Meet Dianne Keck | REALTOR and Co-Owner of Assistance Canines

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dianne Keck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dianne, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
If you consistently prioritize the best interests of your clients, success will follow. I mean that quite literally in that I am willing to walk away from a paycheck if it means protecting a client’s best interests. I think that in any business where you have a fiduciary responsibility or you deal with issues of ethics, this is a non-negotiable principle, but it also is a recipe for long-term success.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I love being an entrepreneur. Everyday is different and full of challenges to solve. The pace is quicker, there is less red tape, and most people around you are decisive action-takers. You get to meet so many different kinds of people and learn from their experiences and ways of doing business. Entrepreneurship can be a lot of work, but that work is tied so clearly to the value you provide others. What could be more fun?

I own multiple businesses, as many entrepreneurs do these days. I am a REALTOR by trade and have been in the real estate industry in different capacities for over 15 years. I love advocating for clients through one of the largest transactions they will ever partake in their lifetimes. Despite what you see on TV, Real Estate is so much more than touring beautiful homes: that is probably the thing I spend the least amount of time doing. The greatest value I bring to clients is not selling them a home, but being the person in their corner who thinks 10 steps ahead to avoid costly errors and problems later in the transaction. There are so many things that can come up in a transaction that having someone with the experience and problem solving ability to overcome those challenges is key. My clients trust me implicitly to have their backs and advocate for them. If you are doing Real Estate right, you won’t have to “sell” your clients anything.

I also recently opened a Service & Working Dog Training Company with my Partner and Co-Owner called Assistance Canines LLC. That is quite a bit different industry than Real Estate, but its one that combines a couple passions of mine, and allows me to give back in a meaningful way. I have always loved dogs and have four of them at my home, including our Service Dog, Scarlett. In addition to training a Service Dog, I also worked with Scarlett to learn how to communicate with Canine AAC, or Talking Dog Buttons. Scarlett has a communication board, currently with 25 different buttons she uses to speak with us! (You can see more of her journey on Instagram @Scarlett.Bernedoodle.) I am also passionate about disability rights, normalizing disability and Neurodivergence. We train dogs for a variety of reasons, including Autism, diabetic and medical alert, seizures, allergy detection, anxiety and psychiatric service, and more. We felt strongly that Autistic and Neurodivergent people were underserved in the Service Dog Industry, so we founded Assistance Canines LLC to provide a customized training service that can meet the highly specific needs of individuals and families who would benefit from the incredible work of a Service Dog. This work is meaningful and rewarding everyday because the difference we get to help make in people’s lives is to tangible and real. We also get to advocate for dogs and the proper handling and partnership with animals, which is such an important part of the equation, as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am more of an off-the-beaten path kind of person, so I would want them to experience many of the unique natural thing that Arizona has to offer. I live in the Cave Creek area, so we would definitely grab coffee and breakfast at Janey’s in Cave Creek before heading out for an easy hike to the 900-year-old Sears Kay ruin and a bite to eat and a glass of wine at Raven’s View. Metro Phoenix is so big and busy that it’s easy to forget we have so much indigenous history here right at our fingertips. We would check out Bartlett Lake a boat or paddle board ride and lunch at the Marina. A hike on Pinnacle Peak to take in the sweeping views would be a must. Of course we would need to take a drive through the charming neighborhoods of Central Phoenix and check out the dining that Arcadia and Old Town Scottsdale have to offer. A pool and spa day at one of the many spectacular resorts would be a great way to relax and unwind before gearing up for a kayak trip down the Salt River to see the wild horses. Then to finish out the week, a weekend trip to check out Flagstaff, drive the 89A to Sedona, and appreciate the natural wonder that is Arizona.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people in my life that I should thank for my success. First and foremost, I need to thank my son, Chase, for helping me to get out of my own way and journey down the path less traveled. It has taken us to new and exciting opportunities that I don’t think I would have had if I were not his Mom.

I also should thank my Mom for being a constant support in helping me to raise and home school my son! Her love and care and expertise as a child development professional is irreplaceable and makes our lives infinitely better.

My Partner, Robert, who loves me, supports me, and believes 110% in everything I have ever wanted to do. He is also an entrepreneur and has supported me as the best sounding board in business, encouraging me constantly through indecision and in to action.

I also want to thank the many entrepreneurial women of Phoenix who have befriended me and provided such a dynamic and supportive environment to grow and develop. There are so many groups and networks of women, such as The Foundress, the Powerhouse Women event, and many more, who have cultivated such a unique and supportive environment in this city. Phoenix is the place to be if you want to grow as an entrepreneur!

Website: https://homeandawayrealty.net/

Instagram: Instagram.com/DianneKeckRealEstate

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannekeck/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianneKeckRealEstate/

Other: TheAssistanceDog.com This is the website for the Service and Working Dog Training Company that I co-own with a business partner.