The Property Shop real estate office celebrates its one-year anniversary this month with a business after hours party set for 5-8 p.m. on Friday.

The event is co-sponsored by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.

Owned by managing broker Mogli Fairbanks and Realtors Kathy Westley, Manette Anderson, Amy Luetke and Marianne Ackerman, the Property Shop is a “dream come true” for the women.

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“Our goal was to have our own company, a place where we can make ourselves better brokers for our clientele through technology, education and marketing,” said Fairbanks.

The five left successful positions at other real estate firms to form their own company, located in a Victorian house at 1117 Grand Ave., next to Baskin-Robbins.

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Ackerman first pictured the house as a coffee house and book store, but the partners decided to make it their headquarters.

They painted and decorated the office, opening the doors on Oct. 1, 2001.

“It was a little scary after Sept. 11,” Fairbanks said. “We were all wondering if we had made the right decision. Now, we’re glad we did.”

“I was perfectly happy where I was,” said Westley. “I’m not a risk-taker, and this was certainly a risk. But now I see how well it has worked for all of us.

“I think the key to our success is our ability to communicate, not only with our clientele, but also with each other. We seem to have the same goal or vision for our company, and if we don’t agree on how to get there, we talk it out.

“Honesty with one another is the most important ingredient in what makes this work. That and supporting one another,” Westley said.

Luetke, the youngest owner and a new mom, is the new president of the Glenwood Springs Association of Realtors. She was recently seen on the cover of “Realtor Magazine” along with other successful under-30 Realtors from around the country.

“I remember her when she was two years old,” said Anderson. “I guess it proves that you never know who might be your next business partner.”

Sharon Carlson serves as the office manager.

They think of this first year as a story of opportunity, and want to share it with others in the community.

“It’s not just about five women joining forces. It’s about dreams coming true, and perhaps it will inspire others to take that risky first step,” said Ackerman.