Editor’s note: A coronavirus pandemic that saw some of the first cases in the Keys in March changed life in ways no one could have imagined. A checkpoint kept visitors away from the island chain for a time, affecting many jobs, from servers to hoteliers. Policies were changed to address coronavirus spread in the community. Ultimately, the Keys reopened to visitors as workers in the tourist industry returned to work. Each week, the Weekly will highlight a local who spent some time to share their 2020 year. This week, Upper Keys Weekly editor Jim McCarthy met up with Bailey Vonnegut, who recently received her real estate license and now works with Engel & Volkers. She’s also a bartender at Mar Bar in Tavernier.
Describe the year 2020 in one word.
Resilient.
Can you give a specific example of a moment when you realized 2020 was resilient?
During the pandemic, it was hard to find a purpose. It wasn’t until I saw on social media what Mike Forster was doing for the community. Providing hot meals throughout the Florida Keys. I offered to help volunteer and Mike offered me a paying job. A group of us would come in early cook all the food and load it up. On the way down to Key West, I would work on his social media to get the word out. It was after those long hot days handing out hundreds of meals to people less fortunate and watching how hardworking the leaders and people are in the Florida Keys. It was after those long but good days that I had the realization. No matter how resilient a growing hurricane or pandemic, our little chain of islands strikes back more fiercely than most every time.
What canceled activity or event did you miss the most?
I loved the Thursday Art Walk and that sort of thing, and getting with friends and supporting the local community, especially during the holidays because you can buy gifts for loved ones. That sort of thing, I just loved being able to see everyone.
Did you or did anyone you know get sick from COVID-19? My grandma recently passed of COVID-19. I had COVID as well. At first, I thought it was just allergies — I had something similar last year. Constant headaches, runny nose, fatigue and itchy throat. When someone I work closely with came back with a positive test that’s when I realized it must be more.
Did you experience stress in 2020 due to the pandemic? What got you through the stress?
Of course! Whether it was someone telling me some new crazy information on COVID or how so many college graduates were moving home jobless. Taking the real estate exam was extremely stressful. My broker John Gallant had put a timeline on when I should have it taken by in an attempt to push me to get it done. I had heard so many horror stories from other that I just freaked myself out. Thankfully my best friend Rachel Walters had just taken hers and passed so she helped me study. Then the ultimate stress came of having COVID and trying to make sure my father didn’t get sick. There’s no preparation for the amount of guilt and stress that comes with that responsibility.
Do you practice social distancing personally?
I am such a hugger and a people person that it was hard for me to get use to ‘the elbow bump,’ but yes I’ve definitely worked on my social distancing now. When I didn’t work my routine was working, studying real estate, tan/ read my self-help book, cook, pour a glass of wine Netflix repeat. It would get very boring but it made me become more in touch with myself and what I wanted out of life.
What Netflix or other TV/movie programming did you discover or rediscover during the pandemic?
All the HBO shows like “Big Little Lies,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” and “The Undoing.” Another show I liked was “Selling Sunset.” It’s based on a group of young women in LA selling million-dollar listings. It touched on some of the struggles and wins that woman can go through in the industry. They work hard and play harder, I’d love to have our own show down here, where the listings are even more fabulous — in my own unbiased opinion.
What was your best moment of 2020? Negotiating and getting a deal under contract. I love the idea of negotiating and getting a foot in the door and getting that price, and accomplishing goals for people you’re working for and both parties being happy. That moment when the sides agreed and that meeting of the minds … you can’t get too excited because you don’t want to get let down. Still, it’s hard not to get excited. Putting a deal together and meeting the minds was definitely the best moment.
Describe your hopes for 2021.
I want to learn as much as I can and meet as many intelligent people and successful people in the industry as possible, which I’ve had the pleasure of knowing many and they’ve helped me immensely on my journey as a young agent.
I also want E&V to grow. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and the culture we’ve created in our brokerage. I also hope that we look back on this year as a reminder to be grateful for all life’s basic amenities and essential employees.
Any further thoughts on 2020? Small problems are easy to get into and you can’t see anything else. When bigger things happen you have perspective. Not that they’re easier, but they give you something. When she (my grandma) passed recently, I suddenly had so much perspective. Why do I care about some little deal falling through or something someone said yesterday. It’s those tiny little things that we get so wrapped up in. When you take a step back and look it’s not so bad. So I guess, keep 2020 in your pocket so you can keep the right perspective.
