Shawn Spoon entered the real estate profession for the most personal of reasons. Having experienced
difficult housing situations himself as a young adult, he became determined not only
to buy a house of his own but also to help others find the residences of their dreams.
After a challenging period in his life when he says he lacked focus, Shawn had an
epiphany and decided that Santa Monica College, where he had previously taken classes, could help him get back on track.
Returning to SMC, Shawn more than made up for lost time. He went from working hourly
retail jobs just to survive to earning associate’s degrees in business, accounting,
economics, liberal arts and general science. To that arsenal he also added SMC certificates
of achievement in entrepreneurship and as staff accountant. Meanwhile, beyond campus,
he obtained real estate, mortgage and insurance licenses and started building businesses
in each field.
“The more I took advantage of the programs and everything else SMC offers, the more
confident I became — not only in myself but also in my career and how I can help others,”
Shawn says. “I started here at the lowest point in my life, and SMC has helped bring
me to the highest point so far. I’m a totally different person now. I found a passion
for education and just ran with it.”
Focused Ambition
In both his classes and his career, Shawn follows a maxim popularized by actor Denzel Washington: “If you hang around the barbershop long enough, sooner or later you’re going to
get a haircut.” That is, if you focus your ambitions on an area long enough, you will
eventually find success.
But Shawn takes the maxim further by applying his energies to three fields. His mortgage
license bolsters his understanding of the lending and other financial issues related
to real estate, while working as a health and life insurance broker helps him provide
clients with a sense of security.
“The more I learned about real estate, the more excited I became,” Shawn says. What
draws him to that profession, as well as to insurance and mortgage licensing, is the
desire to protect his clients’ financial wellbeing while fulfilling their goals. “I
want to help as many people as I can,” he explains. Although he was just a little boy when the 2008 financial crisis drove countless people
out of their homes, Shawn also learned lessons from that catastrophe and its aftermath.
He wants to do everything he can to prevent prospective homeowners from being victimized
by the sort of predatory lending behind the 2008 economic meltdown.
“That’s the only reason mortgage licensing is a thing now,” he says of that recession,
“and I want to help people not to be taken advantage of with mortgage rates.”
He often thinks of his grandmother and other vulnerable seniors when working with
clients. “People may sign up for a financial product that doesn’t work for them, or
doesn’t cover their prescriptions, or they’re just getting old enough for Medicare
and don’t know what to do,” he says.
Building Opportunity
Although Shawn’s enterprises would seemingly leave little time for extracurricular
activities, he joined SMC’s Investment and Entrepreneurship Club, which promotes financial awareness and opportunity. Meanwhile, his academic commitment
was recognized by induction into the honor societies Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Gamma Sigma.
Shawn also exercised his longstanding commitment to helping others by volunteering
for Food Oasis, which provides up-to-date information about food pantries to people in need. “I
used to rely heavily on food pantries,” he says, so gathering information to help
Food Oasis keep its data current was a way of paying back.
He previously volunteered for six years with a youth program, Antlers, at the Elk’s Lodge in Van Nuys. “It taught me a lot about accountability at a young age, and also gave me leadership
experience. I was able to train and lead new volunteers. I get genuine joy from bettering
myself and have grown a lot from where I was in the past.”
As Shawn’s academic success at SMC grew, he began aiding classmates with their studies.
For example, after taking a number of courses taught by SMC Entrepreneurship Professor
Thomas Paccioretti, that distinguished business expert “gave me a shout-out on the first day of one
of his classes,” Shawn says. “That led to a lot of people coming to me for help.”
He also helps people prepare for their own licensing exams.
Given Shawn’s status as a budding entrepreneur, his help can extend to providing employment.
“I’ll be creating jobs with what I want to do,” he says. “Since I know how to teach
people to get through all these licensing tests, I’ll be able to have them join my
team even if they’re not licensed yet.”
Next on the Agenda
Shawn plans to keep building his real estate and insurance enterprises as he transfers
to California State University, Fullerton, to continue studying business administration. He had his pick of programs, having
been accepted into three out of the four programs to which he applied — and being
waitlisted by the fourth. “I’m excited to get my bachelor’s degree because it will
open up even more doors,” he says.
Advancing his education will also enable Shawn to get a real estate broker’s license,
which, he notes, is a step higher than his current license and will allow him to run
his own business. “I never thought I would be able to go to a university, so I’m very
grateful to SMC,” Shawn says. “It changed my life by giving me structure, discipline
and a solid foundation on which I can build my businesses.”
* * *
SMC in Focus Volume VIII, Issue 3
Sixth Time’s the Charm
Khadija Backrien embodies perseverance and resilience in person. She graduated this year after overcoming heartbreak, including losing a son to gun violence. Read Article
Tackling Obstacles
Mark LeDent’s transferring to UC Berkeley is a small miracle, after beginning his life in foster care and suffering physical and emotional abuse. A friend helped him, leading him to SMC. Read Article
Galvanized by Geography
Laphatrada Richards, a 30-y-o Thai immigrant, grew up poor in Bangkok, the child of a single mom. A fresh start brought her to the U.S., and at SMC she would find her calling—a fourth career, in GIS. Read Article
Achieving Liftoff
When astronauts finally reach distant planets, Victor Teran might be among those who helped them get there. SMC would help Victor realize his passion for science, and he’d even intern through a NASA program. Read Article
Bragging Rights
An SMC student club helps deliver lifesaving sexual and reproductive care to women & girls in Ukraine. A professor turns an organizing passion into a lucrative venture. A Ukrainian refugee family receives refurbished bicycles, thanks to an SMC prof. and his students. Read Article
Business of Helping Others
Shawn Spoon earned multiple Associate degrees. In the meantime, he also earned real estate, mortgage, and insurance licenses, a passion that came from wanting others to have a sense of security, something he himself didn’t have once. Read Article