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Not So Random Monday Thoughts

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with ActiveRain

I've seen a lot of people come and go in my professional career. This one is by far the hardest

I want to thank Jonathan for giving me a chance to be by his side for the last 8 years. It's been a great ride. Extremely challenging at times, very satisfying at others. Through it all I've learned so much about myself and about business in general. I'm a much better person for the experience.

Jon doesn't know the difference between a play action pass and a corner blitz, but he's smart enough to know that if you get 108,000 people in one place, the tailgating before that game is going to be worth showing up for. See you in Ann Arbor Jon!

You have never in your life met a more picky restaurant patron......or a better tipper if you get it right

I still get giddy thinking about the first time we ever walked out of a business dealing with a five figure check and a six figure contract. The guy can sell..........he gets that from his Dad.

One of the best stories I have is the night we went to a club in Los Angeles and saw Hugh Hefner, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx. A friend of mine introduced me to Leo.....Jon could have gotten the intro as well, but he was out dancing with Hugh's dates......all 6 of them. It was at the time that Leo and Jamie Foxx were up for Oscars for 'The Aviator' and 'Ray'. Later that night, Kanye West performed live about 2 feet from Jon and me. We didn't know he would be there, heck, at that point I didn't even know who he was. Somehow Jon lost his really nice belt............truth be told, I'm not even sure this happened, it could have been a dream.........

If I could do it over again, I'd make Jon the best man in my wedding. I'm sure during his speech he would get the names right of my wife's brothers, and he wouldn't (inexplicably) make up where he is from in his intro. As it stands he was one of my groomsmen and someone I will consider my friend until the day I die.

Do not play poker with this guy......there are a group of CEOs in Seattle who could vouch for this claim better than anyone else and have first hand experience of the repercussions.

I can't thank my college roomates Tyson and Lance (twins) enough for introducing me to Jonathan. I love all of you like brothers!

I'll miss working with you Jon. I hope we get a chance to do it again at some point in the future. I have no doubt your new venture will be successful and don't worry, I'll hold down the fort here while you knock it out of the park there (that's a baseball term, don't worry, Tyson can explain it to you)

 

 

Posted by

Bob Stewart
ActiveRain Ambassador

 

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Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Bob - I had heard something big was about to happen ....  Now I understand.   I am so sorry that I never got to meet Jonathon, but so happy that you are also not leaving. 

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your schedule to help me last week understand what I needed so I could move ahead.    It all seems so obvious and simple in hindsight, doesn't it? 

Thanks for always being there for all of us in AR - you know I mean it enough to make a spectacle of myself!

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Apr 20, 2011 03:36 PM
Paula Burt
REALTOR , SFR, RECS

Bob, WOW!  Just goes to show you that the only real constant is CHANGE!  Obviously, we all wish Jon the best in his new venture (I for one am checking that out too), and wish the best to Niki and all of you as you find your way in your adventure through the Rain without him at the helm of the ship.  Having met you guys at AC RainCamp, I KNOW all will be well for the future!  You folks are awesome!  And if Jon is the reason for it all, how could his choice of replacement for himself be anything but visionary and wonderful?  Looking forward to seeing how it all plays out...  {{SMILES & HUGS}}

Apr 20, 2011 07:05 PM
Paula Burt
REALTOR , SFR, RECS

Bob, WOW!  Just goes to show you that the only real constant is CHANGE!  Obviously, we all wish Jon the best in his new venture (I for one am checking that out too), and wish the best to Niki and all of you as you find your way in your adventure through the Rain without him at the helm of the ship.  Having met you guys at AC RainCamp, I KNOW all will be well for the future!  You folks are awesome!  And if Jon is the reason for it all, how could his choice of replacement for himself be anything but visionary and wonderful?  Looking forward to seeing how it all plays out...  {{SMILES & HUGS}}

Apr 20, 2011 07:06 PM
Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070
Golden Gate Sotheby's International - Berkeley, CA
Opening the Doors to California Homes -East Bay

I just love this post. It sounds like your lives could be part of the movies, touching, full of inspiration and a general love of life and business. Nice!

Apr 22, 2011 01:47 PM
Robert Courtney
Lihue, HI
Century 21 All Islands, RA, CDPE, MCRE, CIAS

Bob glad you will be staying on at AR.  Jon sounds like a builder.  Once he has something built it is time to move to the next project.  If I am reading the post right, I would wager you two will be working together again in the future.

Apr 23, 2011 05:52 AM
Jay Thompson
Zillow - Seattle, WA

Beautiful tribute Bob, to a *wicked* smart guy. Nicely done... Got any pics of Hef's dates dancing with Jon?

Apr 23, 2011 06:25 AM
C. Lloyd McKenzie
Living Albuquerque - Albuquerque, NM
Living Albuquerque

Bob:

Just wanted to stop by and wish you a Happy Easter

Apr 23, 2011 06:10 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Bob, just reading all the posts about Jon's departure from AR and his new venture. You have been such a big part of the AR culture as well, and I am so happy that you will still be here to guide Nikesh as to what makes this such a special community. I have been in other forums and nothing compares to here.

Sharon

Apr 24, 2011 01:58 PM
Nikki Jenson
Marketing, blogging, facebook and twitter - Seattle, WA
Social Media Seattle Washington

AWEEE this is too sweet!! And definately NEVER EVER play poker with Jon. I can totally see you guys newest blog... Lost in LA they're going to turn it into a reality show and soon you guys will trump Jersey Shore! lol

Apr 27, 2011 08:14 AM
Nikki Jenson
Marketing, blogging, facebook and twitter - Seattle, WA
Social Media Seattle Washington

AWEEE this is too sweet!! And definately NEVER EVER play poker with Jon. I can totally see you guys newest blog... Lost in LA they're going to turn it into a reality show and soon you guys will trump Jersey Shore! lol

Apr 27, 2011 08:17 AM
Susan Goulding
Crown Key Realty, Inc; Tracy & Mountain House Sales and Property Management - Tracy, CA
Northern CA - Tracy & Mountain House Real Estate

I could feel the emotion.... Let's hope Jon doesn't steal you away from AR.  

Apr 28, 2011 04:47 PM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Bob - that was really a beautiful post! Not everyone is lucky enough to have a close friendship like that and I am sure Jon feels the same way! Really a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts like that with us!

Apr 30, 2011 02:50 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bob,

Years ago, in my corporate life, I hated it when the good guys left. It was a bummer.

May 02, 2011 12:45 PM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Such a bittersweet post Bob, your best friend leaving and yet Jon is probably so excited to have some new challenges, how can we hold him back?  He is destined to do great things.  YOU are destined to do the same!

May 03, 2011 02:40 PM
Anonymous
Mott Marvin Kornicki

Nice Tribute!

May 06, 2011 09:30 AM
#89
Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Thank you. This helped...change is hard. One door closes and another opens. Well done!

May 13, 2011 01:02 AM
Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Thank you. This helped...change is hard. One door closes and another opens. Well done!

May 13, 2011 01:03 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Did I comment here yet?

Not sure...but since it was LIKED again on FB here I am...

The one memory of Jon that I have is the first Rain Party in San Francisco where so many of us met the first time. Yea you and Christa too.

Jon had one heck of a party and he was so concerned everyone was having a good time. That showed vunerability to me and it also occured in Orlando at the Rain Party.

Jon truly cared about "us" and if we were having a good time.

WOW

May 13, 2011 01:15 AM
Betsy Schuman Dodek
Washington Fine Properties - Washington DC Area Real Estate - Potomac, MD
SearchPotomacHomes.com

Hi Bob,

I have been so busy in the field that I am just learning about the changes that have taken place at AR. I hope AR stays authentic and a great place to learn, grow and prosper!!!

Betsy

May 15, 2011 11:55 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Bob,

Sounds like you and he are good friends....

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Jun 03, 2011 04:35 PM