Let’s get to know a little more about Danica Harris!
First Name: Danica
Last Name: Harris
Email Address: dharris@rmxkc.com
Before working at RE/MAX Innovations, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had? Prior to becoming a realtor, I served the greater Kansas City area as a social worker. I am still clinically licensed in the state of Missouri. During my 17 year tenure as a social worker I did many interesting things, however, my time in the Children’s Mercy Emergency Department continues to be the most interesting, rewarding, challenging, character building, and truly one of the best experiences of my lifetime. It is a privilege to walk alongside someone during some of the most difficult times of their life. I continue to feel honored to have been given this opportunity to serve people in this way.
How did you first learn about RE/MAX Innovations? Marcy Mathewson helped me to find Remax Innovations (thanks Marcy!). I came home from visiting my family’s farm after the 4th of July and announced to my family I was seriously considering becoming a realtor and wanted to talk with someone in the business here in Kansas City. My mother-in-law said, “I know a gal, I used to have her daughter in school,” and the rest is history…
If you could pick one theme for RE/MAX Innovations to turn into a book about the company, what would it be? Definitely action/adventure, I mean, you never really know what’s just around the corner here at Remax Innovations. One day you might see a Dinosaur in the hallway or the next day you could be walking through a damp basement of an old house by only the light of the flashlight on your phone stepping over a dead rat (I know, gross, but it happened) wondering what’s behind door number two that is padlocked and creepy looking! Ahh…the adventures of real estate! And just in case you’re wondering my buyers decided to not purchase that house!
What advice do you have for prospective realtors? Be realistic, make a plan, be patient and follow your plan. Getting into this business is challenging and not for the faint of heart. You will have to work hard and put in the time in order to see a result. It’s a bit like running a marathon. Pace yourself and just keep moving forward when you start to feel like you’re hitting a wall. The finish line will be there when you get there.
What are 3 words to describe your role as an agent? Advocate, Problem Solver, Matchmaker
What do you find the most challenging in your job? Lack of communication. In a world filled with ways to communicate, I find it very challenging when I’m dealing with someone who does not communicate well.
What do you like most about RE/MAX Innovations? The fun, supportive atmosphere. Everyone in the office are hard workers who know how to get the job done while having fun at the same time. I appreciate knowing I can rely on Eddy, Angie and support staff to help me when I have questions or need something taken care of.
What is on your wish list for the next 10 years in real estate? To build a successful business that will allow me the opportunity to help people find what they need and want what they find.
What is your favorite part about working for RE/MAX Innovations? The working environment. Everyone genuinely seems happy to be here and enjoys the work they are doing.
What is your favorite line from a movie? “Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys.” Dead Poets Society 1989
Are you messy or organized? Organized
Tell us about your best vacation ever. The summer of 2014 we went to San Diego for the first time. I have been there three other times since then. We stayed on the beach. There is something really wonderful about sleeping with your patio doors open listening to the sound of the waves at night. San Diego is one of my most favorite places to vacation.
Choose your Mr. Men / Little Miss, to describe your work personality and your home life personality. Work – Little Miss Gets the Job Done. Home – Little Miss Everyone Needs Me (Yes, I know, I know, someday I’ll miss this…but today is not that day)
Do you have a favorite newspaper, blog or website? danicaharris.com (LOL, I couldn’t really think of one but my own website should be my favorite anyway, right?)
Do you have a favorite quote? “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” -Theodore Roosevelt
Do you have an office nickname, and if so, what is it? Not that I’m aware of.
Describe your most embarrassing moment at the office? I can’t recall one…so either there isn’t one or I’ve blocked it out of my memory!
How do you define success? For me success is defined by doing my very best for everyone I interact with. Some days I’m highly successful and some days not so much. If I leave a situation or person better than I found it/them, I consider myself successful.
If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day? I truly could not come up with an answer for this one. I have never actually thought about trying to be someone else, so I guess my answer is, if given the chance I would like to be the best version of myself for a day. Living my best life, no regrets, no self-doubt, just out in the world doing my best work and loving my friends and family to the very best of my abilities.
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? For just one day I would like to be an astronaut. It is my hope on this day we would do something amazing like zero gravity training or flying a mission.
If you could interview one person, dead or alive, who would it be? Abraham Lincoln
If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why? Lin-Manuel Miranda, in my opinion he is truly one of the most talented individuals alive today. I would love to sit down with him and drink coffee. We would then end the visit by singing a few songs from “Hamilton” together because, of course, I have most of them memorized.
If you were an animal, what would you be? Lion – they are fierce protectors and care givers.
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be? A big plate of nachos with the best margarita (on the rocks, no salt) money can buy!
If your house was burning down, What is the one non-living thing you would save? Anything that contains photos of my family and children.
What is your least favorite food? Seafood, pretty much any kind, however, I will eat Crab Rangoon (I’m pretty sure that’s because its crab smothered in cream cheese and deep fried).
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this? I would most likely still be practicing social work, although, maybe not as much trauma work as I was doing before.
Tell us the three words that best describe you. Empathic, Loving, Genuine – I am a person full of imperfections but I have come to learn you can mean what you say without being mean in how you say it.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
1) People will always be people, no matter the subject matter (i.e. trauma, loss or real estate) there are times when you will still have to have a difficult/disappointing conversation with someone.
2) Communication is imperative always.
3) Even if its not required for office paperwork, completing the estimated seller proceeds worksheet and discussing with your seller is well worth the time and effort.
Tell us a little about yourself: I grew up on what is still a working cattle farm in southern Iowa outside a small town named Lucas. In high school I found my place in music. I played trumpet in the band and had several leading roles in school musicals/plays including (Golde, “Fiddler on the Roof” and Nellie “South Pacific” to name a few). It was my dream to become a famous singer and I was voted “mostly likely to star in a Pert Plus commercial” in high school (It was the 90’s, pert plus commercials were big back then). I did not end up pursuing my dream of music in college, however I do still sing with the worship team at my church and remained very active throughout college and early adulthood as a worship leader. I do my very best to leave people/situations better than I found them (at least that’s what I strive for, some days are better than others). I have a small, close group of friends, they are my tribe and they are as important to me as my family. We all need a tribe to get through this one life we’ve been given.
Tell us a little about your family: I am married with two children. My husband, Chris and I met in college at the Wesley Student Center. This year we celebrated 19 years of marriage. Our daughter, Kaisa, is 13 years old and is in eighth grade. She plays volleyball, violin and sings on our church worship team once a month. Thorstan or “T-man”, our son, just turned 12 years old and is in sixth grade. He plays hockey and takes drama lessons. We just learned this week he will star as Kristoff in his school’s Spring performance of “Frozen Jr.” It is truly a privilege to be allowed the opportunity to raise these two children and watch them grow into the people they will become.
