RE/MAX Broker Spotlight: Q&A with Manager-Turned-Broker/Owner Elissa Williams

I joined RE/MAX in 2000. I had been working for a CPA firm doing the accounting for a RE/MAX office. I felt connected [to the brand] after getting to know the owner and, when the opportunity presented itself to become the full time office manager, I took it. It was a position I loved and I’m proud to say I helped grow the office.

RE/MAX believes in giving back. I think at a corporate level, if a company is committed to philanthropy, that speaks volumes. Dave and Gail Liniger have always been involved, not only in [Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals], but other charity events as well. I also like the support I get and I know there are people in the network I can go to with questions. RE/MAX is always evolving.

In March 2020, my services were no longer needed at the RE/MAX office I managed. It was the beginning of the pandemic and I really did not know what I was going to do. Going to another brand was not an option for me. So with a lot of prayer and support from my amazing husband and friends, I went in search of a new opportunity and decided to open my own RE/MAX office in Templeton. I love teaching and training agents – and I want to make a difference in people’s lives while giving back.   

Opening during a pandemic was interesting to say the least. There were the constraints as to whether we could even operate, whether we were deemed “essential”  and, of course, the evolving shut downs, physical distancing and not being able to meet in person to show a property. There was a lot of fear in the beginning but I do not give into fear. When you have gone through cancer and death of a spouse, there really is not much more you have not already faced.  So I kept pushing forward. I chose not to be a selling broker/owner so I had to build an office of talented agents. I made phone calls and held Zoom meetings. My only option was to succeed and I think remaining positive throughout helped.

RE/MAX was incredible. When I met with new agents, I would tell them how invested RE/MAX is in the agents and how they stepped up during the pandemic so agents could continue to conduct business.

I am excited about the agent websites and I make sure all incoming agents have their websites up. And, I am a big proponent of [the First app] as a way for agents to stay in touch with their contacts and Megaphone as a way to market listings, promote posts and create ads.

I really think [what agents find the most valuable] is a broker who cares about them, is involved in the community, and offers training. Agents talk – and my agents are my biggest advocates!