Deborah Back is consistently one of the top producers in all of Central Kentucky and has been featured in numerous articles over the years. Deborah possesses impeccable people skills which have proved to be invaluable as she helps buyers and sellers, particularly in today’s volatile market.  We recently asked Deborah about her business philosophy and what she feels are the keys to her success.

Deborah Back

Some background – Deborah has been a licensed agent for 11 years.  She graduated from EKU with a degree in Interior Design but her sales background was in the tourism industry.  “I was in the tourism business in sales for 16 years with 14 years in a corporate environment where your efforts were measured every day to determine what your return on investment would be of those efforts.  It was a people business and you had to build trust & grow relationships in order to reach your goals.  You had to have a marketing plan that would show what it would take each year to reach & exceed those goals.”  When asked how this helped her in her business today Deborah responded, “It taught me that relationships are the cornerstone of being in the people business. It taught me that all people are looking for someone who is looking out for them & they want that person to have honesty & integrity, but also they want that person to have the knowledge to drill down to the facts & be able to give them a plan to reach their (housing) goals.”

Deborah also places a high value on continuing education and has attended several conferences and training programs over the years.  She also holds several designations and certifications.

Family and work go hand-in-hand as Deborah works with her husband Greg and son Todd making up The Back Team.  She works hard to maintain balance in both her personal and professional life. “My husband and I have raised two happy & healthy young men & that has been the discipline in our lives, but recently I have taken up the practice of Yoga.  Sometimes it is difficult to find the balance but we are fortunate to be able to follow our younger son’s college baseball career at Georgetown College.  Every opportunity we get we hit the road to attend his games.  Did I mention shopping?”

The Back Team

That family support is vital to Deborah’s success.  Even today she states, “I would have never taken the plunge into the Realtor world if it had not been for the love & encouragement of my husband.  He has given me unconditional support & I think a supportive family is huge in this business.  Our kids were 17 and 10 when I entered this business.  In between their activities I would be putting up signs, dropping off contracts, meeting inspectors, etc. etc. One time our younger son waited in the car 30 minutes playing his video game (I promise it wasn’t child abuse) while one of my clients poured out her frustrations over a Lexington home inspection. He politely reminds us (frequently) that he will never do what we do! Too much drama, he says!”

Given the chance, what would she do differently if she could start over again today?  “I would have probably gotten my Brokers license earlier in my career.  It is something that I would like to have.”  Well, Broker’s license or not, we think you are doing just fine Deborah!

Anything to pass on to new agents in today’s environment?  “The first thing I would tell them is that you must be able to face rejection well.  In this business with over 2000 agents you will find out quickly that buyers & sellers are not always  loyal.  The second thing is that you have to keep a positive attitude of glass is half full.  The third thing is that they should have a marketing plan on paper with set goals to achieve.  As new agents they need a list of names called a sphere of influence  that they have constant contact with.  It doesn’t have to be 500 names.  It can be 50 or 100 names.   I went to the people that I knew best from my previous career as they already trusted me.  You aren’t going to get them all but you will get some of them.  Lastly I would say as new agents you need to be 110% committed.  Be visible, attend all office functions, ask questions often (I am still asking questions) & don’t forget the Golden Rule”.