An #SBLV Weekend in TAMPA

It’s so exciting to bring Bright Ideas to life, and I’m pumped to share Episode 1 with my friend, Mahriah Tucker.

Mahriah is a member of the Realtors of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale and is a top producing agent Compass Florida LLC in Boca Raton, FL. Mahriah’s extensive real estate career actually began in corporate banking where she worked as Vice President of Residential and Commercial Real Estate for over 10 years. Mahriah’s experience managing, servicing, and liquidating bank-owned real estate portfolios paved the way for real estate success when she became a real estate agent in 2016.

Mahriah Tucker Headshot
Mahriah Tucker, Compass Florida

Take some time to watch Episode 1 of Bright Ideas as Mahriah and I discuss not only her career path, but also some of the challenges she had to overcome in her adolescence. “Peoples’ switches flip at different times,” Mahriah said. “My switch flipped at a young age. I wanted to start living a life that was different than the one I was brought up in. However long it takes to get to where you want to get to, just do it.”

boxer mix dog
Mahriah’s other human dog, Marti
pit bull mix dog
Mahriah’s human dog, Mellie

We talk a lot about schedules and expectations – what dictates your future and who you allow to impart their agenda or vision for your life. “Our thoughts came from us,” she says. “We didn’t grow up with these screens and constant pressures.” #geriatricmillennial

As many people make their own career transitions, Mahriah talks about the most important characteristics to being a real estate agent/professional in today’s world. From personality traits to dedication, Mahriah talks extensively about her passion for helping others – human or otherwise.

Mahriah’s biggest piece of advice for those who are struggling is, “Find your joy and go for it. Take a step back and do what you have to do in order to take the next baby step forward. And just keep repeating that process until you get where you want to be.”

We talk about having kids and legacy, and what’s important in life.

Mahriah is a native Floridian and graduate of Florida Atlantic University. Her local knowledge of the south Florida market has been instrumental to her great success. Mahriah is an avid animal lover who spends much of her spare time with her rescue dogs Marti and Mellie. Mahriah’s family, pets, and love of helping others make their real estate dreams become a reality is her passion in life. 

I hope you enjoy Episode 1 of Bright Ideas! Subscribe now and join us every week for a new installment.

Please share your thoughts and comments as you watch!

A view from the top of Raymond James Stadium at #SBLV
A view from the top of Raymond James Stadium at #SBLV

Congratulations on winning #SBLV, Buccaneers!
#ChampaBay! #RaisetheFlags

This weekend, I checked one more thing off my bucket list – I attended the Super Bowl.

Ok, Jess…breathe!

I’m sure most football fans share this bucket list bullet, but the Super Bowl is actually on my bucket list three times:
1 – to attend as a pure spectator the year the Jets are in the game (eventually…)
2 – to serve as the Producer/Director, from the Control Room.
3 – to get my foot in the door.

This year, I wasn’t there as a spectator. I wasn’t in the control room. I got my first experience with the Big Game as a worker. I’ve been involved with event production at various events for over 16 years in various capacities. From manning the inflatables at New York Jets training camp at Hofstra to directing a close friend’s country club wedding, to running the Gasparilla, Miami Beach and Outback Bowl game presentation, I’ve always been on the engagement/presentation side of the game. This year, I helped out the Gaston Productions team with Mobility Assistance. For the first time in a very long time, I was fan-facing; and all I can say is, “WOW!” On so many levels, this event was beyond impressive.

MOBILITY ASSISTANCE at #SBLV

Mobility Assistance is responsible for assisting any and all fans who require or request help getting from point A to point B via golf cart or wheelchair. Since I live about 4 hours away from Tampa and could not attend Golf Cart training, I was assigned to the Wheelchair crew for the West Club level VIP entrance.

In short, our job was to be there just in case. Translation: my day was a lot of standing around, working on my farmer’s tan. It was glorious. For one, I was painfully pale. Secondly, I was happy to be part of the insurance policy. There were a couple of requests for our help, both scheduled and walk-up, but for the most part, we were great for optics.

Fun fact(ish)! I was told that despite COVID-19 limiting attendance to approximately 30% of stadium capacity (roughly 25,000 fans in attendance), Mobility Assistance was staffed for 100% of normal foot traffic.

THE #SBLV EXPERIENCE

Helping people is always inspiring and the fact that they’re thankful is the greatest feeling. If I’m being honest – with you and myself – I haven’t helped individuals directly in a long time. Like many, I donate money to causes. I donate my time to help with strategic planning and social media for non-profits. But I haven’t engaged one-on-one with someone in need (on any level) in a long time.

#SBLV allowed me to meet people I wouldn’t normally meet; hear stories I would never have heard. Many of us are lucky enough in life not to need assistance with something that seems so straightforward as walking. For example, in my 14-hour shift on Sunday, I walked over 20,000 steps. Being able to help someone with that aspect, further allowing them to enjoy the game was fulfilling.

THE GEEKY SIDE OF #SBLV

One the other side of the coin, I was thoroughly impressed with the logistics and organization that went into putting on such an amazing event (if you can even call it that). I’m told there were over 7,000 people employed or helping out in some aspect of the game. Teams were color coded with a variety of uniforms, had different meeting places; and organizational structure was thoroughly delegated.

The technology that was used by Mobility Assistance worked well by all accounts, and aside from having a bit of trouble finding where to eat dinner, everything flowed as smoothly as could be planned.

The Super Bowl footprint at Raymond James Stadium was ridiculous. Awe-inspiring even. This event made me miss my year-round involvement in sports, and made me even more aware of how important strategic planning is. Not that I ever questioned it, but seeing something so larger than life come together so seamlessly forced me to strive higher. Bigger is definitely better, but only if it feels large and small at the same time. And #SBLV accomplished that hands down.

To the team that ran the in-game operations, WOW! I’m so jealous, but so impressed and excited for the entire krewe at BucsVision that I’ve come to know over the past few years! Phenomenal show. If you want a bit of insight into the operations, check out this article!

THE SUPER PERKS

As someone who has been around a number of high-profile events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the British Open at St Andrews, The US Open at Bethpage, multiple college football games – Bowl games and regular season games, the US Open in Flushing, Miami Open and many others, I’m no stranger to sponsored swag. SBLV swag wasn’t sponsored.

There was nothing overly excessive – no PlayStations or Luggage or helmets. As a member of Mobility Assistance, we received a great WOMEN’S (normally, swag is bought in bulk and we all receive the same men’s styles) jacket that was branded to the extreme, but not in an obnoxious way. In other words, one I can wear again. We also received a very cool ball cap and two SBLV pins. On top of all that, I was able to add to my credential collection and experience an event that was historic for so many reasons.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend a Super Bowl in some capacity, you’re truly missing out.

For those of you cursing at me through your screen right now, don’t. There are so many ways to get involved. I recommend volunteering or hooking up with an event production company in the host city.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Super Bowl LVI – 2022: Los Angeles
Super Bowl LVII – 2023: Glendale/Phoenix
Super Bowl LVIV – 2024: New Orleans

Finally, if you ever find yourself at a stadium or other large-scale event and need assistance, don’t be shy. Chances are, the Mobility Assistance Team is chomping at the bit for some action!

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