Daughter of serial entrepreneurs Jack and Faye Beckwith, Noelle Beckwith Salmonsen has achieved success in her own endeavors
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Noelle Beckwith Salmonsen is a licensed real estate salesperson with Freedom Real Estate in Hannibal, Zumba instructor and part-time seasonal help at Beckwith Family Christmas Trees.
As the daughter of Jack and Faye Beckwith, it makes sense that Salmonsen would follow in her parents’ footsteps of becoming an entrepreneur herself. In addition to real estate, Zumba lessons and the tree farm, her parents have also been musical performers.
The 58-year-old Hannibal resident is the Oswego County legislator for District 21, which includes Hannibal and parts of Oswego.
“I’m shocked we get along so well,” Salmonson said. “We’re both outspoken, honest and communicate well. There aren’t any hidden agendas. Communication is the key. They’re the bosses of the real estate and tree farm but in Zumba, we’re equals.”
Initially, she was going to be a school psychologist. Salmonsen attended SUNY Oswego, double majoring in psychology and sociology. Once she completed her degree, she worked for the Oswego City School District with at-risk youth and at Oswego County Opportunities with pregnant and parenting teens. She also began working on her MBA. Although she didn’t finish it, what she learned later proved helpful to her career.
When Salmonsen became a mom, she decided it was time to shift gears and work in real estate so she could devote more time to motherhood with a flexible schedule. Once her two children were in school, she segued to full-time real estate sales.
“It’s crazy where you think you will end up and where you’ll end up,” Salmonsen said. “I wouldn’t change it. But when you’re self-employed, there’s no retirement in the future. I do not regret being a mom first. Their entrepreneurship inspires me a lot.”
She learned from her parents’ example that family is essential. Salmonsen and her siblings and their families all live near the family farm and pitch in as needed, especially during the busy season in November and December.
Their example of serving on boards, staying active in their church and volunteering for numerous civic causes helped Salmonsen to realize while she was growing up that giving is better than receiving. The Beckwiths inspired her to serve as a legislator.
“They give back in a million ways,” she said. “I can’t see myself being as busy as they’ve been. I’m really proud of them for sure.”
Salmonsen believes that entrepreneurship begins with developing a solid work ethic, planning her short-term and long-term goals and sticking with that plan. The formula works for Freedom Real Estate, as they don’t pay for referrals and most of their business comes through word-of-mouth advertising.
“You have to have tenacity,” Salmonsen added. “Keep going; real estate is a roller coaster ride. You’re not in control of what the lawyers, buyers and banks will do. It changes every single day. You have to be flexible enough to roll with the punches.”
She hopes to obtain her broker’s license soon and learn more about AI to help her streamline her business and so she does not get left behind.
Although she never became a psychologist, the knowledge imparted to her through her degree has come in handy as a negotiator and mediator in the real estate business.
“If they’re going through a divorce and they have to sell the house you have to be sensitive,” Salmonsen said. “There can be estate with a bunch of family members. Negotiation, mediation and being a caring, compassionate individual helps. You have to be in it for the right reasons.”
