We were lucky to catch up with Theresa Kuyl recently and have shared our conversation below.

Theresa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

After being in the industry for nearly twenty years, managing the sales team and offices, we felt it was time we work for ourselves and open our own brokerage. Officially launching on New Years Day was exciting! Our location, centrally located in a robust downtown, our neighbors; boutiques, restaurants, professional offices. Foot traffic and energy. It was perfect. Our happiness and enthusiasm was contagious and soon we grew from eight to nearly 30 associates. And then came the day we were at a restaurant, two doors down and witnessed an officer come into the establishment, issuing a letter that there would be a shutdown. The date was March 13th of 2020 (0r Friday the 13th as I recall it). It was a dark weekend. After investing our money and pouring our hearts into our business we were facing a world shutdown and a mysterious virus. I took the weekend to reflect and woke up Monday with a new perspective. We were going to lead. Our agents and community depended on us. As leaders we went into action, calling each of our associates, setting up morning zoom calls (8 am sharp daily from Monday to Friday) just so we (and they) would have a reason to show up. We established a motto #NoAgentLeftBehind which is now dear to our hearts. In the months we had at home while the shutdown continued, we introduced training programs. Knowing one day, things would open up and we would be ready with sharpened skills. In that time there were also a few zoom happy hours. When we felt it safe to return to outdoor gatherings, we hired a catering company to bbq in our parking lot. I often reflect at this time as when we truly bonded and our culture was formed. From there we continued to foster an environment where our associates could thrive, encouraging collaboration and creativity. Most important to myself was that they felt cared for and safe in these walls. As Realtors we are responsible for guiding our clients in what is often their largest financial transaction and most stressful time. The motivation for one to move can be a happy event while it also can be a difficult time. In times of death, job loss, divorce and other traumatic life events, people often move. All of this pressure and stress is often felt by the agent. In addition to these obstacles we are in a very competitive environment. In the face of all that adversity, I, as the leader of this organization can ensure that there is one place they can feel supported and safe. Their home away from home. here at NextHome, where we don’t just speak about culture and family but we live and breathe by it. Since then we have grown to more than one hundred associates between our two locations.

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

At just 23 years old I would obtain my real estate license. The allure? The business was quite different from what I envisioned; drive around to nice homes and make very good commissions. At this time I was also a young mom and found it difficult learning the business and caring for my children. Eight years later I found myself in the middle of a divorce with little options or skills. I was at risk of losing my home and there was no Plan B for me to fall back on. No family that I could move in with. No back up career. And this is when I did my best work. My determination was off the charts. Failure was not going to be an option. I focused on my prospects. I knocked on doors. I kept showing up even when I had nothing (yet) to show for it. And in that year I made enough to support my family. In the following year I did even better. Hell, I kept fighting until one day I was a top agent, and it occurred to me that I didn’t have to fight so hard anymore. I am proud of what I overcame and I want to help others with what I have learned.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Being entrusting with one’s listing (the sale of their home) is a big deal. It’s a huge amount of trust on their part to hire you. One day I had a listing appointment. The owner worked late therefore the appointment was not until 8:30pm. It had been dark since 3:30 pm and snowing. At the last minute I needed to find a replacement for my children’s babysitter. When I arrived at the home and met the owners (for the first time) I felt something was off. When the time came to present, I opened my laptop while the homeowner said out loud “let’s hear your fifteen minute elevator pitch,” His opinion of agents was poor after having two unpleasant experiences prior to me. Feeling intimidated by his demeanor, my mind went blank, my mouth dry. He noticed and said “It’s okay” which made me even more mortified. I managed to fumble through my presentation slides and went home feeling terrible of course. The following morning I woke up with a plan. Knowing full well that I was the best person for this job, I mustered the courage to call him at his workplace, a used car lot. “Joe, this is Theresa, the Realtor from last night. Listen, that wasn’t me. I’m going to be in the area in about an hour, do you mind if I stop by?” He agreed to meet me. This time, I threw the presentation away. Instead I preselected tabs from multiple websites, showcasing my past and present work, systems, the back end of my client management site, and real time stats of our marketing. When I walked into Joe’s office, I said “Let me show you what I do on a daily basis”. Joe selected me to be his agent after that meeting and we successfully completed the sale. It is okay to fall. So long as you get back up.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In my early days I worked for offices that seemed to have a culture of not sharing the secrets to their success. There was often a sense of fear that if they somehow let you know what they did to succeed, that you would take the business from them. This would become my mindset once I established myself. It took a few years before I would meet people who think differently. Mentors and coaches who helped me to change my mindset from scarcity to abundance. By sharing and bringing others up with us, our opportunities as an entire organization only grow bigger.

Contact Info:

• Website: SellWithTheresa.com or Theresa.ForceNJ.com
• Instagram: @theresa_moves @sellwiththeresa @forcerealty @forcepremier
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealtorNJ/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresaforce
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaY7AH8umfdzU3YLYJRQIeA?app=desktop