2. responsibility serving as head volleyball
coach, instructor and athletic director,
at Northland Community and Technical
College and then dean of student services
at White Earth Tribal and Community
College. Plus, she served as the executive
director of the Naytahwaush Community
Foundation.
Sheevenbroughtbackalittleamemento,
husband Chris Handley. Interestingly,
though she’s from Minnesota and he from
Montana, their initial meeting took place
somewhere in the middle.
“I met the love of my life in, of all places,
Jamestown, North Dakota,” she says with
smile. “I was working with autistic kids and
Chris was attending Jamestown College. I
knew he’d be a great father, because he was
so sweet and patient with the children I was
working with.”
E
ven as a child, Lisa Handley,
of RE/MAX Advantage Plus,
exhibited a kind and caring
nature. For this, and her
propensity for hard work, she credits her
parents’ loving example.
“I’m a farm girl and a former college
athlete,” she says proudly. “I’m used to
working hard, seven days a week, but you
still need to make time for others. I just
followed my parents’ example of hard work
and helping hands. Dad was always helping
neighbors, particularly the old boys, as he
fondly referred to the older farmers nearby,
when I was young. My mom works at a
nursing home, and even on her days off
she’s there for the residents.
For example, Handley remembers that
on Mother’s Day her mom, instead of
relaxing at home, would go into the nursing
home to do their hair and makeup so they
looked pretty for visiting family, and now
is still often the one at their side, holding
their hand, sometimes singing to them as
they take their last breath.
Raised on the family dairy farm in
McIntosh, Minnesota, Handley headed
west for college. After earning a Bachelor
of Science in health, physical education
and fitness with a minor in coaching
from Montana State University-Billings,
she completed a Master’s of Education in
learning development at Montana State
University-Northern. Over the next seven
years, Handley served as an assistant
professor, sports information director,
and head coach of the women’s volleyball
program.
Returning home in 2006, she of course hit
the ground running, assuming even more
COACHING A WINNING TEAM
Agent of the Month
By Susan Cushing
ShermanKhoPhotography
Handley’s Team. L-R: Brad Smith, Michelle
Hanson, Handley, Makenzie Eggersglues &
Tyler Handley.
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3. opportunity to help others. She was excited
to discover Breaking Free.
Dedicated to diversity and empowerment
of women, Breaking Free is a nonprofit
agency helping women and girls escape
systems of exploitation through advocacy,
direct services, housing and education.
“Once again Eric came through,” says
Handley. “When I first approached him
with the idea of our team working with this
program, I wasn’t sure if he’d laugh at me
or think I was crazy. Instead, he not only
enthusiastically embraced the idea, but
became actively involved.”
For Handley and her team, partnering
with Breaking Free is not an at-a-distance,
write a check and attend a few fundraisers
type of support. Sponsoring one woman
at a time, Handley opened her heart and
home.
“Makenzie and her young son lived in my
upstairs duplex while she went to real estate
school and got licensed,” explains Handley.
“Now I am excited and proud to say this
lovely, intelligent and ambitious woman is
part of our team and closed on her first sale
within two months of getting her license!
NEW
HOME-NEW
“FAMILY”
As with everything else,
Handley tackled her new
business with energy and
enthusiasm, continually setting
new goals.
“Last year, I started a team,”
she says. “One of the reasons
the Twin Cities Specialists
came about is because of
my coaching background
and belief in the power of
mentoring. I love teaching
my ‘players’ to be strong and
confident. The whole concept
of working hard and expecting
more is something that I still
firmly believe in.
“My goal is to help our team
members grow, becoming
strong, confident individuals
and successful entrepreneurs,”
she continues. “That’s how I
define success, and this extends
to helping others, outside of our team,
because the more people we get to help, the
more successful we are as a team and in our
individual careers.”
The team is comprised of people who
share her philosophy. In fact, Handley’s
first member was former client, Michelle
Hanson who first became a friend and then
a team member.
Two of the newer additions who are
particularly significant for Handley, are son
Tyler and now co-team leader, Brad Smith.
“Brad and I have the same goals and
personality,” Handley says. “We like to
see others succeed, we want new and
experienced agents who want to grow
their business. We help by providing them
guidance and the right tools to accomplish
amazing things as real estate professionals.”
BUILDING UP &
BREAKING FREE
Lasting relationships and building a
successful team, while important, are
not Handley’s only aspirations. For her,
real estate has also provided a wonderful
Now coming up on their silver wedding
anniversary, Handley says, among other
things, knowing how to compromise and
share the decision-making has helped
build and sustain their loving and lasting
romance.
“We lived in Montana for the first 12
years of our marriage,” she says. “I guess
you could say we took turns because then
we moved back to Minnesota.”
This philosophy applies to other major
life decisions, such as her transition from a
career of nearly 15 years, to real estate.
“It was something I had been thinking
about for a while,” Handley confesses. “My
husband is in construction, and I’ve always
enjoyed being a part of that world. Timing
is everything I guess, because just about
that time, our daughter Erica, was moving
from McIntosh down to the Lakeville to
pursue her volleyball dreams. It felt like
the time was right to follow my heart (and
daughter) and explore my interest in real
estate.”
STARTING WITH
AN ADVANTAGE
For Handley choosing RE/MAX
Advantage Plus was as natural as fall
harvests back on the farm.
“I’d met with Broker Eric Malmberg
a few times,” she says, “and although I
interviewed at other places, ultimately
it was because of him that I made my
decision. Eric’s philosophy mirrors my
own. He’s all about community service,
family and taking care of yourself health
wise. I immediately sensed something
special about him that resonated with me.”
Rather than specializing or focusing
on one particular segment or price range,
Handley works passionately for every
client, whether the transaction involves
a $60 thousand condo or a multimillion-
dollar property.
“I’m a big believer in treating everyone
equally, which means treating everyone
right,” she says. “I do go above and beyond
helping my clients, whether that’s helping
them prepare their home for photos to
list the property or taking their dog for a
walk while potential clients visit. I want my
clients to be extended the same courtesy,
respect and consideration I would wish for
my parents.”
ShermanKhoPhotography
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4. during a time that can
sometimes be so lonely,”
she says. Thanks to her
interest and support, many
more elders have a little
something to smile about
since Handley became
involved.
“I give my parents all the
credit,” she says humbly. “In
fact, when I informed my
mom and dad about the
award, I let them know that
they are the ones to thank.”
For Lisa Handley and the
Twin Cities Specialists, this
has unquestionably been a
winning season!
All she needed was someone to believe in
her and help her overcome some of the
barrage of obstacles and cruelties life has
thrown her way.”
With this triumphant success, the entire
team is excited to continue, possibly even
expanding their involvement with Breaking
Free.
Recently, Handley was presented with
RE/MAX Advantage Plus’s Community
ServiceAward,notonlyforherinvolvement
with the Breaking Free program, but based
on her overall attitude of giving back and
ongoing support of a variety of worthy
causes, including competing in running
and sprint triathlon events supporting
various nonprofits like Young-Life and
Shriners Hospital. Handley also coaches
volleyball for young girls in Minneapolis.
Lastly and most dear to her heart, and in
honor of her mother and grandmother,
she donates $100 per transaction to a small
nonprofit called D-Joy’s. This homegrown
operation delivers gift bags during the
holidays to residents in various nursing
homes, who have no family or friends.
Handley deems this loving service as “a
bag full of joy.” “I wanted to be a part of
helping to bring a bit of joy to their lives
TWIN CITIES
SPECIALISTS
RE/MAX ADVANTAGE PLUS
17850 KENWOOD TRAIL
LAKEVILLE, MN 55044
(612) 390-6520
ShermanKhoPhotography
Handley with her family. L-R: Tyler, Handley, Erica & Chris.
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