Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/FAN – Meghann Barnett and her dog Lewis enjoying welcoming visitors to her Eaton Rapids office at 104 E. Knight St., tucked in at the former PNC Building.)
Meghann Barnett is not just pretty in pink, she’s productive.
The Eaton Rapids native and 2002 Greyhound graduate, knows her city inside and out, and now makes it her business to do so.
After about a dozen years in real estate, working side by side with Lynn Ball at Arrowhead Reality, Barnett is on her own in downtown Eaton Rapids, owning Meghann Barnett Real Estate, with Keller Williams Realty, Lansing. She opened her office in May.
You can’t miss her pink awning on the side of the former PNC bank at the corner of Knight and Main streets, nor her welcome smile, nor the enthusiasm of officemate, Louis, her friendly Golden Retriever.
Her current location was destined. Barnett was on a tour of the building and when she got to what is now her office, a former storage space, she noticed a pink party decoration hanging from the ceiling.
She said she thought “this is going to be my office one day.” And so it is, resurrected from years of dust and clutter, keeping the brown wood paneling and wood molding, and of course, adding splashes of pink.
Why pink? “Simple. It stands out,” Barnett said.
So does the large meeting table that graces the office, a leftover and homage to the days, Barnett said, when banks laid out the paperwork for loan and mortgage transactions on large tables such as this one.
Barnett has a knack for remembering what counts.
She grew up on a farm and with her parents support, trained and showed Arabian horses.
“They said your horse, your responsibility,” Barnett recalled, as well as the 5:30 a.m. morning chores before school. It showcased her self-motivation. She also played tennis as well.
After graduation, she sold her horses and went to college at Ferris State University, where she studied for and became a dental hygienist for about 10 years.
Barnett married her high school sweetheart. And the couple have three children.
Barnett realized she did not want to be in an office all of her life, and when her middle son developed health issues (he is fine today), she scaled back.
She and Jeremy worked with Arrowhead Homes in Eaton Rapids when they built there home. It interested her enough to want to work with the company.
She was attracted to the business because it included the characteristics she enjoyed when she worked, namely “responsibility and relationships.”
There are plenty of rules and regulations to deal with, state, local and federal.
She learned from Lynn Ball at Arrowhead and now, she eagerly seeks learning opportunities to earn certifications and skills.
“The job is about networking and reputation. The longer you are in it, the more contacts you make,” Barnett said.
While real estate is a “whirlwind” business at times, it also offers a flexible schedule for this mom. “There has been a kid in my truck for 10 years now,” Barnett said.
The children have also helped work at open houses, greeting people and learning how to work with others.
A recent project for Barnett is featuring local businesses on her Facebook. She makes a video released on Fridays, spotlighting Eaton Rapids neighbors. Linda’s Salon, Bonnie View Golf Course, and Mark’s Place have been recent features.
The project offers Barnett and her spotlight businesses opportunities to partner on offers and specials.
Find her on Facebook at Meghann Barnett Real Estate, at 104 . E. Knight Street, or by calling 517-819-0779.
