Branch Served:
- North Dakota Army National Guard (22 years)
About Erik Wall
Erik Wall is a residential REALTOR and business owner of SnowByrd and GroundHog. On the real estate side, he is passionate about helping people build generational wealth through buying, selling, and investing. SnowByrd is an ondemand snow removal service and GroundHog is an ondemand lawn care service which have been in the works for almost four years and have recently launched.
“I love helping people make their lives simpler and more convenient and these two businesses do just that—just like other on-demand services we use these days,” Wall said. “If you don’t feel like snow-blowing, shoveling, mowing, or weed-whacking your lawn, hop on one of the apps, book your service, and one of our insured contractors will be out shortly after to take care of it for you.”
Currently, the SnowByrd app is available on both app stores and GroundHog’s app will be ready next summer. For GroundHog, appointments will be taken through the company’s website (officialgroundhog.com).
“As an entrepreneur, I’m always looking for new ideas and ways of making life better for people. So, being a big part of these startups has been a passion of mine,” Wall said.
Q: Can you tell me about your company?
A: You have good days and bad days on a deployment but with the simplicity of life and the camaraderie get you through. It’s tough being in a war zone on foreign soil and away from home and your family for a year or more at a time, but knowing we are there to protect their country as well as ours, makes it all worth it.
Q. What was your first job after service and what was that experience like?
A: I got into real estate while still in the service so when I officially retired, it was an easy and smooth transition. The values instilled in me in the military have served me well on the civilian side.
Q. Did you have any struggles after returning to civilian life?
A: The biggest challenge is going from something so structured as military life to a more unstructured career, which real estate can certainly be that.
Q: Did you plan to start your company before enlisting in the service?
A: I always wanted to start a business but at 20 years old when I enlisted, I hadn’t figured out what I was truly passionate enough about to start a company around.
Q: What does a normal day on the job look like for you?
A: I get into the office around 8:30 a.m. after dropping off my kids, then I look at the new homes that have come on the market. After that, I try to get some education, whether that be reading or checking out trends and the overall market. Next, I make phone calls, send texts, and follow up with emails if I don’t have any showings or closings. In the afternoons, I catch up on files, call clients, do home showings/ inspections/closings, and then follow up with anyone I need to. I then go and pick up the kids and spend time with them until 8-8:30 p.m. when they go to bed and then I usually go back to work negotiating offers and trying to get the best deals for my clients. This is a very condensed version and no days are normal, but I love the variety that comes with each and every day! Some days you think it’s going to be a pretty easy day to play catch up and you end up working non-stop for 12-14 hours and I love it!
