As a college graduate in 1983, Matt Baker was looking for a career. When he saw signs around town advertising a local real estate agency merging with a multinational financial corporation, he was intrigued.
“All around the Twin Cities there was a billboard campaign that said ‘You're not losing Burnet. You're gaining Merrill Lynch.’ It sounded really exciting.”
He called and was able to speak with the founder of the company, Ralph Burnet. “After about 30 minutes with him, I was ready to go. It was inspiring and entrepreneurial, and I was so excited to be part of this company that I didn't even realize you didn't get paid until you actually sold something!” Matt says, laughing.
Real estate wasn’t completely new to Matt. Growing up, his dad, Edward Baker, was an architect who became known as the father of the Skyway system. “In the early 60’s he had started his own firm, and his first large commission was the Northstar Hotel, where he introduced the first skyway to the city of Minneapolis.” Edward went on to have a remarkable career, being involved in many landmark properties with the most notable being the IDS building.
Matt loved visiting his father’s downtown architectural office. He was always intrigued with real estate, having a front row seat to the process, from concept to completion, of many of the city's significant buildings. He ultimately determined; however, he would be better suited to the residential versus commercial side of real estate. “It’s emotionally charged, but I’m a people person, so for me it was really fun to navigate the personalities and play a role in such a meaningful event in people’s lives.”
Eventually, Merrill Lynch Realty Burnet became Coldwell Banker Burnet, and he was enjoying his new career. Then, two years into it, his manager asked if anyone wanted to coach a company softball team and Matt raised his hand. “It was like, ‘Okay, he's got leadership,’ and the next thing I knew, I was a manager. I never aspired to climb the corporate ladder, but it happened nonetheless.”
He found great fulfillment in helping others in the office achieve their goals. “We went from about 30 agents and $25 million in production to over 300 agents and about $1.5 billion in production. Our office perennially led the country in sales volume. It was an amazing ride,” Matt says.
“I found that when you have great people, they attract other great people, and one of my life lessons was to surround myself with successful people. And most importantly, quality people aren’t cutthroat, but collaborative. It was an environment where everybody won, and we really became the place to be.”
Matt ultimately became the president of Coldwell Banker Realty, Minnesota & Western Wisconsin, for six years. “During that time, I realized that each of our branches and our communities are special, and felt very fortunate to help guide the organization through an incredibly exciting time of rapid change, even including a global pandemic. It was nice for me to broaden my horizons geographically, and again play a role in terms of helping a collective organization grow.”
In the spring of 2023, a national restructuring impacted Matt’s role. “The timing couldn’t have been more perfect,” says Matt. “While I took great pride in my leadership roles, I had been contemplating the next chapter and found myself feeling a bit removed from the everyday interactions with clients.
So, in May of 2023, it was full circle, and Matt transitioned to assisting buyers and sellers.
“It really felt like a homecoming,” he says. “In addition, following my philosophy of surrounding yourself with successful people, I was beyond excited when Ellyn Wolfenson suggested we explore some collaboration. Ellyn is somebody I once managed and for whom I have profound respect. We share the common philosophy of going the extra mile to ensure our clients have the very best outcome, and we’ve enjoyed some wonderful successes this past year. We also are having fun and couldn’t be more excited about the coming year.”
Matt is fully embracing all the changes in the market, especially the use of technology. But, as much as things have changed, he still likes to consider himself “old school” at times, such as meeting each client in person and answering his phone. “Nothing can replace that personal involvement and contact.”
While admitting that his career can be a 24/7 proposition, he does need to clear his head from time to time. “I do like to work and real estate is very much full-time, but I'm also a tennis addict. That's been my outlet. It’s great exercise, fun and social, and it forces me to mentally be in the moment.”
He has his son, Matthew (Misha) Shawn-Henry, to thank for getting him back into the game. Rather than just watching his student-athlete son during drills at the Lifetime Health Club, he took advantage of the adult drills and was soon hooked. Today, his son Misha is a very talented competitive tennis player and instructor.
He also takes time out to spend with his amazing wife, Melinda (Mimi). The couple live near Cedar Lake and enjoy walking their dog, Mr. Big, or enjoying some sun in the desert at their Phoenix 2nd home. They met when Matt became friends with her younger brother. They’ve been happily married for 38 years.
It’s important for him to give back too. He’s involved with the Coldwell Banker Burnet Foundation that holds events, and raises funds for housing-related charities such as Ronald McDonald House. Matt’s also on the executive committee and board of directors of the Minnesota and Minneapolis Associations of Realtors.
“I’ve had a storybook career, and I'm so grateful that I made that call in 1983. This is a remarkable industry, and we have an extraordinary community. I’ve had, and continue to have, so many opportunities. It’s been 40 years but I continue to be excited to get out of bed each and every day to see what adventures await.”
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