Photos & Video by Ryan Stopera
Meet the leaders behind Anderson Realty: Mike Smith and Rebekah Cook. They lead one of the 12 values-driven businesses that have come together in support of Pollen’s mission to change our collective story for the better. Together, they challenge Pollenites to raise $20,000 by Give to the Max Day on November 14, which they will match dollar for dollar.
Match the hive and donate today.
All About Anderson Realty:
It shouldn’t surprise you that Anderson Realty helps people buy and sell homes and takes on real estate development projects. But there’s more to Anderson, and what drives their work. “We care a lot about what it means to have a home, and what home means,” says manager and agent Rebekah Cook. “We work hard so that our clients can truly live, laugh, love—sorry for being corny—but it’s an honor we don’t take lightly.”
And it’s an honor that goes back generations. “My grandmother Sylvia Anderson started Anderson realty in the late 1950s,” says broker and owner Mike Smith. “I know that for her there was nothing more important than truly helping people. It is now my duty to carry on her mission—to work hard and put people first.”
Anderson works hard to bring a high level of customer service, integrity and trust to what it means to have a real estate license. “When somebody puts their trust in a realtor, it’s a really big deal,” says Mike. “It’s not transactional—it’s relational. It’s helping people investing their hard earned money to their future.”
POLLEN: What responsibilities do you feel as a business leader in your community?
MIKE: To be honest and fair and care for people.
POLLEN: How do you go beyond transactional relationships to build real connection and meaning in your networks?
MIKE: Empathy and human connection, in my opinion, should be the core of any real estate brokerage. There would be no housing business if there were no people. Homes have evolved since the earliest man, even then they were decorating caves. Our homes tell our stories, whether we are aware of it or not, the decisions we make when purchasing or decorating houses reflect directly our worldview – it is a huge part of the human experience.
I truly believe that when we help people connect with the right homes we help them have better lives. A good realtor does this by listening and caring for people.
POLLEN: What is the story we need to be telling about our region?
REBEKAH: The cost of living is so much more affordable in the Twin Cities than in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and we have just as diverse and robust of an arts and culture community. We think it’s important that we help people understand the value and impact home ownership can have on their future wealth and ability to be able to then afford to take risks in their careers!
POLLEN: When times are tough, how do you keep moving forward?
MIKE: I do what my grandmother would do! It wasn’t easy for her—but she would just drink some coffee, go to work, and make the tough decisions and move forward. People need us to work hard. It wouldn’t be called work if we always wanted to do it.
Join Mike and Rebekah: DONATE TO MATCH THE HIVE TODAY
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