Today we’d like to introduce you to Darla Russell.
Hi Darla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was a stay-at-home mom for years, once my children all got into school, I was on a mission to find a career that I loved to do outside of motherhood. After getting out in the workplace and experiencing the different atmospheres and environments, I had a close friend named Nichole reach out to me and suggest I give her employer a shot. It was my first experience with “corporate life” I was hired in, an entry-level position with a local lender, and I was given opportunities to work in different departments. I remember the manager that hired me named Shara, during the interview process she stated well you are going to know really fast if this industry is for you. Either it is or it isn’t, not sure what she truly meant by that I discovered it quickly. Speeding up over the years, I eventually got out of the industry and out of the “corporate environment” and felt I needed to self-reflect over the previous years on what I truly wanted to do and what I truly had a passion for, I had a small bakery with my stepmom for a year in Gardner KS name Extreme Kupkakes- I loved being a small-town business owner! Being a mother at a young age, first child at 17 years old, I knew that I wanted to be able to set my children up for success and a more stable lifestyle. I was raised to conform to society, meaning you are who you are. Get up and go to work, don’t ask questions just do what you are supposed to do. However, I had this passion burning inside of me saying that I wanted more, that I didn’t have to conform to “society working 8-5 pm jobs” kissing butt in the corporate world to move in the chain of command to feel worthy and be successful. I started listening to Earl Nightingale’s youtube video called ” the strangest secret” literally every day for a year while driving kids to school, work, or events.
I would listen to this story, and it really clicked that I too could have the lifestyle that I wanted and designed, that I could change my life and be just as successful as the next person, I didn’t have to be born into a ‘lifestyle” I learned that I could Create it. With the support of my husband Greg, my children, and friends I decided to start once more a small business and dove full-time into Real Estate. There was a lot of education, training, and motivation ahead of me. I have found some of my closest friends in this industry and nothing has provided me with more pleasure than helping a client throughout the entire process of home buying or selling. I have laughed and cried happy tears with some of the most amazing people that never thought they could ever become homeowners. That feeling is priceless and irreplaceable with any other career outside of motherhood.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Learning the hard way, what better way to learn, right? I tell myself daily, if I am not learning or problem-solving, then I am not doing something correctly. Almost daily I am faced with obstacles, some days are harder than others and I am so thankful that I have a Best Friend named Brenda that will direct me or put me in the right frame of mind when needed. Until you are a small business owner, I don’t know that I would have ever prepared myself financially, mentally, or physically how disciplined you had to become. Even though I previously had the bakery it was more of a hobby at that time. I have had to over the years learn to step outside of my comfort zone, listen to professional speakers and educators, allow time for self-growth and manage to still be a mother, a wife, and a small business owner.
Who you surround yourself with truly does matter and I am honored to work with some of the most admirable small business owners ever!! I have learned to appreciate the value of time, the importance of determination and mindset, and manifesting that you can create the life you want, what you tell yourself daily truly will impact the way you live your life. Nothing happens overnight, everything takes time. Remember to have patience, allow yourself to take risks, make mistakes, admit when you are wrong, and learn from those experiences. When you fall down, get right back up, wipe off your knees, and get right back at it. Nothing can stop you, but you.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Working with Sellers in Buyers here in the Local Kansas City area, both KS and MO. I also work with Commerical Real Estate. I feel what sets me apart is my personal relationship that develops over the process. I know this is a very important time in your life and it can have its emotional highs and lows, having someone that is a professional that has been through the process before can sure help ease your mind.
I think people that I work with feel the passion that I have when selling or buying a house. Each transaction, customer, or client is always a new experience and I devote all my time and energy to each one.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The market constantly shifts, I feel there is a lot of bad information that is thrown out in the news, social media, and or just bad advice from previous experiences from family members and friends. When in question, I like to educate my clients to get to the source of where the information is coming from and talk to other professionals in that industry.
A lot is coming to Kansas City, I do see more people moving here to relocate for work and to be closer to family. Currently, we are hearing about the “market going to crash” I love having in-depth conversations as to why they feel that way, where they receive their information and educate on what really is happening in the market. Heck, I am always a student as well, I learn something new daily.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://midwestlivingwithdarla.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestlivingwithdarlakwdp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarlaMabrey
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuURKKB2tB7OjqfoEk0X7IA
- Other: https://midwestlivingwithdarla.kw.com/
