So, I last left you with a very brief description of the last time I switched brokerages...

Larry asks me if I have time at 2:15 to chat.  I don't then, but I did "now".  So we did it right then.  I knew what was coming - I think I'd expected it even sooner.  I just want to get it over with.  He asks me to close the door and sit down.  I do.

"I have two questions for you, and I hope you answer them honestly"

1.       " I know you hope to have a brokerage someday.  I've heard someday is coming up.  Is it true that you are looking to do this in the near future?"

I smile somewhat embarrassed and say, "I'd hoped I wouldn't me making this move until late October with a grand opening November 1, but yes, it is the works"

 2.       "Have you attempted to recruit any of my agents?"

"I do not feel what I've done should be construed as soliciting the agents at RE/MAX.  I have discussed my ideas for office policy, training, and my own thoughts on how I want to run a brokerage.  If it was construed as recruitment, it was not the intention."

Of course, now I'm almost shaking.  I respect this man, and I've worked with him for about six years.  We've always been able to talk, and even when we disagree, it is always done with respect.  In some ways, he is my mentor.  I think I'm about to lose a friend.

Larry continues: "Of course you realize, I am going to have to ask you to leave RE/MAX and clean out your office.  Do you think you can do that by Monday?"

Wow.  Five days to clean out my desk.  And ten minutes until I pick up my husband at the airport.

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I'm not sure what to tell Chris when I pick him up a few minutes later.  He's not quick to forgive and never forgets, and when I left my first brokerage after 3 years, it was a gut wrenching experience.  First, I was deeply hurt.  I cried for three days, even after I'd made up my mind where I was going and that it was the right move.  Months later, I reached the anger portion of my grief.  It took months to rebuild my business, and I was pretty cranky throughout the process.  While it had worked out to my advantage over the long haul, it wasn't an easy process.

I don't think he really heard me when I told him it was going to be different this time.