Career Spotlight: AJ "Allie" Stewart
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Name: AJ "Allie" Stewart
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Tell us about your career:
With over 23 years in the business, my background began in multifamily housing in 1999 as I was hired 'on the spot' while looking for an apartment to live in. I can recall the regional manager's comments to this day: "I just get a feeling and I know when I've met the one."
Since my early years in the business and after the birth of my daughter, I took a break from property management and pursued my real estate license. Having worked with many new home construction residential builders in the Triad, I was awarded 'Rookie of the Year" with Pierce Homes of the Carolinas and shortly thereafter became a multi-million dollar producing agent. Additionally, I've obtained my BIC (Broker-in-Charge) credentials to launch my own business, Home Hunters of the Piedmont of which I successfully operated for several years. Unable to keep up with the demands of the business and caring for my terminally ill parents, I joined Liberty Group as a part-time relocation specialist with Ginkgo Residential. Choosing this path gave me more of a balance and time to care for my family while maintaining a more manageable work schedule. In just a few short month's with the Liberty Group and having demonstrated a discernible knack for leadership, my contract was bought-out by Ginkgo and I was subsequently promoted to full-time property manager.
During my tenure with Ginkgo, my asset has managed to continue its growth and performance both operationally and financially year after year. As a result of its continued success and proven results, Ginkgo purchased the community I manage in late 2021. Since my tenure as property manager and certainly since purchasing the community, our expenses, revenue and NOI have done exceptionally well. This success was realized amid a global pandemic in the most unprecedented of times and during the care and loss of both of my beloved parents.
I am thankful for the career path I've taken and the challenges, growth opportunities, and huge rewards that come with it. It's a career that you'll never be bored of, you'll always be proud of and one that you can never forget - even long past retirement!
What advice do you have for someone just starting in your field:
Find a mentor and a good support system. Learn all you can, even if you have to pay for the education yourself. Most importantly, take good care of yourself, as it's easy to become frenzied and forget to do that sometimes.
Anything else you would like to share:
This is a big business and there are lots of opportunities to grow. Be sure to empower yourself with education and by engaging with like-minded peers and those who are or have been where you want to go.