I’ve always been the person who steps up. Whether it’s to help coach my kid’s football team or form a new business with my work colleagues. I want to help others be the best they can be while building strong connections and communities.

I watched as one of my son’s teammates give the football a feeble throw. It was clear he was doing his best, but the coach’s instruction didn’t give him much to work with.

Flag football was one of the first activities the family got into when we moved to Texas. We originally hail from Baltimore. Outdoor activities hadn’t been a big part of life there! But now that we were in Texas, team sports—especially football—were a great and popular way to get involved in the community.

I watched another kid fling the football, only for it to land a yard short of its intended destination. I was far from an expert in the world of football, but I had played a bit in school, and I knew these kids were capable of better.

So, when my son said, “The dad coaching our football team says he’s too busy and gonna have to quit,” he had my attention.

“Who’s gonna step up and replace him?” I asked.

“I don’t know.”

I’d never coached anything before, but this seemed like a good opportunity to spend some more time with the kids. And maybe I could get that team into better shape. Which is how I started coaching kids flag football.

It was an amazing experience! I connected with the families and community more than I imagined I would. It turns out, with a coach who had a little more time to spend with them, the kids weren’t bad! They were actually good!

Even after my sons both aged out of the league, I continued coaching. My team was consistently in the top four regionally. I went on to coach Flag Football at the NFL stage for two years. One year my team came in second nationally! They got to be on TV and everything.

That idea of stepping up has been a consistent theme in my life. I spent 17 years heading a company of my own design. When a former employer offered to buy out members of a team at work, I brought them together to start our own business in utility evaluation. I had the drive of an entrepreneur and the courage to build something new. Working with utilities also gave me a huge amount of knowledge in business consulting, electricity, all sorts of things that I’ve been able to use since then.

My wife, Tammy, was by my side the entire time. She saw the strain the work had on me, and I confided in her that I wanted to move on. At this point, she’d been a real estate agent for five or six years and suggested I join her in the business. Like with the football team, it seemed like the ideal way to be with her more and the perfect time to try something new. I jumped at the chance.

Not only has being an agent given me a career I’m passionate about, but it’s another way that I’ve been able to connect with families and communities!

Between Tammy’s experience and my drive, opening our own brokerage was a no-brainer. We aren’t interested in producing good agents. Rather, we bring in good agents and make them great. We’re not trying to build a large office. We’re creating an environment where hands-on training is valued. We’d rather work with dedicated, quality individuals who we can focus on and train. My football coaching was the perfect preparation.

I believe that if an agent does a fantastic job, the money will come. My focus is always on the client, not the commission. I work with my clients. If they are new to the process of buying or selling, then I can walk through it with them. I can dispel misconceptions and manage expectations.

I’m particularly proud of my negotiation skills. I learned that they don’t need to be confrontational and can lead to a smooth resolution. It’s all in the way you speak.

The experiences Tammy and I had in previous brokerages showed us that large offices are less motivated to help agents grow. It’s the reason we cultivated a boutique agency where everyone can flourish.

Clients feel safe in my hands because I’m always genuine with them. I speak from the heart, and I’m a straight-shooter. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the joy I can bring others through my role in their real estate journey.

I’m looking forward to the opportunity of meeting you and delivering the elite service you deserve!

With gratitude,

John Martellini
REALTOR®