Growing up in a family that moved often because of military service, Makenzie spent her childhood living in Illinois, Georgia and Kentucky before her family eventually settled in Ripley, West Virginia, in 2018. While frequent moves taught her adaptability, it was the close-knit nature of small-town life that ultimately shaped who she is today.
“There’s something special about growing up in a small town,” Makenzie said. “The sense of community, the support of local businesses and that unmistakable hometown feeling really shaped me.”
Those values stayed with her when it came time to choose a college. Though she once imagined going out of state, Makenzie realized how important staying close to family and friends truly was. Marshall University offered the opportunity to remain connected to home while still pursuing her academic and professional goals.
“Choosing Marshall allowed me to take the next step in my education without losing the people who mattered most to me,” she said. “It felt like the perfect fit.”
Originally, Makenzie envisioned a very different career path. She entered college convinced she wanted to be an elementary school teacher, drawn to the idea of guiding others and making a difference. But after completing clinical experiences during her first semester, she had an important realization.
“I didn’t need to be inside a classroom to teach, support or make an impact,” Makenzie said.
That realization opened the door to a new opportunity, real estate. While maintaining a full-time course load as a marketing major, she enrolled in real estate classes and completed her coursework in just three months. The process was demanding, often requiring early mornings, studying during the holidays and personal sacrifices, but it confirmed she was on the right path.
“Ripley is home,” she said. “Starting my real estate career here allows me to help people in a different but incredibly rewarding way.”
Today, Makenzie balances running a real estate business while pursuing a double major at Marshall. She will graduate with a degree in marketing in May 2026 and a degree in management in May 2027. The combination, she says, is intentional.
“Marketing helps me attract clients, showcase properties and communicate my value,” she said. “Management teaches me leadership, organization and strategy. Together, they give me the tools to grow a sustainable business.”
Her coursework has already translated directly into real-world success. One class that made a lasting impact was Marketing 440 with Professor Gupta, where she learned what it means to be a confident and effective salesperson.
“She really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Makenzie said. “That class helped me believe in my ability to communicate my value, which is something I use every day in real estate.”
Time management remains one of Makenzie’s biggest challenges, but she has learned to embrace flexibility rather than rigid scheduling, a lesson reinforced during one especially busy week when a closing landed on the first day of classes — just one of four she successfully handled that week, helping her reach a personal milestone of one million dollars in sales and showing her the value of staying organized and ahead whenever possible.
“Real estate moves fast, and I’ve learned to expect the unexpected and prioritize what matters most.”
Beyond the classroom and her career, Makenzie has found a meaningful sense of belonging through involvement in Baptist Campus Ministries (BCM) and serving on the leadership and the worship teams.
“My faith is extremely important to me,” she said. Being a part of BCM has helped shape me as a person and build relationships with like-minded people.”
Looking ahead, Makenzie hopes to one day lead her own real estate team, blending her passion of teaching with leadership and mentorship.
“Even though I didn’t become a teacher in the traditional sense, that passion has never left, I want to guide others and help them grow.”
Grandon defines success not by numbers, but by impact.
“Success is about genuinely serving others, building trust and making a real difference in people’s lives,” she said. “Marshall has given me the foundation to do that, the confidence, the knowledge and the purpose to keep moving forward.”
