When I started admiring Brian Copeland, I hadn’t even met him. I’d heard about him through mutual friends and after looking him up and watching from afar, I knew I just had to get to know him. Brian is one of the most selfless human beings on the planet. Owner of Doorbell Real Estate in Nashville, TN, Brian cares deeply about the consumer’s experience in real estate as well as protecting homeownership rights. He has been an active member of N.A.R. serving on a number of committees and in leadership positions truly embodying what it means to be a Realtor® as well as educating people on what exactly Realtors® do.
Father to two amazing kiddos, Micah and Esther and husband to Greg, Brian is much more than a Realtor®. He is an active member of his community, a photographer, and an activist for anything he deems important. Not to mention, his laugh is my favorite.
In addition to getting to know more about Brian, check out his amazing solution-driven, people-powered real estate conference, REBarCamp Nashville. It is one of my favorite events of the year.
1. Who has had the greatest impact on your life?
Brian’s kids, Micah and Esther showing their pride in Brian’s selfless devotion to NAR.
My son Micah. He has caused me to look in the mirror and question every selfish inch of myself and my motives for everything I do.
2. With a new “smart” something coming out almost every day, what products amaze and astound you?
I love really good ovens. I’ve learned through the years that an oven is like sheets. Don’t skimp on them because they really affect your daily life a lot. Until we renovated our kitchen and said that we wouldn’t put a budget on appliances, I didn’t understand the joy of a good oven. I’m pretty amazed by the Wolf countertop oven and toaster I got my spouse for Christmas. Everything tastes different!
3. Who has been a mentor or inspiration to you?
Elizabeth Mendenhall. Every single day I use something she has taught me. I found myself, just last week, using the exact same words she’d used with me one with one of my agents. When the agent let out a gasp of amazement, I said “Trust me. That’s not my thought. Elizabeth said the same thing to me. I’m just repeating it.”
4. Why is having mentors so important?
I honestly don’t like the word mentor. I believe people have mired its meaning in some of their actions. I’ve seen so many people say to others, “I want to mentor you.” That typically means they don’t like something they see you doing, and they want to fix it if we’re being honest here. (Don’t worry, Brian, we are.)
I think it is more important to have editors. People who love what you’re doing. Enjoy watching what you’re creating, and then when you approach them for feedback they edit with intrigue and insight.
5. What has been your biggest a-ha moment in business or in life?
That arrow on my gas indicator points to which side my gas tank is on. Seriously, I about died after years of getting out, walking around the car I was driving, then having to move it to the right side for fueling. Still to this day I appreciate it so much!
6. With a million things happening at any one moment, how do you manage your time?
I don’t manage my time. I own time. Its 100% mine. I choose every day what to do with it. The biggest secret is saying the right yeses and giving the right nos. Everyone wants your time. You have to say no. I also know how to manage telemarketers. :)
7. What’s the best piece of advice you ever got?
Leadership is about doing things no one else has done before. Jumping on board after someone else is already fully in isn’t leadership. It’s following.
8. What is the best/worst thing about getting older?
The best thing is losing the ability to care a little more every day. The worst thing is only needing four or five hours of sleep and then being done. I love sleep. I miss it.
9. What have you created that you’re most proud of?
The relationship I have with my spouse. We are truly soul-mates. It’s not been a ton of work but sure has been fun to create.
10. If life is a game like some people say, what are the rules?
You can only control yourself. Stop trying to change everyone else. Just be you and let them be them. If you like who they are around you and others, keep them around. If not, look busy when they come by.
If you’re ever in Nashville, or if you ever want to take 10 minutes to have your spirits lifted, take the time to chat with Brian. I promise you won’t regret it!