Early on in my career I knew I wanted to focus on tax.  So, in addition to becoming a CPA, I also obtained a Master's in Taxation. Not something I mention at parties (unless I am trying to clear everyone out), but it does mean I know a lot about tax laws.  

The CPA license is vital in my world.  It separates us from unlicensed and unregulated tax preparers that can sometimes develop some bad practices.  It also requires us to take 40 hours of continuing education each year.

Fun fact about having the Master's degree.  It qualifies me to teach at a lot of universities.  In fact, I was an adjunct professor for 12 years teaching mostly tax courses.

Skills I’ve Targeted:

Pricing – In today’s market, 36% of listing fail to sell and of those that sell.  Of those properties that sold, 45% had to take a price reduction to sell and those properties take 12.7 times longer to sell.  And they for 91.8% of their original list price.  It’s important to do my research and know the market when pricing a house, for both home buyers and seller, but especially for home sellers.

I am an expert on the use of the monthly data statistics provided by our office and teach other agents how to use them.

I attend our morning calls in the office to detect shifts in the market.

I’ve lost track of how many appraisal classes I’ve taken to keep up with what professional appraisers are seeing in the market.

I developed a spreadsheet where I tract 17 to 25 factors that influence pricing to be able to properly price properties. 

Certifications I’ve Targeted:

I earned my senior real estate specialist designation and continue to renew that certification every year.

Recently, I completed the Divorce Specialist training, not because I intend to put that certification on my business card, but because, so far, my clients that were divorcing were amicable.  I want to be prepared to best serve clients who are still in the deep emotions of a divorce.

Kelly Vandever

Realtor®

Keller Williams North Atlanta

License # 391485

Kelly.Vandever@kw.com

770-597-1108

Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) 

https://www.kellyvandever.com 

https://www.youtube.com/kellyvandever

To be a licensed plumber you must know how to work in all areas of plumbing.   However tankless water heaters are the new kid on the block.  So training has not been incorporated into the plumber training process yet.  There are some plumbers who decline to work on them, because tankless water heaters are highly sophisticated electronic gizmos and they are just intimidated.   I attended a class in Griffin Ga. at the Rinnai plant so that I can work on tankless heaters with confidence. 

It's important for me to keep current - most of the things people quote and repeat (example: "people do business with people they know, like, and trust") are decades old - some from a previous century!

Last year I attended Content Marketing World in D.C. for three days -  22 breakout sessions and 9 keynotes - whew!

I use my Supernote to capture, and Voya's My Meeting Planner app to make sure everything is organized together, because I'm clear it's not attending that matters: it's bringing back current, usable information for PowerCore Members.

I chose to become certified to help clients with both Physician Loans and Construction to Permanent Loans.  Both programs are unique to the industry and are very detail-oriented.  Realtors and Builders who refer clients to me know that once I have a loan approval, that the loan will close without delays.  Construction to Permanent loans help clients build and rehab homes.  I treat the loan process like a project and as such, I set deadlines and follow ups.  My system allows these complex loans to close in under a month, which is about 2-3 weeks ahead of the industry standard.  With construction loans, surprises are inevitable, but with the loan process, surprises are unacceptable.  

I try very hard to keep up with current fabrcis, hardware and other resources so that I can offer my clients good products and

great service.  Staying informed with the moving design market can be overwhelming but I have learned to narrow it down and try

very hard to excel it what "feels" the best for the best outcome for all my clients.

JOANN TAYLOR

TAYLOR DESIGN CONSULTANTS, INC.

A lot of web designers focus mostly on visuals. Developers focus on code. SEO people focus on traffic. But business owners don’t experience those things separately—they just know whether the website is helping the business or not.

So over the years, I’ve intentionally expanded beyond design alone. I’ve taken courses in accessibility, Cloudflare, and UI design, and gone deep into: website performance, SEO structure, hosting environments, Google Business Profile, DNS, and email deliverability.

Not because those things are glamorous—but because they directly affect whether a website actually works.

A huge part of my industry is continuing to learn, because the technology changes constantly. I’m always refining what I do.

What sets professionals apart isn’t just talent—it’s the willingness to keep learning long after you’re already good at something.

Holly Neumann - Fresh Eggs, Web Design for Small Businesses on Big Missions

The skill I trained for more than others is troubleshooting. It's a skill most avoid because it's the most challenging and most people don't like to fail. That's the reason I embraced it. Since most avoid it I end up with their business and it gains the most trust from my clients. 

As part of my professional growth, I maintain a certification with my coach group, Coach Connections, with their Accountable Network.  This ensures I stay proficient in my coaching skills.

I am currently also working through a certification in Business Financial Coaching with the same group, so I can broaden my services to small businesses as well.

I have 37 years experience in commercial and residential construction. I am also a master Carpenter. I'm certified Pella and Anderson window installer. And I'm also a certified Duralast roof installer.

I take the worry out of living in your home.  To do this I have learned how to identify fibers, adopted low emission cleaning solutions and refreshed on my sciences!  

The primary value I run my business on is nurturing families. One of the biggest investments I made in developing that skill was earning my Master of Social Work degree and applying those principles in real-world settings with families from many different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and relational dynamics.

Through that experience, I learned that while every family looks different, one common thread remains the same: families need nurturing in order to thrive. My training taught me how to communicate effectively, navigate sensitive situations with empathy, and create environments where people feel seen and cared for.

That foundation has become the core of how I serve my clients and what sets me apart professionally. I don’t just provide a service — I intentionally create an experience that strengthens and nurtures families.

Getting my 65 license so that I can promote our proprietary investment platform called Market Guard that is non-emotional, methodical and mathematical to provide at or better returns with reduced volatility for my clients.

I have a degree in Financial Derivatives and Stock Market Trading so that I can truly understand the markets, how they work and what is best for my clients and their goals.

Most people don't realize that while licenses are required to sell investments — I hold the SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 through FINRA — anyone can call themselves a financial advisor. There's no minimum education requirement beyond those licenses. No planning exam. No standard of care baked in.

I chose a different path. I hold the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner®) professional designation. It's the gold standard of financial planning. It requires completing a rigorous education program, passing a six-hour exam, accumulating 6,000 hours of professional experience, and committing to a fiduciary standard. This means I am legally and ethically obligated to put my clients' interests first, always. Then I maintain it with 30+ hours of continuing education every two years.

Here's what that means for clients: a CFP® Board longitudinal study found that clients who work with a CFP® professional are more likely to have detailed, regularly reviewed financial plans, maintain emergency funds, and report living comfortably, and they report fewer family conflicts over money. 

78% of clients advised by a CFP® professional maintain a three-month emergency fund, compared to 53% of people with no advisor at all. 

And yet, only one in three FINRA licensed financial advisors in the U.S. holds this designation.

I use my continuing education hours to build expertise on the topics that matter most to my clients, like retirement income planning.

As a Realtor®️, I have had to hone the skill of listening to my clients and their wants and needs.  Too often I work with clients who felt pushed or bullied into making a decision to buy a house that they really didn't want to buy.  I've had that experience myself in the past.  I have worked hard to learn the correct questions to ask my buyers regarding what they would like in a house.  Very often first time home buyer clients do not know what they would like in a house.  With some gentle discovery questions, we can help them to figure out what a they would features or layout they would most like in a house. 

Much of my success comes down to thorough preparation and clear communication. Many risks that I present to underwriters are complicated ones. Being able to know how underwriters think and how to present risks clearly gives me an advantage. I know what materials are needed to clear a risk beforehand (Inspections, photos, signed statements of no loss) and can clearly illustrate my prerogative. The result- quicker approvals, better terms, and fewer surprises at binding, so my clients get the coverage they need when it matters. 

One thing I’ve intentionally pursued to continue growing in my profession is my IICRC Water Damage Restoration Technician/Applied Structural Drying certification. I’ll complete the training the fourth week of June. It’s a week-long class followed by an exam focused on water mitigation, structural drying, moisture detection, drying science, and industry standards.

In disaster recovery, there’s a major difference between removing water versus properly drying a structure to help prevent mold growth, hidden moisture, material failure. I never want clients relying on guesswork during a loss. I want them working with someone trained to understand the science behind the process.

Even in my sales role, this knowledge matters because I’m often the first person guiding clients through the situation. I’m Lacy Loyd, Disaster Recovery Expert.

When I joined the team, I hit the ground running by completing professional catering and hosting certifications. To level up my expertise, I specialized through ServSafe, earning advanced credentials in managing food allergies and dietary restrictions. This training ensures I can provide a safe, inclusive, and high-end experience for every guest, no matter their needs.

One thing that helps me stand out in commercial real estate is my background in accounting. Before getting into brokerage, I developed a strong understanding of financial analysis, cash flow, and how to evaluate the true performance of an investment property. That background helps me look beyond just square footage and rental rates and really understand the numbers behind a deal.

I also believe professional growth never stops. Between maintaining my real estate license and my accounting-related continuing education requirements, I complete roughly 150 hours of continuing education every three years. That ongoing education helps me stay current on market trends, financial strategy, lease structures, and changes that impact property owners and investors.

But beyond experience and education, one thing I genuinely enjoy is connecting people and giving referrals. I’ve always believed that strong business relationships are built by helping others grow first. Whether it’s introducing clients to contractors, lenders, attorneys, or potential business opportunities, I enjoy being a resource and helping people solve problems.

That combination of financial understanding, ongoing education, and relationship-building allows me to bring long-term value to my clients—not just help them complete a transaction.

One thing I targeted heavily over the last few years was the intersection of AI, automation, and real-world business systems. A lot of people can use AI casually now, but very few companies understand how to safely and effectively integrate it into their actual workflows without creating chaos, security risks, or wasting money.

I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time learning not just the tools themselves, but how to connect them to websites, CRMs, scheduling systems, internal databases, customer service processes, and marketing operations. That includes building AI agents, automating repetitive tasks, integrating APIs, training teams on prompting, and understanding where human oversight still matters.

What really separates me is that I combine that with 26 years of experience building websites, SEO systems, hosting environments, and custom software through Web Experts. So when a company asks, “How do we actually use AI in our business?” I can usually help bridge the gap between the hype and practical implementation.

A great referral for me is a business owner who keeps hearing about AI, knows they probably need to adapt, but feels overwhelmed, confused, or unsure where to start.

Over my 20 years in franchise operations and training leadership, I’ve worked with thousands of businesses, teams, and leaders. In that role, I had to continually sharpen my consultative approach because every operator, every team, and every business problem is a little different. You can’t just walk in with a clipboard and a big opinion.

You have to be able to not only understand their business inside and out; you also have understand the leaders themselves in order to gain approach appropriately and gain buy-in. This happens through analysis of their entire world - operations/training yes; but also finance, marketing, budgeting, development, and go forward planning. My skill sets here directly translate to both franchising and coaching, as I can quickly analyze, diagnose and support the business and the leader.

When starting El Jefe Enterprises, I added my CFC, Certified Franchise Consultant certification, so I could pair my real-world franchise experience with the formal education, tools, and standards needed to guide people through franchise ownership the right way. With this I also have weekly ongoing education and access to the largest collection of franchise opportunities in the space. 

I prioritized transparent communication to stand at the top of my profession. Anyone can get a certification, but when we all have certifications, true transparency and clear communication are the rare cherry on top. When I started this business, I decided to be completely honest about our hourly pricing. I post our rates publicly online for everyone to see, even if it means losing potential clients to competitors.

People often dread the typical 'used car salesman' experience with its hidden fees and slimy tactics. I set out to be the exact opposite in the handyman industry. We offer crystal-clear rates alongside straightforward terms and conditions that every client reviews and signs before we begin working. If we aren't the right fit for a project, my goal is for everyone to figure that out before we arrive—not after the final bill is in your hands.

One skill I’ve really focused on developing is understanding the chemistry behind exterior cleaning products and the reactions they can cause on different surfaces. A lot of people think pressure washing is just spraying water, but knowing how certain cleaners react with paint, stain, concrete, wood, glass, and landscaping is what helps prevent damage and deliver the right outcome safely.

I am an Enrolled Agent (EA). 

An EA is a professional administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is one of the highest designation a professional tax preparer can obtain. An EA first has to pass 3 exams.  An EA can represent an individual or business in all 50 States before the IRS in all tax matters. 

One professional certification I intentionally pursued to elevate my expertise is the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation through the International Business Brokers Association. I am currently working toward completing the certification because I wanted to deepen my knowledge beyond basic deal making and position myself at a higher professional standard within the business brokerage industry.

The CBI program focuses heavily on business valuation, deal structure, financial analysis, negotiations, due diligence, and transaction management. Those are all critical areas where clients rely on a broker’s judgment and experience to protect the value of what is often their largest asset. By pursuing this certification, I am sharpening both the technical and strategic side of my business.

What makes the CBI stand out is that it is not simply a course completion. It is a respected industry designation that demonstrates commitment, advanced education, ethical standards, and real transactional competency. Many brokers enter the industry from sales backgrounds, but the CBI separates professionals who have invested in mastering the financial and advisory side of the business.

For my clients, that means they are working with someone who is continuously improving, understands the complexities of acquisitions and exits, and is committed to operating at a higher level than the average broker. That commitment to professional growth helps build trust, improves deal execution, and ultimately allows me to create better outcomes for buyers and sellers alike.

I became a certified KCBS barbecue judge. It has given me an appreciation for what people do in their backyards and has afforded me a chance to try some of the best smoked meats available. I totally enjoy talking with people about their grilling and smoking efforts. And of course sampling what they're working on. (: