From a waiter and bartender in the Houston-area to developing the contemporary, American restaurant, Black Walnut Cafe, at The Woodlands, it was clear Alan Snead’s exceptional customer service was ideal for a successful career in the restaurant industry. Twenty-five years later, his career acumen got him noticed by a whole new field.
The Woodlands was in the beginning stages of development when Snead was asked to assist in catering an event for 1,500 guests as they toured new communities and model homes. Snead catered the event himself, serving a gourmet cake in one of the model homes.
“I took the cakes, set them up and was ready to go,” Snead said. “What I didn’t know was that I was going to have 1,500 people asking me for the square footage of the house, the price per square foot and the incentives. I didn’t have a clue what they were talking about.”
His ability to deliver excellent customer service translated naturally into a polished sales performance at The Woodlands model home that day.
“To me, there was no option but to provide the best customer service for our guests,” Snead said. “I felt that no matter my role, my purpose was to make sure each guest enjoyed the tour. For that, I needed to be prepared with the answers they were seeking. Ultimately, I found it an interesting and rewarding experience.”
What started as a day catering gourmet cakes ended with Snead submitting his resume to the Darling Homes sales team. Since then, Snead has become a phenomenal Community Sales Manager for Darling Homes.
“For me, it’s the ideal place to be,” Snead said. “Darling Homes really empowers us to run the business like it’s our own, and I’m really thankful for them allowing me to do that.”
Snead brought his passion, strong work ethic and innate customer service ability to Darling Homes, which has in turn shown him the importance of building lasting relationships.
“I went from the restaurant industry, which is a short-term transaction with an almost immediate positive experience with the customer to a much longer sales experience,” Snead said. “At Darling Homes, I quickly learned that relationships are ten times more important.”
For years, Snead has provided the highest level of quality and value for his customers. To him, it’s important to find your passion and set a plan for yourself that’s going to make you most successful.
“I’m one of those people who walks in the door everyday and makes a list,” Snead said. “I know what I’m going to do the first hour and the last, and I stick with it. It’s very motivating for me to see the process of setting goals, achieving those goals and exceeding them.”
Still, Snead’s true passion and enjoyment comes from the relationships he builds with his clients.
“To this day I still get a Christmas card from the woman I sold my first home to,” Snead said.
His balance of knowledge, passion and genuine interest in each client is shown through the lasting relationships he’s built.
“The first thing you have to do is build that relationship based on trust. That trust is the foundation for a lasting relationship,” Snead said. “The rewards, both personal and professional, are almost unbelievable.”
Snead has proven himself to be an incredible salesman. Since joining the team nearly 13 years ago, Snead has completed more than $150 million in home sales with more than 350 home sold.
Snead feels he’s found an ideal fit with Darling Homes.
“One of the things that was key for me was to find a company with the best opportunities for me to be successful,” Snead said. “Darling Homes allows me to do that, and I couldn’t be happier.”
