What is your WHY?

How I view everything changed after I had kids? Growing up as a gay man, I never thought I would have children... or a modern family. Real estate allowed me to help people, be valuable to people, and create my family. I worked my ass off for eight years to build a book of business that lead to Oliver. My husband and I decided to do surrogacy which honestly is not cheap. [six figures] When I meet someone who is having fertility issues or another gay couple who wants children, I do not hesitate in offering my story, our journey as an example for them. Showing vs. telling.

In many ways, I think that is what is missing from the real estate community. We all need to be better examples for each other. But the real estate brokerages don't have enough incentives established for that to be maintained. In fact, they themselves are not collaborating. Instead they are showing through their behavior with other brokerages that collaboration is not an acceptable option.

I can't control how others behave. I can only control my own actions and hold others accountable to what I feel is acceptable behavior. When did our leaders feel that their egos could lead their discussions and decisions? I believe we are #bettertogether. I have seen the impact that I can personally have in a small setting. It is time for me to be vulnerable, step outside of my comfort zone, and be the change I want to see in the world.

One of the nicest cards I received over the years was someone recognizing this behavior in me. "I love that you have made "love" part of our office lingo. That love and success go hand-in-hand. That Niceness can rule the day, not back-stabbing and mean-ness." I want to light a fire in everyone in the industry to be better than the examples others are setting.