Getting to know: Linda Terry

By: Times-Dispatch Staff | Times-Dispatch
Published: January 07, 2012

Title: auctioneer, broker and partner with Tranzon Fox Auctions

Born: White Plains, N.Y.

Education: Nishimachi International School, Tokyo; American School of Paris; Greenwich (Conn.) High School; Indiana University Certified Auctioneers Institute

Career: real estate auctioneer; past owner of The Antique Gallery in Carytown; "and many different positions" with Thalhimers department store

Where do you live? Richmond, south of Cary Street

Best business decision:

"Becoming self-employed. It takes guts to put your own life and that of your family in your own hands. Joining with Tranzon Fox and watching us grow into a national real estate auction franchise. Also, taking on the federal government by successfully bidding on the Resolution Trust Corp. auction opportunities as a local woman business owner."

Worst business decision: "Becoming self-employed. No, seriously, I would have to say it would have been keeping a business open for three years too long, trying to turn it around when the idea was past its prime."

Mistake you learned the most from: "A recent occurrence — thinking that the real estate market would never experience a severe, prolonged downturn. This will be a very valuable lesson for the future, both professionally in dealing with clients, and on a personal level as well. I guess the passage of time is the thing — eventually you live long enough to see trends and cycles come and go."

First job after college: "You assume I went to college. I didn't, but thankfully, my children did — and more. Earning advanced auctioneer certifications at Indiana University was the closest I came to a college experience. My first real job was with Thalhimers department store. They were very good to me, and my career there rose to a director level."

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently? "I would start networking and relationship-building sooner in life. I would definitely have gone to college and married later."

Movie that inspired you the most: "Chariots of Fire" because of "the two young men who refused to let their faith take a back seat in their lives."

Favorite/least favorite

subject in school: Favorite: poetry and French. Least favorite: chemistry. "Chemistry kept my A's from being straight. Dropped it faster than a flaming marshmallow."