Making The Next Leap

March 4, 2011 | By Kelley Koehler | Filed Under Odds and Ends 

remodeling-kelley-the-realtor I remember deciding to remodel my kitchen. I mean, totally tear out the kitchen and start from scratch.  And, having never done any remodeling before in my life, I did what any sane person would do: I took a sledgehammer to the walls and read a book about building your own cabinets.

Turns out, I’m good at figuring things out. And I’m not a bad cabinet builder either.

I remember deciding to put concrete countertops on those cabinets that I had built – I read a book about it.  How hard could it be?

You know the hardest part about do-it-yourself concrete countertops? The first shovel full of concrete.  Right before you dump that first shovel full, the first shovel of the three quarter tons of concrete you’ll shift that day, you stop.  And you realize what you’re about to do is completely irreversible, and you’ve never done a single concrete project before in your life.

It’s a recurring theme in my life and my various careers.  Leaping into big things, making big changes.  I get antsy, doing the exact same thing for too long.  That’s how I know when I’m ready for the next leap, when I’m ready to learn something new and take on a set of entirely new challenges.

So it’s time for the next leap.

I’m landing with a company called Zeek Interactive, a web development shop over in Southern California, run by a couple of people for whom I have a great deal of respect, and who are in need of a project manager and software tester and overall organizer of things.  I’m hoping there’ll be some fun with analytics and optimization along the way.

Which means I’m leaving real estate sales for the time being.  If you’ve got a saved property search, I can help transfer that to another agent in the area with the same search.  And if you were wanting my help to buy or sell, I would be delighted to give you references for a handful of agents in Tucson that I trust implicitly.

I’ll still be around.  Probably not as Housechick anymore, but I hope it wasn’t the catchy name that drew us together in the first place.  You’ll more likely find me over at my new little blog, kelleykoehler.com.

It’s been fun.  I don’t regret for an instant leaping out of engineering and into real estate.  Thank you to everyone who taught me so much about the business, about real customer service, about the highest standards of ethics and integrity.  Thanks to those who taught me patience, who taught me how to tread lightly in stressful situations, and who honored me with their trust.  Thank you to those who told me no in a million different ways, and to those who had the faith in me to say yes.  Thank you to those who taught me how to recover from disappointment, and to those who allowed me to share their joy, their families, and their lives.

And thank you, most of all, to those amazing folks who trusted me to help with one of the largest, most stressful, personal events we experience in this modern life – buying and selling our homes.  Without you, I’m just a girl with a silly nickname and a whole lotta for sale signs.

It was an honor.  Thank you.

Comments

38 Responses to “Making The Next Leap”

  1. Teresa Boardman on March 4th, 2011 4:08 pm

    🙂

  2. Jeff Turner on March 4th, 2011 4:11 pm

    We are so honored to have you!

  3. Jeremy Blanton on March 4th, 2011 4:13 pm

    Kelley- exciting to see you joining such a great gang. Jeff and the rest of the Zeek crew is a great bunch to be associated with!

  4. Jay Thompson on March 4th, 2011 4:15 pm

    Face it, you’ll always be Housechick to me.

    We wish you all the best Kelley, and are so happy for you. You’ve been a pleasure to have as our “Tucson Branch Manager” and should you ever decide to return to real estate, you’ll always be welcome to hang your license with us.

  5. Jim Duncan on March 4th, 2011 4:25 pm

    Good luck, Kelley. Once again, you’ve impressed.

  6. Lesley Lambert on March 4th, 2011 4:29 pm

    Fabulous…best wishes on your new leap!

  7. Calie Waterhouse on March 4th, 2011 4:41 pm

    WOW – they say the first step is the hardest … but honestly, you’re destined for greatness no matter what you do. Zeek is very fortunate they you’ve agreed to be part of their team 🙂

  8. Bidding a fond farewell to Kelley Koehler, aka Housechick-The Phoenix Real Estate Guy on March 4th, 2011 4:49 pm

    […] but she doesn’t need it. She’ll be a smashing success.But she’ll always be Housechick to me.Here is Kelley’s take on the change.And here is Jeff’s. Photo credit: I have no idea. It’s been around. I ripped this version […]

  9. ARDELL on March 4th, 2011 5:00 pm

    At the risk of sounding sexist…I have to say…going from one GREAT Man to another…sounds like pretty good “leaping”. No need to Look Before You Leap on that one. Sounds like “no bad answers” there.

    Good Luck and Godspeed, Kelley!

  10. Chris Butterworth on March 4th, 2011 5:07 pm

    Hey Kelley –

    Best of luck on the next leg of your adventure (not that you’ll need it!) I’ll miss reading the Housechick tho.

  11. Dru Bloomfield on March 4th, 2011 5:12 pm

    Awesome, Kelly! Congrats on the “big leap”. Will be fun to hear about your new adventure.

  12. Kris Berg on March 4th, 2011 5:21 pm

    Kelley – That is uber-exciting and I am so happy for you! All the best! Jeff is a lucky guy.

  13. Zeek Interactive : Zeekchick? We Like The Sound Of It. on March 4th, 2011 5:24 pm

    […] __________________________________ edit: from Kelley “Making The Next Leap“ […]

  14. Ricardo Bueno on March 4th, 2011 5:27 pm

    Congratulations Kelley! See you in the OC 😉

  15. Paul Slaybaugh on March 4th, 2011 5:36 pm

    Just so I’m clear, does this mean you aren’t available for counter top installs?

  16. Monika on March 4th, 2011 5:54 pm

    Congratulations Kelley! I’m sure you’ll love your new job…I am very excited for you!
    Oh and you’ll always be Housechick to me!

  17. Matt Stigliano on March 4th, 2011 5:54 pm

    Kelley – Congratulations! Of course, reading this I am a bit sad, but only because this blog has been one of my favorites since the day we were introduced online. You’ve provided me with a lot of great ideas (and tools) in my time as an agent. So thank you for all of that!

    I know it will be a great fit for you over at Zeek after getting to know some of your tech background. I’m sure they’re excited to be able to scoop you up.

    I’m sure your clients are sad, but I know you’ll recommend them to nothing but the best, so they have no worries there.

    Good luck in SoCal, I must admit, I’m a bit jealous.

  18. Tony Lazzar on March 4th, 2011 6:07 pm

    Sweet move – AZ – Socal – nice for everyone and best of luck.

  19. Nick on March 4th, 2011 6:14 pm

    Congrats to you and to Zeek Interactive.

    What a great fit!

  20. kerry melcher on March 4th, 2011 6:25 pm

    sounds awesome! congratulations!!!

  21. Dale Chumbley on March 4th, 2011 6:43 pm

    Kelley,

    What an awesome opportunity! I mirror ARDELL’s comment. One great man to the next. Hopefully we’ll still see you around the RE water cooler from time to time.

    Hugs!

    Dale

  22. Ann Cummings on March 4th, 2011 6:56 pm

    Congratulations Kelley – this sounds like a match made in heaven! Wishing you much success, and yes you’ll always be Housechick to me too…. 😉

    Good luck!

  23. Mana Tulberg on March 4th, 2011 6:57 pm

    Best of luck in your new venture Kelly.
    So, when are you moving to SoCal?

  24. Teri Lussier on March 4th, 2011 7:17 pm

    HouseChick, and the BrickHouseChick Suite will always hold a dear place in my heart.

    Be happy, Kelley!

  25. Heather Elias on March 4th, 2011 8:35 pm

    I couldn’t be more proud…completely happy for you and excited for your move. You’ll always be Housechick to me, no matter where life takes you. Proud to call you my friend, and love you bunches.

  26. Jay McGilicuddy on March 4th, 2011 8:48 pm

    So excited for you as you will now be known as the “ZeekChick”?

  27. Jason Farris on March 4th, 2011 10:08 pm

    I’m truly happy for you Kelley! What an exciting time for you… hooray!

  28. Judy Moriarty on March 4th, 2011 10:50 pm

    Congratulations Kelley…and to Jeff and Zeek too – it’s a win for all of you! I’ve no doubt this next leap will be an incredible one for you!

    (does this mean your spot on the NAR float is available?)

  29. Ira Serkes on March 4th, 2011 11:21 pm

    Zebras will always be zebras

    Housechick will always be housechick

    Just sayin’

    CONGRATULATIONS!

  30. Lisa Heindel on March 5th, 2011 9:22 am

    Congrats, Kelley! You seem to have a knack for picking the coolest places to work and this is no exception. Best wishes on this new path in your journey.

  31. Heather Barr on March 5th, 2011 4:16 pm

    Holy cow! this is great news, and sad news all at the same time. Will sure miss our Tucson Branch Manager, but am SO excited for you and your new adventure. You’ll be great! congratulations!

  32. Ryan Hukill on March 5th, 2011 4:48 pm

    Kelley, BIG CONGRATS on the move! I wish you tons of luck and great success, wherever you go.

  33. Scott on March 5th, 2011 5:16 pm

    I guess you can take the sofware guru out of software, but you can’t take the software out of the software guru – at least not for long. Welcome back to one of the coolest creative professions on Earth, Kelley! Zeek looks like a fun place to be.

    Oh, and about that herding cats metaphor – it’s all too well deserved. Here’s the most important Web page on the planet for a software manager…

    “http://www.tums.com/Products/Smoothies.aspx”

  34. Mike Mueller on March 6th, 2011 11:35 am

    Wonderful for you!

    So you left the greatest possible real estate boss to work with the greatest possible tech boss?

    LOVE IT! Congrats and the best of luck!

  35. Pete Metzger on March 8th, 2011 8:11 am

    Dear Kelley,
    Thank you so very much for all the information that you have provided via your blog. I wish you much success in your future endeavor.
    Sincerely,
    Pete Metzger
    Future Tucson Resident

  36. Derek Overbey on March 8th, 2011 9:04 am

    There is something that I absolutely adore about you and it has nothing to do with your Twitter handle.

    I’ve always wanted nothing but awesome things for you and I think this opportunity will be a match made in heaven. You will get to constantly challenge that big brain of yours and Zeek will get some kick ass results.

    I also like the fact that you will be in my state and possibly I will see you F2F more.

    Just know that some dude up in the Bay Area is pulling for you and wishes you nothing but continued success.

    McLovin

  37. Luke Nelson on March 9th, 2011 9:25 pm

    I was just telling a co-worker the other day what an excellent job you did presenting and selling our home. I can’t thank you enough.

    Good luck in your new adventure.

  38. M on March 24th, 2011 11:16 am

    That’s too sad! I haven’t left comments, but I really loved reading your blog. The stats were so helpful, too. I was planning to use you should I ever need a RE agent and you’re gone and so will be the reports you’d just started sending not long ago… Thank you for keeping us posted about RE news in town for quite some time, Kelley!

    Good luck, geekchick! 🙂

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