Voices of Women

  • Margaret Dixon
    CEO/President, Broker/Owner, Prudential Arizona Properties

Margaret began her real estate career in 1975 when she became licensed at her father’s San Francisco-based real estate company.  In 1995, Margaret and her family relocated to Gold Canyon, Arizona.  She joined Farnsworth Realty in Gold Canyon, which affiliated with Prudential in 1997.

 

Margaret became Farnsworth’s number one agent, and one of the top 100 REALTORS® nationwide.  She was featured in Broker/Agent Magazine as Broker Agent of the Month in February 1999.

 

In June 1999, Margaret purchased the franchise from the Farnsworth Family and changed the name to Prudential Gold Canyon Realty.  In just one year under her leadership, the company more than quadrupled in size, grew to a 50 percent market share, and moved into an impressive building at the gateway to Gold Canyon.

 

Word spread and agents Valley-wide began to show interest in working with Margaret under the Prudential Banner.  Margaret launched Prudential Arizona Properties and opened the first office in June 2001 in Scottsdale with 25 agents.  Today, it is the largest Prudential affiliate in the state with eight offices and 450 agents, and is one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the nation.  In 2004 the firm ranked 40th among 1800 Prudential offices nationwide and ranks in the Top 10 of the leading 230 real estate firms in the Valley and has a higher average sales price than the state’s two largest competitors.  Prudential Arizona Properties currently enjoys a 97% superior client service rating.

 

Margaret’s excellence continues to be recognized throughout the industry.  She received Prudential’s Real Estate and Relocation’s National Broker of the Year Award in 2003, and was named to the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates National Advisory Council.  She earned the Real Estate Superstar Leadership Of The Year award from the Phoenix Business Journal in 2003 and placed in the top 10 of the Valley’s Most Influential in Real Estate by the Business Journal.

 

According to Margaret, “This business is really all about people and relationships.  The managers and I are sincerely dedicated to each agent’s individual success and their quality of life.”

 

Margaret enjoys the Arizona lifestyle with her three children and parents who all live in Gold Canyon, Arizona.

Click to email Margaret


What is your role at Prudential Arizona Properties?

I am the keeper of the vision. I keep all of our daily activities in line with our vision. I identify the right people and bring them on board and help them to achieve their goals that are consistent with company goals.. …We look at the original vision and purpose and look at how to take that to the next level. We focus on leadership and service. We figure out how to do a great job, while consistently improving. It’s fun to work with a bunch of people who are committed to the company.

What are your corporate goals?

We deliver dreams.  When we recruit, rather than show our great marketing tools, we communicate our values, our culture, our commitment to service, leadership etc. We focus on who we are and the value we bring to the marketplace. I am very passionate about our value and people who are attracted to the company are also committed to service and helping people reach their goals.

 

Change is a positive thing. I don’t want things to be status quo. We evolve. I work at being a leader. I take this responsibility very seriously, especially when people put their careers and home purchasing in my hands.


Tell me about your family life growing up.

I grew up discussing real estate at the dinner table. In that way I learned a lot. Both of my parents are amazing role models. They live by integrity and core values. My father founded a real estate company in 1939, where their guiding principles were integrity, stability, and skill.  I have adopted these principles in the way that I run the company and as an entity our core values are integrity, honesty and trust. I believe that everything is measured against that. My mom is extremely loving, independent and forgiving. My dad was always giving back to the community – serving the community, he always is about doing the right thing. My parents believed that I could do anything I wanted…. They believed in me, and never set limits. They have a very positive attitude. It wasn’t that the glass was half full – it was overflowing.

 

When I was 12 years old, I had to listen to motivational tapes by Earl Nightingale, while the other kids were out riding their bikes. At 17, my dad took me to see Jim Rowen. I learned from him and recently took my kids to Brian Buffini’s Mastermind Seminar.  It wasn’t only about real estate – they learned about significance in life, how to set goals, and giving back.

 

My parents were great role models. They were always positive and making positive choices in the face adversity. I was raised as a single child as I have two half-sisters from previous marriages.

With everything going on, how do you find balance?

Carefully. I am centered naturally. I have a stable core. I am thankful everyday that my kids are healthy, the sun is shining and I am doing the best I can. That’s all I can do. I try to be true to myself then it’s not so hard. Life is too short, so I have to have no regrets. But, I do wish I had seven lifetimes to do all that I want.


When did you start your company?

We started in June 1999. We got 50% of market share. Now we just opened our 9th office, and have 500 employees.

What is your unique contribution to the company?

My attitude and commitment to vision. I have the ability to see the vision and get the right people on the bus so they can see the vision. My enthusiasm is contagious.

What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome?

The Company was born from a vision, so there was nothing tangible about it. It was in my head and heart. I had to share this vision without having even a building to show for it. But it was pure from the start and I enrolled people based on this vision. When a vision becomes a reality it’s an incredible thing. I work hard but I love what I do. There are always daily challenges, but that’s a part of it.

Sometimes people get “stuck” in their lives. Has that ever happened to you, and if so, how did you unstick yourself?

I started working strategically with a coach – and this made all the difference.  I realized that I needed to take myself to the next level so that I could be the best that I can be so others can be the best they can be. I have strong business instincts and people instincts. My instinct is that it’s time to invest in myself so that I can take myself to the next level in leadership. I am looking for a higher purpose, more than just real estate.

Do you have any words of wisdom for women in any industry who are trying to succeed?

1. Be true to yourself, and know what your guiding principles and priorities are. I always chose my family first.

2. Be courageous. Stick to your beliefs no matter what. Success is always the best revenge for naysayers and arrow slingers.

3. Have a group of supportive people around you.

4. Read a lot.

5. Learn a lot.

6. Don’t let your ego get in the way.

7. You don’t have to be perfect – just the best you can be.

8. Be open to opportunity

9. Know what you are trying to accomplish.

Click to email Margaret