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Main Street Mover: Michele Mazzu




MazzuApril Bowers

MazzuApril Bowers

Michele Mazzu, please tell us a little about yourself. Where were you born, raised, and where do you currently live. What is your current career position?

“I was born in San Luis Obispo, California. I was one of fraternal boy-girl twins. We were put up for adoption as babies and raised together. Thanks to 23 and Me, I have reunited with my California based biological family. It turns out, I fit right in.

I live in Donelson, Tenn., the Best Community on Earth. I am a Crye-Leike realtor and the Metro Nashville Beautification and the Environment commissioner for District 15 that includes Donelson west of Stewarts Ferry Pike.”

Family? Married? Children

“My husband, Randy, and I have three adult children. My youngest is a senior at Nashville School of the Arts. My middle child is a senior at University of Tennessee. My oldest is in marketing with Wesley Financial and lives in Bellevue.”

Where did you graduate high school? College? Degree?

 

 

“I graduated high school in central New Jersey, attended Rutgers University and have a double major in English and women’s studies. I attended the University of Memphis for my master’s degree in teaching, which was all but completed except for the student teaching hours.”

I understand you have three adult children whom you homeschooled their entire education? Why did you choose this option? Where were you? How did it work out?

“As a young, growing family, my husband and I struggled on one income for many years. We lived in an area of Memphis that did not have the best public schools, and we couldn’t afford private school tuition for multiple children. I started to research homeschooling, and with my education, we found it was a perfect fit for our family. We did what’s called Unschooling, which is 100% child led. We knew children were naturally curious, and as they demonstrated their passions, we facilitated their exploring and learning about those passions. All three became high achievers, and are lifelong learners. My oldest son was homeschooled through high school. As my younger two reached high school age, we lived in Nashville, and they both attended or currently attend Nashville School of the Arts.

You worked on your master’s degree in education, I understand. Did you get it? Have you formerly taught?

“I did not get the graduated degree but spent 19 years not only teaching my own children, but also hosting and teaching numerous classes for other homeschooling families.”

You talked about having a hard time finding a job after homeschooling for 19 years. You had a lot of volunteer experience, but you said you could not find a decent job. How frustrating was this?

“Stay-at-home parents work hard; there are a lot of real-life skills, including budgeting, organizing, leadership time management, etc. They are utilized daily, and then when you add homeschooling to the mix, you include even more intense examples of those skills and higher stakes. I was active in homeschooling communities, educational co-ops, and I was a youth sports organizer, leader and board member, as well. Sometimes, I helped out my friends with small businesses on the side. My after-homeschooling resume was packed with skills and experiences, but oddly enough, the work world didn’t think I was qualified for anything, since none of the work I did was for pay. It was frustrating, because I knew how passionate, dedicated and hardworking I am. My husband and I had a real passion for home remodeling, and we bought and sold quite a few houses for a profit. Becoming a realtor was a perfect fit.”

After you moved to Donelson, you got your real estate license. What turned you in this direction?

“As a natural nurturer, I have a passion for helping others, being active in my community, having a longtime love of volunteerism, being a hardworking, independent self-starter and being an extrovert… I already had the skills that made me a great real estate agent.”

You also volunteered at Hip Donelson. What is this? What did or do you do?

“Back when Hip Donelson was young, about 34,000 members ago, I got involved. In case people don’t know, Hip Donelson was the first hip neighborhood page. At first, it was mostly small groups of us supporting local restaurants, doing volunteer work at Fifty Forward and an occasional tree planting. We were all very social. I became good friends with two of the founders, the late Frank Trew and Jeff Syracuse, who later became the Metro councilperson for Donelson. The organization has grown into an amazing, one-of-a-kind organization that does a ton of wonderful things for the eastern side of Davidson County. I had a passion for healthy eating, so I got involved the first year of the Hip Donelson Farmers Market and have done that since. My time is more limited now, but I have been a vendor, helped organize, parked people for many seasons, and my most recent job is to put out the signs each week. I am also a volunteer moderator on the Facebook group.”

I understand you volunteered on District 15 Councilman Jeff Syracuse’s campaign. Are you interested in politics?

“I have always been interested in politics and like to stay informed. I do not have aspirations to be a politician. Especially since Jeff Syracuse and I are such good friends and I see regularly what headaches he has to deal with. He’s a saint.”

I understand you are currently District 15’s beautification commissioner? Were you appointed? What do you do?

“I serve as the vice commissioner on the Metro Nashville Beautification and Environment. I represent District 15, which includes most of Donelson. This is a division of public works. Each district has a commission seat. Because of my personal passion for waste reduction, environmentalism, green living and growing our tree canopy, this appointment made perfect sense. I was invited to this position by Syracuse. The commission helps spread information, educate and work as a liaison between the constituents and public works. I facilitate community cleanup efforts, host educational programs about things such as composting, recycling, waste reduction and tree planting. Community members may have issues with litter or dumping, and I put them in touch with public works folks to get those areas cleaned up.”

What other boards and/or councils are you on?

“I am on the board of the Donelson Gateway Project, an organization and a group of dedicated volunteers like no other. The Gateway Project does tons of wonderful beautification work throughout Donelson. I am also on the advisory council for Fifty Forward Donelson Station. I am a member of the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce and Women in Business.

How do you feel about becoming the 2019 recipient of the Donelson-Hermitage Women in Businesses Heart of Donelson-Hermitage award?

“Wow. Winning the Heart of Donelson Hermitage Award on the inaugural year was a great honor. My goal is helping others, whether it’s donations to local schools, planting trees in the community, answering questions about recycling or helping clients downsize, upsize, relocate or buy their first home. To be recognized for my commitment to giving was a highlight of my adult life.”

How is your real estate career going with Crye-Leike? I hear you like vintage homes?

I am a Middle Tennessee top-producing agent. I was in the top 25 for 2020. Last year, I sold more than $9.4 million in homes. That was my third year as an agent. I am beyond grateful for all the clients who have chosen me to help with this important transaction.

Who is your mentor? Why? Are you a mentee to anyone?

“Real estate is a tough career to break into. I believe 80% of new agents don’t last past the second year. I think there’s something like 13,000 agents in Middle Tennessee. Each agent, although with a brokerage, is independent. You have to be self-motivated. I don’t really have a career mentor, but I am always happy to help new agents.”

If you could spend an evening with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why? What would you ask them?

“Wouldn’t we all like another moment with our loved ones? I have a good friend who died a few years ago suddenly from suicide. No one saw it coming. I would like to talk to him.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received and/or given?

“I was having a bad day a couple of years back and stopped by the Music City Wine and Liquors by Publix. The gentleman working looked at me and asked, “Can I give you a piece of advice?” He said, “No matter who caused the problem, you should be the one who fixes it.” I repeat that often.

Hobbies?

“I love gardening. We have more than an acre in Donelson with seven dwarf fruit trees, five blueberry bushes, flowers everywhere, and we put in a ton of vegetables. Also, my husband and I love live music and really miss going out to shows.”

What would surprise us about you?

“I have been an urban chicken keeper since 2009.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

“I will be living in Donelson. I want to have a real estate team working for me. I hope to schedule regular family vacations. Most of all, I hope to be in a position to do more good in the world.”

Pets?

“I definitely have pets. We have three dogs – two redbone coonhounds and an Australian shepherd – three beautiful kitties, three chickens and two beehives.

Do you like to travel? If so, what’s the favorite place you’ve visited? Where is somewhere you’d love to visit when it’s safe?

“My husband and I used to always take a couple’s trip every few years. I really miss that. I want to go everywhere.

Some answers were edited.

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