Catch your train.  Visit your family.  Celebrate that you don't have cancer.  Try to unwind.  When you get back start giving some energy into thinking about where you would like to be.  

Don't make excuses for not acting.  There is something else out there that isn't going to cost you "50/50"

I suggest that you build an excel spreadsheet that demonstrates what you get from KW, Coldwell, Remax, Exit and several independents.  

Input all of the data and see what or who makes the most sense.  I did it and that is how I came up with my formula.  I wanted to be competitive and I know what everyone else in my marketplace offers.

Look at some of the scenarios available.  One is 70/30 until you reach 100K for the year then you go to 90/10.  Great, but how many agents gross 100K or more per year?  Look at the NAR stats and you will see that very few of us ever do.  So is that a good deal?  Do you feel like getting "Demoted" to the bottom every year?

Another has a great split, but by the time you pay a desk fee, franchise fee, Ad-share fee, and office bills, you are back at about 63%.  

SO look around, and determine if you make the phone ring or your office "NAME" makes your phone ring.

You are too far, but take a look at this site for some ideas of what is out there.  I am a small independent firm with a great name.  I built a split based on my agents, my friends, my troops, building on their successes.  

Here it is.  www.BestSplit.com

Go out and find someone like me and you might be shocked when your phone doesn't slow down.  You see, Shakespeare said it best, A rose by any other name is ............

Your name is what matters.

Gary De Pury

Barb, I always look to see you is doing the talking. You don't need any advice from us. You already know "what's a girl to do?". You have a very impressive resume. You know what the issues are. The boss wants to stay the boss! Maybe it's time to start your own office. Other wise, clean you desk off (even if that means putting the stuff in the drawers, or, putting it in a box and sticking it under the desk out of sight). Let the boss be the boss. And, that means not telling everyone else in the office how wrong it is and how to do it the right way. Good Luck & enjoy your weekend.

Barb, if you are looking for a broker who will leave you alone to do your things (as long as you do them right :-) and if you have a home office to work out of, maybe you can consider working for me? As you may know, my office is in Mundelein, but I need somebody in Chicago who I can refer occassional leads to and who can cover that market. You can always e-mail me with questions at mkrestenic@mipeco.com or call me.

Barb, I'm sorry you're feeling this way. My sister-in-law has hearing problems and I can only imagine how hard it is to conduct business. Maybe, it's not discrimination that is the issue for you. You seem like you could run your own company with all that knowledge. Maybe in today's market you need to shift gears? I hope this doesn't come off wrong - it's just a suggestion. You seem to like to help others and get other agents up and running. Maybe, KW has a "trainor" program like Prudential and Coldwell Banker. It's not sales, but it is still real estate and you sound like you might be good at that sort of thing. I keep thinking I might enjoy that part of the business more. So, maybe this comment is really for me. It is all about me, isn't it?

It sounds like it is time for you to start your own company. If they don't appriate you. They may learn to if you are gone.

Barb,

Having had a couple of cancer scares, including surgery for carcinoma in situ, I know that just the process of finding out if you have "the big C" is overwhelming.

At that time, it is hard to concentrate, but we think we are functioning just fine. Now you know that your boss is a horses' something and after you visit your family, relax a while and look for new employment.

I hope it helps to be able to talk here!

Barb, yes I think it is time to start your own office. Isn't it funny that the things that frustrate us sometimes are really being used to motivate us to make a move?

Sometimes it is easier to keep the things the way they are but like someone told me once, unless you are the lead dog, the scenery never changes. I think you may be ready. That aggravation may be the sand that makes the pearl-go for it.

And when you are grinning from ear to ear one day in your own office, with you desk the way you want it ( I clean mine when I have company coming), then think of us!!!

Barbara, It appears as though you have overcome several obstacles to be very successful.  Find someone who appreciates you, start with your family first.  I hope you enjoy your weekend.