Life and Work with Michelle Schwinghammer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Schwinghammer.

Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up the youngest of four in a Catholic military family. We moved around a lot. My family, like so many others was, well, complicated. Very complicated. I coped by ducking a lot, doing my best to become invisible, and understanding from a very young age that I had to become as financially and personally independent as early as possible.

I was a papergirl for the Denver Post at 11. Babysat whenever I could. In school I took every business-related class available. On weekends I read want-ads to see what skills I needed to land an actual job.

At that time, something called ‘WordPerfect’ was essential business knowledge. Remember that throwback?! My school didn’t offer classes and my family didn’t own a computer, so I needed a solution. Mine was to take some babysitting money, trot off to Tattered Cover and buy a gigantic ‘WordPerfect 2.0’ manual. Over the course of a week I read this big heavy book cover-to-cover. I highlighted it mercilessly. Scribbled notes inside all its margins. By the time I got to the last page I was confident that I understood this program without ever clicking a keyboard.

Guess what? My unlikely workaround … worked. I applied for my first real job in a real live office and was hired the summer of my 16th birthday. Ironically, shortly thereafter I was immediately and regularly sought out by co-workers as the company’s leading WordPerfect expert.

By my senior year I earned almost enough credits to graduate which allowed me to adjust my schedule to leave campus early, so I began working full-time in high school. That allowed me to move out on my own when I was 17, save my sanity, and claim my dignity for the first time in my life.

And claiming my dignity? Changed EVERYTHING.

As an ‘Army brat’ and a female growing up in the 70s it was ingrained in me to avoid conflict and seek approval. I could have easily continued down that misguided path an entire lifetime, but fortunately I didn’t. Growth occurred slowly and incrementally over decades and was the simple yet profound result of first claiming my dignity, then learning to accept challenges instead of avoiding them. Doing that was by no means easy, but it was possible.

Growth transitions occurred in phases. Taking up mountain biking in my 20s. Breaking into sales and management with a Fortune 50 company in my 30s. Learning to let go of relationships that were constraining and effacing in my 40s. Most recently by starting my third career — and my own company — on my 50th birthday.

When I started my own company, I made my first order of business to ask and answer three important questions. I have no idea why it had never occurred to me to ask myself these three critical questions before, but having answers to them now is an amazing guide to create a life that feels really good:

– What do I stand for?
– What do I refuse to stand for?
– What is my definition of success?

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle for me has always been maintaining self-confidence. Life can be tough, and a lot of people and systems prefer you to doubt yourself. To women starting their journey, I would offer the same advice I would to a much younger self:

1. Whenever you notice a knowledge gap holding you back consider it a cosmic tap on the shoulder alerting you to an opportunity to learn something that will make your life better and more rewarding. Resources are everywhere. Use them. Celebrate them. Know that you can learn anything, because you can.

2. Be careful inside of predominately approval-based relationships (personal or professional) that seek to put you inside a box and keep you there. They are un-empowering by design. Over time they will deplete you and your life completely.

3. Life is literally these two things: What you do and who you spend it with. Nothing more, nothing less. Choose both thoughtfully and wisely.

Please tell us about SCHWINGSTATE.
When I started SCHWINGSTATE my objective was and remains far broader than real estate, it is to help people move forward. It’s what I do best. Also, I believe that to the extent I can do that professionally and personally, reaching my personal definition of success is assured and will be more fulfilling than I can imagine.

Before starting this chapter, I knew that being an expert in real estate was essential. What I didn’t realize is how personal this business is. Even under the best of circumstances buying or selling a home is a big deal. It takes time, it’s stressful, and there is a lot riding on the transaction. A lot of money of course … but also hopes, dreams, intentions, and the future you are literally creating for yourself. The entire process is life changing and emotional. It’s no surprise then that people want to work with a real estate professional who listens, responds, understands and cares about their goals, intentions, and experiences. One who is dedicated to guiding and helping make their overall objectives a reality – not just pick up a commission.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
The Library! So much more than books. Today’s libraries offer a treasure trove of sophisticated and free online business tools, and even unexpected resources like free, reservable conference rooms. Oh yeah, they also offer books. Traditional books, eBooks, audio books, many available for download right from your home or office day or night.

Also, I know I’m in the minority here, but I swear by a Quarterly Business Plan. One that includes a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) along with a specific 90-day action plan. These tools take just a few hours every few months and keep me creative and accountable. They enable me to see and respond to changing business factors. They keep me engaged to the Now and provide a structure for execution. The combination is extremely motivating to me and makes work continually fun.

Contact Info:

• Address: Brokerage Office: RE/MAX Alliance, 30480 Stagecoach Blvd, Evergreen, CO 80439
• Website: www.schwingstate.com
• Phone: (303) 638-8711
• Email: michelle@schwingstate.com
• Instagram: @schwingstate
• Facebook: @schwingstate
• Twitter: @schwingstate

Image Credit:
David Morse, Hollister Cutshall, Michelle Schwinghammer

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