Meet Dakota Crawford | Realtor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dakota Crawford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dakota, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
The work life balance is something that I think about often. I’m a 39-year-old father of a soon to be seven year old and soon to be five year old. Before they were born and when they were very young I used to work roughly 70 hours a week. Getting ahead to invest and create a stable future by increasing my finances was my primary goal. About the time was my son was turning three I realize that I have a small window of time to be involved in this delicate age of their upbringing. So I really opened my eyes to the importance of the work life balance. That went on for about a year at which point I did pull back from the amount of hours I was working and attempted to shift into more of a work as necessary mode. Then the pandemic hit and it seems like all my problems were solved. When my son was born I had got my real estate license. The three years prior to the time pandemic hit I worked on building my Real estate business. After Covid hit I transitioned full-time to a work from home realtor. Now my days are spent at home and work is the second priority to family life. There’s no way that I would’ve been able to do this, had I not put in those extra hours prior to having a family and while my children were very young. Now my balance is working enough to pay my bills and spending all my extra time involved in my children’s life. I see a window where once they turn about 9 or 10 their friends and social activities are going to take their priority over spending time with me. At that point I’ll get back to work but until then we have a roof over our head, food in refrigerator, and our bills are paid. Luxury items and traveling or not important to me, being there for every laugh, every smile, and every tear is what makes my life worth living.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a realtor so my business is my network. What sets me apart from others is that I want to take the long road and not the quick buck. I financially insulated myself before becoming a fulltime realtor so that I can take my time and do things properly. The way businesses run in South Florida is not always up to the highest standards so what sets me a part is taking my time, being honest, doing things the right way, and putting my clients needs first. It is not easy. I overcome that by having the respect and loyalty of my clients, most of which refer me to their friends and family and grows my business. The lessons I learned along the way are really the same lessons I learned going through college. Which is when things seem daunting and far off you have to stay the course and continue to take steps everyday be them small or large towards your goal. Being motivated and having a support network are extremely important in the ability to accomplish what you sit out to . My brand is not unique, I’m an every day run-of-the-mill realtor. My story is unique. I am grateful for my business but the most important aspect of it is what it allows me to provide for my family, which is time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week in Miami may kill some people so let’s call it a three day weekend. They’re staying at the 1 Hotel on South Beach and it’s day one so we’re going to breakfast at the hotel. After that straight to the beach for a boardwalk morning workout followed up by an ocean swim. After that it’s time to head the pool for some lunch at the poolside restaurant Watr. After lunchtime to grab a cocktail and hit up the lounge chairs for a couple hours at the pool socializing having fun. Then time for a little siesta. Afternoon relaxation; whether it’s in your room or at the spa followed up by getting ready for dinner. We’d have dinner at Jaya at the Setia Hotel and would start around 8 to 9pm, things always run late in Miami so let’s say you get out of dinner by 11 and then it’s off to Sweet Liberty cocktails and dancing. Day two you’re a little tired so for breakfast we go to David’s Café for a Cafecito y Pastelitos. After that take a walk on Lincoln Road and do a little bit of shopping. Get back to the hotel about 3pm and go straight to the pool for Saturday afternoon pool party on the rooftop. Today’s the day to day party so that will run well into the afternoon into the early evening. At that point everyone rallies to quickly change and head to dinner at the Gale Hotel to have dinner at Dolce. After a long day everybody heads back to the hotel for one last drink in the lobby before going to bed.
The last day everybody’s excited, breakfast is at the Z hotel at the front porch café on Ocean Drive. After breakfast we take a long walk down Ocean Drive and then back up to the 1 Hotel. When we get back you head out to the beach for a JetSki rental session and then swim in the ocean. Then you head over to the Standard hotel and do a day pass at the spa and pool spend the day there having a relaxing day bayside and end the day watching a beautiful sunset. While you’re on the west side of the island you head over to Sushi garage for one last great meal. After dinner it is still vacation so you go over to the Feana Hotel to the Living room bar and enjoy a couple cocktails to cap off the night.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife, Caterine Garcia was my support and held me down which allowed me to work the extra hours and took care of the house and children. She pushed me to buy time and gave me the encouragement to pursue a better life. She has joined me in a real estate career and has surpassed me and is now my boss lol. My children are my why.