We had the good fortune of connecting with Summer Graham and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Summer, what principle do you value most?
Integrity and kindness. Loving people and treating them with the utmost integrity is a non-negotiable for me. If we all thought a little more of others and less of ourselves, the world would be a kinder place.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Serving people and being a part of their story has always been an integral part of my life. I went to school for hospitality – was part of a 1,000 room hotel opening, member relations at an esteemed private country club and development director of special events at a non-profit. For years I had been so intrigued with real estate, people, their places, the details, the stories and I knew it would be a part of my life one day.
I had also heard too many friends and family have issues when making one of the biggest decisions of their life…which is when I chose to leave my career at that time and pursue my passion of real estate. Being obsessed with service, I wanted to walk with my clients in the before and even after – offering a concierge service that is rare in the industry. This has allowed me to build a 99% referral – based business so I can focus more time on my clients and their experience. It is really the greatest honor to be trusted by so many with their friends and family
Was it easy? Did I face challenges? While it wasn’t easy, it has been quite ‘smooth’ mostly because I never anticipated it to be easy or smooth – I was willing to put in the work. So much unseen – the nights and weekends spent with other families, rushing to see homes that have multiple offers, the vacations spent with a phone or laptop in hand, missing special events, the disappointment when your client doesn’t get THE ONE, cleaning dog poop at a listing, climbing under crawlspaces, unclogging toilets, Home Depot runs, late nights, early mornings, so many miles, even more emails and so much more.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ooo fun question! It would definitely be a mix of adult only and kid friendly activities. Uchi for dinner and drinks, if we were feeling fun, would head over to the Rattlesnake Bar at the Ritz and enjoy the patio. We’d spend some time at the Dallas Arboretum – either splashing with kiddos and the children’s garden or enjoy an evening concert with picnic. We would have a low-key evening at Shady’s in East Dallas, followed by Andy’s. Definitely grab some pastries at La Boulengerie and check out Lower Greenville…possibly grab pops at Steel City. A little known hideaway spot for dinner at Lounge Here. If they were into the arts, the Dallas Museum of Art is incredible and the Perot Museum is a blast…then we would take a stroll through Klyde Warren Park. If the more active type, we would visit White Rock Lake – rent a paddle board or canoe from White Rock Paddle Co. Breakfast at Dream Cafe, coffees from White Rock Coffee. I love Dallas so much – I could go on and on about the fun places to visit, shop, parks, places etc!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My incredible husband, my two wonderful kiddos and the incredible community we are surrounded with.
Website: www.GrahamGroupDFW.com
Instagram: Grahamgroup_dfw
Image Credits
Dean Xu