Gayla Skates-RE/MAX Realty Center

A Kindhearted Agent Nurturing Her Vision to Reality
By Woodie Stephenson

Gayla Skates, Broker/ Owner of newly launched RE/MAX Realty Center in Cypress, TX, is taking all the necessary steps to build a successful franchise while investing in people before anything else. The former top producer has always had a vision of an office where Realtors could receive all the support they needed to succeed in a nurturing, family-like environment. Utilizing the strengths of RE/MAX’s powerful training programs, Gayla is encouraging her new staff to invest in themselves and the agents around them. Due to her tremendous effort and support, Gayla’s franchise is experiencing a tremendous growth as she nurtures her unique vision to reality.

Born in the mill-town of LaFayette, Georgia, Gayla grew up with her older sister, Denise, and her hardworking parents. Her mother, a bank teller, and father, a shift supervisor at the local mill, encouraged Gayla to follow her interests in music, playing piccolo and flute in her school’s marching and concert bands.

“I learned to negotiate from my father…his first answer was always no” Gayla recalls. “So I learned to make my case early on”.

Gayla married her childhood sweetheart, Ricky Skates, who grew up in the same small town. Looking to start a prosperous, new life together, the young couple would relocate to Houston, TX in 1979.

“I’ve never even thought of not being married to him,” Gayla says about her husband of 31 years, “We grew up together and he has always completed me.”

The move to Houston would be relatively short-lived. In 1985 the couple would return to Georgia after Gayla’s mother was given less than 6 months to live. Sadly, Gayla’s mother passed just 5 weeks after their return. While remaining in her hometown to bond with family while grieving her loss, Gayla was inspired to make a career change. Lured by the potential to determine her income through hard work, Gayla set to work pursuing an education in real estate.

“Real estate can be the highest-paying hard job you will ever have or it can be the easiest low-paying job you’ll ever have” says Gayla. If you put your clients’ thoughts and needs first though, you will always be rewarded in so many ways.”

Gayla first got her feet wet working in the Georgia and Tennessee markets under a small “mom and pop” company. Determined to succeed in a late-80s market with high interest rates and inexpensive homes, Gayla put in long hours and went out of her way to please her clients. While most of her peers were content working in just Georgia, Gayla saw fit to get a license in Tennessee so she would be able to help families who sought to relocate across state lines. Despite the market-obstacles she was faced with, Gayla quickly found success selling over $750,000 in property in just her first 6 months in the business, an achievement that got her notice, the Rookie of the Year award of the local board, and an invitation to join her first RE/MAX office. Determined to educate herself to the fullest, Gayla’s next move was acquiring her Broker’s License in Georgia, a grand accomplishment.

Deciding to follow a lifelong dream, Gayla and her husband moved to the town of St. Augustine off the Atlantic coast of nearby Florida. Enchanted by the beautiful beaches, the couple settled into their new home and Gayla worked to re-license herself in the Florida market. Gayla would spend every possible moment at the ocean.

“I love to watch storms come in over the ocean,” Gayla says, “I’d hurry to the beach sometimes during thunderstorms to watch the clouds roll in over the coast. The ocean and its waves center me.”

As fate would have it, Gayla and her husband would once again return to Houston. Discouraged by their series of daunting moves, Gayla took a “four walls” office job rather than reemerging herself in real estate.

“The task of having to learn a whole new city was frustrating for me at first,” Gayla remembers, “Houston seemed more intimidating than other markets because of its size. I didn’t want to have to learn more streets, and a whole new market while building my database all over again.”

As it turns out, working in an office and staring at the same four walls on a daily basis just wasn’t satisfying. Convinced that moving back to Florida would be the best solution for happiness, Gayla called a well-known Houston Realtor to sell her house. Rather than list her property for her, she was hired by him to join his team and give the Houston market a shot. The decision would pay off handsomely for Gayla, who found Houston’s growing market well suited for her skill and expertise.

After a successful 2-year run producing astounding numbers and building a vast database, Gayla decided she was ready to embark upon her most ambitious mission to date: acquiring her own RE/MAX franchise and building a successful office from the ground up. Despite some challenges, it is now a vision that has come true.

“I wanted to build an office that promoted a winning environment – full of synergy where agents would look forward to working alongside one another to achieve success,” Gayla says, “I wanted it so badly and I took a leap of faith; although I didn’t even have my Texas Broker’s License yet, I jumped on the opportunity to buy the franchise and sign the lease for the office. Knowing I just had to make it happen then—the timing seemed so right. I studied hard and 632 hours of classes later I had my Broker’s License, and we were in business.”

Brian Ladewig who worked with Gayla for the past two years states, “Gayla and I had worked together as a team so, I was excited when she made the transition from agent to Broker,” Ladewig remembers, “Gayla has great ethics and leadership; she’s upbeat, good-spirited, helpful, and she is an excellent trainer and mentor to her agents. A lot of great agents have walked through our door since we began and it’s in Gayla’s nature to go to great lengths to make sure they’re successful.”

Another important member of Gayla’s team is Sharon Carver, RE/MAX Realty Center’s office manager. Carver, a RE/MAX veteran and Cypress Creek Lake resident, has contributed her great experience and diligence to help Gayla’s agents.

“Sharon is a godsend,” Gayla says, “She walked in the office immediately after we had opened and I knew it was meant to be; she’s worked previously for RE/MAX offices, lived in our area, and thoroughly knows the business. She has put her license on inactive status to focus 100-percent on aiding our agents in every possible way.”

In less than 6 months of business, Gayla’s visionary office has grown to over 30 agents who are buzzing about the great, new environment they have been blessed to work in. Richard Filip, CEO of RE/MAX of Texas, feels that Gayla has taken advantage of the resources RE/MAX offers to quickly build an environment that attracts Realtors.

“Gayla’s transition from top producing Realtor to Broker and Owner has been very impressive, and she’s generated a lot of energy in her office that is highly attractive and contagious to Realtors,” Filip says, “Agents are looking for an edge, an advantage in competing for business, and an environment that provides the best technology, training, Internet presence, and platform for their success. Gayla has quickly taken advantage of the enormous resources RE/MAX® provides, combined that with her own aggressive scheduling of speakers, training events, and other activities at her office, and has created a vigorous atmosphere of growth and productivity."

The agents in the office are quick to recognize the immense support, synergy, and camaraderie that are present in their new home at RE/MAX Realty Center. “I am thrilled to be a part of RE/MAX Realty Center’s success,” agent Ann Marie Gargano-Parks says, “Gayla is focused on a vision that many agents have been searching for over the years. I believe she is pioneering a path that will lead not only her to prosperity, but also to those of us who believe in her.”

“This is the 3rd office in of my career and I love this office the most,” Melissa Seureau says, “The environment and staff at our office are awesome. Gayla's new office is a step above the competition; we have a state-of-the-art office with flat screen TVs, wireless Internet and an excellent phone system. Our technology impresses clients increasing our success. Gayla is always thinking about how she can promote the agents in her office; she is not a competing broker which means she has the ability to focus on our success. The best part of RE/MAX Realty Center is every agent has something different to offer the group, we all enjoy each other's company, we specialize in all things real estate, and we want to see each other succeed. Now that's a rare combination.”

“I have been selling real estate for over 25 years and I have never had a more supportive, enthusiastic, honest, and caring broker,” says agent Paulette Blackwood Tate, “Gayla always makes you feel that your problems are her problems and genuinely tries to find a quick, equitable solution. Although many competitive workplaces can become selfish, self-centered environments, Gayla has assembled a group of caring and sharing agents that all work harmoniously.”

RE/MAX Realty Center’s associates are proud of the accomplishments that Gayla has achieved in such a short while and look forward to growing with the franchise in the future. Lisa Barker, Marketing Director of StarTex Title, believes Gayla has all the traits necessary for a leader in her industry.

“Gayla has the unique capability of combining gracious charm with perfect professionalism,” Barker says, “She will impact every life she encounters, personally and professionally. I believe this special combination of gifts will lead to great success for Gayla and for her associates.”

“Gayla doesn’t brag about herself,” Katie Jennings of Home Warranty of America says, “she gets the impossible done and continues to lead her office with results and a great attitude.”

When Gayla is not assisting her agents and working hard to build on the strength of her office, she enjoys spending time with her husband in Galveston. Gayla also loves singing and dancing, although she humbly admits, “I’m not that good, I just love it.” Gayla feels that although real estate is a demanding business, it’s important to set aside time for family and relaxation.

“You have to remember to take some time for yourself,” Gayla says, “There’s a lot of pressure in this business to be available 24-7, but it’s important to take time for yourself, family, friends, church, and hobbies.”

Gayla’s number one passion, family, has been a real blessing for her these days; for the first time in her children’s adult lives, they are all able to call the same city home and spend time together on a regular basis. Gayla considers her greatest personal achievements to be her strong marriage and her two great kids. Gayla’s son, Daniel, works as an RN, clinical liaison for IT and her daughter, Stacie, as a Marketing Rep. Gayla, the ‘Grammie’ of 3-year-old Tyler, was recently blessed with a granddaughter, Kelsea.

Gayla’s family has been an amazing support to her vision. She credits her husband as being her “biggest fan and supporter.” Ricky, who works in construction, helped Gayla to manage the construction of her office’s interior. Gayla’s son, Daniel, has been her “IT Guy,” helping to install flat-screen Plasma TVs and high-tech networking systems and computers. Meanwhile, her daughter Stacie helps her to stay on top of paperwork.

The warmth, love, and pride Gayla has for her family is often likened to the manner in which she nurtures her agents in the office. The Realtors at RE/MAX Realty Center often describe their new home as feeling like a family. Gayla, a certified Brian Buffini Mentor, enjoys imparting her knowledge and experience to the agents who join her ranks. She encourages agents to become involved in industry functions so they can expand their social network.

“Believing agents should value being involved in the real estate community,” Gayla says, “I encourage agents to attend as many HAR and WCR functions as they can. Meeting people you may do future business with will give you a good rapport immediately.”

Gayla advises her agents to never stop educating themselves, to remain organized, and to protect their reputation at all costs.

Most important of all in this business, always protect your reputation by doing the right thing.”

Gayla also encourages her agents to give back to the community. Although all RE/MAX franchises are affiliated with The Children’s Miracle Network and Susan G. Komen, the level of involvement is left up to each office. Gayla has made sure her franchise is one of the select that are committed to 100-percent participation. Recently, Gayla organized a visit to Texas Children’s Hospital with over half of her agents in attendance.

“We took an art project with us—6” square pottery tiles and paints which we used to imprint their hands; this helped us to connect with each child. These tiles are glazed and framed in our office as a reminder of our day. This type of activity is something we plan to continue. Our office is also a contributor to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We have mobile mammography scheduled for our office and will be available to the agents as well as the general public. This is something we plan to do annually.”

Gayla seems most intent on preserving the synergy that agents are experiencing at her office.

“I want to maintain the climate where agents are always helping each other,” Gayla says, “I love seeing more seasoned agents helping newer agents. We have agents helping other agents by holding open houses for them; it’s a wonderful thing.”

Gayla’s vision is becoming reality day by day as she takes the time to mentor and nurture her colorful and diverse group of agents. Whether they’re dancing in the conference room after work or having pizza parties together for dinner, the Realtors at RE/MAX Realty Center are developing an amazing kinship together that is transferring over into their daily work. Watching the relationships of her agents develop while her office grows everyday couldn’t make Gayla and happier.

“I’m having a ball!” she says.