Sometimes a story comes along that reminds you exactly why community matters. This is one of those stories.
My brother, Shawn Muller, is the Managing Broker at ReeceNichols – The Village, a residential real estate office in the Kansas City area. Not long ago, office manager Ann came to Shawn with a concern about Rendell, the office’s long-time custodian. On his way to work one day, Rendell’s car caught fire and was a total loss. He was unhurt, but the car was gone. And because he carried only liability insurance, there was no replacement coming.
Without a car, Rendell did what he could. He bought a bicycle, loaded it onto the bus, and rode from stop to stop to reach multiple offices in the summer heat. It was a solution, but barely. And anyone who has spent a Kansas City July outside knows it was not a sustainable one.
Ann brought the situation to Shawn, and together they decided to act. They put the word out to the office, low-key and low-pressure: if anyone wanted to chip in to help Rendell get back on his feet, here was the chance. No obligation. Just an opportunity to show up for a colleague.
Within three days, $9,000 had been raised, from people inside the office and from community members who heard about the situation and simply wanted to help. Then, through one of Shawn’s agents, they were connected with someone who had a great used vehicle and was willing to hold it for them. Rendell got a reliable car, and the chapter closed in the best possible way.
Think about that for a moment. In 72 hours, a group of people, some of whom had never even met Rendell, mobilized around one person’s need. They did not ask what was in it for them. They just gave.
This is what networking, at its best, actually looks like. It is not about collecting contacts or advancing an agenda. It is about building relationships deep enough that when someone needs help, the community around them responds without hesitation.
Ann and Shawn created the conditions for that to happen. And the people who gave? They reminded all of us what it means to truly be connected.
What a gift. What a community.
Happy Networking!
What a heartwarming story-filled with both the best networking has to offer and being kind at heart and willing to do good. We need more of this in our world today. Three cheers for Ann and Shawn and their colleagues. Thanks for sharing.