We had a great visit at Winter Title and Abstract in Pipestone. Gavin Winter once thought he wanted to live in a big city, but after experiencing that lifestyle for a few months, he realized it wasn’t the right fit. He moved back home and began working alongside his mom in the title and abstract business, eventually purchasing the company in 2011. Today, he leads a team of 20 employees across real estate, abstract and title services, as well as a property company.
One opportunity that presented itself was working with parcels of land for renewable energy projects. When Gavin first received a call about this, he admitted he knew nothing about the niche. He shared with the group how he grew from having no knowledge, to being willing to learn, to eventually working with major corporations and providing a needed service. His advice to the young professionals: “Get into the room, and go from there.”
When asked what makes a person successful, Gavin emphasized work ethic—showing up consistently and putting in the effort. He also shared that one of the most rewarding parts of owning a business is watching his team grow and succeed. Growth, he noted, often comes from putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, learning from failures, and continuing to move forward.
After the visit, the young professionals walked away with a much better understanding of the process of purchasing a home or property, and the important role that abstract and title work plays in that process.
Thank you, Gavin, for the great visit and for being a financial supporter of the SWMN CEO program!
