Dan Spransy, Realty Executives Cooper Spransy
IB’s Professional of the Week is the premier way to meet Dane County’s professionals. This week features Dan Spransy, owner/broker, Realty Executives Cooper Spransy.
What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
The most challenging part of my job is saying “no.” I’m an entrepreneur through and through — I love the excitement of taking risks (a weakness for sure), trying new things, and thinking outside the box. However, I’ve learned the hard way, as most entrepreneurs do, that saying “no” and focusing on your strengths makes you or your company unique, and ultimately yields amazing results. The opposite, saying “yes” too much, can lead to a lot of wasted time and money.
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to work with people whom I consider to be some of my best friends. It makes coming to the office so much fun!
Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
I really admire Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos. I love the culture and management style he has created. He thinks completely outside the box, and at times that is so necessary. At Realty Executives, we don’t want to be like everyone else. We want to create something different and truly live it out. Tony has done exactly that.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
Honestly, if I were to take a snapshot of where we are right now, this would be the highlight. It’s been a long road since we started more than 11 years ago, but I knew then that we were building something we would eventually reap the benefits of, and that time is finally here. We have amazing people who truly care about the company and who I can completely trust. I don’t have to micromanage my team, and the more I let them run with what they are good at, the more successful we become!
Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
This one is easy to answer: don't get distracted with other business ideas or ventures. Save your time and money, and stay focused on your one thing.
(Continued)
What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
There is always something going on in Dane County, which makes it a ton of fun. I love the restaurant selection here, as well. Summers are incredible, and if you want to get out of town, there are a lot of parks and places to be outdoors within an hour drive. Working in Dane County has been a true pleasure.
Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
Some may know this, but I was in a band for about eight years. We released five records, got signed by an indie label, were offered a deal by Columbia records, and then broke up while negotiating with Columbia. I still play music with my wife at our church a couple times a month.
What are your guilty pleasures?
This year, I’ve been getting into racing remote control cars with my 4-year-old son. He is obsessed with cars, and I love going to the local RC track with him, working on our cars together, and seeing how fast we can get them to go.
Click here to sign up for the free IB ezine — your twice-weekly resource for local business news, analysis, voices, and the names you need to know. If you are not already a subscriber to In Business magazine, be sure to sign up for our monthly print edition here.
