In her own words: Barbie Marcoe, residential Realtor

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us a little about Sonic Real Estate.

Marcoe: My broker, Brian Kuykendall, is fabulous! He and I met while I was working for a homebuilder, and he invited me to join his office when that homebuilder closed four of its five communities. Sonic previously specialized in commercial real estate and property management. Jeanette Maiss and I have been added to bring our residential knowledge to the office. There are four Realtors in the office, and I absolutely love the atmosphere of a small office.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Marcoe: My family and I had just returned from a two-year sailing trip, and I wanted to be able to continue my role as a very involved mom. Real estate offered me the flexibility to be at my kids' functions and enjoy my love of every aspect of the housing industry.

NNBW: What do you enjoy about it?

Marcoe: Watching someone walk into their new home after they opened the door with their own key. Helping that difficult home sell with the staging I put together. The rewards are honestly endless. I love my job!

NNBW: What do you find annoying about it?

Marcoe: Since I am basically self-employed, I have a hard time finding health insurance because of a few pre-existing conditions (darn getting older).

NNBW: How have you had to change your business or strategies to adjust to the economy?

Marcoe: I have had to think way outside of the box in helping people deal with the declining value of their home. Thankfully, I love the whole "staging your home" concept, so I'm able to offer a lot of ideas in getting pesky homes sold and getting past a messy home to help the new buyer understand how a particular home can actually meet their needs with a bit of moving things around. Rather than focus so much on advertising, I'm going back to my roots and enjoy meeting people face to face to get new business.

NNBW: If you could do something in your career, what would you do differently the next time around?

Marcoe: I gave up on my own individuality for a bit and followed other people's paths. Once I remembered my own strengths, it all fell into place so much easier, and I realized that my way was better suited to my success and a heck of a lot more fun.

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from the office? Why are these activities important to you?

Marcoe: Family and friends, family and friends, and lots of time with the dogs. Life is so simple, and I have had a few jobs that didn't allow enough time to spend with people who make my life complete, so I appreciate the down time.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Marcoe: It has nothing to do with my job. My kids are 20 months apart, and I was a very young mom, so I was always running around to keep things clean, find the proper balance of time for playtime, etc. My mother-in-law stopped me one day and said: "The kids are going to grow up one day and you'll never remember the clean house, but you'll always remember the first time the kids do anything and you are there to see it." They are 22 and 24 now, and I am happy to say, I remember all of the great childhood memories and the endless driving to see every activity.

NNBW: Any final thoughts?

Marcoe: Seriously, I love my job! I work in a great office and am so thankful to have a job that is so dang fantastic. I would say, in this economy, it's even more important to love what you do. I am lucky to do what I do.