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Celebrating mothers: Real estate is family business, led by ‘fearless’ mom

Toni Everett and Henderson Everett Lee are a force in Tampa real estate.
 
Realtor Toni Everett and her daughter Henderson Everett Lee.
Realtor Toni Everett and her daughter Henderson Everett Lee. [ Courtesy of Henderson Everett Lee ]
Published May 5, 2020|Updated May 5, 2020

Henderson Everett Lee describes her mom, Toni Everett, as fearless.

That’s a great quality in life and business, but not always an easy one to emulate. Deciding to join her mother’s real estate business took careful consideration.

But Lee is glad she made the move and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the “force of nature” that is her mother.

“It’s been a great experience. I am fortunate to have the proximity to be around her and to learn from her,” Lee said.

Toni Everett founded the Toni Everett Company in the late 1970s after being a stay-at-home mom until her two children, Lee and son Anthony, went to school. She got into the real estate business by accident after being asked by a friend to help with advertising and marketing for a Bayshore Boulevard condominium project. “I thought, I’ll try it out — and then it just boomeranged,” she said. “I did most of the buildings on Bayshore. I either converted or pre-sold them and then I also got into general real estate in the high end.”

Born and raised in a large Italian family in Tampa, Everett graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names and later attended Rollins College in Winter Park. That’s where she met her late husband, Horace “Sonny” Everett. She worked in New York City for a few years before returning to her hometown. As the condominiums rose along Bayshore, so did her sales. Today, her annual sales volume exceeds $80 million.

Her Bayshore firm has more than 20 associates, including her sister Patty Clark and Lee and Everett’s daughter-in-law, Julie Everett.

“It’s great because we all have fun together and I have learned to ebb and flow,” said Toni Everett.

Lee also attended Rollins and originally planned to enter the fashion industry. She returned to Tampa to serve as creative director at Deborah Kent Women’s Apparel until her family members persuaded her to get a real estate license.

“One of the reasons I was hesitant is my mother is a very strong personality and I just wanted to make sure I could come in on my own terms,” said Lee. “I learned from her how to be strong and not let the difficulties of a business deal affect you personally.”

Everett has been adjusting her real estate practice since the shutdown, doing many deals virtually.

One thing she and her family members are missing the most, though, is attending local fundraising events for the charities they support. They usually are each other’s dates at the luncheons and dinners.

“I’m worried for the charities because it really impacts them not having the functions. I think people are donating anyway,” Everett said.

Lee said she and her mom are particularly passionate about the organizations supporting children in the Tampa Bay area.

“Recently we have been sending money to Feeding Tampa Bay,” she said. “We really miss those events. They are part of supporting the community and the causes but it’s also our time for networking and seeing friends. That’s part of what our industry is about.”

Everett said part of her business strategy has always been learning to adapt.

“I have been through four recessions and now this,” she said. “Each one has a different flavor and you just have to find the button that makes it work.”

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