It was just May 2013 when Mary Smedley joined Michael Saunders & Company and became Manager of the Englewood office. Since then, she’s been making some wonderful waves – and not just through Charlotte Harbor. Her enthusiastic approach with others has already garnered an impressive list of accomplishments. Thanks to Mary’s encouragement, the Englewood office now has 100% participation (including all agents and staff) in the MSC Foundation. What’s more, she was recently asked by MSC affiliate, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, to create a course for it's online educational platform, Institute. Entitled “Tuning In and Transforming an Office”, she filmed it alongside top Englewood agent Ellen Baker and you can expect it to be available for viewing soon! We asked Mary to share a little background, and though she insisted she was “so boring,” we strongly wonder where this ballet dancing-speech giving-aspiring super hero got that idea (and somehow we suspect we still don’t know the half of it!). Choose one: country estate, city penthouse or beachfront living: Country estate - beautiful mountain home in Montana
The ever graceful Englewood Manager, Mary Smedley.
What is your favorite ice cream? Swiss chocolate almond Favorite cuisine? German What book are you reading now? Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand How did you first find your way to this area? Family vacations. We used to spend every June on Siesta Key at these quaint mom-and-pop style villas called Siesta Sun. What’s funny is my husband, Jeff, in his youth also vacationed on Siesta Key in June. They stayed right next door at the Sandpiper Beach Club. Even before we met each other we were vacationing together! Do you have a special talent? I trained in ballet for 22 years. Two of those years I studied with the Cincinnati Ballet Academy. How did you spend your childhood summers? I was extremely shy. My father was a Marine; he helped me to open up in front of others by having me practice famous speeches. Eventually, I was giving speeches to 200-300 Marines and it got to the point where I could finally take my hands away from my face when I spoke. If you could have lunch with someone from history, who would it be? General Douglas MacArthur. I learned many of his speeches. My father’s favorite that I did was “Duty, honor, country” which was the iconic address he gave at West Point. If you could vacation anywhere in the world where would it be? Sweden What living person do you most admire? Jeff, my husband of 30 years - he is my best friend. What is your greatest extravagance? Christian Louboutin Shoes What do you love about working with Michael Saunders & Company? The talented group of individuals who inspire me everyday What restaurant do you go to more than any other? Luna Ristorante in Venice What is your favorite Broadway musical? Billy Elliot What is the prettiest place you have been locally? Longboat Key What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday? Quality time with Jeff, Angelina and Boomer (my golden retriever son) When you have friends visit from out of town, where do you take them? St. Armands Circle What do you like to cook? Cheesecake What is your favorite TV show? Game of Thrones
From the DC Comics cartoon, Speed Racer, Trixie is a helicopter-flying tough gal who never backs down in the face of danger!
Name one thing on your bucket list: I’d love to fly a helicopter. Growing up we were always around air planes like F/A -18’s and the Blue Angels. My daughter (who wants to be an astronaut) is now learning how to fly a helicopter. It requires dexterity because you have to use your hands and feet… I imagine I could be like Trixie from Speed Racer and fly a pink helicopter :) What did you want to be when you were little? A super hero who saves the world in a cool outfit. I still want to be a super hero and save the world…in a cool outfit. What is your most treasured possession? My father’s Silver Star from the Korean War - it’s the third highest military decoration for Valor in combat under a leadership role.
