What's Up with Lynnea Miller?

1. What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first real job, outside of babysitting, was working at a diet restaurant called "Skinny Haven" as a To Go Girl. Basically, I would run to go orders from the reception area to the kitchen and make sure they were filled. This evolved into being a receptionist and a waitress. I learned the value of working very hard (my feet would hurt after a long shift) and what tips were!

2. How long have you been in the real estate or related service industry?

I got involved in real estate when my husband became a general contractor in 1994. I sold many of his homes "for sale by builder" before I got my license in 2000. Once I had my license, I was hired as a receptionist/marketing person who quickly became the office manager and 3 years later, the managing Principal Broker.

3. What is your biggest fear and what have you done to try to conquer it?

My biggest fear used to be public speaking. I got over that by years of teaching fitness classes. When you can tell people where to go and what to do to get a good workout, while yelling at them to be heard over loud music, while facing away from them and looking at them through a mirror, and sweating and jumping and dancing at the same time, public speaking is a breeze.

4. What would you do if you knew you would not fail?

Hold for political office.  I would like to make a difference and knowing I would not fail in that job, there would be a lot of satisfaction.

5. What is a habit you would love to eliminate or change?

I talk to myself quietly during the day when I am under pressure.  I need to get over that.

6. What is your favorite meal (forget about calories or what you shouldn’t eat)

My Mother's homemade spaghetti and meatballs. She would make it for me each birthday along with chocolate cake.

7. What is something you wish you’d done?

Travel more.  We have delayed this and worked for decades to the point it may be too late in our lives to see all we have wanted to see. 

8. Who has been most influential in your life?

I married young and my husband has been my biggest critic as well as my biggest fan.  I have to say he has influenced me a great deal during all the years we have been together. 

9. What are your favorite business-related books?

I don’t read as many business books as I should.  Probably The Five Disfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable is my favorite. 

10. Other than business books what are your favorite things to read?

I enjoy suspense books such as those written by Mary Higgens Clark, some fantasy books such as those by David Eddings, and murder mysteries – Agatha Christie is hard to beat.

11. What are your top 5 favorite movies?

The original 3 Starwars movies were wonderful.  The Princess Bride and Ladyhawk are great and of course, who doesn’t appreciate The Sound of Music?  Obviously my movie choices are from a while ago – haven’t been out to the movies in years.

12. If I came to visit your city for one day what is the one thing I must do or see? 

If you can hike at all, I have some of the most beautiful wilderness scenery in the country to show you!  If you can’t hike, there are still places I can drive you to in order to view some of the reasons why people move to Central Oregon.

13. If I came to your city to visit for one day what is the one restaurant you would recommend?

The Pine Tavern is probably the oldest nice restaurant in Bend; there is a very old pine tree growing out of back part of the restaurant.  And the scones which are served with every meal are pretty incredible.  The location on the Deschutes River is also hard to beat. 

14. If I was going to relocate to your area what advice would you give me that is unique to the area?

Our housing provides for many options. From city living in small condos or expensive luxury homes to large acreage properties complete with septic fields, wells, and irrigation rights, we do it all.  You will have to figure out what is most important for you, your lifestyle and your budget in order to determine the best property for you. 

15. Do you have any special talents?

I am physically fit, although I don’t know if that is a talent.  Teaching fitness classes does take tenacity and stamina. 

16 Do you have any quirks?

My husband will probably say my number one quirk involves me being very determined to get a workout in every day. I have to move and sweat in order to feel good about the day.  That workout also helps me keep my head level during stressful situations. 

17. What is your best character trait?

I am very dependable and an extremely hardworking individual. If I say I will get something done, I do.   

18. Have you ever done anything you would never do again because it was too hard or too dangerous?

My husband and I traveled via train in Europe for two months when we were young.  We had no set schedule and when we got off the train and liked the city we were in, we would stay longer.  If not, we would get on the train and go to the next city we were interested in visiting.  We are not that spontaneous anymore and plan things out.  

19. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?

 I love to hike and I love to read.

20. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you want to live?

Tough one to answer.  I do love Central Oregon and have lived here many decades.  However, the town is changing tremendously.  When we first moved here, the population was 20,000; it is now over 100,000 and many of the newer transplants have such a different way of looking at the world it is hard for us old timers to find commonality with them. Change is not always for the better.

21. What is something that we don’t know about you that would surprise us?

I am a pastor’s daughter – the youngest of 3 – and my dad baptized me, confirmed me and married me. I wouldn’t give up that experience for anything.