Stephanie Danielson: Bringing a Bright Future into the Present

Spend a few minutes with Stephanie Danielson and you’ll likely be inspired to start singing, “On a clear day, you can see forever!” Stephanie Danielson has that kind of effect on people. Stephanie is the President of Danielson Real Estate Consultants, a highly successful real estate group in Elk River, MN. Stephanie possesses an uncanny ability to engage a future few others are able to imagine; it’s that farsighted intelligence that makes her such a powerhouse in her fi eld. It’s also why her clients experience the delight of seeing their own exciting possibilities becoming cherished realities. Stephanie’s expertise is a clear day, helping those in her service reach a bright future of their own design.

A MODEL FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
Stephanie’s career path is a good example of her ability to turn visionary possibilities into concrete realities. She originally worked as a registered nurse, a career fi eld that matched her strong desire to serve people in need. She enjoyed the medical fi eld (she maintains her license and stays current in the medical application of natural wellness practices), but a life change in 1998 required a more fl exible schedule. Selling residential real estate seemed like the perfect fit. As Stephanie recalled, “After completing the required training, I signed on with a top national franchise in Elk River. I was obviously new in the fi eld, but I didn’t let that stop me from setting big goals right away. I studied the behaviors of successful local agents and even called them for advice and tips. They were all very helpful and supportive. Following their example, I always strive to be supportive and polite to my own business associates, especially new agents. Since my start in 1998, a 50- to 60-hour work week is commonplace for me. The hard work defi nitely has paid off. Every year, I set obtainable goals and plans to achieve these goals. Year after year, I have consistently grown in knowledge, referral business and volume.”

Stephanie has distinguished herself as a top seller with a knack for working with challenging properties. “Right from the start, I sought after listings that most agents avoided,” said Stephanie, “the hard-to-price, unique properties that typically had lengthy days on the market. Those listings required creative marketing methods and exceptional communication skills with the often-frustrated sellers. The lessons learned on these challenging homes were invaluable — as a result, I became the resident expert at pricing and marketing homes in all price ranges.” Chris and Cindy Bassett enthusiastically agreed, “Stephanie really knows her stuff! We had an older home that required Stephanie’s expertise in guiding us through the complicated process of selling it. She did a fantastic job — sold the house in record time — then went on to help us purchase a new custom-built home. She’s an outstanding resource for real estate issues and we truly benefi ted from her expertise!” Not surprisingly, over the years, Stephanie has received many awards for her top performance, and was awarded the title of “Super Real Estate Agent” by both Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business magazine for the last two consecutive years.

(Stephanie with Reg Powell, broker of Avalar Minnesota Real Estate)

STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE WITH REG POWELL AND AVALAR
Stephanie’s ability to embrace successful new directions led to a coalition with Reg Powell and Avalar Minnesota Real Estate. Stephanie recalled, “I worked with Reg in my earlier years and knew him to be an outstanding agent, and a man with integrity who had keen insight into the real estate industry. One day I received a call from Reg, inviting me to join him in the Avalar franchise. At the time I had no plans of making such a change, but after doing an extensive review of Avalar’s structure, stability and business philosophy, I could see this organization had outstanding potential. Excited by what I’d learned, I called Reg back and said, ‘I’m on board!’ My decision quickly proved to be the right one — Avalar is on a powerful success curve and my clients are defi nitely benefi ting from that upward motion.”

The Avalar Network’s franchising model structure is an intrinsic part of its success. It takes an “agent-centric” approach that enhances the professional development and success of the nation’s top real estate agents. Because it features an incentive model, agents are rewarded for recruiting and mentoring superior agents under their own care. The resultant structure naturally reinforces the highest standards of excellence in the real estate industry: Mentors receive compensation, mentored agents receive conscientious and personalized training, and of course, the clients receive the very best services available. “It’s the wave of the future,” said Powell. “In 2006, the National Association of Realtors recognized The Avalar Network as ‘one of the fastest growing real estate and mortgage franchises in the United States.’ I had the opportunity to open the fi rst Avalar franchise in Minnesota. Being on the ground fl oor of this outstanding organizational model allows me to bring together the best agents in the state. It’s very exciting because our reputation as [a] sterling, results-oriented franchise is a direct result of our topnotch, mutually supportive team.”

Powell speaks out of his own extensive real estate and business background. “I’ve worked in the real estate industry for 14 years. Prior to that, I owned a company selling automobiles. I understand what it takes to succeed in sales, particularly when the market is changing. With Avalar, I have the opportunity to provide revenue sharing with agents under my mentoring care. We set goals together, maintain accountability and plan for ongoing training. Success in sales requires a positive attitude, relentless follow-through and proper support. I invest my time in agents who ‘get’ this. That’s why I chose Stephanie Danielson as a key member of the team. She brings a passion for real estate and the enthusiasm to promote not only her business, but her fellow agents as well. Our industry is overloaded with part-time and unskilled agents. Stephanie stands with the top 10% of the agents who do 90% of all the real estate transactions. She’s the Avalar success model par excellence!”

(Molly Nadeau, mortgage broker/owner of Town Mortgage and Stephanie)

TEAMING UP WITH MOLLY NADEAU: MORTGAGE BROKER WITH A WHOLE-PERSON PERSPECTIVE
Stephanie Danielson’s network of top-performing colleagues includes Molly Nadeau, President of Town Mortgage Brokerage. “I’ve known Molly since she was in high school,” said Stephanie. “And even back then, I could tell: ‘There’s a young woman who’s going places!’ I was so excited when she decided to embark on a career as a mortgage broker; I knew it would eventually give us the opportunity to work together!”

Molly is a rising star in the mortgage broker industry. After an initial four-year stint with a larger mortgage fi rm, she set out to develop her own mortgage company. The results of her efforts have been extraordinary. “I believe my success has to do with my concept of service,” said Molly. “Selling mortgages is secondary to my primary goal of helping people determine what they really want regarding their investments. Many people come to me without a clear understanding about the choices and options available to them. My primary goal is to educate them. I ask lots of questions and spend a signifi cant amount of time getting to know the nuances of their situations. I like to bring the expertise of their CPA or fi nancial advisor into the equation as well. The idea is to get it down in black and white as to what exactly their investment is going to mean for them. I work hard to take the mystery out of the process. Clients will often come in with a bewildered and anxious look — it’s so wonderful to see that look transformed into excitement and confi dence after I’ve worked with them. It means I’ve succeeded at my own goals for their education!” Molly’s passion for educating her clients has led to invitations to teach fi nancial seminars. “Knowledge is power,” said Molly, “and that’s why I’ve expanded my teaching opportunities. When I can empower people with knowledge that helps them make decisions in their own best interest, I know I’m serving others for the greater good.” It’s that kind of attitude that appeals to Stephanie. “Molly is competent, professional and truly client-oriented. I’ve witnessed over and over again how thorough she is with clients — I know anyone working with her company will be well-served.” The admiration goes both ways, as Molly is quick to point out. “Stephanie Danielson is a true professional in this industry. She is forward-thinking and amazingly agile in a market that is constantly changing. I really value working with her because her relentless attention to detail ensures a clean and focused closing for her clients.”

A NOT-SO-SECRET FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
With Stephanie Danielson, the formula for success boils down to hard work and conscientiousness. “Your home is your nest,” Stephanie said, refl ecting on the signifi cance of her work. “Studies show that changing homes is one of the most stressful things a person can endure. I try to make the process of selling a home as effortless and worryfree as possible for my clients. Hard work, close attention to details and ongoing client communication makes it happen. I love the quote by Gerald Vaughan: ‘Procrastination is something ... best put off until tomorrow!’ Doing it right and doing it right away makes all the difference. I use a variety of systems — including backup checks from my staff members — to ensure that everything is in order.” Donna Busch, an interior designer and close observer of Stephanie’s work, had this to add: “I most admire how Stephanie has the best interest of her clients at heart. She watches out for her clients and tells them what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. She operates with a lot of integrity.” Operating with integrity is a hallmark of Stephanie’s success. Seller Doug Mathison noted, “Stephanie makes everything very clear up front. My experience with her service is that she addresses every issue, situation or question in a prompt and professional manner. Stephanie and her team truly deliver on everything they promise to do.” “People’s needs come fi rst,” Stephanie added with passion. “I do the right thing regardless of whether or not I’m going to get a fi nancial return. My fi rst objective is to educate the client on the role of a real estate agent and how to pick an agent that will best serve the client’s needs. I wrote an article entitled, ‘The Top 10 Mistakes Sellers Make in Choosing a Real Estate Agent,’ and I make sure they get a copy. Because let’s face it, the rationale people sometimes use in picking a Realtor — my friend (or family member) sells real estate or I don’t need references; I’m a good judge of character — can cause a lot of pain and heartache for the seller.

(Stephanie and team: Dan Carter, buyer assistant; and Kristi Stilwell, Office Manager)

“Oftentimes, I do what I call a ‘checkup’ with my clients. We’ll go over their housing ‘wants and needs list,’ oftentimes with the help of their financial advisor and mortgage representative. I don’t want them overspending and ending up house poor. If it looks like they’re really not ready to buy just yet, or their ‘wants and needs list’ is above what they can afford, I’ll encourage them to consider waiting until their situation changes or modify their ‘wants and needs list.’ It is surprising how well this approach works! I don’t have to worry about a lack of clientele. Seventy-fi ve percent of my business comes through referrals or repeat business. We have a slogan here at Danielson Real Estate Consultants: ‘Selling a higher standard.’ We live that motto every day. The rest takes care of itself.”

A VISION FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY
Rosabeth Moss Kanter once wrote, “A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” Stephanie Danielson really lives out that calling in her work for the broader community. Of special note is her involvement in the Women Connections, a local organization founded by the successful personal life coach, Jane Morrison. As Stephanie observed, “Jane’s vision is to help and support women in the northwest suburbs of the metro area. The mission statement of her organization — to empower women personally and professionally — says it all. I remember what it was like being challenged in a new career fi eld. We all need encouragement and support from friends, mentors and teachers. I am proud to offer my services to other local women through this excellent organization.” Jane Morrison herself is quick to concur with Stephanie’s compassion and helpfulness. “Women look up to Stephanie for mentoring and advice. She is the prime example of a successful business woman — she knows how to keep her personal values top of mind [family, self-care and balance] while setting the bar high with a clear business vision. Her success is a result of a combination of effective time management, communication skills and a smart, savvy attitude.”

Using her strong networking abilities, Stephanie also participates in a local biz-to-biz networking group, where she both shares her knowledge of the real estate industry and gathers valuable information from representatives of local businesses. “I am proud to be associated with such great local business leaders,” said Stephanie. “It’s a privilege to work in a community that offers this caliber of professional services.” Stephanie recently placed as the No. 3 outgoing business referrer at her biz-to-biz group. “I refer these businesses to my local sphere because I know they will serve them well.” Stephanie’s support for the business community also includes her involvement in the Elk River Chamber of Commerce and Guardian Angels of Elk River. In addition, she has served on the board of the Three Rivers Community Foundation. Even animals benefi t from Stephanie’s generosity and compassion. “We live on a hobby farm, and that allows me to pursue a lifelong passion of helping animals in need,” shared Stephanie. “I’m a member of the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation and through them, adopted a 16-year-old quarter horse. It’s a great organization — you can learn more about it and make donations via their website at www. mnhoovedanimalrescue.org. I also bought a retired thoroughbred racing horse from Canterbury Park, and have rescued dogs and cats, too. Everybody needs a place to call home, animals included.”

(Stephanie and Dedicar, her 12-year-old Peruvian Paso gelding)

AN EYE TO THE FUTURE: MARKETING AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
“I’m obsessed with marketing — especially Internet marketing!” Stephanie exclaimed with a laugh. “And we strive to do it in a creative and distinctive way. I’ve developed a skill at presenting my listed properties on multiple Internet sites that feature professional photography, 360-virtual tours or video tours, aerial photography, and detailed written supplements that are clear and illuminating. This is important because most of our inquiries originate from the Internet. These sites drive traffi c to our website, www.DanielsonRealEstate.com, providing an effective, ‘24-hour open house’ of our listings. “It’s wonderful how it works,” said Stephanie, clearly excited by the process. “Property searchers locate a property on the Internet that matches their search criteria. When the property comes up, they look fi rst at the still photos, then at the moving photography, and fi nally at the written information. My goal is to pique their interest enough to contact me for an appointment to view the property in person. When they do visit the property, oftentimes they’ll exclaim, ‘This is just how your website depicted this home — we feel we’ve been here already!’ The key is in the website presentation. We strive to keep the website updated, content-driven, user-friendly and interactive. We also include informational articles to help our prospective buyers and sellers. It is an ongoing process that we’ll continue to refi ne as the technology evolves.”

(Stephanie with her son, Dustin Heggem, and daughter, Stesha Heggem, during family vacation in Florida.)

(Stephanie and son, Dustin Heggem, who is partner in their property management division.)

(Stephanie and her supportive husband, Kevin Huggins)

In addition to Danielson Real Estate Consultants, Stephanie has another business interest in a very well-rounded property management company, which she partners with her son, Dustin Heggem. The company is designed to assist property owners in locating qualified rental or lease option tenants, by handling all of the advertising and the screening process for potential clients. It provides property owners with an à la carte menu of worryfree property management services such as billing, quarterly property inspections and scheduled property maintenance. This property management company also has a close working connection to two other family-owned companies — Stonewood Contractors (a general contracting company co-owned by son, Dustin) and KH Property Maintenance, LLC (a property maintenance company owned by husband, Kevin Huggins). It is this connection that puts the advantage in this team effort as it provides reliable, responsive add-on services, such as general property maintenance and remodeling/construction services. Stephanie is proud of both her family’s accomplishments and her own work in the industry. “I love what I do,” she said with a glint in her eye. “And I am, first and foremost, a marketing specialist. Following that comes my work as a business entrepreneur. My third set of interests is that of teacher and mentor. Although I have my Minnesota broker’s license, I’ve chosen not to actively participate in broker activities and responsibilities, because that role doesn’t give my interests full expression. By organizing my company along the lines of the Avalar franchise model, I have the freedom to follow all of my passions, including the mentoring of new protégés. I’m always on the lookout for bright agents who are coachable and who aspire to the same high ideals as myself. It’s a bright future out there on the horizon; the possibilities are outstanding!”

So it is with Stephanie Danielson — a talented real estate agent and business entrepreneur who can see a vision of the future and then bring it into reality. Some days, you really can see forever. Just ask Stephanie. She knows where to look and she’ll help you see it, too.

For more information on Stephanie Danielson, go to www.DanielsonRealEstate.com or contact her at:
Stephanie Danielson, Realtor
Avalar Minnesota Real Estate
17205 Yale St. NW, Suite D
Elk River, MN 55330
Direct: (763) 441-9911
Stephanie@DanielsonRealEstate.com
www.DanielsonRealEstate.com

Rick Rittmaster is a freelance writer and seminar speaker on strong and centered living. He makes his home in Bloomington, MN. For more information, contact him via his website at www.PhoenixRisen.org. ¦