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Meet Tanya Lewellen of Amy Jones Group – Keller Williams Integrity First in Gilbert

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Lewellen.

Tanya, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Mesa, AZ and grew up in Ahwatukee with my Grandparents. My mother gave up her parental rights in the hospital, so my Father’s Mother picked me up and took me in. My Father was young and moved to a different state, denying parental responsibility as well. My Grandmother and my Father’s Step-Father decided to adopt me and raise me as their own child. I was extremely fortunate to be raised by two loving individuals who provided everything that I would need until I was old enough to take care of myself. They gave me all of the tools and taught me all of the lessons of that generation, which gave me a complete sense of independence and drive to work hard and make it on my own.

Real Estate has always been a passion of mine. In my twenties, I did not give myself enough credit to think that I could get my real estate license and find my way into the business, so I focused on finishing my education and exploring sales, customer service and marketing positions. I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor in Psychology and then a Master in Public Administration while working full-time and starting a family. By the time I finished my graduate degree, I had a baby girl with my husband, Kyle.

Almost five years ago, my family and I moved to Colorado and I decided to go for it and get my Real Estate License. We were only in Colorado for a short period of time, but I did work for a successful Broker who taught me a lot in that time. Since I come from a marketing and customer service background, and he needed help with his marketing, and I offered assistance. I took on learning what it takes to be a real estate agent, helping him with his marketing for minimum wage – all while navigating living in an unfamiliar place with my husband and daughter. My husband and I are both from Arizona, so we decided the cold weather was not for us and moved back home. It was tough, but I am definitely grateful for the experience.

When we moved back to Arizona, I went through Real Estate school again since Colorado Real Estate Licenses do not transfer. Once I was licensed, I worked as a Real Estate agent within a home remodel company. I absolutely love all things home, home decor, floor plans and staging. Combining Real Estate and Remodeling Homes was a dream. Again, I ended up taking on some of the marketing and admin duties, which I really enjoyed. The remodel company decided to close their real estate office, so I moved to my home office and worked on becoming a solo agent. While I was reaching out to friends, peers and other vendors that I had worked with in the past to help me drum up some business, I was introduced to Mindy Jones Nevarez, owner of The Amy Jones Group here in The Southeast Valley. My friend John, who is a Managing Broker with Academy Mortgage is one of Mindy’s business partners and he insisted that I meet with her.

During our meeting, we realized that we both knew who I worked for in Colorado along with other commonalities – So there was an instant connection. Mindy shared with me that she was looking for someone to help her with Client Care and Database Management and also that she was expecting a baby! We decided to get together after the holidays and see how we could benefit from one another. When I contacted her at the beginning of the year, I shared with her that I was also expecting a baby! I started working on her needed admin/client care duties when her Marketing Director put in her notice. She asked me if I would be interested in taking on part of the role in the interim with the possibility of taking on the role full-time down the road. Fast forward to being pregnant and having baby boys together, I am now her full-time Marketing Director.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Everyone has struggles, especially the most successful people. My struggles are no different from others, but I think it is also important to share your struggles so that other people know they are not alone.

Sharing with people that I have been adopted or do not have parents always came off as a shock. Right away, they apologize or feel sorry for me and my upbringing. I actually feel the opposite and am very grateful for how I was raised. Especially now that I have my own two children, not only do I want to be a great mother, but I want to make sure that they know how much I love them and that I choose them as my own each day – all while incorporating what I learned about the importance of independence and being able to take care of themselves. I hope that they see with hard work, making good choices, consistency, and generally being a good human will lead to happiness and success.

It was always hard for me to maintain long term, quality friendships and relationships, and it still sometimes is. I don’t know if this is because of my upbringing, or just who I am, but I work to better myself in a positive way each day. Over the years, I found myself looking for a place where I belong and to be a part of something bigger than me – that influences others to live a better life. With a strong and forward focus on having a positive mindset, I have realized how important it is to surround yourself with those who lift you up, cheer you on and celebrate your successes.

Since I have joined The Amy Jones Group, I am proud to say that I have truly found my tribe. Not only are these ladies and I in business together, but we are in life together – navigating through the struggles of motherhood and our day to day schedules. There is something about connecting with your team on all levels that is completely life-changing. Coming from other environments where those around you do not understand what it feels like to be a mother, to have sick kids or to simply be overwhelmed from doing it all makes it so much harder to find the drive and the push to achieve professional goals. I have found an incredibly successful group of women who have also become a support system and family for as long as they will have me.

Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
The Amy Jones Group is a Real Estate Team at Keller Williams Integrity first. I am a licensed REALTOR® and the Team Marketing Director. The Amy Jones Group has been voted The Best Real Estate in The Valley by The Arizona Foothills Magazine for the last seven years, The Best Real Estate Team of 2020 in The East Valley by the Real Producers Magazine and is recognized as The Best Real Estate Agents in Gilbert by Expertise.com. My role includes telling our story, managing and updating all of our websites, promoting listing marketing and brand awareness, photo/video editing, flyer/newsletter creation, community engagement, vendor recruitment, local business partnerships, and managing our social media platforms.

I am so proud of this group of women for many reasons. Empowering and encouraging one another is our top priority, along with connecting with the local community by getting out there and talking about what matters most. We all have families that we are taking care of and truly aim to show that same care to our clients through the home buying & selling process. Our Move Forward with Us Mission sets us apart by including our Clients every step of the way by not only communicating each step with them but by including and empowering them through each of those steps. The care and time that we take especially shines through in many of our online reviews, testimonials and friendships that have been built over the years.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My number one cheerleader is my husband, Kyle. We have been married for almost eight years, and together for 12. From the beginning, his support and encouragement are what motivated me to continue my education and get my Real Estate License in the first place. My Grandparents were amazing and showed me a lot of love, but Kyle was the first person to show me unconditional love, and that truly changed my life and overall direction.

There are many close friends and family that have helped me, supported me and encouraged me along the way. Every employer that has given me a chance to show how hard I can work or how compassionate I can be for Customers and Clients – all the way to those who showed me who I did not want to be or how I never wanted to conduct business, they all deserve credit. Bad experiences and influences have put me where I am today just as much as the good ones, and I am grateful for them all.

Mindy Jones Nevarez has been such a bright light in my life. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to meet her, let alone work for her. I have never met someone so thoughtful, considerate, hard-working, and passionate. She sets the bar as a servant leader, empowers others, leads with grace, gives back to the community and makes everyone feel like they are welcome in her circle. Learning from her and working for her has been such a joy! If anyone is considering joining a Real Estate Team, sit down and talk with her – You will not regret it!

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Image Credit:
Danielle N Hanson Photography

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