Meet Monica Neubauer | Speaker and Real Estate Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Neubauer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
This question makes me think. The trends are to have some “charitable” expression through sharing the profits into the poor places in the world. And that is a good trend and generosity in action. I am a solopreneur, so I guess the organizations I support charitably would fit into this context as my business helping the community or the world, financially. But where I went when reading this question was that my business, which is largely me communicating in the world as a speaker and real estate professional helps the community or the world because I share wisdom, suggestions for improving life and business, and help people have more peace in their life. If you consider the butterfly theory about ripple, if someone takes what I say and applies it to help them grow their business in healthy ways and care for their family better, there are many beautiful, yet unmeasurable beautiful social impacts.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started in business as a REALTOR in the Nashville, TN area. I grew my career inside that industry. I wanted to be a speaker / teacher from the beginning. My best path to success was education. It built confidence and improved my product and process knowledge. My challenge is boredom, among others, like hiring people. When I get to a certain level of success, I am glad to do something else. I primarily worked with clients for about 6 years and during that time I learned how to be a speaker. It isn’t something a person just does. Even as a natural entertainer, I needed skill. Speaking from a stage is very much a learned skill – from writing the message, improving it, stage movement, creating a fun environment – all are areas where skill is needed. And a part of speaking – training – speaking for up to 8 hours in a day is a higher level of energy and preparedness. They are different. And then I started and hosted a podcast with the National Association of REALTORS and I wrote a book. I liked adding new adventures. Getting good education, asking lots of questions of successful people along the way, and showing up in real life provided the conditions for my success. Getting in there and doing it and then doing it better. Improve your craft and connections and then improve your fees and your influence. There are people who have done and are doing what you want to do. Find the right network to learn in and pay the money to join. Find one that is reasonably priced even if it is a stretch. Don’t over invest financially for anything when you are building your business. As I grew my business, I am now niching more towards communication. That is a life long skill I have built and we are in a communication crisis right now. After living a life learning so much and having varied jobs and skills, I am now the Maverick Motivator. I see things outside the box – creative ideas for business and relationships to reach the goals you want to reach.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I spend more time on the road than I do in my home town of Franklin, TN. Nashville is a vibrant city full of history and culture, and more recently good food. If you are with me for a week, I am going to take you to see varied places in the wider area. Day 1 – outdoors – Let’s go to Percy Warner / Edwin Warner park for a walk and a picnic. I am going to bring some cheese, crackers and apples with some Kombucha from Whole Foods. The park shows the beautiful trees, trails and peacefulness of the Tennessee woods. Finishing the day outdoors, we can attend a show at the Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville, Day 2 – Let’s go to Franklin, TN and learn about the Civil War history and visit some delightful downtown shops. The battle of Franklin was a short battle, and yet, the bloodiest single day of the civil war. There are 3 sites, Carnton, the Carter House and the Lotz house where the details can be learned. And the square has educational, informational sign markers about the Black history from the area including the war time. Lunch at Franklin Merchantile with a little shopping in downtown Franklin and dinner at MoJo’s Tacos at the Factory. The Factory is an actual factory transformed into shops, restaurants and event spaces. Day 3, if it is a weekday, we can go to downtown Nashville. It is crazy downtown in the summer and on many weekends. Start the day at the Country Music Hall of Fame and then head to the National Museum of African American Music. Have a late lunch at the Assembly Food Hall – a great selection of local food options from lots of cultures. Great food venue! Since I am not a late night girl, I will be heading to the music bars in the afternoon to enjoy the music with smaller crowds. I like to pace my self with my beverages, so I will move through several bars with a beer or food as I visit my favorites. And honestly, my favorites are the ones with rooftop bars. The musicians are great everywhere. Since I do like the music and am not much of a foodie, I will eat at one of the bars, though I would recommend The Hampton Social if you want to take a break from the clubs. Day 4 will take us to Centennial Park and the Parthenon – the only full size replica of the actual Parthenon in the world. And inside is a full size statue of Athena. After getting some culture, we will head to Green Hills to do some shopping. Nordstroms, Tiffany’s and other upscale and interesting shops are at the Green Hills Mall. Great for looking or buying. We will head to True Food for lunch with a stop in West Elm across the street. I would probably stop in and get some fresh bread from The Great Harvest Bread Company. Since we are still in Green Hills, and if I planned well enough to get tickets, an evening show at The Bluebird Cafe would finish out a great day. Day 5 might be a good day to sleep in! Have brunch at Butcher and Bee in East Nashville. Enjoy the shops and take a walk through the historical homes in the East Nashville neighborhoods. If you are there in the warm weather, you might find a good festival in the area. Day 6 is at the Opryland Hotel. Walk through the amazing indoor gardens and have lunch at one of terrific restaurants in the beautiful wooded areas of the hotel. And then take in the Grand Old Opry in one or both ways available – a tour of the whole building and a show in the evening! The talent is varied and amazing. The building is as well. Day 7 – Enjoy all your memories while you go through your photos at the Nashville airport!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout – there are so many people who have given me time, whether a small amount or a larger amount, or even friendship in my journey. And there are authors whose wisdom has expanded my view of people and opportunity. I struggle to say that I have had a single “mentor” in my life. I have had many people who have spoken into my life for the season we were together and have continued on as friends. I appreciate the question because it makes me think of many people who have helped me. I appreciate, as many of us do, Brene Brown teaching us to be more real, Adam Grant, to put into words what I firmly believe in Think Again, Jim Collins for Built to Last. I appreciate my friends in my early life, two specific couples, for believing in me and calling out good things. I appreciate my friends Karel Murray and Craig Grant, specifically, though there are others, for helping me grow as a speaker. And Phillip Cantrell for building a real estate company that I am glad to be a part of. Mostly though, I love my husband, Mark, for always looking beyond right now with hope and expectations for something good.

Website: https://www.monicaneubauer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicaneubauerspeaks/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicaneubauer/

Image Credits
Madison Greer, Nina Neubauer, Rebecca Mulligan