“Back when I was growing up, I would sell candy door to door,” recalls Shane Dolinski, who hails from Albuquerque. “I’ve always known that I had an affinity for sales.” This early exposure to sales sparked his interest and set the foundation for his future career. Little did he know that he would sell houses years later. 

Shane's journey into sales began in his mid-twenties when he started selling artwork. Excelling in this role, he swiftly climbed the corporate ladder, eventually becoming a national trainer that required extensive travel. However, the constant traveling became tiresome, prompting Shane to return to Albuquerque in the late '90s. During this time, he enrolled in real estate school.

“Back then, you had to wait months before the class started,” he recalls. “So I started selling cars at a dealership. My first month, I sold a bunch of cars.” Shane worked at the Garcia Automotive Group and did extremely well. With the money rolling in, he put his real estate dreams on hold – for a season. 

After purchasing his first house in 1998, followed by his first investment property in 1999, he started growing his investment portfolio and has been honored to be Albuquerque’s Airbnb Community Leader and Ambassador in Central New Mexico.

“When I decided to go into real estate full-time, it was two months before COVID,” recalls Shane. “I quit my high-paying job at the car dealership.” 

He emerged onto the real estate scene, only to face new challenges. Suddenly, he found himself navigating the uncertain waters of a global crisis, unable to show houses due to lockdowns. The challenge was not just external but also mental, questioning how he could succeed without a steady stream of clients.

Determined to succeed, Shane took the “One Hundred Days of Success” course with Brian Buffini and joined a couple of committees on the Greater Association of Albuquerque REALTORS®. “I threw myself into doing as much as I could,” says Shane, who is now a broker/ team leader at Realty One of New Mexico. 

His only regret is not going into real estate sooner, wishing he had gone into real estate in the ‘90s. Wildly successful in real estate, Shane puts his clients first. He comments, “I truly believe that if you put your clients first, everything else will take care of itself. I really do care about my clients; they mean a lot to me. Working hard and putting clients first has been my true secret sauce for success.” Shane has a steadfast work ethic. He firmly believes in the words of his father, "The harder you work, the luckier you get." By prioritizing his clients' needs and being available, Shane has built a reputation for providing exceptional service.

Success, for Shane, extends beyond his career achievements. He believes in living a life by design, which involves work-life balance. Taking a month off each year gives him time to relax and recharge. Recently, his travels took him to Japan, Thailand, Korea, and Hawaii. Shane says, “Experiencing different cultures and ways of life is enriching beyond imagination!”

He has a heart of gratitude for his family, commenting, “My family has been so supportive of everything that I have ever done. My parents, who have been married for 57 years, have been his rock. They believe in me. I couldn’t be luckier to have the family I have.”

Looking ahead, Shane aims to continue growing his business and eventually working remotely! Within the next five years, his goal is to establish a solid team that will allow him the freedom to invest abroad and travel more. 

When not working, Shane enjoys camping, fishing, skiing, and hiking. A talented musician, he likes to strum his guitar and sing. He also feels the need for speed. “I was blessed to recently buy a Tesla Model S. The Garcia’s aren’t very happy about it,” he jokes.

From selling candy bars to selling houses, Shane has excelled in salesmanship from his early days. His extensive experience, coupled with his commitment to his clients, has propelled him to success. With his client-focused approach and unwavering determination, Shane continues to excel in real estate, creating a lasting impact on those he serves.