She’s driven, hardworking and knows how to get things done, but the older she gets Nexthome Team Ellis Broker/Owner Lisa Ellis is also learning when to let things go. In this episode we discuss the hard work it takes to build a career, how to navigate and accept life changes, and the joys of getting older (men prepare to cringe a little, we do discuss menopause)
The Fort NOT Lost in the Woods Podcast is a production of O’Quinn Media. For information on guest or sponsorship opportunities, email tracy@oquinnmarketing.com.
This episode has been brought to you by Nexthome Team Ellis, Security Bank of Pulaski County, TK’s Pizza of St. Robert, and Sugarcreek Farms.
— Automated Transcript —
**Intro**
Hey there. I see you have found the Fort Not Lost in the Woods podcast. We are so happy you are here. We, being me, well, and my sponsors, because we’re sort of all in this together, hoping that you’ll love this podcast and then you’ll come back week after week, and then you’ll fall in love with the sponsors, and then when you need their product and service, you’ll give them a shot. See, that’s kind of how that’s supposed to work out. With all that said, thanks to my sponsors: Security Bank, Next Home Team Ellis, TK’s Pizza, and Sugar Creek Farm.
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**Next Home Team Ellis Ad**
Around here, home means something different. It’s Friday night lights, early morning heading to post, neighbors who become family, and the comfort of knowing you belong. That’s why at Next Home Team Ellis, real estate has never been just about buying or selling houses. It’s about people. Hi, I’m Lisa Ellis, broker owner of Next Home Team Ellis, and I’ve spent nearly three decades helping families across Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, St. Robert, and surrounding communities move forward with confidence. As a retired military spouse, I understand tight timelines, unexpected orders, and the importance of having someone in your corner when life changes fast. Whether you’re selling a lifetime of memories or searching for a fresh start, you’ll have innovative marketing, expert negotiations, and honest guidance every step of the way. Because here, reputation travels faster than advertising. And trust is earned, one family at a time. Call Next Home Team Ellis at 573-774-4101 or visit us at buyfortwoodhomes.com. Next Home Team Ellis, moving forward with confidence.
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**Host Intro**
Thank you for joining me for another episode of the Fort Not Lost in the Woods podcast.
You know, my season is winding down. I do the show for various reasons. People ask me this all the time, but I do the show in six months. I have a six-month season, right? And then I do some other things, and then I come back in the spring and I have my next season. And I realized I only had a couple slots left, and there was one really important human being that had not been on the show, even though I had asked her.
And I finally cried enough and whined enough that Lisa Ellis from Next Home Team Ellis said, “Alright!” Yay, I felt like I won the lottery. You know what’s it’s so funny because people are emailing me and calling me and texting me saying, “You know, I want to be on your show,” or, “I have a good guest for your show.” And I don’t really have to book people anymore. And then but then there are certain people like you that I’m like, “Please!” And you’re like, “No!” And I’m like, “But please!” And so anyway, thank you for doing this.
Lisa: You’re welcome. I was super excited.
You know I know you’re lying, but that’s okay. We were kind of talking about this a little bit off the air, but I I’m at a season of my life where I’m just like so done with everyone’s crap. You know what I mean? Like I still love, is that true, I love people. I do. I love good people.
Lisa: Thank you. It’s like I’m still-
I mean, I still love people, but I’m not a person if they’re if they’re good people, I am.
Lisa: They’re harder and harder to find.
It’s so bad. I love my horses and my dogs.
Lisa: I know, I love to go home where I’m surrounded by trees.
Where I can be at home and just stay at home.
Lisa: With my chickens and my creatures.
But the older I get and the more I sort of withdraw from the people that sap the life out of me, the more I’m drawn to the people that don’t. And and you are one of those people. In fact, probably one of the reasons you hate, I won’t say hate, that’s a little strong.
Lisa: That’s a strong word.
But you don’t necessarily enjoy or whatever coming over here to be on the show is because I talk your head off, and then I say about 15 times, “Well, long story short,” and then I make it longer. And then I like follow you outside when you leave, and I’m like, “No, really, let me walk you to the…” I’m just going to stay right here with you. You know who else is another person I do that with?
Lisa: Who?
Beth Wiles.
Lisa: Oh, yeah, yeah.
She can’t get out of here because I won’t leave her alone.
Lisa: Well, see, my fear is is that we’ll just get talking, ’cause, you know, we’ve known each other for a very long time.
And we’ll forget that my s*** and say things we shouldn’t.
Lisa: Yeah, yeah. Say things I shouldn’t, because I am in that, what, I don’t know if it’s pre-menopause, menopause, after, whatever it’s called.
I like it, though.
Lisa: I like who I have become.
Me too.
Lisa: I don’t know if everybody else has.
Correct. Because what I have learned is when you start setting boundaries and you start standing up for yourself and you start making access a little bit harder to get to you.
Lisa: People don’t like that.
They don’t.
Lisa: And then they have a word for you.
I know what yeah, they do. And it’s alright.
Lisa: And I’m okay with that.
I’m alright. I’m here for it.
Lisa: I’m like, “I’m good. I don’t need any more friends.” So, I…
It’s funny that you say that. When I met my husband, um we were we were sort of both like on the fence about whether we wanted to be in a committed thing. I think I was a little more over the the fence to his side than he was to mine. And I remember him saying, “I just I don’t know, I just need some time to think. Maybe we could just be friends and we could…” And I said, “I don’t need any more damn friends!” And he still will say, “I know, you don’t need any friends.” And I got in my car and we did not talk for a while. And I still to this day will say, “I don’t need any more friends. I need real ones.”
Lisa: Correct.
“But I don’t need any more quantity.”
Lisa: And isn’t that funny when you say real ones, because there is such a a difference, and I think when you get to our age, which is the age of maturity, let’s put it that way.
It’s not like that, yeah.
Lisa: Um, you see people for who they really are.
Mhm.
Lisa: And I think that-
And you accept people also. Because when you call me and say, “Hey, um I’ve got concert tickets to XYZ, do you wanna go?” I’m gonna say, “Oh my God, no, there’s people there. Are you serious?” And you would not be mad at me for that. But other people might.
Lisa: No. I’d be like, “Well, you’re right.”
‘Cause you know, I’ll like this is me initially, I’ll get I’ll get the tickets for the concert, and I’m like super excited. And I’m like, and then it’s like three days before and I’m like, “Ugh, I wonder who would want to go.”
Lisa: I don’t really want to go.
“You know what I mean? Like what is going on?”
Lisa: Well, see, when I’m at different places and I don’t want to wear a bra, guess what? I don’t wear a bra.
I…
Lisa: Because I’m like, “They’re never going to see me again.”
That’s so true.
Lisa: They’re never gonna see me again. These people are never gonna see me again. If I want to wear a bikini, I’m gonna wear a bikini to the beach because guess what? Nobody’s ever going to see me again.
I’m getting to that point. I’m getting to that point.
Lisa: Not that I wear a lot of bikinis. I’m just gonna put that out there.
Well, we mentioned briefly, because I told you I wanted this to be more of a personal interview about you and a little bit less real estate-ish, but I have some real estate stuff I want to talk about.
Lisa: Okay. So, let’s do it.
Next Home Team Ellis, when did you start it?
Lisa: I bought the franchise the very end of ’18, and then officially opened the doors January 1st of 2019.
How’s it going for you? Has it gone a hundred times better than you thought, about the same as you had expected? I mean, what how’s it been?
Lisa: Well, I am a what’s next person. So we’ll get into that phase of this conversation too. For uh, gosh, it’s always been, “What’s next? What can I do?” ‘Cause I’m a doer. I’m not a good uh, what’s the word, push it onto other people so that they can do it.
Oh, uh, delegator.
Lisa: Delegator. I’m not a great delegator. That’s one of my weakness, one of my many weaknesses. But I’ve learned over the years, I’m better than I used to be. So, and as I get into this transition of slowing down, because we are in that mid-life section.
You know, we’re actually past mid-life. But anyway, go ahead.
Lisa: Whatever. I still feel 25.
I know.
Lisa: I know. That’s the problem.
I know. And then you look in the mirror and you’re like-
Lisa: I’m like, “What the heck?”
“What happened here?”
Lisa: Some mornings, I’m like, “Oh, no, you look good, girl!”
I went to a funeral the other day.
Lisa: I know, I called you and I was like, “What is wrong with you?”
And I was so after the funeral, I came out and I was bawling, and I’m wiping my eyes and I get in the truck and I’m like, “I bet my makeup looks terrible.” And I flip the mirror down and I go, “Man, girl, you look pretty good!” And I text my aesthetician, “I was like, I don’t have any bags under my eyes. I’ve been crying all morning.” And she goes, “Oh my God, it’s probably that blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.” And I was like, “Wait, I just told you I’ve been crying all morning and you didn’t even ask me why!” And I didn’t even think about it when I texted her. I was like, “My eyes look good!”
Lisa: And isn’t that funny? And then the next morning I’ll look in the mirror and go, “What the heck?”
“What happened here?”
Lisa: What happened? Oh, no. Yesterday was a good day. Today is not.
So, I digress. I can’t remember where we were.
Lisa: Real estate. Real estate. Real estate. I’m sorry.
Yes. Yes. This is what happens. We squirrel. Yes. This is what happens.
Lisa: Real estate has been going very well. Has it exceeded my expectations? Yeah, because I’m a person that likes to grow every year. I mean, that’s just, you know, there’s nowhere, nowhere but up. You know, and the sky’s the limit and it’s everything that you do to put into it that makes it successful. But this year has been just absolutely crazy. I did bring up one little piece of paper with one little note on it that she needs to make it say…
Okay, what’s that say?
Lisa: It says, you know, at Next Home Team Ellis, we are a small office. We have nine agents that includes me.
Okay. ‘Cause I don’t know what what an average size office is. So is that small?
Lisa: I think it’s probably mid-size now, but, you know, on the national levels, it’s a very small office. Like when I go to my conferences, we are considered a small office.
Ah, okay.
Lisa: But for our small office, again, nine agents that includes me, so eight other agents, we are up this year, which is just amazing to me. I was like, I got to check the math ’cause I-
You want to make sure this is right.
Lisa: Yeah. We have sold, we have closed transactions as of today, 111 sides. So we have helped 111 families.
So far, already this year?
Lisa: This year to buy houses, which is up.
Wow. I mean, I don’t know what it should be, but that sounds like a lot to me.
Lisa: Well, we are up from last year 30.6%.
What do you credit that to? Do you have the same agents? Is it the market? Like what do you think?
Lisa: No, we have the exact same agents. You know, everybody’s like, “Ooh, expand. Get new agents.” No.
No, this is ex-
Lisa: That’s part of that whole mid-life.
I don’t want to deal with somebody that I’m not sure if they’re going to fit into my little.
Lisa: And that’s the thing. We have such a tight knit little work family that it’s so hard. It really is hard to bring somebody in that might stir the pot. So, I get calls all the time and they want to join my office. That’s great. I’ll meet with anybody, but it’s it’s I always say, you know-
How do you tell people if you don’t feel like it’s a fit?
Lisa: I’m like, I just tell them. I said, “You know, you want to interview me, but this is an interview for me too because not everybody’s going to fit here.”
Yeah.
Lisa: So, this is a chance for you to ask me questions, and for me to ask you questions, because I may not want you.
And that’s okay. Every relationship should start out like that. Like when we’re young girls, we should be taught that.
Lisa: We should.
You know what I mean? Just think about how much heartache you could avoid.
Lisa: And it’s nothing personal.
No, not at all.
Lisa: It’s not. People say it is personal, but it’s not. It’s it’s not. Because it strictly that part is business.
And sometimes also you’re going for a certain vibe or a certain feeling or a certain atmosphere in your business. And you know that what you’ve got going on might not be that person’s cup of tea, and just as much as they might not be yours.
Lisa: Correct. Exactly. Exactly.
So why put all that effort and all that training and all that money into hiring somebody?
Lisa: Because it is a lot of training. It’s a lot of training and I’m, you know, and I’m and I’m, you know, I’m investing in you when that happens.
If I ever want to be a real estate agent, will can I come to work for you?
Lisa: We’ll interview.
See how it goes.
Lisa: Yeah.
‘Cause I might not want you. I might not want you either.
Lisa: Yeah, whatever.
But anyway, but we’re up 30 plus percent, which is amazing. You know, if you think of, you know, national averages and what the income rate, you know, all that stuff. 30, oh, 30 plus percent, that’s awesome.
That is awesome.
Lisa: Yeah, and we have been best of the best, voted best of the best in Pulaski County since we opened the doors. So, that’s-
That’s amazing.
Lisa: You know, what do you think you guys do that makes makes the difference?
Lisa: You know, I can’t answer, you know, what do we do different than any other companies. I mean, I can, but I won’t. I think we’re just we’re just real people. We really are. I one of our hashtags is Real Life Realtors because we we are real people too. We walk the walk. We, you know, all of us-
You definitely walk the walk.
Lisa: One, you know, at some point all of us have been involved in the military, active, retired, you know, all that kind of stuff. We understand that aspect, but so is everybody else in this area. You know, that’s not a special niche.
Right.
Lisa: Um, but I think placing your understanding and compassion for people and their stories is what makes a difference.
Yeah.
Lisa: I mean, I think so too.
You know, B, I grew up blue collar, you know, dairy farm in the country.
I see I see you work very hard for your. Lisa is helping someone that I know find a home, and they don’t have a huge budget. And I was telling him, you have the right person because she will fight for finding you a home just like she would if you were looking for a half million dollar property. Like she’s going to treat you the same.
Lisa: ‘Cause I’ve been in the bottom.
Right. It really is all about where your experiences come from. Where you’re drawing from.
Lisa: You know, my first house on my own was a single wide trailer. I mean, that’s-
Yeah, yeah. You’ve been there, you know.
Lisa: I’ve been there. I mean, and it doesn’t make you a better person by having more.
No.
Lisa: I mean, that that that should never come into play. Everybody deserves a place to call home. Everybody deserves to be happy and and what they put into it is all on them. That’s, you know, like I always say, you can lead people to water, but you can’t make them drink. So if they’re willing to put in the work, if they’re willing to do what needs to get done because I’m going to tell you what you need to do. I’m going to give you the tools you need to do, whether it’s buying a house, being a realtor, to to be successful. At the end of the day, you make you. I can’t make you, but you can do it. I can give you the tools.
You can you can kind of clear the path, but they’re going to have to, you know, walk the path.
Lisa: Yes. You’re going to have to put in the work because that’s what I’ve done my whole life.
I know this just always seems like it’s a love fest when you’re here, but I swear I have so much respect for you. Last week on the podcast, I had Superintendent Hillary Bales, and I was talking about how this woman is she has this crazy job with like 6,100 students, 1,000 employees, and and every time you see her, she’s poised and beautiful.
Lisa: Oh, she is too.
Oh my gosh, she’s stunning. And but she’s got the brain to go with it. She’s got every Like she is so inspirational and amazing to me, and to me, you are exactly another one of those women that I look up to so much. Don’t make that face. Because, no, for different reasons, because I’ll call you and you’ll be like, “Yeah, I’m working on the house. What you need?” And I’m like, I just picture you like being up to your elbows in who knows what, and you know how to do all this stuff yourself. I can barely hammer a nail, and I wish I was kidding, but I’m not. And I have so much respect for you because you literally can look at a gutted house and see the vision and.
Lisa: I have one going right now.
I know. It’s amazing. And I can’t. I can’t do that. I can’t.
Lisa: Neither can my husband.
I wish I could. My husband is like.
Lisa: You don’t wish you did. I mean, it’s like it’s a blessing and a curse because every time I walk into a space, I’m like, “Ooh.”
I can be like, “Oh, look at that view. This would be beautiful.”
Lisa: I’m like, “I see it. I see it in my head.” And I’m like, “Oh, this is oh, yes.” Obviously, Monday through Friday, I try to focus on real estate and, you know, running an office and managing agents, and sometimes it gets overwhelming, honestly. I’m just the same as you. But I get more done in the evening, so I’ll stay later, whatever it has to happen. And then on the weekends lately, I’m at the house. Uh, I’ve got I’ve got a house I flip I’m flipping right now.
You’re a flipper.
Lisa: I’m a flipper. And I’m there both Saturday and Sunday. I was there till 8 o’clock.
Oh my gosh.
Lisa: But, you know, and I I got so much done, but I’m there by myself.
Yeah.
Lisa: And I just I’m in my space. I have my radio going, my music.
So what kind of work are you doing when you’re there?
Lisa: Oh gosh, I’ve, well, I’ve primed and painted the entire house. I set the cabinets yesterday, started painting the cabinets.
What do you mean, set the cabinets?
Lisa: You know, put them in the kitchen, you can tell.
So, first of all, no, I don’t know.
Lisa: ‘Cause you know, they’re attached to the-
Wait, you you put them up?
Lisa: Yeah, you did that by yourself. Yeah, yeah, it’s easy.
See, and I know there are people listening to this going, “What’s the big deal?” But to me that that’s unbelievable. I have more respect for someone-
Lisa: And I’d rather do it by myself than have anybody there telling me how to do it.
Well, I can now that I could. Yeah, I just I find it amazing.
Lisa: And I put up my wallpaper ’cause this is a-
Wallpaper?
Lisa: Yeah, I love wallpaper. I yeah.
Oh, girl.
Lisa: Yeah, I know. Whatever.
You know, I know. Okay, I’ll show you the pictures and you can be the judge.
Oh, I know. I’m sure it looks great. I just can’t imagine. Do you see this table?
Lisa: Yes. Look at-
I know, and it feels it still looks good.
Lisa: No. See this bubble here?
I put the the cover whatever you call this stuff.
Lisa: But it’s held up. I was remarkable.
It has held up, but look at all it look if you look at the corners, it looks like a child did it.
Lisa: It’s phenomenal. You can find fault or imperfections in everything.
I bet I can go look at your flipper house and I can’t find anything.
Lisa: I bet you could. Oh, you could. Of course, you could. I’m not perfect.
Alright, we’re going to take a quick break, and when we come back, I have more questions. Lots more questions for Lisa. Next Home Team Ellis will be right back.
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**Host Interview**
Back with Lisa from Next Home Team Ellis. Before we get much further, I do have to say, and I know I always say this anytime I can actually get you on this podcast, but thank you for always being so supportive. Like this little podcast has grown into I mean, well, it’s grown into Owyn Media, which is now two podcasts, and more to come. We won’t go any more into that right now, but yeah, a whole lot a lot of exciting things next year, Lisa.
Lisa: I love it. I love it. I love it.
It would not have been possible without you. It would You and Mike from Security Bank have always believed even when there wasn’t one listener. And I’m just I’m so thankful. So, I I could not have done it without you guys.
Lisa: Well, again, I like to align myself with people who are similar to myself.
Right. Same values.
Lisa: Yeah, same value and work ethic and the drive.
Yeah.
Lisa: I mean, I think that’s what’s missing from today’s society. And I don’t want to get on the whole horse of, “Ooh,” but uh, drive.
Girl.
Lisa: Drive is like what fuels has fueled me my entire life.
I have a girl that works for me that has so much potential. In every way that you can have potential, she has potential. But she’s been raised in a way that makes her think she has no worth. And I have tried to mentor this girl for two years to get her to see-
Lisa: She’ll get there.
Oh my God, I hope so. But it’s the same thing. I I told her the other day, I I gave her some information that had I been given that information when I was her age, I would have been like, “Oh my God, I feel so lucky to have this opportunity.” And she said, “I don’t know, that sounds like a lot of responsibility.” And I said, “Are you kidding me right now? Where is your ambition? You need more.” And I I get so frustrated because I see it so much, people that don’t have any drive or ambition. And why do they not?
Lisa: And when I say she’ll get there, I think because especially I I I can’t speak for men because I don’t I don’t understand men at all.
I’m 53 and I don’t understand men at all.
Lisa: But I think the women that have that drive and and they don’t really reach their stride until I want to say I was probably about 35.
Yeah, and she’s very young.
Lisa: Yeah.
I just see so much potential and so many things that she could be doing with her life and then you think, am I am I trying to push a square peg into a round hole? Like maybe I need to just stop. But I just throw it out there and I’m like, I just want you to think about this for a few days and then we’ll get back together. That’s what came to mind.
Lisa: Because where were you at, you know, say 25?
Oh my gosh, I was an idiot. Well, I I was started in radio, though, because I knew that’s what I wanted, and it gave me it gave me the a lot of drive and ambition. It made me think that, oh, I I am good at something. I can do this. You know, so I guess finding your niche really helps a lot. You know.
Lisa: Yeah. And that’s true because I started real estate at 24.
Okay.
Lisa: And I knew initially that that this is that’s what I wanted to do. Before then, you know, I was, you know, I mean, I worked at a gas station, I worked in restaurants, you know, I worked on the dairy farm, you know, I worked at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.
What was your most hated job before real estate?
Lisa: Hated? I never hated-
Dislike. My dad always said, “You don’t hate anything. Don’t use that word.” So dislike.
Lisa: I never disliked it. At every phase of my life, I I can’t say that I ever hated a job.
Oh, I did. I worked at, well, it’s called something else now, but it was called Big Surf at the time.
Lisa: Oh, I remember all the high school girls used to work there.
I did not like it at all. I absolutely-
Lisa: I worked at Long John Silver’s.
And you didn’t hate it?
Lisa: I did not hate it. No.
You got off work smelling like fried fish and you did not hate that job.
Lisa: Nope.
Dang.
Lisa: Because it gave me the tools that I need that I wanted.
But that’s adult thinking.
Lisa: No. I was the one that would like, “Hey, if anybody skipped a shift, they’d call me. I’d come I’d drive in.” You know, I worked there for a long time.
Girl, I was the one that needed money but woke up and was so glad it was raining ’cause I didn’t have to go to work at Big Surf.
Lisa: See, that wasn’t yeah.
I hated that place. No. Sorry, dad. I disliked I disliked it immensely.
Lisa: Immensely.
In an abundance.
Lisa: But I know, I even when I worked at the gas station, I never because, no, it was fine. And then old Bob Dotson, I don’t know if you remember Bob Dotson.
Oh, I do. I do.
Lisa: He was a regular at the gas station and he’s like, “Girl, ’cause, you know, back then I was a single mom and working three jobs.”
He was the sheriff of the county, by the way.
Lisa: He was back then. And he was like, “Girl, I got you. I got job for you.” And I’m like, and I was like, “I can have just one job?”
I still don’t know that that’s possible.
Lisa: You can have just one? Yeah.
You can have just one?
Lisa: Yeah. And it was like, “And I get insurance?” Oh my gosh. Yes, for me and my baby. Yes.
Oh, I love that.
Lisa: So it was just-
See how somebody can make a difference in somebody else’s life.
Lisa: Yeah. And it was every time I just every time I took a step up, you know, I just worked my way up. And I knew I knew what I wanted out of life and I I had to figure out a way to get there. And for me real estate was doing that because I got to help people because you know me, I love helping people.
I do too.
Lisa: I love there’s just something in the face when you help somebody.
Yeah.
Lisa: Like I was crying in that house on Friday that I found for your yeah. I was just like, “This is it. This is his house and I am so freaking happy.”
And as soon as he saw it, he’s like, “This is it. This is my house and I’m so freaking happy.” So yeah, you you’re making a big difference in people’s lives for sure. What are we people looking for a home, or people wanting to thinking about listing a home or property? What do they need to know in the market we’re in right now? Anything specific to the current market?
Lisa: Well, the more well, last week the interest rate jumped up. Yay!
So like seven and a quarter, which is quite a big jump. It’s I mean-
What was it?
Lisa: It was like in like six and a half.
Oh, wow. That is a big jump.
Lisa: So, I mean. Yeah, made a pretty good jump up. But again, there’s still houses out there. It when the interest rate goes up, that just means it’s less of a house you can buy. So, you just got to play accordingly. So, if you’re, you know, right now, if you can’t afford the house that you want, then you work. You put that drive into it. You uh, stay steadfast, and you continue to do what you need to do to put yourself in that position, whether it’s six months or a year down the road. Or if you’re ready now, great, give us a call. There’s more houses to look at now than there have been in years. So, there’s more inventory. You have more choices. So, we don’t have to show you just three houses. Now, we get to show you 20 houses.
What’s the best seller? Like when this XYZ goes on the market, you know it’s going to be gone that day if you don’t hurry up.
Lisa: I would like to say that that’s just not the case right now.
Really?
Lisa: No, it’s and it’s really weird. There are some houses, you know, we have I don’t want to say, you know, put us in a cookie cutter classification, but there’s a lot of similar homes throughout the area. And the prices right now, there’s such a sometimes on those same houses, there’s such a significant difference in price. And then one you think will sell doesn’t, and the one that you didn’t think would sell sells. So the agents can talk about, “Ooh, it was on the market for 24 hours,” and then Yeah, that still happens, but we have a longer day on market right now. We’re our days on market are up. Um, our prices are still holding good. We still we’re still-
So just be patient.
Lisa: Just be patient. I mean, and I always say everything happens for a reason. And I know that when people want what they want what they want now, um always comes into play, but sometimes just sit back, loosen your shoulders.
And clench your jaw.
Lisa: Yeah, unclench your jaw. And if it’s not meant to be, it won’t happen then and it’ll happen later. I mean, but we’re going to be there for you that whole time. We’re not just because you can’t buy now, doesn’t mean we’re you’re not a priority to us.
Don’t we get so in a hurry for things? This has been a recurring theme actually in conversations with people on this podcast and off the podcast lately is this whole give it to God thing. Just stop trying to control everything and force everything and make everything happen smoothly and quickly and whatever, and just give it to God.
Lisa: I know, I pray a lot and I’m sure he’s like, “Oh God, there she is again.”
Lisa, can somebody take this please? Tell her I’m not here.
Lisa: But, you know, you have to get to a point in life where it’s like, okay, I can’t do this all by myself. And I know that he can help relieve some of this anxiety and stress that I put on myself because and my shoulders because I think I can carry it all. I think I can do it all.
We can’t.
Lisa: I cannot.
Right.
Lisa: You know, at the-
I remind myself of it all the time.
Lisa: I do too. I’m like, and you know, and it and it feel weird. We talked about this stage of our life where, you know, oh, it’s always been, “What’s next? What’s next? What am I gonna do next?” What, you know, my drive has been so intense. Almost too like, “Hey,” my husband says, “you they make pills for what you have. You need to go get some of those.”
I know. I know.
Lisa: But the last year I’ve really felt myself settle into me and kind of given that whole what’s next away.
See, it’s this whole parallel with our lives and it’s weird ’cause we don’t I mean, we may go weeks or months without even talking, but when we do, it’s it’s seems like our lives are always just-
Lisa: ‘Cause we’re the same age.
The same things are happening. Like I mean, I remember I don’t remember how long ago, I guess it’s been about five, four years ago or whatever and I was telling you something I was going to do business with, like, “Oh my gosh, I had that same thought and I’m going to do this and I’m going to do that.” And then I mean, it wasn’t six months ago that we had a talk and we’re both like, “Yeah, I think I’m ready to do a little less.” And I’m like, “You too? Like it’s crazy.”
Lisa: Yes. So, a lot of you a lot of people know, some don’t know that uh um my sister and I had the sister squared down on the square in um Waynesville, which was the Rigsby House. We owned it. We ran that.
Which is amazing place.
Lisa: I’ve always just endeared. That place has just been, you know, amazing. And the fact that I have been a part of its history now makes me feel really good. Um and that I was able to pass it on to somebody who would honor it and love it as much as I did.
I can’t think of anyone more perfect for that home and that business than.
Lisa: And that was God. Like, it was that whole thing. And and Cheryl, you know, Sam’s mom will tell you. It was such an aha moment when we the realization came to both of us at the same time of, we can make this we can make this happen.
Yeah.
Lisa: And, you know, it took a year, um and we did and I couldn’t be happier.
And she’s doing so good.
Lisa: And she is. And it’s one less thing off my plate because um I had just overwhelmed myself with responsibility. And um my husband refers to it as a bucket with holes.
All my buckets have holes.
Lisa: But and it and the holes are being, you know, my time. How precious is my time?
So precious.
Lisa: And at this point, I just want to be with my grandbabies.
That’s a Yes.
Lisa: I have six of them and, you know, I was able to kidnap one of them. Not kidnap.
They knew I was taking her.
Lisa: They knew.
Sure.
Lisa: From Colorado and she stayed with us for the whole you know, a whole month. And it was just amazing and I want more of that.
Right.
Lisa: I don’t want to be absent. I want to be present. And in order for me to be present in what’s really important in life, meaning stepping back from some things that just aren’t.
That is a perfect way to end this interview. I agree with that 100%. I’m in the same boat and I I just wonder how many people listening to this feel exactly the same way. I would love to hear from you all, by the way. We’re we’re starting to get a lot of feedback on these episodes, which I love because-
Lisa: They’re gonna be like, “Oh gosh, stop bringing that lady on.”
No, but like how many of you listening are in this same I I seriously want you to either text or email or Facebook or whatever and let me know, are we alone in this or I mean, because I don’t think so.
Lisa: I don’t think so.
I don’t think so either.
Lisa: It can’t be.
But yeah, reach reach out. I I usually don’t say this in the show, but reach out because I want to hear it. Um, tracy@oquinnmarketing.com. You could go in the Facebook group, uh, Fort Not Lost in the Woods or whatever. But I want to hear from you and see how many of you are in this kind of same phase in your life. And what what’s your age? That’s what I want to find out. Like how many how many are just like.
Lisa: And we’ll be like, “Yes, we were there.” Menopausal women.
Like is it just us?
Lisa: I have one more hot flash. Or or or hair I need to tweeze off my chin.
I I named this one Jeff on my chin.
Lisa: So. I’m like, “I just tweezed. How the heck is it there again?”
I don’t what what the heck? I don’t know.
Lisa: No. I’ll talk about anything. If anybody knows me, I will pretty much there’s I’m not gonna hide anything.
It’s why I love you. One of the many reasons. Well, before I have you spin the wheel. Yes, you got to spin the wheel. Tell everyone how they can get a hold of you at Next Home because by now they either love you or hate you. If they love you.
Lisa: They love you.
They’re gonna reach out to you and they need you.
Lisa: You’re gonna reach out to Next Home Team Ellis. We have an office location um downtown Waynesville. It’s 107 Historic Route 66 East. We are right there next to the downtown service station and then on the other side is the Riverside Boutique. So I just plug them.
They’re so cute, by the way.
Lisa: And um I’m blessed to own that building. I was able to remodel that building as well and I think it fits in really well. But our office number is 573-774-4101 and we have a plethora of agents that would make that would, you know, depending on who you are and how you want to work, that would fit into anybody’s criteria. Of course, I do still sell real estate. I pretty much just take care of my own personal book, which seems to never end.
Relationships.
Lisa: Because I have built relationships.
It’s all about relationships.
Lisa: So, if you want a relationship with your realtor, we have nine of them at the office that would um make that happen for you and we’ll be patient and we’ll be kind and we’ll teach you so that you’ll be able to buy houses for the rest of your life.
And go in there and say, “I want to speed date all of you.” And then just spend like two minutes talking to each one.
Lisa: And then go, “No, not you.”
Alright, let’s spin the wheel.
Lisa: Okay. I’m I’m fearful. I am fearful too. I love this sound.
That was a good strong spin.
Lisa: Well. Wrestler entrance song. Whatever gets this one. I love it. Like what song would play if you were a wrestler? Yeah. Like if you’re you’re entering and the lights are going, “Yeah, yeah, I know because I already know the song.”
You do?
Lisa: I do because it’s like-
That would I would think would throw somebody off.
Lisa: No. Not me.
You’ve thought about this. Alright.
Lisa: You’ve thought about this. I used to watch American Gladiators and be like, “I could do that.”
I could.
Lisa: I could. I had people afraid of me back in the day. Um.
I still have a little.
Lisa: Anyway, my favorite song, everybody who well, you may not know this.
I don’t.
Lisa: I know. Okay. My favorite song ever, people roll their eyes. It has been literally my ringtone since you could put your own ringtone on a phone.
What? I can’t believe I don’t know this.
Lisa: It is Def Leppard’s, “Pour Some Sugar on Me.”
Oh my gosh.
Lisa: Like, I’ll be showing the most refined people a house and my phone rings, “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” And I’m like, “It is what it is.”
This is me.
Lisa: So anytime it comes out in the car, I’m literally like, “Shake it up!”
What do you think your outfit would look like if you were a wrestler?
Lisa: Oh.
I would be all in black just because, you know, I’m hiding some stuff.
Lisa: Yeah, I I would be black. I’m not a sparkle person. I’m not a pink girl.
See, I think maybe black and pink would be mine.
Lisa: I think black and orange because I really like orange. But black and orange because black is slimming. And I need all the help I can get there.
Thank you so much for coming in and doing this. See, it wasn’t bad. I didn’t make you cry.
Lisa: You didn’t. I have a little wetness in my tear right now. No. I’m dry eyes. Yeah. Okay.
I know, I was all like, “Do not make me cry. I’m in menopause. I’ve tried everything.”
Lisa: The other day I’m like, “Is this really sad or is it just me?” ‘Cause I just don’t know anymore. I just don’t know.
Yeah. I don’t either. Well, thank you so much. Thank you all of your support and I love you long time too and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for both of us.
Lisa: Okay. Me neither.
**Outro**
This episode of the Fort Not Lost in the Woods podcast is sponsored by Security Bank of Pulaski County, Next Home Team Ellis, TK’s Pizza in Saint Robert, and Sugar Creek Farms, your home for farm fresh pork products. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Owyn Media, its hosts, affiliates, or sponsors. Content is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Thank you for listening.