In 2018, my girlfriend, now wife, and I moved to a new town called Stony Point. With the encouragement of my real estate agent, a family member, I decided to obtain my real estate license. Initially, I was hesitant due to the stereotypical portrayal of real estate agents in the media, but my family’s support convinced me otherwise.

I joined a small, independent brokerage run by a husband and wife team. They provided invaluable guidance in my early days as an agent. Their office was conveniently located across from my apartment, making it easy for me to immerse myself in the business. I gained hands-on experience by assisting with showings and listings, and even co-listed on a house sale. I also contributed by helping with marketing, managing their website, and improving their digital presence.

In 2020, about two years after I joined, the brokerage decided to rebrand and start a new company. I was eager to contribute and helped develop their branding, digital marketing, and advertising. Unfortunately, I could not secure an ownership stake in the new venture despite my efforts. Understanding the situation, I decided to focus on my full-time job, offering to help only when the requested assistance.

The pandemic brought significant challenges, and sadly, the husband passed away from COVID-19. I reconnected with the wife to assist her in navigating this challenging time. Despite the difficulties, we managed to grow the business by attracting new agents and securing listings.

However, a trademark issue arose, leading to the dissolution of the new company. It was a setback, especially after seeing our efforts come to fruition in the community. We then partnered with a larger real estate organization, which provided an opportunity to expand our presence in a new market. I assisted in creating branding strategies and increasing the company’s social media presence.

After about a year, the partnership ended due to differing perspectives on business expenses and goals. Despite the dissolution, I appreciated the experience and lessons learned. Eventually, we joined another successful brokerage, welcoming our agents to a thriving environment.