Horse-sense is a phrase born in England and refined in 1870s New York. It applies to the intellectual ability of those who exceed others in practical wisdom. In other words, Realtors! There is quite simply no other profession that requires more horse sense.
David Griffin & Company‘s Lori Ericsson is an excellent example of a woman that grew up with horse sense and has successfully applied it to her role as a Realtor.
Daltxrealestate.com: Tell us a bit about your upbringing.
Lori Ericsson: I was born and raised in State College, Pennsylvania, which has been ranked as one of the happiest, most low-stress small towns in America as well as one of the best college towns. The population is 42,000, and with college students at Pennsylvania State, it increases to 100,000. I attended Pennsylvania State for a degree in marketing that has served me well!
CD: Are there any experiences that stood out when you grew up?
LE: Well, every little girl goes through that phase of loving horses but I never stopped loving them. I always wanted a horse and of course, that’s a large ask for most parents. I worked at Wendy’s after school and saved my money. So, when I turned 18, I surprised my parents by buying myself a horse named Blue. He was part thoroughbred and part quarter horse and all love.
CD: So, that was the beginning of a lifelong love of horses and naturally, a keen horse sense ensued that has served you well in the real estate world!
CD: Did you stay in Pennsylvania after college and grow your stable?
LE: Yes, after college, I became a wedding planner and catering director for a hotel. Then I was a sales manager for a company that made window treatments. I had five horses at this point. Then I moved to Philadelphia with just one horse, Chief. I was an estimator for commercial window treatments and acoustical wall panels. One of the last projects in Philadelphia was working on the new NFL Films facility.
CD: What brought you down to Big D?
LE: To pursue a relationship with someone from Match.com that ended up lasting a whole year.
CD: How did you decide to get to real estate?
LE: I had been in sales and hated having a boss. With a degree in marketing, a sales background, and experience working with contractors, it was a perfect fit. I started at Ebby Halliday in 2003 because they had a training program. I realized pretty quickly I wanted a boutique agency, so I did a lot of research. Back then you actually had to interview with companies and get a stamp of approval! I really liked David Griffin and what his company stands for and joined in 2005.
CD: How did Dallas mix with your love of horses?
L.E: When I got to Dallas, it was almost four years before I got a new horse. A friend needed help with a horse clinic and I fell in love with the horse I was working with. He’s a Tennessee Walking horse named Ace. The rest is history! Although I lived in Deep Ellum and Oak Cliff I was able to board Ace at a nearby ranch. I recently moved to Ennis, which is going to make it much easier to have more horses!
CD: What do you love about Ennis?
LE: Life here is incredible! You can actually see the stars at night and not hear police cars. I have a cool hacienda-style home with 12 acres, and once my barn is built, Ace will be joined by Jessie who was recently imported from Columbus, Ohio. The fencing is being built this week so it’s not long now!
CD: Your calendar is full, girl! What do you do to relax?
LE: I love the beach and traveling with family and friends whether it’s Iceland or Germany. My most recent getaway was swimming and hiking in Kaui! The reality is that every day there are a few hours, either early morning or late at night, to play with dogs, kitties, and horses that I almost don’t need a vacation. This is all possible because I have a special someone that puts up with my crazy busy schedule and all the fur babies.
CD: Is there a transaction you’ve done that is close to your heart, one for which you’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty?
LE: Oh yes! I sold the home of an octogenarian who was moving to Las Vegas. After the closing, I drove her car and cat to her new home!
CD: Who has been the most influential person in your life?
LE: My Mom. She instilled the wisdom of self-care in me. She is a rock star and is way ahead of her time!
CD: What are your words to live by in business?
LE: Always have genuine interest and concern while serving your clients. I follow my clients in their lives and how they develop. They are lifelong relationships and it’s exciting and extremely rewarding to be working now with clients I served years ago.
CD: How has having a close relationship with horses throughout your life helped you in business?
LE: Horses teach us. The reason they are used, for instance, in Equest, is they are a silent partner in healing. You feel as if you are in control of something much larger than you.
CD: What have you enjoyed about working at David Griffin and Associates?
LE: David is in the trenches with us, a lot of times at a higher level, but his calm demeanor and incredible wisdom are invaluable. A lot of Realtors hop from agency to agency, but at the end of the day, your success lies within.
