As part of our around the world series, we are interviewing people with interesting stories from around the world. Today, we have the lovely Jamie Murdick from Sarasota, Florida. We sat down with her to chat about travel, luxury and of course, real estate.
Name: Jamie Murdick (will be Jamie Coppens come April 1, 2017!)
City: Sarasota, Florida
Occupation: Realtor
Bio: Hi, my name is Jamie. I’m an Emmy-awarding winning documentarian, a blogger, a fashion collector, a champagne admirer, and I’m obsessed with traveling. I’ve worked in television, at an ad agency, and for a defense company, but my favorite and most successful career is the one I share with my partner and fiancé Mark Coppens. We’re both realtors, and together we are a team called The SRQ Duo. We specialize in Sarasota real estate with a focus in the Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, Downtown, West of Trail, and Lakewood Ranch markets. We have a small designer dog whom we call” the baby”, but his real name is London. Told you I had a thing for traveling!
Travel Style: That depends on the destination and the client, of course. For instance, I dress more conservatively in the Middle East than anywhere else in the world. It’s important to know and respect the culture. That said, I never sacrifice style. Solid-colored maxi dresses that flow in the desert breeze pair beautifully with designer scarfs. I always pack two bold-patterned BCBG scarfs to conceal my hair or drape over my shoulders when I’m feeling like I need a little extra coverage. And I always buy one while I’m there! France is where I have the real fun though. There, my style is very fashion-forward. I thoughtfully coordinate each outfit to include accessories and a variety of shoe ware, but I always leave enough suitcase space for the handbag that I came with because shopping at the Louis Vuitton flagship store on Champs–Elysees is a must. What better way to celebrate closing a deal?
Favorite Destination: Our pursuit to bring our sellers qualified international buyers has taken us to some fantastic countries, but in terms of which place I prefer the most, London, England always takes the cake. Over the years, we’ve discovered amazing restaurants and bars; we enjoy the parks and tourist sights; there’s no language barrier; and we finally get to wear our winter coats! Best of all, Londoners really do adore America, and Florida in particular. To them, owning a holiday home on our Gulf shores isn’t just a dream – they actually do it.
Necessary luxury: My devices. I never leave home without my Apple MacBook, iPad, or iPhone – and cringe when I forget my adapters and converters. I require all three devices to manage our clients wherever we may be, and abroad. When it comes to the social itinerary, I couldn’t do it without technology. I use my iPad to peruse and select restaurants and bars to host our clients at. The iPad is also very handy to showcase property photos and videos. I use my iPhone and Uber app to transport our clients in style. I’m always texting and using maps, and we always stay social on The SRQ Duo’s Facebook page!
3 Travel Things You Can’t Live Without:
- My Diane Von Furstenburg toiletry bag. This is where style hides necessity. Within it’s two-tone world map design, I store TSA-sized lysol spray, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, toothpaste, mouthwash, a toothbrush, a hairbrush, makeup remover facial wipes, face makeup, an eyebrow pencil, and chap stick. I like to enter a new country with a fresh face.
- Several Five-Hour Energy bottles in a gallon ziplock bag. Real estate never sleeps, so I depend on these to navigate my jet-lag. When the deal is done, I sleep like a baby.
- A few designer scarfs. I happen to consider scarfs my most versatile accessory. In fact, I never leave home without one. With a simple scarf, I can warm my shoulders in a cold office meeting, cover my upper body to tour churches or temples, conceal my hair in mosques, prevent the cold Canadian wind from creeping into my coat, drape my legs on a chilly English night, or lay it down atop grass to have a spontaneous picnic onlooking the Eiffel Tower.
What does travel mean to you?
To me, travel means opportunity. An opportunity to found a new professional relationship, dine someplace new, or close a deal. I’ve always enjoyed traveling, and made it a priority to do so. Mark, my partner and fiancé, has valued travel in the same way. That’s why deciding to travel as The SRQ Duo in an effort to find our sellers qualified, often all cash, buyers made perfect sense. Our services have no limits, and our buyer search knows no bounds.
One of your guilty pleasures?
Ask anyone, my guilty pleasure is champagne – only I never feel guilty sipping it. I am enamored with bubbly! It began six years ago when one of my French clients gifted me with a bottle of Perrier Jouet brut champagne on my last night in Paris. The bottle was so gorgeous and the sentiment was so sweet. I felt more ladylike, mature, and accomplished with each bubble that passed my lips. Quite honestly, Mark and I own more champagne flute varieties than most other types of glassware. In fact, we use our very own flutes when we host our champagne open house!
What does luxury mean to you?
In my opinion, luxury translates to indulgence, comfort, and enjoyment. I am one of those people who tries to maximize my experience and enjoyment of all things, at all times. I never refuse champagne; I take time to enjoy art; I select and prepare floral arrangements for our home weekly; I prefer the seat/table/hotel room with the best view, and collect fashion with a sense of pride. I may not need anything, but if I want for something, I’ll work hard to make it mine. I bring that same style of eagerness and enthusiasm to procuring new listings!
Your favorite luxury item:
While I did get my mother’s smile, I did not inherit her shopping genes. She recently visited us (in Sarasota, FL) and insisted that we go consignment and thrift shopping. With the exception of vehicles, I don’t buy pre-owned. But on this particular Monday, Sarasota’s secondhand styles did not disappoint! I found a fur coat that makes me look and feel like Amy Adams in the film American Hustle! I know what you’re thinking: why do you need a fur coat in Florida? And you’re right; I don’t need one at all, but I am glad to have one for our upcoming travels to cooler weather. I’m looking forward to our next Toronto trip!
Your best travel tip:
I recommend budgeting your time and money well in order to be able to make the trip, and make the most of it while you’re there. It breaks my heart when people say, “We don’t have money to travel.” The reality is, none of us do, but we find a way to make it happen. Make it happen! That said, I also suggest splurging. Live a little! You’re on your dream vacation, celebrate it! Buy that fancy bottle of wine. Reserve the private tour. Book the room with the best view. Trust me, it’s the unique moments of luxury like this that you’ll remember the most. Save to splurge!
When you’re ready to find homes for sale in Sarasota Fl, call Jamie at The SRQ Duo!
(941) 444-0436
http://www.thesrqduo.com