She gave some thought to being a journalist, became a nurse, then a realtor — and found her life’s work.
“Real estate was not a career I ever considered until I was an adult,” explained Melissa Rodgers. “I wanted to be a journalist and help make a difference in the world.”
“Then when I was 19 I was having a home built in Delaware and the builders asked if I would come work for them on the weekends,” Rodgers continued. “I did that for a few months, but with two small kiddos I needed to be home with them.”
“A real estate agent who was working there asked if I could assist her periodically,” she added. “I did that for about a year and absolutely loved it. However, it was demanding with two small kids so I stepped away, knowing that someday I would come back to real estate.”
Today, Rodgers sells real estate with HER, REALTORS®.
“I do this every single day because I love it,” she said. “I get to step into people’s lives and help them with one of the biggest financial decisions they’ll make. I get to be a shoulder to cry on when it’s that family home that has to be sold because of someone’s passing, or when a divorce makes it impossible to keep a home. I get to help that family as they’re growing and need that extra bedroom or that veteran who’s spent 10 years all over the world and they’re finally home and ready to set roots.”
“It’s as honorable as when I was a nurse sitting at the bedside of a sick patient,” she added. “I don’t see a difference.”
Rodgers was a nurse prior to real estate.
“Both people need someone who can reassure, and help them understand and get through what’s happening,” she noted. “They need an advocate, someone who’s compassionate and who’s listening to them. I believe that’s my role as an agent, just as it was when I was a nurse.”
Rodgers grew up in the rolling hills of Coshocton County, near Warsaw. She went through the River View School District there. In fact, she said her family “has been attending this school district for over 80 years.” She went on to Hondros College of Nursing in Westerville, then attended Hondros College of Business to earn her real estate certificate.
She joined HER, REALTORS® in 2018.
“Melissa is truly an exceptional agent,” assessed Harley Haas, regional vice president of the Gahanna HER, REALTORS® office. “It’s been rewarding to watch someone so committed to excellence, her clients, and the community she serves succeed.”
“I love where I am in life,” Rodgers responded. “Every experience has brought me to this place. Every home I have personally bought/sold/built has made me a better real estate agent. Every patient I’ve cared for has made me a better real estate agent. I don’t think any lesson in life should be wasted. I bring them all with me now into this present space.”
Melissa Rodgers HER, REALTORS® is located at 132 1/2 S. Main St. in Marion. For more information, call 740-513-8956 or go to melissarodgers.herrealtors.com.
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at news@marionstar.com.
