Agent Spotlight
Meet Bryan Gardner
CR: Hey Bryan! So great to catch up with you today! Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
BG: My name is Bryan Gardner. I’ve been married to my lovely wife Summer for 4 years in March and about to welcome our son any day now! I’m an avid sports fan (Go Dawgs, Go Braves, and Go Falcons!) and a recreational tennis player. I also attend and volunteer at Browns Bridge Church.
My initial interest in real estate stemmed from seeking a career with better income potential, where I could have a more flexible schedule as well as continue to work closely with clients or customers and provide expert advice. I had just bought my first house in 2016, so real estate was still pretty fresh on my mind and I always had an interest in the industry. I started pursuing real estate full time in 2020 and in that time have helped 26 families ($10M in sales volume). I have developed a passion for my real estate career and it brings me so much joy to be able to help friends, family and all my other clients with purchasing, selling, and maintaining what is quite possibly the biggest asset they will ever have. I’ve found great purpose in what I do and I’m quite proud to say I’m a Realtor with eXp Realty.
CR: I love your story and watching you grow your business has been so much fun. Since you mentioned eXp, what helped you decide to make the switch?
BG: I chose eXp for several reasons and I want to preface that I was not looking to change brokerages at the time I discovered eXp! However, everything seemed to line up just right and I’m a staunch believer in divine timing as well as the “everything happens for a reason” mantra so I made the switch! Let’s break it down:
Reason #1: The business model. I firmly believe that eXp’s business model is the most efficient and accessible method to build wealth through multiple streams of income anywhere in the real estate industry. There’s a clear path to success in your business, generational wealth, and increased knowledge through eXp’s network of resources.
Reason #2: The “agent led/agent-centric” framework. As agents with eXp, we’re all shareholders as well as independent contractors. It truly builds a “collaboration instead of competition” atmosphere because when our partner agents do well, the company does well, and then we as the shareholders do well. Everybody wins! It’s in everyone’s best interest to pour into each other’s businesses as well as their own and that organically creates the most welcoming atmosphere possible for a real estate brokerage.
Reason #3: The freedom and flexibility. I’m currently in the middle of rebranding my business from top to bottom. Having come from a bigger name brokerage I was very limited on what I could do to market myself and my own brand, but at the same time I was being taught to sell myself to attract clients. Talk about a contradiction! I’m looking forward to growing my business through my own brand and I know that joining eXp was a major step in the right direction. Those reasons are just the tip of the iceberg of why I joined eXp, and if I were to go over all the reasons we’d be here for a very long time!
“I was not looking to change brokerages at the time I discovered eXp! However, everything seemed to line up just right and I’m a staunch believer in divine timing as well as the ‘everything happens for a reason’ mantra, so I made the switch!”
Bryan Gardner
CR: I can totally relate! I love that we’re so in control of our business and branding. It’s been such a game-changer for my business. Now, let’s talk something home related. What’s your favorite room in any house?
BG: Hmm, tough question honestly! I think my favorite room has got to be the living room/den. Family time and entertaining friends are among my favorite things to do and that’s the most logical place in the house to play host! It’s often the coziest and most comfortable room in the house (that doesn’t have a bed in it) and it’s just ready and waiting to be filled with cherished memories.
CR: I agree, the living room IS extra special! So how would you define your personal design style?
BG: Normally I would answer this question, “whatever my wife says looks good!” But now that I’m in the middle of a complete rebranding of my business I’ve found that I gravitate towards natural woods and earth tones. My home office features my grandfather’s old executive stained wood desk and a nice Hemlock shade of green accent wall. It also has pops of black, white, and gold. We built our home just a couple years ago with lots of farmhouse and boho style influences in mind and I think that looks nice as well!
CR: First of all, your initial reaction is the right one! Go with your wife! 😂 That office sounds amazing! I’m loving the dark colors these days, too! Okay, to wrap up, share your favorite professional development book with us. I love hearing what inspires everyone and sending our readers away with something to dig in to!
BG: I think my favorite professional development book is Rich Dad Poor Dad. It’s never been my desire to be rich, but I love the lessons it teaches about reframing your view of money to see it as a tool to work for you, not the other way around. I personally believe that there is a severe lack of understanding for far too many people when it comes to managing their finances. Financial literacy is not taught nearly enough in schools and money is often a sore subject among friends and family. I think this book is a great beginning step to restructure your opinion of money and help you start building financial freedom through understanding risk, taxes, investments, assets, and liabilities. It’s a must read for anyone who is tired of living paycheck to paycheck or someone who feels like they are filling out their bosses’ pockets instead of their own.
CR: This is in my top 3 books as well. I made Barry read it the minute I finished it, and then bought 3 copies for my friends and handed it out like halloween candy. I’m a real treat.
You are so right about financial literacy! I wish it was taught more in schools and I love that this book focuses on that. A lot of people are scared to talk about money (and to teach your kids at a young age, too!). Bryan, this has been such a great chat! Thanks for your insights and your time! Also, I can’t wait to meet that baby so soon!
