Airway real estate firm celebrates with ribbon cutting

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Windermere West Plains hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 18 with the assistance of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce.

Windermere West Plains opened in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and problem-solved on the fly to keep things going, according to owner Kristy Hamby.

Some of the issues the real estate firm faced were keeping adequate staffing, and not being able to really open the doors to the public at first, she said.

"Realtors tend to work from their home, car, and office and because of the uncertainty of COVID, many of us did not come to the office unless we absolutely had to," Hamby said. "Opening the doors to the public was tough in the middle of a pandemic and therefore, our office while in a visible location off Highway 2, the public was not invited indoors."

Hamby also explained how other factors really challenged workers and similar obstacles still stand over a year later.

"Our original office staff left on maternity leave in 2020 and still cannot find childcare almost a year and a half later creating a manning issue for the office," she said. "All other industry specific events were cancelled or transferred to a virtual format making it hard to meet and get to know other new realtors in the area."

Hamby described how she had started with two realtors initially, but one of them moved shortly after COVID hit because the realtor's husband lost his employment.

She was able to hire a couple other people to work part time, but those new realtors were still working full time jobs.

Hamby explained that it took some time, but they have overcome that hurdle and finally been able to consistently staff the office. Being able to return to in person meetings has helped keep the real estate business more personal, as well.

"Real estate is a very personal business, we are helping people with one of the biggest investments in their lives," Hamby said. "So, meeting and working in person again has already made a big difference in gaining new team members to work in the office."

The experienced realtor describes how something small like a ribbon cutting ceremony can really help ignite interest in small local businesses. It helps introduce a business to the community and also allows the public to go in and meet the team members and owners of local establishments. Ribbon cuttings can be a very productive networking event for businesses.

"Once you walk in the door of a business and meet the owner or team, you are more likely to visit the business again," said Hamby. "Ribbon cuttings are an important way for business owners to meet one another, too. It is also a way for the public to feel comfortable with the new businesses in the area."