Conversations with Frankie Rachell-Bruce

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frankie Rachell-Bruce.

Hi Frankie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story began in 1972, where I gained a position as receptionist for John Deere Industrial Equipment Company located here in Denver, Colorado. Of course, I knew absolutely nothing about the heavy equipment industry or tractors. I did know how to maneuver the many telephone calls coming into our switchboard and since I genuinely like people, it was easy to meet and greet the public. As the years went by, I learned everything I could about the business and the specifications of all the Deere equipment, attachments, parts, etc. That is when I started my climb up the ladder. Being a Black Woman and working in a predominately conservative white male industry was often challenging, and not always from Deere employees, but from the clients that we served as well. Was it misogyny, sexism, racism or plain distrust of a woman working in their environment, who knows?

When John Deere decided to shut down their regional offices throughout North America, I was offered a position at our corporate office in Moline, Illinois. I took the transfer and was responsible for interpreting governmental contracts and responded by bidding Deere equipment. From there, I moved into the position of Area Manager of Marketing and ended my 30-year career as Area Manager of Parts Marketing covering a good portion of the western half of the United States.

When 911 occurred, I was training a class of mechanics in Dallas, Texas. Unable to get on a flight back to Moline or to my home in Denver, get a phone line out of the hotel, and being presented with all of the other obstacles, I made the decision to leave the corporate world and return to my family in Denver which cut my 30-year tenure short by six months.

Returning to my home in Denver, my compassion and like for people took me to the Denver Police Department. My daughter is a Detective and during my weekend trips back home to Denver, I made numerous ride-along trips with her as well as other friends that were police officers in the department. That exposure spread into the realm of victims of crime and stark misfortune. After leaving John Deere, I accepted a position with the Denver Police Department as the Deputy Director of Victim Services and retired after ten years of service to the Department and citizens of Denver.

Upon my return home, I purchased a home and to my dismay, my realtor made an error on one of my contracts. At that point, I decided to get a Real Estate License so that I could always stay a step ahead in interpreting real estate contracts. Again, I found myself having compassion for individuals in their quest for home buying and selling. Yes, I have been an active real estate agent working for United Real Estate Prestige Denver. Having worked for several other agencies, I must say that United is the BEST in the business.

After two retirements, I continue to work as a real estate agent and along with my son that lives in California, have formed “The Rachal Group, Inc.” (Rachal is the correct spelling of my last name on my birth certificate, however, somewhere along the way, it was changed to “Rachell”)? The Rachal Group, Inc. is a conglomerate of business entities with over a century of combined corporate and entrepreneurial experience. The founders have come together to create professional opportunities for our family and the communities we serve. Our general focus has been business consulting, real estate development and finance, and tax services.

Through years of conducting business in the public and private sectors, we recognized that there was a cultural and economic divide in our communities. Part of our mission is to level the playing field by providing focused support to enable our clients to pursue opportunities historically geared towards mainstream organizations. By partnering with other service providers, businesses, and federal, state, and local agencies, we are able to provide a diverse portfolio of solutions and services to our clients. Our passion is to educate and equip our clients with the necessary tools to build, maintain and transition wealth for future generations.

Our latest venture is Rachal Multimedia based in Los Angeles, CA. We have partnered with multimedia professionals and artists in the music and film industry to help provide universal administrative support. We offer our clients business development consulting, marketing, publishing assistance and resources to support their everyday administrative needs. Our goal is to help artists establish and advance their businesses and take advantage of multiple streams of income available to them across various digital platforms. 2021 has brought us to the dawn of a new era and I’m still optimistic, faithful and awaiting my next adventure!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My life has been good but the road has had bumps along the way. Raising three children and providing the best life possible is a challenge for any working mother. Time is the culprit! There is never enough of it and as a result, you compromise your own well-being by burning the candle at both ends. Putting your dreams on the back burner also comes into play. When I remember the days of helping the kids with homework, housework, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, going to school events, making sure they had a good religious foundation, etc. and still you must perform to the highest possible level on the job. Striving to be outstanding in your job performance, having a sense of security by making sure no one knows your job as well as you do, and always looking for the next career opportunity can be taxing.

Knowing the decisions that you make will not only effect yourself but the future of your children as well. Being a mother, especially one that works out of the home and finding that balance is extremely difficult. Too bad no one wrote a book to guide us through the process. When family members don’t always support your decisions and say “you can’t possibly do that and just be happy where you are” stepping outside of the comfort zone can not only be difficult but scary. You find that you are constantly trying to prove yourself not only in the workplace but to family as well. The misogyny and fighting for a salary equal to your male counterparts presents another challenge. One that I hope is diminishing in today’s world. Sexism and inappropriate comments presented situations that you just walked away from because unlike today, there was no other recourse.

At this time in my life the challenges are very different. Instead of trying to always be on top of everything and having to constantly prove myself, I continue to be a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as possible about anything and everything. I look at everyday as a new adventure and a blessing. In her own way, my mother always had sayings of encouragement that continues to resonate with me… “No one is better than you, God made us all the same.” “You can do anything if you just put your mind to it.” “Use your head for more than a hat rack.” “Never let” “I can’t” “be in your vocabulary.” My mother left me with unbelievable inspirations and God has blessed me abundantly!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The majority of my background (30 years) was spent in marketing and sales for John Deere Industrial Equipment Company. Yes, it’s true that “Nothing Runs Like a Deere.” I carried my marketing skills into working for victims of crime and stark misfortune for the Denver Police Department. Not only did I worked with victims but I supervised the office and field staff, used my marketing skills to recruit and build the employee base, trained all full and part time staff and developed a protocol manual that aligned the unit’s performance with police procedures. Promoted and recruited through universities and built relations with command staff, officers, detectives, private and non-profit organizations.

That wealth of experience and compassion for people well equipped me as a real estate broker, a license I have held since 2006. I am licensed in the State of Colorado and also seeking licensure in the State of Nevada. I do not look at being a broker as a job but an opportunity to help people achieve their dreams. What sets me apart is, I don’t do the job for my livelihood but because I take pleasure helping my buyers and sellers achieve their dreams. I work very hard to stay on top of what is going on in the market. Keeping my skills updated, taking advantage of trainings through my Board and Managing Broker, keeping abreast of various programs and opportunities that may help my clients, and providing the best options. Listening to the client and providing honest feedback is extremely important and one of my strongest skills. If you do not listen, it becomes impossible to achieve the client’s wishes. Listening more than talking is a difficult skill set that I learned while working with crime victims. I do my homework! I run a thorough market analysis and go over it with the client, run comparables, talk to other agents that have had listings in the area to make sure my homes are priced for a quick sale and the highest return for the client.

Also, if any obstacles were presented in the area, I want to know about it sooner rather than later. I provide a good payout split with the Buyers Agent and Transaction Brokers so they are motivated to show my properties. I hire the best skilled photographer to show off the property to its highest potential and seek staging opportunities if needed. I work with a team that supports my philosophy from the Title Company, Managing Broker, Transaction Coordinator, handy man, housekeeper, etc. Keeping clients informed on a weekly basis is monumental! Clients should never have to call you to find out what is going on with their property. I never lie or “sugar coat” anything to my clients. Upfront and honesty always has a better outcome for the client as well as the broker.

I have very high standards, I don’t cut corners to save money while marketing my properties and I probably work way too long hours but I always keep the end result in the forefront and that is to make the client happy. I treat each and every one of my clients the same way that I would want to be treated if I were the client. If something out of the norm comes up, I always seek counsel from Title Company, Managing Broker, etc. My success probably comes from the fact that I love what I do and I do not consider it a “job.” It isn’t a chore for me to go above and beyond for my client. If they need me or have questions, they do not have to hunt me down because I am always available. All of my work is on a referral basis because happy clients make the best advertisement.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I keep a strong on-line presence and invite individuals to follow me on social media. Continued collaboration with Title Companies, Brokers and agencies that provide training and certification programs are a support to everyone in the industry. Our Board activities continue to be a strong alliance as well as trainings and programs from our Managing Brokers. I welcome the opportunity to assist other agents with their Open House events.

Contact Info:

• Email: frankie@frankiesellsdenver.com
• Website:https://linkin.bio/frankiesellsdenverrealtor
• Instagram: frankiesellsdenverrealtor
• Facebook: Frankie Rachell-Bruce