At Brown Harris Stevens, work can sometimes be a family affair. In honor of Mother's Day, we asked several of our firm's mother-child agent duos about what it is like to work together, what they have learned from the experience, and more. Their thoughtful responses provide a valuable perspective on motherhood and the power of family.
How does your mother inspire you?
Charlotte: The fact that mom still loves the business after 51 years is an inspiration. She has shown me that working closely with clients is a very rewarding career and one that I hope to emulate.
What has your daughter taught you?
Patricia: I had worked solo since I started in the 1970's and she has certainly shown me that it is much more fun (and more productive) to work as a team.
What is your favorite part about working together?
Patricia: It's wonderful to have Charlotte give ideas about apartments from her perspective as a younger agent. I especially appreciate her expertise at doing board packages!
Charlotte: Mom's wealth of knowledge of the Manhattan market, buildings, and boards is invaluable. Watching her manage difficult conversations with clients is incredibly helpful and teaches me how to respond to those situations in the future.
How did your partnership begin?
Patricia: Charlotte had grown up her whole life hearing about the real estate business, and she was eager to join me after she got married in 2016. She had gone out looking for her own place to buy soon after college, so she understood the dynamics of a purchase and thought it would be fun to be on the agent side of deals.
Charlotte: Engaging mom on my own purchase made me realize that I would enjoy working with her in the future.
How does your mother inspire you?
Ira: My mom has been in the business for almost 40 years now, and I admire how thorough and diligent she is. She works day and night and continues to achieve beyond what anyone thinks is possible.
What has your son taught you?
Arlene: Ira has taught me to be innovative, creative, and to let some minor issues slide. His law degree and his degree in advertising combine well with my years of experience. I was delighted when he joined my team.
What is your favorite part about working together?
Ira: I'm an only child and we used to talk to each other several times a day. Now that we work together, we talk and see each other even more, which is a great thing (sometimes). We also get to travel for work and meet people in other countries. It's allowed us, as a family, to experience work and pleasure at the same time.
Arlene: I get to see my son more! I don't have to text him, email him, or phone a thousand times before he answers!
How did your partnership begin?
Ira: It began when I was born, more or less! We've always been very close, and she's been in the real estate business since I was a child. I used to come to the office when I was young and watch her put together showings. It was always something I admired and I learned a lot from her. When I became a lawyer, I got my broker's license and we began working together unofficially. Eventually, I was looking to switch careers and forming a team seemed natural. We've had our team going for seven years now and have been doing well!
Where do you go to celebrate a closing?
Arlene: When it's winter and snowing, that would be Bloomingdale's. In the summer, however, we change pace...
Ira: We like to go to the Hamptons for a beach weekend and eat at some nice restaurants on the water. Our birthdays are both during the summer, so we often like to combine celebrations and do a weekend retreat.
How does your mother inspire you?
Alexis: My mother inspires me every day. She's a great mother and grandmother, and she has more energy than anyone I know. She's just beautiful inside and out.
What has your daughter taught you?
Ann: I have been in real estate for 43 years, and three of my children work in real estate: Alexis, Elizabeth Missy Savage, and Colt Robinson. I've enjoyed working with all of them, but Alexis has taught me that she's a really hard worker, she's fun to work with, we think alike, and we enjoy what we're doing. We try not to get stressed and are very professional.
What is your favorite part about working together?
Alexis: We're so lucky because we live in the same town we both grew up in. We have many mutual friends, and we get to play, work, and live together. It's perfect.
How did your partnership begin?
Ann: Our partnership began when Alexis moved from New York. She had been licensed there, and she came down and joined Brown Harris Stevens. We have worked on a few deals together and currently have a lakefront lot under contract.
How does your mother inspire you?
Madeleine: My mother has been my role model since I’ve been a little girl. This is because she has always displayed qualities, in both her personal and business life, of confidence, loyalty and hard work. She has instilled in me that the most important aspect of business is to prioritize the happiness of the customer. That is how respect is earned, and I see this first hand through the way she navigates the real estate industry. She has taught me not only what it takes to jumpstart a business in real estate but more importantly what it means to be a strong, independent woman. I cannot express how grateful I am to have such an impressive woman as both my mother and mentor.
What has your daughter taught you?
Debra: Patience!
What is your favorite part about working together?
Debra: We just started working together but I can't wait to watch Maddie blossom. She is such a people person and I have nothing but confidence that she will excel and really enjoy the business as much as I do.
Madeleine: There is an undeniable level of trust. We only possess selfless intentions towards one another and find pleasure in bouncing ideas off each other.
How did your partnership begin?
Debra: When I needed help and she was still in school, Madeleine used to pitch in. When we all began to work at home, she became more interested in real estate. With my encouragement and her grandmother's, she decided to make a career of it.
Where do you go together to celebrate a closing?
Both: We love to keep it local and go to Il Cantinori, the best Italian restaurant in town!
How does your mother inspire you?
Katharine: My mom has an incredible honesty about her, and I think I’ve grown to respect that the most; and clients depend on it. She does not sugarcoat anything! She’s taught me to be confident in my expertise and maintain my poise, and that a sense of humor will go a long way!
What has your daughter taught you?
Edith: Katharine has taught me everything I did not know how to do on the computer. She is much more patient than I am, and she has a way with clients in moments of stress. She also works day and night.
What is your favorite part about working together?
Both: We laugh a lot! There are a lot of personalities involved in real estate transactions, and no deal is like another. We try to roll with the punches and laugh when we can.
How does your mother inspire you?
Justine: My mom has always been driven by helping others and giving advice as if she was in the position of the buyer or seller.
What has your daughter taught you?
Elaine: Justine has shown talent in both organization and marketing skills. I am impressed with her ability to communicate with our team.
What is your favorite part about working together?
Both: We speak nearly 100 times a day. We love creating success together and we are constantly inspired and learning from each other.
How did your partnership begin?
Elaine: Justine began when she was 18, helping both in and out of the office. It soon evolved into a full partnership at Brown Harris Stevens.
How does your mother inspire you?
Jamie: My mom inspires me because she always takes the ethical and honest approach. In a business that can see such bad behavior in people, it makes me proud that she is always honorable and takes the "high road."
What has your daughter taught you?
Wendy: Jamie has taught me the importance of collaboration, letting go of toxic people, taking the high road, and having a good time.
What is your favorite part about working together?
Both: Sharing adventures, laughing, and experiencing synchronicity. No one could ever understand all the “coincidences” that each of us have every day.
How did your partnership begin?
Wendy: Jamie was working for a casting director and I wanted an assistant as capable as her. When Denzel Washington dropped out of a film, the casting director told Jamie they were on “hiatus." I explained that this meant she wasn’t getting paid and immediately bribed her to come work with me.
How does your mother inspire you?
Brittany: My mother has been a hard working, single mom since I was very young. She has shown me what it means to be strong and self-sufficient. She has also inspired me to be a present for my children while still balancing a successful career of my own.
What has your daughter taught you?
Monica: My daughter has taught me that you can do it all! She is a hands-on mom to my two beautiful grandchildren and a great wife to her husband. And she still makes herself available 24/7 to all of her clients and her many friends.
What is your favorite part about working together?
Monica: Working together seemed automatic since we know each other so well and know each other's strengths and weaknesses. There was no learning curve in our partnership. Now we have a good excuse to speak a hundred times a day! I have been in the business for 40 years, and having my daughter work with me on our team has revitalized and energized my zest for work and makes everyday fun!
How did your partnership begin?
Brittany: My mother has always encouraged me to join her in real estate because we both love working with people. She always told me it is the best career for a woman who also wants to have flexibility for her kids while still making a profitable income of her own. It was a natural fit to work together as a team since I have grown up in NYC my whole life and have watched my mom build a successful business throughout the years.
Where do you go together to celebrate a closing?
Both: We love going to The Mark for lunch, or having a shopping day at Saks or Bergdorf Goodman.