Rising Guru Jason Dodd with Re/Max Advanced Realty

Rick Ripma: 0:00

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Rick Ripma: 0:40

Well, it's gonna be a great day today we have Jason Dodd Jason's a rising star real estate agent rising guru. Phenomenal. You're doing a phenomenal job so far. And we're really excited to have you. We'd love for you to kind of introduce yourself, give people an idea who you are, where you grew up, you know what your life was like before real estate.

Jason Dodd: 1:00

Happy to Thanks for having me, Rick. And as Rick said, my name is Jason Dodd. I grew up in central Iowa in a small town close to Ames. And I grew up in a small agricultural community. And so for me life when I was young was hunting and fishing and working for farmers in the area, and so forth. And from there, I didn't originally intend on going to college, I was going to work in a trade or something. But I decided to go to Ellsworth Community College up in Iowa Falls Iowa first and that's where I really started to dig into my my love of science. And I got a two year degree there in biotechnology, which was back then before, a lot of the things that are commonplace today, using a lot of the new technologies and science and so forth. And that really sort of drove my my love for that. After that, then I went down to Iowa State in went through a couple different majors trying to figure out what I wanted to do on it. Yeah, when I grew up and and didn't know and I had the opportunity one summer to crop scout and I realized that that combination of working outside working with people and working with science was what I really loved. And so I changed to a major of Agronomy in chemistry and focused on agronomic sciences or agricultural sciences, then graduated from Iowa State with a degree in agronomy and started to work in ag retail when you drive away from the city out and all the small towns you see the big grain elevators and all the equipment that do work on and support farm operations in the rural communities. And I worked in one of those retailers while I started to work on my master's degree. And I finished my master's degree while I was working in soil science and soil fertility. And so that combination of agronomy and soil fertility really was was my base, but I can't overlook also, you know, what motivated me at that time too is my wife Kim and I had kids starting quite young. And so by the time I got on with grad school, we already had a couple kids. And that really drove me to do more and in and push harder to be more successful and be able to provide in the future for them. So I spent most of my early years in central Iowa, I worked in ag retail, as I mentioned and transitioned to one of the larger seed companies where I work directly with farmers and supporting you could call it troubleshooting of their crops if you're not familiar with agriculture. And did that for for some time. And then we took an opportunity a few years down the road, then an advancement in that multinational corporation, and moved to Bloomington, Illinois, and, and worked for that same organization there but uh, covering multiple states and sort of advising other folks that did what I used to do and in in roles that were technical in nature, but also strategic, I guess you would say. And I had the opportunity to move into business leadership over the years in, managed a region for that company. But then had the opportunity to come to Indianapolis in 2017. And we moved over here to Brownsburg and took stayed again with that organization took on a larger role. And that really focused on as you can imagine driving business results, but building teams and driving an organization through change and creating a new brand and some other things like that, that were all just incredible experiences for me. But in all we have four kids ranging from 18 to 28 years old right now and we have four grandkids kind of spread around the US and every one of those things are part of who built who I am and and what I've enjoyed. This summer I was no longer involved with the national corporation that I spent 27 years with. And so having come from agriculture, where you start working young, I did this something I hadn't done since I was probably nine or 10 years old and I took about 45 days this summer and just didn't work, wow, and spent time with my family and my grandkids and with my other passions and hobbies, and took some time to decide what I wanted to do next. And ultimately, that's how I ended up in real estate. And, and being new to the business but not new to business. And and that brings me to where where I am today. So

Rick Ripma: 5:22

how do you how do you feel that all that experience that you had? How was that transferring over to Real Estate and helping you in the real estate industry? Yeah. Where

Jason Dodd: 5:32

I think it really correlates I hadn't thought about in the past. In agriculture, it's very unique, because you have these large farm operations that most people don't understand the size of business they do. But that industry is still deeply built on trust and relationships. And so translation emotions. So very large business decisions are made on trust in emotions, especially ones their stress, or barriers, and so forth. And as I thought about the homes I've bought, and folks I've talked to in real estate, it's a very emotional, difficult decision for a lot of people. And having had years of negotiating contracts in dealing with emotions, and building trust, and all of those same things that people were telling me were necessary to build a good sphere of influence or base of clients in real estate. It just made sense to me that instead of doing this for somebody else's benefit, and thinking back with all the customers I've worked with, over the years that why couldn't I do this for myself, and and move away from the leadership type roles I've been in and go back to working directly with folks myself, supporting them through what's a difficult if not frightening transition for most people in their life to begin with. And I really felt like I could do that well for people. So

Ian Arnold: 6:50

let me ask this. So I understand you took the 45 days off, which, after 27 years, you deserve it. So kudos. But what made you decide to toe the dip your toe in real estate? That's a big difference. I mean, what what mindset changed? Yeah,

Jason Dodd: 7:07

thanks. And that's I get that question quite a bit. But what my daughter's in real estate and Texas my wife is also looked at various aspects of real estate. And so the reason I dipped my toe in is because it was recommended that I go talk to one of the brokers here that my wife, frankly felt I would I would fit well with. And so I sat down with Dennis Nottingham, who runs REMAX advanced Realty and had a conversation with him about what it takes to be successful in real estate. And frankly, I didn't talk to anybody else. I liked this practicality about the business, I liked the opportunity that I create for myself and for my family. And so most people that know me that once I make up my mind, I'm going to do something, there's absolutely nothing that's going to get in the way of that. And so, through the summer, I decided as I was transitioning, I went ahead and did the real estate training and certifications and, and so forth and started building towards that. And as I got into it I, the more I realized that I was going to enjoy it and that I was passionate about it, and that it motivated me to be successful. And so it they may seem to not correlate at all. But when you think about my background, and what drives me and what I've been most proud of over the years that I can I can I can have that in the real estate business as well.

Rick Ripma: 8:24

I think it's amazing, because because you it's a tough business to get going in. Right. And so you you've gone through, you have so much experience in agriculture. Now you come here, and they brought a lot of that. I mean, he brought all that experience, but also a lot of that transfers into into real estate. So but still, it's a tough business to get going in. So how did you get going? How did you? What do you do? What's your process? How are you getting your your business going?

Ian Arnold: 8:54

He threatened the farmers? Yeah.

Jason Dodd: 8:57

That's right. Yeah, no, hay violence, you know, sometimes you have to, you know, I, what I did was just learn as much as I could this summer and talk to people. And as I got started, I'm very fortunate that the team I'm a part of is incredibly supportive. And so just the sheer number of dumb questions that I've asked coming into a new industry, but having a lot of experience working with people is about learning the idiosyncrasies of this business, not about how to work with people. And so leaning on my ability to work with people and in wanting to voraciously learned, I have just talked to everybody I possibly can. That's involved in the business that's been successful, that's had challenges, of course, reading on the internet, as much as you can as well too. But I'm a very practical person. And so just sitting down and having coffee with people that have been in the business, or grabbing a beer or grabbing lunch, and just drilling them with as many questions as I can possibly ask to learn about how to do this well, and I'm going to be doing that process for a long time. I'm somebody that insist on constantly learning and changing. And so that will never go away. So the way I started will be the way that I sustained myself over time. And I'm really just getting going, and still learning a ton. So that's how I've started. And, but trial and error is part of anything new. And I have been through that too. And I have learned from my own mistakes already, and I will continue to Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 10:22

that's the benefit of having a great team. Yes, because of the trial and errors. You they help you get through them. But they also help you avoid some of the trial and errors because you have great people around you who can guide you, and make sure that you, you don't maybe make some of the errors. And others when you have an error or have a problem. They know how to take care of it. They know how they know how to guide you to fix

Jason Dodd: 10:43

it makes a big difference. When you trust the people around you are really there to help you and maybe not use you against yourself. And they don't. So I know that as I'm coming in the folks around me that are already successful, meaningfully want to help me in they've demonstrated that and so that that just gives me more faith in the group that I'm a part of. And the ability I have to lean on them while I need to. And hopefully others can on me someday.

Ian Arnold: 11:06

So does your daughter ever look at you, Dad? You can't be doing that? No,

Jason Dodd: 11:10

not not yet. Because I'm a little bit stubborn, either. Anybody that knows me would know that. So, you know, I do like to figure things out on my own. And I tend to be somebody that doesn't like to put weight on other people's shoulders. But I asked my wife and daughter questions all the time. And I listened to him. You have to listen to everybody around you. Sometimes they would probably say that I don't. But I heard it doesn't mean I necessarily did the right thing. But I heard it. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 11:36

it is difficult to get it you were you were you know somebody who knew everything about what you were doing. And then you go to something where you don't know anything about what you're doing. That's a difficult thing for a lot of people to do I congratulate you on being able to do that. Because you're obviously you've taken it up and you're working at it. Well,

Jason Dodd: 11:59

I appreciate that. And it's true. It's just flat out frightening. It is however, my my history has been I've been most successful in the middle of chaos change or volatility. That's where I've been successful and how I was used in my previous role. So I'm never confident that I know everything I never was even though I had been in that industry for a long time. But I'm extremely confident that I will see it through I will learn what I needed to I will adapt however I need to to be able to help the folks that that trust me with their, you know, with their home buying or selling process. And so he but yeah, it's, it's scary when you start over. And it's not just the job, I started over enemy, every aspect of my life changed significantly after 20 something years this summer. And so I mean, it was like wiping the slate clean. And, you know, no study materials to come with.

Rick Ripma: 12:56

Well, if it helps any, you can be in this. We had a guy in here who had been in real estate for 54 years. And he still said he didn't he still had issues come up that he didn't know what to do. So you'll always be learning that I

Jason Dodd: 13:08

like the fact that it changes constantly. And that's that's something I enjoy. So I'm glad to hear that. That's the beauty of it.

Ian Arnold: 13:15

So what what about mentors? Who do you look towards for mentoring and how are they helping you today?

Jason Dodd: 13:24

Yeah, so I have a mentor. I'm working directly with my team. His name's Jonathan, Josh Latham. He's been in the business for quite some time as well,

Ian Arnold: 13:30

too. Just so you know, Josh Latham was on our show.

Jason Dodd: 13:33

But was he Okay, well, it's a tough act to follow. I'll do my best. I definitely don't have as good a hair as he does. Oh, not many people do I know. So Josh is working with me directly. And so he's the poor guy that has to deal with all my really dumb questions every step along the way, while I do everything for the first time. But in addition to Josh, Doug, who's our managing partner at the location that I'm at, in Dennis, of course, Nottingham, who I spoke to originally and still ask questions. But unfortunately, for everybody around me, I'm using everybody as a mentor and a source I work the most with Josh. But I'm not afraid to ask anybody a question. So it comes back to again, I'm very, very supported by the team that I'm a part of, and anybody I've talked to has been more than willing to help. And so I'm using every resource I can to learn. So

Rick Ripma: 14:23

what what traits do you look for in a mentor? You know, you've got these great mentors. So because if somebody's sitting there, and maybe they're in an office, they don't have the mentors, they don't know how to pick one. That's where I want them after how do you pick a mentor? How do you know that man, that's, that's somebody that resonates with me and they can, they're going to help? Yeah,

Jason Dodd: 14:42

mentor doesn't have to be somebody that's assigned to you. It can be somebody that you seek out. And to me, the best way to do that is to find somebody that that isn't necessarily just like you, you want somebody to take you outside of your comfort zone. And the only way to do that is to sit down and have conversations with people Well, in my old career, I was a mentor for others and help people find mentors. And the best advice I can give is reach out to those people that are really successful. People are intimidated to do so. But don't hesitate, because likely they they want to help. Yes. So reach out to other people that are wildly successful, buy them coffee, buy him lunch, buy him a beer and ask him questions. You meet with people like that you want, you will always learn something that day. But you will also find out who challenges you. And that person that challenges you, is the one that I would always send you to as a mentor that says you can do more, you can be better, and it's not about them. But it's about how you can do more, do better. But you have to interview people to be your mentor, you have to learn who you want to guide you. And that's on you. Nobody's going to set that up for you. Right. So

Ian Arnold: 15:52

firstly, I want to help you get some business. So

Jason Dodd: 15:55

I love that.

Ian Arnold: 15:56

I don't think anybody's ever complained about that. So if somebody is wanting to get in touch with you, and talk real estate, whether they're looking to buy or even sell, what's the best way to contact the easiest

Jason Dodd: 16:05

way to get ahold, here's my cell phone number. And it's 317-779-9545. My website is complicated. So I'll just send everybody back to my cell phone number. And I'll repeat it again in case mumbled. 317779954, or five. And so just text call, anything like that, I'd love to have a conversation.

Rick Ripma: 16:28

And to get a hold of Ian or I go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. Or you can give us a call at 317-672-1938. That's 317-672-1938 That is just a call. That's not a text. I'm glad you point that out. I'd like to point that out. But I maybe I should start giving them my text. Oh, yeah,

Ian Arnold: 16:49

we get a bit. I'll read it first.

Rick Ripma: 16:51

I remember.

Ian Arnold: 16:53

Alright, so we're gonna take a sidestep. Alright, so when you're not selling real estate now, I know you had 45 days to find yourself after job. So what do you catch yourself doing for fun?

Jason Dodd: 17:05

For fun. First and foremost, our family's just really close. I've got two daughters who live out of state two sons that are still that are here in Indiana, but we still try to do as much as we can together whether it be just simply all being on FaceTime or watching football or grilling out you know, things like that just being being bums is to the best of our ability. My family's heavily involved in aviation. I have two sons and and myself that are pilots. And so we have a lot of involvement aviation, and I'm very involved in a little rural airport out here outside of Lebanon. And so if we're not flying or thinking about flying, or we're working on equipment that flies or we're helping other people people do so mostly I'm just really an out outdoorsman. So again, my whole family we love to be outdoors, whether it's hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, things like that. So those really are our main hobbies but we're all pretty much up for any wild hair we get something so

Ian Arnold: 18:07

so since it is hunting season right now, so have you gone yet this year? No.

Jason Dodd: 18:11

So here's my shameless plug. I moved to Indiana seven years ago and I lost the place my to hunt last season so so me and the boys are skunked right now we don't have anywhere to go. But you think if all the farmers I knew I would get something. Yeah, but so this fall, the boys are both extremely busy with their flying careers and building that. And so this fall I haven't haven't. Haven't gone out.

Rick Ripma: 18:34

Do you have your own plane?

Jason Dodd: 18:35

I do. Yeah. What Yeah, I have a 1946 around kerchief. So it's an old it's a 78 year old tale. tailwheel airplane vintage airplane from the mid 40s. Wow, that's awesome. Now what are your boys fly, the boys are both going to school to be airline pilots, pilots. And so they're both in lift Academy down here at Indy International, and they're flying diamonds. In the three of us also fly paramotors, which most people aren't aware of. That's, if you see the guy flying around with a soft wig and the motor on their back. Yeah, we all do that too. And that's, that looks like fun. It's as much fun as it looks like it's the most relaxing form of aviation there is and the most accessible to most people as well too. So it really is very much training does it take to do something like that? Most people that go to training for that you go for about five or seven days and one of the best places is right down here south of India to do that training about five or seven days to really learn how to be safe and to basic skills and then you go back home and and grow in that but it's a it's a really tight community that that all helps each other. It's it's considered an ultralight. So it's not regulated the same way airplanes are and so people have a lot more freedom and how they choose to learn and what they do, but it's a it's a wonderful sport. I joke because I say it's like the NASCAR of aviation everybody just has a blast on in that side of of aviation when they get together at flying They're just on nice weeknights, or whatever. So we just love it and are very involved.

Rick Ripma: 20:05

I can see why I watched it for you know, I've seen it and probably started when I was 18 or 19 years old. They're fairly new, but I was like, Wow, it really looks like a cool thing. It also know if you're 700 feet in the air, you better know what you're doing. Yeah, the

Jason Dodd: 20:19

beauty of pair motors is even if your motor quits, you're on a paragliding wing that glides, you know, so you just land runners you

Rick Ripma: 20:27

know how to do? Yeah, yeah, no,

Ian Arnold: 20:28

but have you thought about this, have like a little banner comes out on eighth house for sale, and you just circle the house several times it has

Jason Dodd: 20:36

come up. It definitely has come up that there would be ways to advertise with that. But most people don't like the noise they make when you get that close to their house. But

Rick Ripma: 20:45

you don't use a drone. Oh, yeah, I

Jason Dodd: 20:48

do it myself. Yeah, drop candy, or fireball bottles. One of the one more little

Ian Arnold: 20:53

thing on that you're talking about noise. So the other day, about two weeks ago, the Blue Angels were around, and I grew up in the South right next to where the Blue Angels flew all the time. So it's not uncommon for me. My kids freaked out when they heard go over our house because I was so loud. And I told I text my wife and she's like, Oh, I go it was your house wasn't shaking. Were okay. But it was funny is they're not used to it. And I grew up at it. So it's just kind of weird.

Jason Dodd: 21:19

It is, well, I'm my inner seven year old comes out every time I see airplanes still too. I mean, it just that doesn't change. That's what you fly. Because

Rick Ripma: 21:27

it's interesting how we each have our own, you know, certain things that just really make it. Yeah, that's what we love to do. Yep,

Jason Dodd: 21:33

no doubt. So what

Rick Ripma: 21:35

would you say your superpower superpowers are?

Jason Dodd: 21:39

I would say, one of my superpowers. And and I would say my wife and my former co workers sort of make fun of me for this at times is it's virtually impossible to shake me. It doesn't matter what happens, or how bad or how shocking or or different it is. I'm just a calm person. And I can help people walk through things that are that are difficult, or you know what? Shake others. And so I always remember one of my other employees. At one point said like, Dude, are you a robot? I can't get you shook up. No, it's not that it's just, there's only one way through volatility or difficult time or surprises and it's to be patient and take a step back and, and understand what you do now. And so I think people would say that, that about me. The other thing probably would just be, I don't know if it's persistence or loyalty. But when I work with somebody, or my family, or somebody has worked for me in the past, I'll go to the ends of the earth to make sure that they're successful, and growing and satisfied, you know, and with what they're doing every day. And so those are the things that really drive me. And I like to think that I do well. It's

Rick Ripma: 22:58

it's amazing, because it's such a, as you said, emotional business, how important that quality is where you stay calm. I think it's probably the most important quality in a real estate agent. Now, that's my own personal opinion. I may be wrong, but I really do think that's a huge plus. Great people. Well, you I mean, you see it. Yeah, you know, when when you're going through buying a house or selling a house, there's ups and downs, I sold new homes for 11 years for a builder and I mean, the the emotions, we you know, we be trained on it. Because you know, when they buy the home, they're elated. You know, a week later, they're depressed. Yeah, just up and down and up and down, and up and down. And having somebody who can stay even keeled, especially if there's a big problem. That's yeah, that is huge. I would say another one of your superpowers, though, is your thirst for knowledge. Not everybody has that net separates. A lot of people who become legends in the industries that they're in is they're not they they're always learning.

Jason Dodd: 24:05

Well, and to learn, you have to ask. One of the questions you asked me before was, you know, what's, you know, some of the things that people have told me they're successful, one of those was simply that there's always one or two more layers of information if you can get past your agenda. And that really stuck with me that there's always more to learn from whoever you're interacting with, whether it be a client, family member, you name it. But if your agenda is the only thing that's on your mind, you're never going to find those things. And that makes a huge difference when you're working with customers or when you yourself are a customer trying to solve an issue as well too. And so that that really stuck with me. That was one of the things that really stuck with me that passed. So

Ian Arnold: 24:48

talking about learning so when you decided to switch over, is there a certain book you picked up that helped you out or anything? I didn't

Jason Dodd: 24:58

I jumped right onto the internet, I write into the chat groups to see what people were complaining about, or were having, having problems with or were struggling with. Because, frankly, there's a lot of change in volatility in the real estate business right now. And you can either see that as an opportunity or be crippling, and I see it as an opportunity. So right away, I went right to what are people struggling with? And how can I overcome that. And so I dove into the chat groups, I dove into the national organization websites, in lots of YouTube videos. In just found every source I possibly could about what it takes to be successful, at least at that time, this summer, in real estate, what it took others to be successful in the past? And, more importantly, how did people adapt as the market changed and just read everything I possibly could. I'm not much of a hardcover book reader anymore. So I just just go crazy through the internet to find everything I can.

Ian Arnold: 26:01

So what was the one of the bigger biggest issues that you saw,

Jason Dodd: 26:05

one of the biggest issues I saw was that coming out of the last three years with the with the market that that developed in COVID, was that that a lot of people, you know, I believe got really comfortable with all the as is sales with the inflated offers the you know, all the things that allowed for a lot of quick turn sales. In the last three years, the market has now regressed back to a point where people are going to have to market their properties, people are going to have to market their services, people are going to have to go back to generating demand in finding buyers. And it was very clear as I as I studied up this summer that a lot of people aren't looking forward to that again, and it's going to be a challenge. And so, to me, that was an eye opener about the transition that was already in motion. And it probably will be for some time is I don't know if you call it more of a historical mark, because I don't have that history. But I know it's changing and changing rapidly. And not everybody will adapt to that. And I want to make sure that I do. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 27:08

there's lots of people getting out of the industry, both mortgages and real estate, because of the big change. And we saw it because you know, we watched the the newer people, some of the newer people, not all of them, who, when the market changed, they didn't know how to do an inspection response. They didn't have to

Jason Dodd: 27:29

have them. I've heard that from some others.

Rick Ripma: 27:32

I mean, little things like that, which it's that's where you know, not only is your you know, either you have to have experience, you got to have great mentors, you have great mentors, so you can help get through that. So what is there? Is there a piece of the industry you want at this point, you've kind of focused on that you want to that's going to be your little niche? Or are you still pretty open to what your business is going to be like,

Jason Dodd: 27:55

I'm too new to have a niche, I haven't found that yet. I am attempting to work in various different parts of the market to understand where I may fit the best, but I don't have that answer yet. I'm going to focus purely on residential right now it really get a base of business built in a in a pipeline of folks but down the road, I'm certain that I will build a niche or branch out whether it be into commercial or back in agricultural because I have a ton of context there, you know, across the whole Midwest, but right now I really have to build my own skill set. And, and be focused on figuring out what that niche is by by trying to track various parts and price points of the market and figure out where it really works best for me to help people. And I don't know that answer yet. So it's fun. I'm going to stay diverse for now. Yeah. I

Ian Arnold: 28:43

mean, those niches are the hard things to come by, especially when you first start. But if I had to have you lay back and set and think about 10 years, 15 years from now, what your ultimate dream goal in real estate is what would you say your ultimate goal is?

Jason Dodd: 29:00

You know, it's funny, when I started this process, I had a lot of numbers in mind, right. But my my real goal is to have the kind of personal life balance that I was never able to have in a corporate role. That's it. As long as I'm still able to buy groceries and go see the grandkids and and can build a retirement, then my I have made it if I have good balance, and that's really what I'm after right now compared to the first 27 years of my career.

Ian Arnold: 29:30

So what you're saying is because a grocery price is so high right now, you got to sell about four houses a month, right? Yeah,

Jason Dodd: 29:36

that's, that's right. I'm getting tired a ramen. Did they got to have to do that again in my life.

Ian Arnold: 29:42

So I want you to get off that ramen. So if somebody is wanting to buy or sell their home, how would they get in touch with you?

Jason Dodd: 29:50

You bet. So again, just just reach out over my cell phone at 317-779-9545 and I'll repeat it 3177799 And five, four or five and just text or call. And I'd love to have a conversation about where you're at right now and what you're looking to accomplish in your own personal life, whether it be through buying or selling.

Rick Ripma: 30:10

And to get a hold of either I got a HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Or give us a call at 317-672-1938. That's 31767 to 1938.

Ian Arnold: 30:23

All right, so now we're getting on the question that weekend. I'm actually kind of curious on this one. All right. So what was your first car?

Jason Dodd: 30:30

My first car was a 1979 Thunderbird. So, you know, I'm hitting the big I'm hitting five oh, this year in a month. So that would have been, you know, in the in the mid 80s. And so, it was one of those gigantic cars with six foot long doors that you couldn't even hardly get shot, but that was my first car.

Rick Ripma: 30:49

That was a good car. Yeah, they miss it.

Jason Dodd: 30:52

I don't miss the gas mileage. But the space was great. Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Cars were just a lot more fun back then, too. I mean, everything still had bigger motors in it. And so forth. But I loved that car. But it was it was big. So

Ian Arnold: 31:06

thought he was gonna say some truck. No, but I did not see a fire.

Jason Dodd: 31:10

I have had my bad my numerous variations of trucks as well, too. That's all I've owned for a very long time since then. So you

Rick Ripma: 31:19

get out in the country you that's you got to fit in. You got to drop the truck. Yeah,

Jason Dodd: 31:24

Central. I was all gravel roads. So if you drive a car, you just tear it, tear it to shreds. And so yeah, and if you hunt and fish and do those things, right, you know, you gotta be a good redneck, you got to have a track to be able to haul your gear. If you grew up on a farm. I didn't I grew up in a town of about 500 people. So even though I was in town, still, farming agriculture, were the only opportunities really around. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 31:46

yeah, that that that would be the like, I've had friends and that that's, that's really when you're in a small town is in they did the corn to tassel which a lot of people around here did. But that was one of the big things. And they, they all they always talk about it with a fond memory, even though it may have been a lot of work. It was fun memories. And it gave him a sense of work ethic.

Jason Dodd: 32:12

It did in you ever watch the show dirty jobs that doesn't do it justice, I cleaned a lot of barns out, you know, worked with hogs and cattle and in crops and stuff like that, too. But I mean, it does teach you young, that not everything you're gonna do is pleasant. And it also teaches you that if you don't do something to improve yourself everyday, you get to do this forever. Yeah, that's

Rick Ripma: 32:32

right. Yeah, my dad had horse. And so I'd have to go muck the stall. Yeah. And I'm and this is one horse. Right. But I was at I had, and I didn't like that.

Jason Dodd: 32:45

It motivates you to do more with yourself at some point. But But I do have fond memories of that, you know, growing up and you did it with all your friends, too, because everybody was in the same boat. Right? Maybe it was almost like a youth group. Yeah, everybody worked together? Oh,

Rick Ripma: 32:57

I grew up in Indianapolis. I didn't really but the small town I think, at least in my mind, has a real appeal to me. That to be raised in a small town. I can see some positives, I can see some negatives. But I think all in all, it just seems like a really good place to grow up.

Jason Dodd: 33:15

It was there's You're right. There's positives and negatives, no doubt, but I certainly am very fond of the years I had, you know, growing up in a small town, so

Rick Ripma: 33:24

So and in real estate as you as you look at your business, is there anything like you're looking at just right now and you're going I need to work on this piece? Right, this right now? Is there a piece like that?

Jason Dodd: 33:38

Yeah, for me, it's about building the funnel of potential clients for the future. As much as I like, instead, I want to get some sales right now. And I will, what's more important is that I'm, I'm expanding the number of relationships I have. And because it's a long game, it's definitely an eye short game. This is the other core corollary to agriculture for me. You know, building a network of clients in real estate is something that's going to take me at least a year just to get my legs under me, in agriculture, in sales, you get to sell everything one time, every 12 months. That's it. There's no quick turn in the business. And so I'm comfortable with that. And so, so for me, it's all about expanding my relationships, exposure, getting to know people getting to know more people in my community. And being there when the folks that I've gotten to know and have learned to trust me are ready to make a change and building that funnel for the future. That's my number one priority. Right? How

Rick Ripma: 34:37

are you doing that? How are you staying in front of them?

Jason Dodd: 34:39

Yeah, so a couple ways. So again, the team that I'm a part of the brokerage that I'm a part of does a great job of, of bringing leads to new agents and so that's that's one source. Another source is just simply myself doing marketing through social media. In And then thirdly, or just the per is no connections that I have. And the way that I stay in front of them is I have to stay organized. So I'm working actually with two different CRM tools, marketing through social media using that to help me stay organized on when I've talked to who last and, and making sure I stay in contact and keep fresh on the details of each conversation that I have. So I can be thoughtful about what each person is going through as I talk to him. But I'm just going to be incredibly persistent about follow up and follow through, and continuing to try new things to to meet new people and expand my network. And that's going to be everything about what I do in the first 12 months, I

Rick Ripma: 35:39

have to ask this question, because I'm actually, I have a CRM that I've worked with for quite some time. And it's phenomenal. But there's another CRM and I've thought about adding this because it actually will work with AI, artificial intelligence. How is it working for you for having two CRMs because it to me, it's kind of, I'm kind of leery of doing two CRMs.

Jason Dodd: 36:04

For me, it's working fine. I'm a little bit of a tech nerd, which, which helps, you know, with that, I'm not afraid to use multiple systems and so forth. But in my situation, the two CRMs do different things. And so the functionality of one isn't transferable over to the other and so, so I need to use both, but I don't have a problem with it really, once you get comfortable with what the tool can do. And and and where to look each morning to see what's changed. It's really not a burden to have to it hasn't been for me anyway.

Rick Ripma: 36:34

And do you use have the same people in both CRMs?

Jason Dodd: 36:38

I don't, not necessarily in pumila. The leads I talked about that, that are our broker Dennis invest in comes through one system. And so now the marketing functionality is different in the two systems. So sometimes, I will take a person from one CRM and put in the other because it's got a suite of tools that I want to utilize. And so there are some instances where that's the case. But more often than not right now I'm running them in parallel because they do different functions.

Rick Ripma: 37:03

What's important because you want to stay in touch with people, not just for yourself. Yeah, I think sometimes people think, Oh, they're just doing it for them. They're not you're not doing it for you. Okay, it's partly for you, we all do that, right. But it's also because the only way we can serve somebody is if we have them and we're able to get a hold of them. And we give them good solid information.

Jason Dodd: 37:23

It it's changed a lot in my my years in sales from carrying three ring binders around and notebooks where you got to flip through and find your last conversation. I can do a better job of serving people quickly and efficiently than I could have 15 years ago because of tools like this. And so you're right. Yes, I'm in business to make money. So it is for me, but I'm going to waste less of Mike Wallace of my clients times by having tools like this saves everybody. Yeah,

Ian Arnold: 37:51

but the other thing also keep in mind when you're not like wait, and when you say you're not just in it for yourself, because like most people you're gonna buy a house every five 710 years or depends on your, your situation. But here's what the whole thing is, is your water heater goes out who's gonna call? Well, if a realtor kept up with you, like you do. And they were to call you, Hey, do you know a good water Water Company? Guess what? That you know it. So you are helping them by just staying in touch because you know all these people because of having to know everybody?

Jason Dodd: 38:24

Absolutely. Yep. Nope. I couldn't agree more of

Rick Ripma: 38:26

that. Plus real estate's about relationships. Correct. It is all it's about really? Yep.

Ian Arnold: 38:31

All right. So I want to learn something so scary. What I know. He always scares me question. What is one lesson you have learned since start in real estate?

Jason Dodd: 38:46

That's a good one. I didn't didn't sort of think about that one ahead of time. The thing that's probably stands out to me is, you know, I get myself in trouble saying this, I guess, but not everybody's in it for the same reasons. And I have the called luxury of this transition. I've mentioned I went through, you know, this summer, I'm not starting out trying to make a name for myself. I'm simply trying to do a really good job. And so there's a big disparity out there and what motivates everybody I'm not being critical. It's just how it is everybody has their own story and right and how they got to where they are today. And, and I'm definitely finding that that patients and taking the time to listen and have conversations, it'll pay off. I mean, it hasn't my other roles. And I guess, I guess I'm somewhat surprised that that's, I believe that's still to be true now, too. It's just been the nature of how I've worked over the years and I didn't know if that would serve this industry well or not, or if I needed to be different than my nature in regards to sales and how I work with people. So I guess I'm saying I found out that I think, just because everybody is motivated differently and works differently, that I feel really good about the fact that the way I like to work is going to going to serve clients well and do just fine in this industry. You're

Rick Ripma: 40:15

better off than anything being yourself. Yeah. Just be yourself.

Jason Dodd: 40:19

I just did. I didn't know, you know, again, because I just really walk through the wall blind here. Yeah, you know, you know, how would I need to function? And so, but but other than that, I would just, I would just say it's, I haven't had any major surprises. I really haven't. I did enough homework that I really believe I understood that most of this business is about working with people, which you're never surprised if you just understand that.

Rick Ripma: 40:46

Is there any, for either maybe a new person looking at becoming a real estate agent? Or could be a client, where they just may call it a myth of what a real estate agent actually does? They just don't really understand the cause what you actually do on a day to day basis? Yeah,

Jason Dodd: 41:04

people don't understand all the work that goes on in the background. And I guess I could have said that, too. I mean, I've done my homework. So I understood but you know, what people believe a real estate does is they think of the you know, the closer at the kitchen table, right? You know, all of those ideas that people have, or that it's just about showing houses, things like that 90% of the work is is is done in the office or in your car, where either administratively making sure everything's going okay for the numerous deals that you have going or doing everything you possibly can to expand your network, reaching out to people talking to people getting hung up on a whole bunch of times, you know, in a week, and just the the amount of persistence that is required in the background, I think is a surprise for a lot of people that that's what gets you to success in real estate, not just that moment that people see you in your role, but all those other moments outside

Rick Ripma: 42:02

of it. Yeah, but they don't show all that other stuff on TV. No, no, they

Jason Dodd: 42:06

certainly don't. You just show three

Rick Ripma: 42:09

houses and they buy a house. That's right customer just sitting on the deck somewhere, you know?

Jason Dodd: 42:13

Yeah. You make a few phone calls and you collect your commission. Yeah, that'd be okay. But yeah, then we're not real. Yeah.

Ian Arnold: 42:19

It is too real.

Jason Dodd: 42:21

Just for mortgage guys. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 42:25

You know, it's just, and I think I think that there are Pete You know, you've kind of alluded to it, but there's people have different different beliefs. And I think that's okay, because there's customers who have different beliefs. And we're just looking for our tribe, right? The people who we resonate with that,

Jason Dodd: 42:40

you know, the clients I connect with won't be the same clients that that that choose to hire somebody else, right. And so you have to understand that, yeah, even though you're going to try and be an adaptable to other people's needs, and personalities, and so forth, plain and simple. Sometimes people just don't like you. And you can't take it personally. That's a hard thing for people to accept. And as we get older, we accept it more. Yeah, because we just don't care anymore. Right. That's what happens. Yeah,

Ian Arnold: 43:04

yeah. So I do have to ask a question. And anybody watching the show can understand by just looking at you. How'd you get such a great beard?

Jason Dodd: 43:11

It was because it fell out on top it came back. I don't know We joke about that. But it's actually very short right now. And like during COVID I just let it grow. I've always had a goatee or a beard and so being I say former because I have no hair left former redhead. I guess I can grow a beard really well. And so I'll take it My sons are trying I'll give them crap here, you know, on the show, but they're trying but they're still pretty weak. They gotta they gotta get it. Get it in shape for for a few more years.

Rick Ripma: 43:41

My middle son's that he's, he's starting to get fooled. But he didn't grow much hair on his face and even grow this beard that was just a scraggly old he goes out and he's he's a field biologist. And he takes people birding. Yeah. But so it didn't matter. But it's just like, either shave it off or grow it in one of the two. Not that he had a choice and grow into it in but yeah, yeah. Which is weird. Because my, my youngest son and I could probably have a beard and five days. Yeah,

Jason Dodd: 44:13

same. There's one thing on my head. There's a lot of things I can't do well, but I grow beard like a champ. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 44:18

I'd like to take credit for that. God gave me that ability. Yeah. And I shave every day because I can't I can't deal with it.

Ian Arnold: 44:26

All right. So this last time I'm going to ask, but I want I want it nice and proud and bold. What's the best way somebody get in contact with you? If they haven't questions about real estate? You

Jason Dodd: 44:36

bet text me or call me? It's 317-779-9545 And one more time 317-779-9545 Just reach out. We Happy to talk.

Rick Ripma: 44:49

I have one more question. Okay. Why should somebody use you for real estate?

Jason Dodd: 44:55

I think what's different about me and again, never would be Got a call about others? With where I'm at in my career in my life, I've got some life experience. And sometimes that's bad, right? It's always good. Yeah, we'll say it's good because we're older. But it's, it's good. But the thing is, I care that going through this change in mood, and stress of buying a home goes as well as it possibly can. It doesn't have to be stressful, it doesn't have to be frightening. And I think that's something that I can help people bridge. Yes, I'm new. I'm, I'm going to be learning. I'm not afraid to admit that. But one thing I can promise and you've talked about my desire to learn and so forth, I'm voracious about that. And if you work with me, you can just guarantee that you'll be glad you have me in your corner. I'll do everything I can to make it smooth for you, but also everything you can to make sure you get what you want. And that patience we talked about, and there's a lot of persistence underneath it. And I'll do a great job for you and your family. If that's the case, if you use me for this. So I

Rick Ripma: 46:04

can see I can tell your personality is such that I think it flows perfectly for real estate or like you said, you're calm, you're you're collected, you have a phenomenal mentors, to see. It's not all about having tremendous experience as a real estate agent. You have tremendous experience in your life. You have tremendous people backing you as mentors and people they're helping you and then you love to learn so you're like you know to me and you have the perfect personality you have that easygoing personality everybody can get along with I doubt there's you said people don't like you I doubt there's very many people who don't like you because you're not you're not you don't you don't push people the wrong way. So I just I thought that was a good question for you because I really think your your setup for greatness in real estate, I think you're gonna do really, really well. And if you want to get a hold of me and her I got a HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Or you give us a call at 317-672-1938. That's 317-672-1938 and please follow us for more Real India's real estate gurus

Ian Arnold: 47:10

reminder if you have any friends, family, coworkers looking to buy, sell or refinance, let us know we're more than happy to help you. Jason, thank you for joining us on the show. It's been a pleasure having you on thanks for having me. I had a blast. Next time you're on we're gonna have Rick's beard about as long as you're okay. It's a competition.

Rick Ripma: 47:26

He's got a headstart happen. He's got a headstart. Grant NMLS number 33041 NMLS number 664589. Arnold NMLS number is 195469 equal housing opportunity some restrictions apply