Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Presley.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
So I can get it out of the way, I will share what only those who know me know about me – skiing is my passion. As soon as I could walk, my parents put me on skis, and honestly, I am more comfortable on skis than walking. Growing up in Seattle and Denver (though all my family is from Texas) made for the perfect backdrop for loving to ski. Let me share a bit about my background. From about 5 to about 26 years old, my life knew one focus/obsession that over-rode everything: soccer. Through it, I learned to set goals and relentlessly pursue them. It required me to push my limits and not accept obstacles or limitations as permanent. Aspiring to and playing sports professionally needed me to have a public and private work ethic, teaching me to work when no one was watching, teaching me how to take responsibility for my actions on and off the field, and how to deal with disappointment at the same time as overwhelming success, and, what is one of the most impactful lessons in my life, teaching me to work to always make my teammates shine in their best light.
Most importantly, soccer ultimately led me to commit to a life of service. I remember the feeling of the first times I would score goals and the excitement from my teammates and the parents. Then, I realized I could create a real impact and bring others happiness through my actions. From there, I never looked back. The game took me to cool places and gave me incredible opportunities to be part of things that were bigger than myself.
At 26 years old, my sports career came to an end, and as I looked at what was next and wanted to serve and work with people and their goals and dreams, real estate was something that had been ever-present throughout my life, and real estate felt like the clear path forward. I recount these stories from my past because they truly define who I am today and what I offer to those I have the privilege to serve and support – my genuine focus and dedication as an adult are centered on serving my clients and community.
I was fortunate to have powerful mentors early in my career, specifically in real estate. There are 5 that stand out to me:
- My father, who was part of the early computer science generation, was always in real estate, building houses, renovating houses, and, in my younger years, serving as a successful Real Estate agent in the Seattle Area, helping people realize their dreams of home. Throughout my life, he has shown me what it means to love to serve others, to make people a priority, not a commodity, and to believe anything is possible. He taught me the work ethic and how to show up and get what is needed, especially when challenging.
- As I was going through the process of earning my real estate license, Stan Smith, a respected long-time successful Real Estate Agent here in Austin, shared with me the wisdom, “Treat others as you would want to be treated.”
- Byron “Buddy” Schilling, former Navy pilot and Austin real estate legend, led the office at the first brokerage I worked at and guided the first 7 years of my career. He had me write on a card, “Help People,” which is what this profession is all about. It could not get simpler and could not be more spot-on. 26 years later, I still have that index card.
- Personal Excellence Guru Stephen Covey and his training cassettes, yes cassettes (fueled further by prescribing Zig Ziglar’s “Automobile University”) and books offered me his principle in 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, “Begin With The End In Mind.”
- Professional excellence trainer and global real estate industry legend Tom Hopkins’ training cassettes (also fueled further by prescribing to Zig Ziglar’s “Automobile University”) were integral in those early years and beyond, and, as he says, “You gotta love what you do.”
When you look at our foundational principles, these are the words that guide us every day:
- Make people a priority, not a commodity – Sam Presley
- Believe in what is possible – Sam Presley
- Show up and do the work, especially when it is challenging – Sam Presley
- Treat others as you would want to be treated – Stan Smith
- Help people – Byron “Buddy” Schilling
- Begin with the end in mind – Stephen Covey
- Love what you do – Tom Hopkins
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge I faced was when I entered the real estate business. My career as a player was winding down, and I had only recently moved back from England and was functionally new to the city. I had yet to gain formal business experience. I had one suit from high school (not much need for “professional” clothes as an athlete). I drove a brown 1970s van with no air conditioning. I had what felt like zero local contacts who knew me, and those I did have known me as nothing more than the “soccer dude.” And I had a crippling fear of talking in public. This was interesting because it was like a switch flipped when I walked onto a soccer field, and I had put on a cape. I was relentless; I could say and do anything.
During this time is where Stan Smith was introduced into my life. His daughter played for the girls’ soccer club, Austin Thunder, for whom I did some coaching. He took me under his wing and helped me transition into the real estate business. The early days were rough, not going to lie. But, for all I lacked, I had determination, grit, work ethic, undying belief, and an ability that is still just as strong today to focus through and achieve goals, and I was going to overcome and succeed.
I got comfortable with being uncomfortable, and through a process that was like two steps forward and one step back, I ground and worked tirelessly 7 days a week, studied those where I was going, and applied their habits, as well as trusted myself. I set out to do whatever felt right with Byron “Buddy” Schilling’s “Help People” in mind and finally found my feet baby steps at first (cue “What About Bob” Movie), and then I found my stride. Many stories from this time are so epically funny and will be shared another time – all you have to do is ask. By the end of my first full year, I would be honored as the top new agent in the brokerage. By the end of my 4th year, I operated as the top agent for the brokerage and was recognized as one of the top agents in the city. My biggest challenges and setbacks were setups for my biggest breakthroughs. After 26 years, a million lessons, and thousands of incredible clients and properties later, I can serve lives and participate in how our city grows. I now have a passion for public speaking, a suit that fits me (although who the heck wears a suit in Austin), and the gift to mentor other professionals (in real estate and otherwise) as I was mentored. It has been a beautiful journey, and I am just starting! Now, my question is: Where do you want to go? Because I can help you get there.
Thanks for sharing that. Please tell us more about your business.
The Mission at Presley Property Group: We believe in the home as a source of hope, creativity, and boundless energy. Our commitment is to fuel the drive for daring and bold living – where dreams are not just imagined but meticulously planned and brought to life. A few years back, I had the privilege of meeting 5-time CrossFit games champion Matt Fraser. In our conversation, he said something that resonated with me when discussing his collaboration with his fiancé Sammy and their excellence in creating and working together. He said, “If you want to go fast, you go alone; if you want to go far, you go together.”
When it comes to working together, that is where I stand and where I have built excellence. I collaborate with my clients, creating clarity and choice regarding real estate. I merge my expertise with their goals and their dreams. Teaming together, we make the best outcomes available with a perspective on the impact on their life in the short and long term. For my residential home clients, I help them decide if owning a home or leasing is right for them. I have built expertise and systems to support whatever their home need at the time and then work with them to be an ongoing resource for the long term, whether it is buying, selling, leasing, or investing.
In addition to supporting residential clients, my track record of excellence and client collaboration has allowed me to be a true resource and advisor on investment (individual and corporate) and real estate development (30+ small and large development projects worked on over the last 20 years). Please visit our website for more information about this part of the business and how to connect with me to discuss further solutions that might apply.
What are your plans for the future?
I looked back at the beginning of 2023, my 25th anniversary of serving clients and the real estate community in the Greater Austin Area, and felt it was time to refresh. I worked with an incredible branding and marketing company to go through a design and rebranding process for the business as I prepared for the next 25 years. I seek to strengthen and embrace the opportunity to connect and serve in the community and marketplace. We are currently in the process of converting over to and deploying the assets of the new brand. Independent of that, real estate, the market, and technology are constantly changing and shifting, and, as has been throughout the years and is relevant now, I spend focused time and initiative training, learning, and evolving with the industry and the market with an eye on where things have been, where they are now and where they are growing and how this relates to what my clients need when planning and realizing their goals for home.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mattpresley.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/presleypropertygroup
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-presley-9130141/
Image Credits
Daniel Abreu
