The Day The World Stopped

March 11, 2020. The first case of the new strand of novel coronavirus was reported in Arkansas. Questions about the new virus would be muffled behind the sounds of panic. Toilet paper shortages were rampant. Arkansans were preparing to hunker down in the face of the new virus. 

Meanwhile, in Harrison, Arkansas, Jamie McClendon was in full test mode. Standing between her and a real estate license were the two required tests needed for acquisition. She was calm, ready. Her instructors had already told her it may take a couple of attempts to get both tests passed. Those words were heard, yes, but overtaking them was a quiet confidence and determination. This would be her day. 

Across the rest of the state, panic was beginning to set in. Grocery stores were emptied as people prepared to stay in their homes and ride out the coming pandemic. The first case, a presumed positive in Pine Bluff, had officially been announced. 

Across the rest of the state, panic was beginning to set in. Grocery stores were emptied as people prepared to stay in their homes and ride out the coming pandemic. The first case, a presumed positive in Pine Bluff, had officially been announced.

As the day wore on outside, Jamie was finishing the exams standing in the way of her new career. This had to work, a single mom of four had to make it. This was her chance. Those tests were the obstacles she was determined to overcome. And finally, the results came in. 

She passed both exams.

Driving from Harrison back to Russellville, Jamie stopped at the Buffalo River. She had to make a phone call. 

"The first person I called wasn't even my mother. It was (executive broker of Alethes Realty) Brent Preddy. 'Brent, I did it! I passed them both!"

As Jamie drove home, excitement and optimism were abundant. After all of the studying and labor, she had passed her exams. Her new career was waiting for her. Her final hurdle, paying for the license, would be cleared later that week. 

March 14, 2020. Jamie cleared the final hurdle. She was now a licensed real estate agent. The future was bright. 

The next day, an historic announcement cast doubt on not only Jamie's future, but the entire state. 

Governor Asa Hutchinson announced on March 15th the pivot to virtual learning for every school in the state, with a hope to return in two weeks. The students wouldn't return for the rest of the year. Over the next few weeks, restaurants, bars, hotels and other businesses were ordered closed to combat the pandemic. 

While the announcements continued to pour in over the next few weeks, Jamie was still determined. "(The virus) was a very big concern for me, as a single mom of four who solely depend on me. It  made me more driven, like 'now you have to make this work." 

And she did. In her first two weeks, Jamie secured her first deal, to her mother. "I asked  (broker) Brad (Niemann) if I could count that," she laughed. 

The aforementioned Niemann was stunned by Jamie's success. 

"I have been selling real estate for eighteen years and I have never seen anyone come in and do as well as Jamie McClendon has in her first year. Her grit and determination is unmatched among new agents in our industry." - Brad Niemann

"I have been selling real estate for eighteen years and I have never seen anyone come in and do as well as Jamie McClendon has in her first year," Niemann said. "Her grit and determination is unmatched among new agents in our industry."

"Apparently it's rare what I did here," Jamie said. "I have great teachers." 

"In my first calendar year I did $5 million in real estate sales," Jamie said.

"You have to keep going, you have to push forward. That's what everybody here does. We are a team and we are always busy."