Derick Brooks sees LRRA as family
March 19-25, 2018
By Becca Bona
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Derick Brooks first got into real estate in 2009, shortly after the onslaught of the economic crisis. Looking back, he considers the move a boon to his career.
“I just figured perfect timing,” he laughed, “and then whenever the market rebounded I’d really know what I was doing. It just worked out perfectly.”
Born in England, Ark., Brooks grew up in Central Arkansas, and attended North Little Rock High School. His first gig in real estate was with Rausch Coleman, and even though he was working for a builder, he still had to hustle. “I was definitely able to sharpen my skills,” he said of his eight year span with the company.
During that time, Brooks’ friend Maurice Taylor, a fellow Realtor in Central Arkansas, invited Brooks to join the Little Rock Realtors Association (LRRA).
“I joined the Board and I was very interested in what was going on, and so I decided to dive a little deeper. The deeper I dove, the more involved I became, and the more involved I became, the more rolls I began to take on,” he said with a chuckle.
He never imagined, however, that he would one day be president of the association.
Since receiving the gavel, Brooks has hit 2018 hard, with both his personal goals as well as those that fall under the LRRA’s umbrella.
First off, he was able to unlock an accomplishment regarding one of his passions – helping others – by becoming a certified life coach. He truly believes that everyone has a chance to win at life.
“If you go to a fast food restaurant and you order a double cheeseburger with tater tots and they give you a single cheeseburger with French fries, what do you do? You normally send it back and say, this is not what I ordered. It’s the same with life. Life will throw you all kinds of things and tell you should do this, you should do that, but if it’s not on your menu, just send it back,” he said.
He also has been getting healthier, taking the steps to monitor his diet and throw in regular exercise. And, when it comes to the LRRA, he plans to be just as disciplined, as he said, “I want to make sure our members are aware of all the benefits of the association. […] It’s just good to know that you have a support system and that you’re not out there alone – that’s what we really want real estate agents to know.”
He points to the website, the office and staff at the LRRA headquarters on 300 Natural Resources Drive, as well as the membership at large.
“Everything is better in team,” he said. “We have a lot of wisdom in our association and to be able as a new Realtor to get mentored by someone who has been in the business for a tenured time is a big plus.”
Brooks has seen great leadership in the past, and he plans to do his best to uphold the stellar quality, as he said, “Our past president Stacey has done a phenomenal job in handing off the baton to me, and I’m just trying to follow the blueprint that she laid out.” Other goals include infusing fun and excitement into as many LRRA events as possible.
“I’m talking to Daniel Gray over at the North Pulaski Board of Realtors,” he said. “And we’re putting together a bowlathon for a charity event. It’s a battle between the riverbanks.”
When it comes to technology, apps, or real estate websites, Brooks does his best to break the mold. “In this industry I use the motto – you have to think five years ahead, where will the industry be in five years? Wherever I think it should be, or where I think it’s going, that’s what I focus on,” he said.
When not working, Brooks likes to listen to live music or enjoy a quiet moment on his back patio. He also volunteers for Our House, an organization that’s close to his heart and serves as a greeter at his church.
“I’m excited about this year – we’ve started out great. Membership is up, we have some great things planned – some great events and great training that is coming down the pipeline that we’re excited about.”
PHOTO CAPTION:
Stepping up as the LRRA President of 2018, Derick Brooks plans to steady the course while infusing as much fun into this year’s programming and events as possible. (Photo provided)
