Author: rebekahsfrazier

Brent Simpson, Century 21 REALTOR

Each week, we’re going to highlight a different business in the Greater Gardenside area. Our first spotlight is for Brent Simpson, Century 21 REALTOR, with an office located at 1818 Versailles Road. It’s a mix of serious and silly, so we hope you enjoy.

1.  What made you change your career path (accountant to realtor)?  My father had tried to get me to become a real estate agent for 20 years prior.  I became a REALTOR in 2008, to learn the family business and start helping my parents, since they own the company.  My accounting skills are still put to use with my attention to detail, negotiation skills and continual learning.  It is very rewarding to help others choose a home and realize their dream of home ownership.  

2.  What’s your professional realtor motto/slogan/mantra?  “Make Your Move!”

3.  What are the three most important characteristics of a great realtor?  ‘Honesty,’ ‘integrity’, and ‘responsiveness’ are the three most important characteristics in any field.   

4.  Why did you choose to open an office on Versailles Road?  My father chose to open an office on Versailles Road since he loved the classic look of the building, the visibility, the community, and the proximity to our Frankfort Office. 

5.  What’s the greatest advantage of the Versailles Road area for small businesses?  The greatest advantage of the Versailles Road area is that it is full of small businesses that work together and support each other.  It’s a community of diverse and caring people. 

6.  What challenges do you face operating a small business on Versailles Road?  The main challenge of operating a small business on Versailles Road is getting the word out that we are here to serve all, equally.  We are here to help.       

7.  If you could change one thing or make one improvement to the Versailles Road/Greater Gardenside area, what would it be?  The biggest change that we need and the greatest challenge we face in the Gardenside area is affordable housing. 

8.  Do you have a favorite place in the Greater Gardenside area to grab a bite to eat, take a walk, meet with a client, etc.?  Gardenside Park is a great place to relax and take a walk. 

9.  What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?  Butter pecan ice cream is the best!

10.  If you were in charge of planning a concert for the Greater Gardenside area, which three artists would you bring (money is no object, no constraints, anyone you want, total fantasy question)?  Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan and Andrea Bocelli.

11.  What’s the next book you plan on reading?  I’m planning to read “Traction” by Gino Wickman.

12. If you had to choose one actor to play you in the accountant-turned-realtor story of your life, who would it be?  George Clooney, since he is a Kentucky native.

If you’d like to know more about Mr. Simpson or his Century 21 business, he can be reached at (502) 320-4076.

Community in the Time of Pandemic: Masks and Payroll Help

04/30/20

Greater Gardenside Face Masks

Starting May 11, Kentuckians must wear facial masks to protect against COVID-19 when they go anywhere in public. This includes retail shops, grocery and hardware stores, and professional services businesses. As businesses are allowed to reopen, employees must also wear a face mask while working. We are proud to highlight a couple good neighbors that are helping out by making masks for the community. Here’s a message from Greater Gardenside volunteers Marlene White and Rikki Jamalia, owners of Sadistic Mistress Hot Sauces:

Sadistic Mistress Hot Sauces is making masks for anyone that needs one. You can go to facebook.com/sadistic-mistress-sauces-157158377666637 to see the different materials we have for the masks. Just pick the ones you want by number and either post a comment on one of the posts or send a private message via Facebook Messenger. These are 100% cotton and you can ask for ones with filters and/or nose guards. They are machine wash and dry. We are asking $2.00 per mask for those who can pay (that ships it to your front door) but donating masks to anyone who needs them. We have been blessed with several donations for this so we have plenty to donate. If you, or anyone you know, needs a mask, please let us know. We are usually able to get orders out within two days but larger orders (20 or more) might take more time. We will ship to anywhere in the continental US. Stay safe and get a mask! And, yes, we make them for children.

We’ve also heard about Lisa Brawner, who lives in the Greater Gardenside area. As of 04/30/20, she has made 1,089 cloth masks and given them away for free. People have donated money, thread, and material to Lisa in order to contribute to the costs. You can read more about her contributions on the NextDoor post here: https://nextdoor.com/news_feed/?post=143415115

Greater Gardenside Payroll Protection Program Help

Brent Simpson, of Century 21 Simpson & Associates, is offering to assist any Greater Gardenside business with their application for the federal government’s Payroll Protection Program. Here’s a message from Brent:

I am here to help, free of charge, if you have any questions about the process.  I want to help the other Greater Gardenside Businesses in any way that I can.  Here is a short summary of the program: The CARES Act: Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) Loans provides $350 billion of loan relief to small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. The PPP offers forgivable low-interest loans to small businesses facing uncertainty during the COVID-19 emergency, so you can retain workers, maintain payroll, and cover certain other existing overhead costs. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any help.

Here’s Brent’s contact information: Brent Simpson, Century 21 Simpson & Associates, 1818 Versailles Road, 859-455-3321 and 502-320-4076, brentsimpsonrealtor@gmail.com

Community Helpers

As always, we are proud of how the Greater Gardenside community comes together to help each other. Please join us in extending a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Marlene White, Rikki Jamalia, and Lisa Brawner for their homemade face masks. We also appreciate Brent Simpson offering his assistance to local businesses in need of help or guidance with their PPP loan applications. You’ll be able to find Marlene and Rikki this summer at the Greater Gardenside Farmers Market with their Sadistic Mistress hot sauces. If you ever want to attend one of the Greater Gardenside meetings, they take place at Brent Simpson’s Century 21 office at 1818 Versailles Road.