J Keys to Overcoming the Odds and Achieving Success in Real Estate Jon Holsten, a real estate agent and founder of the coaching program Top- Notch Agents was recently interviewed by Smart Agents and shared the story of how he got his start as a real estate professional and how he is continuing to grow his career. While the Fort Collins, Colorado-based agent has had a flourishing career in real estate for more than a decade, it’s fair to say he tried his hand at many things before settling on real estate. After earning his degree from Colorado State University, he worked in journalism as a reporter, a news anchor, and a photographer. A few years after leaving school, he was married with a young family, and Jon soon realized that work as a novice reporter did not pay very well. The television station where he worked as an anchor covered crime and the justice system, which led to him pursuing a career in local law enforcement. Although he admits he did so “strictly for the money” he also says it “turned out to be a really great career” and during his 17-year tenure on the force, he made some great connections in his community. Eventually, Jon realized he was “trading hours for dollars” and that when he could no longer put in those hours, the paychecks would stop. What then? Jon realized he wanted more, he wanted to go into business for himself. He created a detailed business plan on a legal pad and then called in a group of 12 trusted friends he refers to as “my council of 12” and asked their advice about what sort of business would best suit his skills and personality. The overwhelming majority, 10 out of 12, told him he would regret it if he didn’t go into real estate.
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