ROCK Employee Spotlight: Ben Bode, Brokerage Advisor

Ben and his family

WHAT LED YOU TO ROCK?  I am a S.O.B. (son of a Broker) so real estate was always a topic of conversation at the dinner table. One summer, I had a full-time job as a lifeguard and I started at ROCK part-time doing data entry and completing simple tasks for agents in the office. I didn’t mind the early hours at ROCK after closing the pool late. After that summer, I accepted a position at ROCK full-time as a project coordinator where I really got to learn the business and really enjoyed meeting and interacting with different people while completing my tasks. I got married, quickly started a family and knew that a career in real estate was the life for me.

WHAT IS THE MOST SATISFYING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB?  The best part of my job is seeing a business excited about the possibilities a new location brings them. I love helping clients see their vision come to life.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AS A CAREER?  I would say to treat every opportunity with the same dedication. Referrals and repeat clients are the lifeblood of commercial real estate and establishing a positive reputation is key to sustained and prolonged success.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING AT ROCK?  The people I get to work with and the people I get to meet. Every day brings something new and unique.

WHAT BEHAVIOR OR PERSONALITY TRAIT DO YOU MOST ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS?  I’d say a mix of being adaptable, determined and resilient. I always tell my peers that working in commercial real estate is like riding a roller coaster. Every transaction brings anxious anticipation during the rise, a mixture of fear, thrills and excitement going through the twists and turns and an eagerness to get onto the next ride when its over. And then there is the wait between rides and sometimes a ride breaks down while you’re in line and you have to go find another ride to join.

WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CAREER?  Working with family does not come without challenges, but the rewards are definitely worth it. My dad has been a stellar role model and excellent teacher when it comes to the world of real estate.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED?  I think the best advice has come from my dad who has taught me that putting in time before and after normal business hours makes a huge difference in productivity. That, and returning calls within a 24-hour period, lets clients know that they are valued.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?  Growing up, I wanted to become a detective. I realized that this line of work is not conducive to being as available for a family as I desired to be. I was accepted to college as a pre-med major, but after realizing I didn’t hold a passion for a specific specialty, I quickly switched to a business major.

TELL US ONE THING THAT IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.  A few bucket list items for me would be to go skydiving, to cage dive with sharks and go on Safari. I may be an adventure junkie.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WOULD SURPRISE US.  I am very blessed to have met my wife in middle school. We started dating when we were in 8th grade and have stayed together ever since. It goes without saying, I married up for sure.