We had the good fortune of connecting with Barkley Romero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barkley, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?

The most important lesson I have learned over the course of my career is to keep the faith and that the money will always find you if you stop looking for it.
In the past, I spent so much time chasing the money and worrying about where my next paycheck would come from. Once I learned that as long as I lead with contribution and service first, the money would always find me, I was able to release the aspect of chasing the money and trust.
Yes, we all need money in order to do things like pay our bills, feed our family and put clothes on our backs, but once you boil it down to the basic necessities a human being needs to survive or a business needs to run and worry less about the material items, you can detach from the idea of working for a paycheck. Instead, I work to see a smile on my clients face when I hand them the keys to their new home or the hug that I get from a mother when I deliver diapers to them that they otherwise couldn’t afford. I find that I am much happier that way and so are the people around me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

First and foremost, I am a licensed REALTOR® and Housing Specialist in California and Arizona. I specialize in relocation and marketing homes. In addition to selling Real Estate, I am the founder and CEO of REAL gratitude, a Real Estate Marketing company that helps agents learn how to build their business by giving back to the community. As opposed to self promoting advertisements, REAL gratitude focuses on connecting the community – neighbors, non-profits and local businesses.
Whenever we do a transaction, we have the client pick a local business and non-profit. Then we find out what the non-profit is in need of and collect those items by doorknocking their neighbor’s homes. Then we do a giveaway for our community with the local business.
In addition to the drives, we use a portion of our REAL estate commissions to create an ecosystem that works to balance inequalities and make housing accessible for all.
It has not been an easy journey, but it has been an organic one. Over the course of two years, I have had 6 different brokerages and had many people who have called me things such as a “liability” or even a “cock-eyed optimist.” We have also been completely bootstrapping so it has been a journey of counting every penny to make sure that we can continue operations.
What I have learned along the way is that the brokerage you are with is more about the support they can offer you in your growth than the commission splits. I’ve also learned the importance of allocating money accordingly but always trusting that the money will find me.
I would love the world to know that with REAL gratitude, my national network of agents specialize in being of service. First, they are some of the best in the business when it comes to helping with Real Estate transactions. Second, they are some of the kindest, most community oriented, leaders in the world and work purely to be able to giveback. When you close a Real Estate transaction with us, you are not only helping yourself by making your goals come true, but you are able to use us as a channel to give back to others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Since my company is remote and I am digital nomad, I usually feel like a tourist, myself, every time I come to LA for work.
I would highly recommend Nicks, Magic Castle, Universal Studios, and any of the magical hikes that Los Angeles has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to dedicate my shout out to my team at REAL gratitude as well as all of my mentors and advisors including Harvey Good and my team at RETSY in Arizona including Chrissy Heller and Chris Morrison. Also, I have to send so much love out to my family and friends who have supported me on this nomadic journey I’ve been on these past couple of years. Your couches and spare rooms have been so appreciated.

Website: www.realgratitude.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/real.barkley

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barkley-romero-8b4884196/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealbarkley_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealbarkley

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/c-barkley-romero-philanthropic-realtor-pacific-palisades-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKMR8EzlhJsnzjCqa-xU6hw

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.