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May Aston RE/MAX Alliance Group
By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa
Photography by Chad Spencer
When it comes to building a successful real estate career, May Aston has chosen to define, rather than follow, the rules. Early on, she built her business by working with first time buyers with challenged credit, a move that had many of her colleagues scratching their heads. “I was told I was crazy and wouldn’t be able to sustain a business,” she recalls. “But that became my niche, and enabled me to build a loyal clientele who eventually helped me to expand my services.” She adds, “Had I decided to stay in a safe comfort zone, I don’t believe I would be around today.”
Her business has evolved thanks to May’s forward-thinking approach and her willingness to explore her professional options. Even during a challenging market, she’s expanding her services and building a team to assist in the demands of growing responsibilities. Though her clientele is now a diverse group that includes buyers, sellers, investors and asset managers, one element of her business remains constant: the level of service that she offers to every customer. “I operate with honesty and ethics, building relationships based on trust with my clients,” she offers. “I treat every client with the utmost respect, from first-time buyers to million dollar sellers.”
While her success can largely be credited to her knack for sales and her commitment to staying at the forefront of changes and developments within her profession, May acknowledges the individuals whose support has enabled her to better build her business. Among those are her team of professionals, which include full-time assistant Kim Abraham, weekend assistant Gail Eldridge, and her business partner Sherri Fox, whom May affectionately refers to as “my right arm.” Together, the team has carefully focused and targeted their business to accommodate market shifts, finding consistent success in their endeavors.
A firm believer in the importance of giving back to one’s community, May has shared her talents and knowledge with others as an active member of the Manatee Association of Realtors®, where she served as president in 2007. “That was an exciting year,” she recalls. “In addition to building a new association building, we also successfully negotiated the implementation of a regional MLS, which extends from Orlando to Port Charlotte.” Though early signs of economic troubles were becoming visible that year, May and her colleagues still found a way to make an impact on others in need. Under her leadership, a group of Manatee County Realtors® teamed up with local businesses and media outlets to found a project called “My Community Makeover,” their version of the popular television series “Extreme Home Makeover.” Though their aspirations were simple – to complete one home makeover in 2007 – the group found that the idea was simply bigger than they’d anticipated.
“Our selection committee became so passionate about the applicants they were reviewing, that we ended up selecting five families for the project,” recalls May. “We definitely got more than we bargained for,” she laughs, noting, “We’re still working with the families today!”
May credits her family, including husband Greg McDowell, son Ryan and stepson Andrew, with helping her find a balance between her personal and professional lives. She looks forward to continuing to build her cohesive team of knowledgeable real estate specialists, and to capitalizing on the opportunities that her industry continues to present.
May Aston
RE/MAX Alliance Group
3007 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Telephone: 941-545-3417
mayrealtor@aol.com [2]
www.MayAston.com [3]
www.MyCommunityMakeover.com [4]
Photos: May with husband Greg McDowell and partner Sherri Fox.
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