consistent across the board.

Clients of mine can expect: A home purchase or sale closing gift shortly after their sale concludes, invitations to client care events such as social happy hours, wine tastings, private movie screenings, Christmas Caroling, catered events, as well as a big summer bash with hosted drinks, food, music and prizes. We hope each year to host 3-4 events, on top of sending out appreciation anniversary cards and birthday cards. We also run client care focused prize draws to events or restaurant opening reservations that we book ahead of time.

This appreciation certainly comes with its benefits. I have been blessed to continue developing relationships with clients, while also receiving various referral business from them or return business. This further enhances my opportunities as the the business grows, to offer more to the client care program.

Leigh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Originally from England, I have a diverse background that includes customer service, sales, business management, and sports. I have worked in fan engagement with professional soccer teams in England and the United States and was part of the record-setting Portland Timbers ticketing department.

I joined the real estate industry in 2015 and was named a Top Producer within two years. I have held that title each year since 2017 to present day, assisting over 425 buyers and sellers during the past eight years, averaging $26+ million in sales per year. During that time, my experience in the residential real estate world continues to develop covering many different types of property and more importantly, different situations and relationships involved that require strategic and careful personal skills.

Clients of mine have voiced appreciation for my interpersonal skills, availability, work ethic, and market knowledge. Clients have benefitted from my network of contacts from finding off market sales opportunities, connection to contractors and professionals who have further aided their needs within the related industries around real estate.

Some of the key things I would want someone to know about me, is that I handle everyone’s experience with careful intent. I don’t rush anything, but once we know a clear target, I am able to act quickly and precisely for the clients best interests. I often use the metaphor that I don’t throw 50 darts and see which ones stick. I learn what the best opportunity for success is, and throw the right dart at the target.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

2013 was the year my wife and I started to have kids. Fast forward to now and we have 3 (2013, 2016, 2018). Our middle child Daphne, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in 2017. This spun a whole bunch of changes with living conditions as she would be wheelchair bound, and would likely be with us at home in the long term. During the pandemic years, business was accelerating and demand was increasing for my time and expertise, however schools and therapy care was diminishing for Daphne. All of what was going on was pointless if one of our family was not thriving, let alone the one who needed the most support.

So, after careful consideration and consultation from our Rett community, we moved to Prosper, Texas and got Daphne into a school with exceptional special education teachers and facilities, as well as a state that provided medical coverage for her to a higher level than what we were getting before, while also being located closer to 2 of the best hospitals nationally for Rett Syndrome surgeries that could await her in the future.

This meant, adapting my WA business to form a partnership with another agent who we now work in collaboration, and I am also building a new business in Texas too. Both businesses are working well after 2 years of experience of the new structure now, and the major pivot that places my family first, has been a major benefit for the family and business to continue the growth.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

For my WA business, I have a partnership structure with a fellow Brit, Harvey Coker.

I met Harvey through a few connections, as he had begun his career working with a local SW Washington builder and a couple contacts of mine called me to say that they thought they were talking to me, but it happened to be another Englishman. I thought that could be handy, especially as business was growing already!

I visited the model house of the builder to get a quick scope of the guy, and then invited him to meet up to learn about him. I found a lot of similar traits and approaches to life being spoken from him, which was great! I brought him on as a buyers agent as soon as I could, offering mentorship and illustrating the income that I was generating through the business, which he could benefit from if it grew.

During the next few years, Harvey and I would work on many deals together, learn about each others habits, good and bad, as well as become more connected with each others family. His position with my kids is more so Uncle Harvey than it is just my business partner. Numerous years since we first met and we’re still always learning and improving how we operate, but our levels of trust continues to strengthen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.oxfordstreetpartners.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcalvertgbr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oxfordstpartnersrealestate
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighcalvert/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjC1l29LzxEcdI9XVj6rY8w
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/leigh-calvert-cascade-hasson-sothebys-international-realty-vancouver