Tony Jackson Ranks at the Top in Real Estate Sales

 

In 2 1/2 years, Tony Jackson has managed to reach the
top echelon in real estate sales, raking in $8 million alone
in 2021. (Courtesy Photo)

In 2021, Tony M. Jackson hauled in a hefty $8 million in real estate sales – and it was only his second year as an independent agent with Weichert Realtors, SPM, an independently-owned and operated franchise in Bartlett, a suburb of Memphis.

Jim Weichert is president, chairman and CEO of Weichert Companies. Bill Scavone is president and COO of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. in Morris Plains, N.J., and oversees more than 350 affiliate offices in 41 states. 

The Weichert affiliate in Bartlett is owned by Harry Spore and his wife Missy. 

Of the 22 agents selling residential and commercial real estate, Jackson, who calls himself the “Agent with the Ascot,” ranked No. 1 in sales. He also ranked among the top-tier of 3,144 Weichert agents on the regional level, coming in at No. 23. 

In January, Jackson was accepted as a first-year member of the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS^®Multi-Million Dollar Club. He was cited for his accomplishments on Feb. 19.

“I congratulate you on this significant accomplishment, which requires considerable drive, planning and business acumen,” Rachel Baggett Gilliam, president of MAAR Multi-Million Dollar Club, wrote in part to Jackson in a congratulatory letter.

“A second-year agent doing that much business is a lot,” said Jackson, touting his stupendous $8 million windfall in one calendar year. “It's basically saying that once you make the club, you kind of know what you're doing.”

Also in February, Weichert Realtors tapped Jackson for the President's Platinum Club Award. He noted the award is one level below the President’s Gold Cup Award. Of 7,289 agents, Jackson ranked No. 125. 

Weichert Realtors bestowed the honor upon Jackson during its Tennessee Valley Awards Banquet on Feb. 26 in downtown Nashville’s Omni Hotels & Resorts.

“When you put your mind to something, you know, things happen. It's always been the story of my life,” Jackson said. “I just attribute it to staying faithful to God and staying a good person.”

Social media was all abuzz with congratulatory posts from well-wishers who’re familiar with Jackson’s commitment to excellence and his propensity to go beyond the call of duty.

Others who may not know Jackson as well also lauded his efforts. 

“Praise the Lord for your blessings,” Lillian Ford posted.

His uncle chimed in too. “Way to go Tony,” Michael Royston posted.

“Awesome,” Jackson’s mother-in-law, Grenda Franklin-Poole, posted with emojis for two thumbs up, and added: “I’m so proud of you.”

More kudos poured in with just as much fervor for the 38-year-old, who is married to Franklin-Poole’s daughter, Monica Jackson, the mother of their children, Brennan, 8, and Bailey, 4.

After assessing his sales volume for the first quarter of this year, Jackson believes he’s off to a great start, and added that he could match last year’s sales record, or even exceed it. 

“I'm almost a fourth of the way now,” he said. “So, I'm on track.” 

Jackson had been on track to success before he ventured into real estate. In 2012, he purchased the fledgling Arlington Computers, LLC in Arlington from the original owner who had employed him. 

After Jackson assumed control, the store’s customer-base and bottom line increased significantly.

Marketing, public relations, and community service was then and still Jackson’s strong suit. He’d built a clientele that included Spore, real estate broker and owner of Superior Property Management.

“He told me years ago that I should try real estate,” Jackson said. “It wasn't until after I decided to close the computer store that I would give it a shot.”

He dabbled at it part time at first while transitioning the store. “I may have done like six transactions the first year,” he said.

The next year, Jackson decided he’d pursue real estate fulltime to see where his new profession would take him. 

“I just went back to what I knew how to do from my years of entrepreneurship, marketing, [producing] commercials, being seen [publicly], and going to different events,” he said.

With tenacity and bulldog determination, Jackson’s real estate transactions started adding up. He soon positioned himself as a full-fledge independent contractor with Weichert Realtors. 

Some day he hopes to amass generational wealth for Brennan and Bailey.

Advice to upcoming entrepreneurs: “Don't ever let anybody tell you that you can't do something,” he said. “I'm doing it.”

Young author converts a chapter in his book into a full-fledged movie

Tony M. Jackson, author and director of "The Story of Randolph," listens intently
to Kelvin Humphrey (seated), who handles the film's audio. Everette Thomas (on
Jackson's right) provides input on the soundboard. (Photo by Dellguan Coleman)

A movie based on the fourth chapter in a book written by Tony M. Jackson is his foray into storytelling via the big screen. He is directing “The Story of Randolph: The Man of the Cloth.”

The fourth chapter is one of six stories that Jackson has weaved together in the book “The Fair Shot That Was Never Given.” It is a compilation of stories about the overlooked that persistently forced their way to the top.

In a sense, Jackson has worn several hats over the years to feed his entrepreneurial ambition. He is an author, business owner, community leader, realtor and now movie director. The latter hat seems to fit the 35-year-old rather snuggly.

Clarence Randolph Scott Jr., owner of C Scott Run
Productions in Memphis, and Victoria Jones, owner of
VA Jones Films in Nashville, take a short break after
filming a scene. (Photo by Tony M. Jackson)

The book was published this year on Feb. 8. The next day Jackson decided that he wanted to transition “The Story of Randolph” into a film project and bring the story to life with a local cast.

“When people read the book, they understand it,” said Jackson, who has sold a number of copies. “But I wanted people to see it the way I wrote it.”

The operative word is see, which prompted Jackson to choose the fourth chapter for starters. “I think that’s one of the best stories in the book,” he said.

Jackson said the story is based on the life of a friend, Mynoris Woods, who, like Randolph, has had a difficult time balancing his calling as a pastor with his private life outside the church.

Woods is the assistant pastor at Cane Creek Missionary Baptist Church and owner of a janitorial company. He plays the leading role of Bishop Randolph, who is sweet on Kelly, played by Sweetrica Baker.

“It’s an excellent role,” said Woods. “To me, it helps people to better understand not to be judgmental with people with a title.”

Woods sees himself in Randolph, his mirror reflection.

“Throughout my dating life, it almost makes you hesitant to tell people you’re a pastor – not that you’re ashamed, but because people don’t always accept you for who you are (away from the pulpit).”

As the story goes, Randolph is a single man looking for love and just by happenstance runs into Kelly. He asks her out on a date and cruises in his droptop to Broadway Pizza. Everything is hunky-dory until Randolph pops in a rhythm and blues CD.

Kelly cringes, expecting perhaps Yolanda Adams or Tamela Mann. At Broadway Pizza, she orders Sprite; Randolph orders his usual – two Bud Lights. Not expecting a pastor to chug a beer, Kelly orders Randolph to take her home.

“I can identify with Kelly quite a bit,” said Baker, assistant secretary and office manager for Memphis AFLCIO. Kelly, she pointed out, is a little more flirtatious and added: “People shouldn’t have to change to be with you.”

“Pastors are under the microscope all the time,” said Jackson, a member of Breath of Life Seventh Day Adventist Church. He said Woods had discussed with him the conflict and dichotomy between the natural man and God’s servant.

“I just feel his pain,” he said. “I’m not saying the pastor should go out and drink a beer.” However, he added, “In this day and time, you are guilty by association.”

Before Jackson began production, he mentioned on the fly the storyline to Victoria A. Jones, owner of VA Jones Films in Nashville. Jones is a former client who patronized Jackson’s first business, Arlington Computers.

“She said specifically, ‘Let’s do it!’ Jackson recalls. “And I replied, ‘Well, let’s do it!’”

Jackson brought Jones onboard to direct the movie. He and his wife, Monica Jackson, backed her up as co-directors. With a film crew led by Jones, the movie slowly began to unfold.

Jackson started filming in February and expects to finish production in late summer. “I’ve seen the editing and can’t believe the quality,” he said.

While “The Story of Randolph” is not a big budget movie, Jackson nevertheless made a reasonable investment, mostly on production. The actors, he said, didn’t mind coalescing around him to produce the movie.

“We’re working with a distribution company out of Los Angeles that will get us onto the major streaming and video platforms, such as Vimeo, Amazon Prime and the popular IMDb site,” he said.

The movie trailer is scheduled to premiere online July 4 on “The Story of Randolph” Facebook page.

Jackson said both Office Depot at Wolfchase and Triumph Bank in Arlington, Tenn., offered to sponsor a private viewing in August at the Malco Cordova Cinema. The date has not been determined.

Meanwhile, Jackson is seriously thinking about making a movie or short film of the other five chapters in his book, “The Fair Shot That Was Never Given.”

He’s a little gung-ho about that possibility.

Newly installed officers at masonic temple testify to the benefits of freemasonry

The 2016-17 installation of officers of Williams E. Eddins Memorial Lodge
#377. (Photo by Michael Floyd, Esq.)

There are dozens of masonic temples in the city of Memphis. Unbeknownst to the general public, membership in this private fraternity continues to creep upward. The William E. Eddins Memorial Lodge #377 (Prince Hall Affiliated), for example, recently installed five officers.  

In an unprecedented move, the “brothers” bestowed upon Tony M. Jackson, a young businessman and one of their latest recruits, the title of Lodge Secretary. Jackson “was initiated, passed, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason” in April.

“I believe the family of brothers elected me to the secretary position because they saw that drive in me and my willingness to work as a part of the team to better the lodge and hold to the theme of building on a strong foundation,” said Jackson, owner of Arlington Computers in Arlington, Tenn. He also is the author of “Pulling Customers Back To Small Business,” a business guide.

On Sept. 4, Jackson was officially installed at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church along with Michael Richardson, Lodge Treasurer and Past Master; Eric Williams, Senior Warden; Timothy Jones, Junior Warden; and Everett Burks, Worshipful Master.

Richardson said there were three keys that inspired him to become a mason: 1) His grandfather, Deartis Barber Sr., a Freemason; 2) “…the historical impact that the fraternity has had throughout this country and the world”; and 3) “I believe that in unity there is strength. And as farfetched as it my seem, I believe that some day we all will be unified by the common bond of peace and love.”

Richardson was initiated in November 2004. Freemasonry has been an integral part of his pedigree dating back to his grandparents, who raised him, his mother and father, and several aunts and uncles. He has held several positions at the lodge.

“Freemasonry teaches us that as brothers we are all ‘On the Level.’ We meet each other on the same ground,” Jackson explains. “I felt the true brotherly love and was even blown away that the Past Masters, Masters and Wardens welcomed me with open arms.”

Although Freemasonry is shrouded in secrecy, there are characteristics that are common among the brothers, said Jones, a corporate security officer for Memphis Light Gas and Water. He was initiated, passed and raised in William Eddins #377 in 2015.

 “What a mason does is very simple, but not limited to being an upright [and] honest man of great character who sets a positive example in his community by his charitable works and deeds,” said Jones. “Things such as feeding families in need, mentoring the youth and community clean up efforts.”

There are benefits, too, added Williams, such as establishing a closer connection with God, camaraderie with the brothers, and drawing closer to one’s family. “Men are naturally providers and problem solvers. So Masonry is embedded in you,” he said. 

Williams also noted the importance of having “someone to talk to when there is no one there and not judging you, just there to lend an ear and a helping hand.”

“Continuing to Build on a Strong Foundation” was the theme of the installation ceremony, which drew more than a handful of supporters.

“We are here to develop the character and shape the minds of any qualified and vouched-for brother that knocks at our door,” said Burks, who was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on May 3, 2008. “We will build, we must build, and we are building on that strong foundation.”

Burks is employed at Smith and Nephew and has held several positions within the lodge.

Jackson said Freemasonry will take him as far as he wants to go. “It’s just like anything else: You get out of it what you put into it,” he said. “We are a working lodge. That means we earn our titles and degrees through hard work and perseverance.”

“The wisdom, youth and passion that these men possess will surely benefit not only the lodge, but the community of South Memphis, the city of Memphis, and hopefully the state of Tennessee, if not further,” said Richardson.