Name: Abby Cribbs

Age: 27

Brokerage name: RE/MAX of Grand Rapids

Are you an independent agent or do you have a team?: May Group, REALTORS®

What year did you get licensed?: 2019

FAST FACTS:

I don’t give up that easily. I got my real estate license in the fall of 2019, just months before our real estate market — and the rest of the world — shut down. My business was entirely put on hold, and I had to survive on my marketing and social media management income to support me and my cat, Onyx. After restrictions were lifted, I jumped into one of the most competitive markets that the real estate industry has seen all while trying to learn and build my knowledge and confidence in this ever-changing field. I saw minimal growth in my first few years in real estate, but now I’ve more than doubled my annual production and I’ve closed nearly half of my last year’s production.

I love grove. They use quality farm-to-table ingredients to craft creative and delicious dishes. The restaurant has a cozy, modern atmosphere and high-level customer service.    

A physical item I couldn’t live without is my blender. I make a protein smoothie (strawberry, banana, kale, spinach) every morning, and it’s the best way to start my day.

If family were allowed — I can’t live without my fur babies (and I’m absolutely terrified of the day I’ll have to say goodbye to them). They enrich my life in too many ways to quantify, and I feel so fulfilled caring for them.

I’m grateful I get to say I’ve looked up to and learned from so many people over the years. Someone I admire the most is my grandma (Naya a.k.a. Lin Opgenorth). She is a truly self-made woman who endured an abusive, toxic upbringing and left that abusive home to achieve a master’s degree in English and teach high school English in Elk Rapids, Michigan. She’s the most outspoken, authentic, passionate, resilient and well-read woman I know. She is always trying to learn new things, master new skills, connect with friends and family, and stay involved in her community.

My resilience, grit and strength. Adversity after adversity and continuing to pick myself up, find the silver lining, and keep putting one foot after the other. I’ll keep adapting and growing and smiling through anything I encounter.    

I’ve always been interested in managing multiple businesses/sources of income, similar to my dad, who manages three businesses and various properties. I love wearing multiple hats, and I’m terrible at sitting still. I’ve also dreamed of having a career in the arts/entertainment industry. I have a deep love for music, film, acting and singing that came from my grandma and mom.