There are many valuable lessons I have learned on my journey as a mom of three and REALTOR®. It was a balancing act at times, but I am proud of my accomplishments and ability to achieve what I set my mind to.
It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. My stepdad, Bill Hightower, asked me to cover the role as his assistant while she was on leave. I had two young kids at the time and was a stay - at - home mom, but I knew I would be able to handle working part time. I was excited to see what his business was like after years of seeing his reputation amongst the community. I have always thought the world of him and saw it as an opportunity to spend more time with him.
Just two years before, in 2002, I graduated with a bachelor’s in early educ ation. As a mom with young kids, I was very busy caring for them. Before they were all in school, working full time didn’t feel like an option. When I went to work for my stepdad, I had zero expectations to make a career out of it.
However, i t didn’t tak e long working in real estate before I realized it was a natural fit. I enjoyed meeting new people and helping them on their journey. I wanted to continue learning and expanding my industry knowledge. In 2004, I received my REALTORS® license and hit the gr ound running. In those first years in real estate, I had to put myself out there and establish a reputation of my own within our community.
It was a very busy time as I raised my three children while simultaneously growing my business. There were so man y things that needed to be taken care of every single day. Looking back, I was balancing a lot at once. There was always a game to go to, practice to drop them off at, or a client to meet. It wasn’t always easy, but it forced to be intentional with my time , adaptable, and all around better at staying organized. I am proud of my ability to be there for my kids while also building a business.
In June 2022, my father and I bought the local ReeceNichols office and ran it together for three years. Stepping int o the role of broker taught me a lot about the business side of real estat e , leadership, and operations. Over the years, we've learned through experience, constantly fine - tuning our processes to figure out what works, what doesn’t, and what matters most. I n April, we made the decision to transition our office into a team under JMG as Hightower Heritage Real Estate. This move has allowed us to re focus on what we love: serving our clients. As a co - lead, I help oversee a fantastic team of agents that now inclu des my daughter , Avery , who was recently licensed. With three generations of our family now in real estate, we are excited to keep building this legacy together.
Through every shift and change, h aving a positive mindset has been foundational in my life. E very obstacle is another opportunity to find a creative solution. In my early days as a REALTOR®, someone once told me, “You are really optimistic. I love it!” It still rings true today. By upholding positivity, even through hard times, I have been able to enjoy all the wonderful gifts I have in my life.
As my children have grown older, I try to enjoy every moment I have with them . Braden is expecting his first child, making me a soon - to - be grandmother in January , Addison is playing softball at Missouri Valley , and Avery is busy building her real estate career.
With more time, I’ve taken on a more active role in the community, serving on the Chamber of Commerce board and volunteering with the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, where I help with a variety o f events and serve on the Christmas Committee. It is so fun to be involved and contribute to the events that make this place so special.
My favorite part about being a REALTOR® is meeting new and interesting people. Above all else, I prioritize relations hips. When you work with me, I take the time to learn your story and find out what your goals are so I can establish a plan to achieve them. This process is about you. No matter what obstacles may arise along the way, I ensure I am always serving in your b est interests
Through my extensive experience, I have developed the skills and knowledge to create a smooth process for my clients. I provide consistent communication throughout the entire process, so you are always in the know. As I guide you through t he buying or selling experience, I will educate you on current market trends and prepare you for potential outcomes. Even after the transaction is over, I am committed to serving as your lifelong REALTOR®
Sincerely,
Melissa Bartlett
