Asked about her favorite features of the Richmond area, Mary Self has a lot to say, but she keeps coming back to the fishing. She and her family own a SeaHunt, and they get out on the river as often as possible to enjoy the water and have a peaceful time together. When she isn’t on the water, Mary is focused on expanding her business as one of Richmond’s rising star real estate agents.

 

When Mary’s three children grew closer to leaving for college, she decided rejoining the workforce after a decade as a stay-at-home mother would be important. She prayed for guidance, knowing only that she wanted to be of service in a way that emphasized relationships. The answer came to her in a roundabout way.

 

“I met a real estate agent named Rhonda Rost, and she suggested I consider this option,” Mary recalls. “We kept running into one another in new, unexpected places, and the message finally sank in.”

 

Mary obtained her real estate license, joined Keller Williams, and made Rookie of the Year in her first year. The rest is history.

 

Mary describes herself as a “total extrovert,” and she relishes the relationship aspect of her work. She believes you succeed by focusing your energy on your passion and working with a team to support the rest of your business. This is why she has been a part of a real estate team for the past two years. With two other agents and a marketing “guru,” Mary finds that she can focus on her clients. “We have made a second family, and I love having my team help my business grow and succeed,” Mary shares.

 

The close relationship Mary has with her team and her clients has also been the key to her success. “I can hustle with the best, but my ability to connect makes the difference,” she notes.

 

Mary’s business growth is almost exclusively referral based, and she prides herself on an ever-increasing number of repeat clients. Before committing to real estate, Mary considered becoming a therapist, and she sees parallels in her chosen profession: listening, empathizing, and problem solving are each a big part of why she’s so passionate about her work. It’s the genuine connections she makes with people every day that keep her jazzed up.

 

Over the past seven years, Mary has seen some significant changes in the real estate market in Richmond, and she makes it a point to look at the big picture to ensure that she’s offering the best possible services. When she discovered that a significant portion of moves was occurring due to relocation, retirement, and divorce, she ensured she could offer value specific to these clients.

 

Change in family dynamics, whether a downsize or a divorce, can be even more challenging than other types of moves. Mary didn’t assume that she had all the answers. Instead, she and her team became licensed senior specialists and have their RCSD designation to offer additional support to people during a major life transition. She wants the best for her clients and ensures she can offer it to them.

 

Born in Richmond, Mary lived in various other places before realizing her hometown would be ideal for raising a family. She brings her close connection to the area, as well as her experience of moving back, to help people new to Richmond discover all there is to enjoy.

 

As a resident, Mary makes it a point to be of service as much as she can. From regular support of the Chesterfield Food Bank to microcommunity service, Mary and her team regularly give their time and energy to help. One of her favorite activities is an annual Easter egg hunt for 30 local families. “My kids are too old for the hunt, but it’s so much fun setting up a major hunt in the neighborhood so everyone can participate,” Mary smiles.

 

With her youngest getting ready to graduate from high school and the older two already graduated from college, Mary is thinking about the next phase of her life.

 

“The work I’ve been doing has been so rewarding that I see my business as a major part of my future,” Mary says.

 

With more time on her hands, she is considering a move to a farm where she can indulge her love of animals and nature. “We have cats and dogs, but Midlothian isn’t the right place for chickens and goats,” Mary laughs.

 

In the meantime, the family still enjoys time on the river with the fish.