Today we’d like to introduce you to Grant Myers.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2003, I was working as a bank teller, and a friend of mine who was working in the title industry reached out and asked if I wanted to work as a receptionist for a title company.
I was 19, working through college and had no idea what a title company was or what they did. I took the leap and started working for a small fee-attorney office in what was then a very small town of Frisco. Afterwards, further opportunities arose – I transferred to a title company that catered directly to a homebuilder; however, shortly afterwards, the builder folded. I then landed with a company where I met a majority of the co-workers I still work with today.
I began working with my current teammate, Ame Moss, in 2005 and that is where I was really able to learn the business and the ins and outs of a closing transaction. Eventually, the office was offered to join Republic Title in 2008, and most of us have been there ever since.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not – but that makes the journey more interesting. Personally, as a small town country boy moving to the big city, it was definitely tough to fit into the fast-paced world of Dallas.
Even more, as a gay man, it was hard to know how clients or even co-workers would feel about my sexual identity. I was terminated from a company in the industry for “insubordination” where I eventually found out it was due to the owner finding out about my sexual orientation, a class that isn’t protected in the State of Texas.
With that being the start of my career in the business, it was difficult to be more forthright about my life with co-workers or clients with future companies. With that being said, I’m currently with co-workers and a company that allows me to share my life – more recently, even throwing me a wedding shower for me and my now husband.
From a business prospective, I think anyone in the real estate business, especially prior to 2008, knows what a roller coaster business this can be – we can have a wild and crazy year or two, and then everything comes to a crashing halt and many companies in the title industry can eventually layoff staff when that happens.
One of the benefits of working with a company like Republic Title is they realize that this can happen and they have a great structure of preventing any layoffs when the real estate business slows – we power through and keep going until the market picks up again.
Republic Title of Texas – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As a title company, we are the group that researches the property to ensure the buyer is purchasing a clear property. We also handle the closing process – so buying, selling or refinancing a home typically ends with us as the consumer is signing the closing documents at our office. We are an independent third party that acts between the buyer and seller.
As opposed to other companies I’ve worked with in the past, Republic Title really values the aspect of family. My coworkers are truly an extension of my family. Additionally, most of the employees in the office have been with the company for many, many years and I think our clients appreciate that. Longevity speaks volumes in the industry.
Additionally, there are so many knowledgeable people in the company. If a question is asked that I don’t know the answer to, I know there are numerous people I can reach out to that can help. I truly consider so many people in the company as a mentor who have taught me so much in the last ten years.
Finally, I value my team. I started working with Ame Moss, another Escrow Officer, as her assistant almost 14 years ago and we have eventually formed a closing team as two officers with our assistant, Katy. We were one of the first to develop this mold within Republic Title, and they have since started carrying it out within the company.
Ame has been a rock both personally and professionally, and our team is a huge benefit for all of the clients. It allows a familiar face to always be at the office in the event one of us is on vacation. I can trust that my clients will be taken care of while I’m away. My clients know her and her clients know me so when a closing occurs, they know who we are.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
One of my proudest moments was when I was promoted to an Escrow Officer position – I’ve truly worked my way up from the ranks of a receptionist to an Escrow Officer. While I enjoyed working as an Escrow Assistant, Republic Title had faith in my work to promote me to that position.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5960 Berkshire Lane, Suite 100 Dallas, Texas 75225
- Website: https://www.republictitle.com/park-cities/
- Phone: (214) 521-6143
- Email: gmyers@republictitle.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/republictitleparkcities
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/republic-title-park-cities-dallas-3?osq=republic+title+park+cities
Image Credit:
Moth + Moonlite Photography
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