Ozarks Profile: Rhett Smillie

Tell us about your company and what you do.|ret||ret||tab|

Rhett Smillie Real Estate is a full service real estate company offering commercial and residential sales and leasing services. On a day-to-day basis, I deal with all aspects of real estate transactions, as well as the administrative details of running an office. Roughly 60 percent of my business is commercial sales, the remainder is residential sales and the management of rental properties and commercial lease space.|ret||ret||tab|

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How did you arrive at your current position?|ret||ret||tab|

I graduated from William Jewell College with a degree in business administration in 1994. I lived in Kansas City and had a small business there until December 1996. I moved back to Springfield in January 1997 and was looking for another entrepreneurial pursuit, which ultimately turned out to be real estate sales. I was licensed in March of 1997 and started at Billy Long Keller Williams. Keller Williams merged with Murney Associates in July of 2002, where I stayed for another year. I left Murney in July of this year, which is when Rhett Smillie Real Estate LLC began.|ret||ret||tab|

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How is being in business for yourself different from selling real estate as part of a larger company?|ret||ret||tab|

There is certainly more administrative detail to deal with, but for me it wasn't that hard of a transition. I have owned and operated businesses before, so that made things easier. I enjoy the challenge of working on my business. There is always something that needs attention, and there are always other angles to take to make a system or process just a little better. I don't think larger is always better. I am able to offer a more personal service to my customers. I get to know them and their real estate needs better. My customers want to deal with me, and that is who they get. Oh, and my company Christmas party won't be as big. |ret||ret||tab|

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What do you like best about real estate as a career field?|ret||ret||tab|

I most enjoy the challenge of making a deal work. I don't care if we're talking about a $20,000 lot or a $2 million retail center. Each and every transaction I am involved with is different, and I learn something new every time. Sometimes a transaction can be frustrating, but ultimately the challenge is great. I also really enjoy being out and about and meeting with customers face to face. I am seldom at my office and wouldn't be happy if I had to sit behind my desk all day. |ret||ret||tab|

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Tell us about your family.|ret||ret||tab|

My father (Dick) has been active in the Springfield business community for 30 plus years and my mother (Cyndi) is a Realtor. They have a small farm near Ozark and run some cattle and a few horses there. My sister (Brooke Strother), also a Realtor, is a project manager for Harrington Construction Company. |ret||ret||tab|

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What are your spare-time interests?|ret||ret||tab|

I am very active in the local rugby club both as a player and administrator. There is a spring and a fall season and we have ranked in the top 10 teams in the United States for our division four of the last five years. When it's not rugby season, I enjoy the outdoors hiking, snowboarding and boating at Table Rock Lake.|ret||ret||tab|

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