It's Been a Wild Ride

Five years ago this month, a lifelong dream came true: my brother Steve and I finally started a business together. It's something we had talked about for years and years and, somehow, something I always felt like we were destined for. To partner up, to combine our skills and build something good for the world. Of course, we've had plenty of ideas over the years - from digital lawn care companies to themed liquor stores (good for the world, right?) - but it all came together once we realized our shared love of real estate and helping people. 

 

The big day was preceded by months of late night sessions spent brainstorming and imagining what could be. We dreamed of building a great company, one that did important work in the community and took good care of its people. A brand that stood for something, where people would be proud to work and do business. A culture free of big egos but filled with love and respect for one another. So, we looked around and quickly realized, if we wanted to build something really different, we'd need to start from scratch. 

 

Today, VIBE Realty has become one of the fastest growing “indie” real estate brokerages in the Twin Cities. It employs nearly 30 of the coolest, most amazing humans I've had the privilege of knowing and working with. It pays its employees real, actually livable wages and offers full benefits along with some pretty cool amenities and perks. As of today, it has one hundred forty seven 5-star Google reviews and the most amazing and loyal client base we could have ever hoped for. It's not perfect, and never will be. Lord knows we've made plenty of mistakes along the way. But it truly does get better every day. 

 

For its 5th birthday, VIBE got a brand new office in the historic Blair Arcade building on the corner of Selby and Western in Saint Paul (we can't wait to show you at our grand opening this spring!) It's a truly special place where we're excited to write VIBE's next chapter. Larger and more open, our new space was intentionally designed to foster human relationships and connection. And it wouldn't have been complete without a fully equipped event space where we can continue exploring our passion for bringing people together, learning and having fun. Turns out, real estate doesn't have to be boring. 

 

So, today, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude for each of you who believed in us, supported our crazy idea, sent us your friends and family, and came to our events - I am and will forever be indebted to you. And I'm especially grateful for the awesome team at VIBE who sacrifice to make it a better company each passing day - I never dreamed I'd get to work with such cool people - you are like family. 

 

I'm also grateful to my family and friends who have loved me and encouraged me every step of the way - especially my partner Chad and Steve's wife Marta, who have supported us (literally) as we've kept on reinvesting in this dream.

 

And, perhaps most of all, I'm grateful to Steve for believing in us, trusting me and helping me learn to believe in myself. None of this ever would have happened without him. There's no doubt in my mind that he is VIBE's secret weapon and what makes it such a beautiful company - its heart and soul.

 

This has been an incredible journey with all of you, and I wouldn't change a thing. On to the next chapter! 

 

❤️