Chamber Insider Blog

Thank you to Dave & Pam Jones of Extraordinary Transitions – Long & Foster for answering our questions, and congratulations on being finalists for Superior Service Business of the Year! Pam is also a finalist for Loudoun’s Entrepreneur of then Year. View all of the finalists here.

Join us for the 27th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards on Friday, October 29, 2021 at The National Conference Center. Ticket information here.

Tell us your story of how your business evolved into what it is today?

The story of Extraordinary Transitions began in a hot tub in Leesburg. Dave and I were talking about wanting to make people feel like WOW at the end of a transaction and what we needed to add to our business to make this happen. I have always read great reader of books by other entrepreneurs and got great advice from the book Peak by Chip Conley. In it he talks about building your company to appeal to customers, employees, and investors to create Evangelists for your business. I work to build these relationships and trust every day.

What is the key to success in being an entrepreneur?

The key to success as an entrepreneur is to be a great boss of yourself. Set goals, plan your activities, build relationships, spend each day on impact hours. Don’t talk yourself into taking it easy because you think no one is watching. Everyone is watching!

What are you most proud of about your team? 

I am most proud that every client feels 100% confident that our team members know what to do, when to do it, and when to have me step in to answer questions or take the reins. One of our clients, Carol Kost, commented on our assistant’s positive response to every question and was WOWed to the point of telling me about her experiences in detail.

What inspired you to be an entrepreneur?

I began my “second wind” in real estate after being frustrated by the lack of performance of agents around me. I quit managing agents with the belief that I could outsell every one of my colleagues and was inspired by the vibrant Loudoun real estate market. Some agents are toe-dippers, some wade into the business opportunities, I decide to dive in head-first to the river on money that is real estate sales in Loudoun. I was also inspired by my real estate trainer and coach, Mike Ferry. We have worked together for 27 years to increase my knowledge, skills, and customer service acumen.

In what ways do you give back to the community?

Giving back to the community is second nature to me. My Dad was a career firefighter and my Mom the Member Emeritus of the local volunteer Ladies Auxiliary. Most of my community work has been with the Loudoun Chamber, running a LeadShare group for 16 years, performing as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the Business at Breakfast events since 2010, and serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for several years. Since 2013 I’ve served on the Board of Oatlands Historic House and Gardens and have been the Chair of the Board for the past two years. This group is doing amazing work to bring the full story of the Black and White family histories of Oatlands to the public. I can’t tell you how proud I am of the work that we are doing together to inform a better future.

What would it mean to you and your company to win a Small Business Award?

Rarely do people recognize that real estate agents are completely commission-based in their income and must work day in and day out to build a business from the ground up. An award for my company would also be an accolade for all of the productive and customer-service focused real estate professionals in the community.

What is the smallest thing that has made the largest impact on your business?

Closing my office door to stave off interruptions to my daily business-building time.

Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?

My business coach, trainer, and mentor, Mike Ferry, is the person that has influenced me most in life, friendship, customer service, and business success. The first lesson I learned from him is to keep my emotions between the lines and everything else will be easier.

What is your favorite thing about running a business in Loudoun County?

My favorite thing about running a business in Loudoun County is the ability to count on other entrepreneurs to provide superior service to my clients for their home preparation, transaction, moving, and daily maintenance needs. The roster of the Loudoun Chamber membership is a wealth of strategic partners and excellent customer service providers. Thank you to you all!

What did you want to be when you grew up as a child? 

I wanted to be a singer/performer on Broadway. Now I perform in living rooms at least 55 or 60 times per year to help clients understand the moving process and make their moves Extraordinary.

What is one book that changed your life and why?

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” was the first great book for me. It taught me how to be response-able; in other words, how to pause long enough to truly hear what people want and need, and then act rather than react to provide the solution.

If you’re not in the office where can we find you/what is another passion you have?

If I’m not in the office I am hanging out with Dave, whether on the golf course, the beach, or on our balcony looking out over the treetops and enjoying some Virginia wine.

How do you see your business evolving in the next 5 years?

Over the next five years I see our business adding one or two great team members that we can introduce to our client base and teach how to be terrific so we can spend more time on the golf course or at the beach! 🙂

To learn more about Pam and Dave Jones’ business, Extraordinary Transitions, check out their website!