Last month I “teased” with promise of August’s featured local, independent business being my favorite. Did you guess which one it is?
Lake and Company Real Estate! The business where I have had
my real estate license for the last 30+ years, otherwise wise known to me as my home away from home. Not so much over the last year and half, but still, it is not only a physical structure, but truly a family. I have always been a proud Lake & Company broker and my conversation with Jason Wall, Owner and Designated Broker for Lake & Company highlighted and reinforced the many reasons why I love working for Lake & Company.
Kristen: What is the history of Lake & Company?
Jason: Lake and Company was founded in 1982 by Michael Skahen,
with the belief that client needs come first, and that he could build an
independent real estate company that could do everything a little better than
the other companies. I joined Lake & Co as an agent in 1995 and began
managing the office in 2009. In 2013 I bought the business from Mike with the goal to maintain Mike’s vision and protect the Lake & Company family from becoming a franchise.
Kristen: What is your favorite part of running this business?
Jason: The people! I love the group of brokers and staff; we truly have something special. With engaged leadership, strong camaraderie, and
great support staff we CAN put our clients first and provide exceptional real estate services. Real estate is an amazing career, we are part of many significant moments in peoples lives; all life phases and serving multiple generations. It is also fun to see how regional our one office is. Every year we acknowledge the broker that had the farthest sale from the office.
Kristen: How has COVID impacted your business?
Jason: In the most unexpected ways! When we were first shut down, I thought it would be for a long time, and cautioned the brokers to be
prepared for a slowdown. Little did we know in March 2020 that real estate
would be deemed “essential” and as so many people hunkered down in their homes, many decided it was time for a change. The real estate market took off, but with many changes to how brokers interact with clients and how we do our business. These changes created more challenges, took more time, but we as an industry found ways to work through it, and stay safe and healthy. ys to work through it, and stay safe and healthy.