By Rick Mauch
Candy’s Dirt Contributor
The name Manning is legendary in the sports world. So is Summerall.
Dawn Sumrall has something in common with both as she has carved out her success in the real estate industry for Keller Williams.
“My business coach of the last 10-plus years, Dr. Craig Manning, is the psychology coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. He is amazing,” she said. “He’s taught me to be successful in my personal life as well as business.
“Our focus is on mindset, not goals. That is unique in my industry but it works well for us.”
It’s helped Dawn, who is based in Arlington, help change the lives of many others as she puts them in their dream homes.
Also, Dawn’s last name is only one letter apart from one of the all-time great sportscasters, the late Pat Summerall (an “e” in the middle of his name). Sometimes, if folks don’t look close enough, they have asked whether the two are related.
“I used to tell the boys in high school he was my uncle, and they were such goobers they believed me,” she said, chuckling.
But whether it’s using the psychological techniques from Coach Manning, who played his part in helping the Bucks win the 2021 NBA championship, or getting a laugh on behalf of “fake uncle,” whose voice graced millions of households as an NFL broadcaster, Dawn is connected to success. And, oh, by the way, she’s plenty successful on her own.
After running several successful businesses, she decided to try something that has always caught her fancy — real estate. At the age of 51, seven years ago, she decided to semi-retire out of the financial planning industry and get her real estate license.
“Every single day in real estate is a tremendous challenge and I love it,” Sumrall said. “Anyone in the business will tell you we are real estate experts, counselors, family business consultants, financial planners, baby and pet sitters, and everything in between.
“My assistant and good friend Jennifer (Thompson) and I always giggle about the fact we should be writing memoirs of a real estate agent because of the unique experiences we have each day.”
Sumrall’s new direction in business has also allowed her to work with Thompson, whom she has known for many years.
“I have known her since she was about 10 years old as her parents were special friends of mine. I have seen her grow up, get married and her daughter is now in her 20s — Leigh works with as well,” Sumrall said. “We always cared for each other but never knew we would have the opportunity to work together.”
Ironically, it was several years before she got into the real estate business that she realized she had a fondness for it — and that she might be pretty good.
“We went to buy a few round bales of hay and ended up purchasing the most beautiful hundred acres in Palo Pinto County,” she said.
None of her ancestors were in real estate. However, she said her great grandfather started the first cattle sale barn in Mississippi many years ago.
She is herself a horse trader from a very young age. She enjoys the challenge of getting the price just right for all involved.
“Win or it’s no deal,” she said. “Real estate allows me to practice one of my most-favorite things that I learned from being a Rotarian in my earlier career, ‘Service before self.’ The more you give, the more comes back your way in blessings.”
