Tuesday, March 18, 2025
One of the things I’ve always loved about this industry is how strong the relationships are. Over time, we build networks that go beyond business transactions. We celebrate each other’s wins, commiserate over setbacks, and, when things get hard, we show up.
It’s easy to think of professional relationships as primarily transactional – built on deals, contracts, and deadlines. But anyone who’s been in this space long enough knows that the real value lies in the people. I’ve seen colleagues become lifelong friends, competitors turn into allies, and mentors evolve into trusted advisors who guide us through the trickier moments of our careers.
No one moves through this industry (or life) without hitting a rough patch. Maybe it’s a challenging market. Maybe it’s uncertainty about what comes next. Maybe it’s something completely unexpected. But what I’ve seen, time and again, is that people in this business take care of each other. A well-timed phone call. A referral. A quiet recommendation. A reminder that skills, experience, and integrity don’t disappear just because circumstances change.
If you’ve been in this business long enough, you know exactly what I mean. And if you’re newer to it, trust me – it’s the people who will carry you through.
I was reminded of this recently while recording an episode of Keys to Real Estate, where we talked about how the industry came together to support colleagues impacted by storms and fires. It’s just one of many examples of how, in tough times, this community steps up. If you need a reminder of how strong these connections are, it’s worth a listen.
That’s what makes this industry different. It’s not just about the work we do, it’s about the people who stand beside us while we do it. Through shifting markets, unexpected challenges, and even the moments when we don’t know what’s next, we lean on each other. And time and again, this industry proves that no one has to navigate it alone.
Until Next Time,
Mary Schuster
Chief Knowledge Officer
October Research, LLC