Everything I have built for myself has been achieved by putting in the work, conducting business with honesty and integrity, and most importantly, having the support of those around me. 
It had been my goal for a long time – I wanted to open my own brokerage. As a licensed REALTOR® since 1997, I have experienced a lot in the industry and was ready to take the next step. At the beginning of my career, it was helpful learning from others who had been in the business a long time, but once I found my footing and learned the ins and outs of real estate, it became clear to me I was ready to grow in a new way.
The initial transition to real estate wasn’t a big step for me, as I had been selling insurance and knew what it took to be in a field where your success is directly related to how much work you put in. When I was first starting out, my work-life balance wasn’t great. But I believe that if you want to be truly successful, you have to make choices and be willing to put in the time and effort.
With a bachelor’s in finance, numbers have always been my thing. It is a huge asset in real estate because I show my clients price breakdowns and can offer my professional opinion on what is a good deal or what they can expect with their budget.
I learned early on that the best way to approach any business is to be focused on building relationships. The people who chase money will never find long-term success because the most important part of any deal or transaction is the people.
When I opened my brokerage three years ago, it wasn’t a difficult or risky decision. Through the years, I have proven myself to be trustworthy not only to my clients but to my fellow agents. It was an exciting day to finally have my brokerage and be in total control of how business is conducted. I uphold a high standard for myself and my agents. There is a reason we have done so well as a referral-based business.
Being a business owner, I have to devote a lot of my time to my business. I couldn’t have done this all alone. My greatest supporter on this journey has been my wife, Julie. She understood that my ambitions would take time away from our family but trusted it would be worth it in the long run. She stayed home with our kids and gave me the freedom to chase my dream.
Now that I have accomplished what I have set out to do, we travel a lot and enjoy what we have worked hard to have. Another huge help has been my assistant, Jennifer Krohn. She keeps everything moving in our office and makes sure we continue functioning like a well-oiled machine. In my free time, I like to travel and play basketball and poker. I also coach lacrosse at Capital University. 
Helping players overcome obstacles and reach their full potential is a very satisfying and rewarding process. In many ways, coaching directly plays into my role as a REALTOR® and broker. Having the right mindset and helping others reach their goals is critical when I am helping my clients and agents.
It hasn’t always been easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am grateful for the challenges that I have faced, and I am proud of everything that I have accomplished. I’m excited to see what the future holds, and I’m ready to take on any challenges that come my way. Now that my kids are older, I look forward to cheering them on as they establish their own lives and chase their dreams.
Every day has its own set of challenges, and my job is to fight through every single one of them. Then I do it all over again the next day! By putting my all into what I do, I take that pressure and stress off of my clients. They know I will get the job done.
Through every real estate transaction, my clients’ goals become my top priority. In every step we take,I keep those goals in mind and ensure I am always acting in their best interests. By educating my clients, I help them make informed decisions based on what they want to accomplish. We offer a full-service experience, including property management for those looking to invest. We aim to make the process smooth and simple by covering every element of the transaction on your behalf. Even after the transaction is over, you can feel confident knowing I will be there to support you and offer my professional advice for all future needs as your REALTOR® for life.
Sincerely,
Richard Russo
Broker-Owner
Rich Russo 614.937.8699
Jen Krohn 614.439.1129
richrusso@richrussorealty.com
www.richrussorealty.co