Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Smoke-Solmes.
Hi Melanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My husband and I moved to Oregon in 2013 on a whim after a road trip along the Oregon Coast, with no jobs and no real plan.
I spent years working in marketing for a large timeshare company in Depoe Bay, Oregon. We moved from the coast to Central Oregon in 2015 to help open a new resort in Bend. When it was time to change careers, Real Estate was my first choice. I took the exam and failed it. I ended up getting a different job as a Business Development Manager for a consulting company, and it was a strong stepping stone in my career path. Unfortunately I was laid off due to Covid, and knew it was time to pull those books out again. This time, failure wasn’t an option.
I got licensed and spent the next three years working full-time in real estate while bartending during the day, showing houses, writing offers, and doing open houses whenever I could. I found that real estate was about so much more to me than selling houses. It gave me a way to serve people, connect with my community, and build something of my own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not long after getting laid off, I lost my dad to liver failure, and then my mom unexpectedly passed away the following year from Covid-19. Those were some of the hardest years of my life. Every challenge I’ve endured has made me become a better person and agent.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a broker with Knightsbridge International Real Estate, a boutique brokerage with a beautiful location in Downtown Bend and an office in London. I’m grateful to be surrounded by experienced professionals who have helped me grow and succeed in this business.
I specialize in helping buyers relocate to Central Oregon, particularly La Pine. I love helping people find not just a house, but a place where they can build the life they’ve dreamed of. Whether that means a small acreage, room for animals, a garden, or simply space to breathe, I bring local knowledge, honest guidance, strong negotiation skills, and a calm, positive energy to what can often be a stressful process.
My brand is rooted in community, authenticity, and the belief that people should feel comfortable being exactly who they are. I don’t believe there’s one way a real estate agent is supposed to look or act. I bring my own personality, a little fun, and a lot of determination to every transaction, while making sure my clients feel supported and confident from start to finish.
Outside of real estate, community is a huge part of who I am. I’ve served on the board of directors for Every Child Central Oregon for the past two years, continuing my involvement with foster care and working toward bringing more resources to our small community. I also helped to start a local book club nearly three years ago, and watching those friendships grow has been incredibly rewarding.
I’m especially passionate about homesteading and self-sufficient living. My own small-acre homestead is always evolving, whether I’m raising chickens, canning and preserving, or learning something new. I also love creating pottery. These interests are a big part of my life and allow me to connect with clients who share a similar dream of having space, animals, gardens, and a little more room to live.
What sets me apart is simply being myself. I want everyone I meet not just my clients to feel welcomed, comfortable, and accepted. I never meet a stranger, just like my dad taught me. That genuine connection, along with hard work and a commitment to my clients, is what I’m most proud to build my brand around.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never give up. Life is always going to throw obstacles in our way, and sometimes there is no easy way through them. But I’ve learned that you have to keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time.
I’ve learned to love myself enough to keep going, to not let failure define me, and to not settle for what life hands me. The small choices we make every day really can change the direction of our lives. For me, staying positive, setting a goal, and refusing to give up has changed my life.
Change is never easy, but if you keep showing up for yourself, eventually those little steps start to come together. Never give up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Melaniesmoke.realestate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18TnXz2Xty/
- Other: Central Oregon with Mel on facebook
