Lou & Deb Ronayne

A BOUNDLESS PARTNERSHIP ABOUNDING WITH LOVE

By Jane K. Asher, Ph.D.

Photos by Stylish Detroit

With a combined 54 years in the business, over $1 billion in sales, and extensive management and development experience, Lou and Deb Ronayne have undoubtedly flourished alongside one another in their professional lives. In real estate, they have not only built a thriving career and productive business partnership; they have also carved out a space to grow closer to one another — to flourish as partners in business and in life.

“We’ve been married 29 years but feel like newlyweds,” Deb said. “We’re best friends, we share our Christian faith, we have each other’s back and we are always there for each other through all the highs and lows. We’re business partners who have fun in real estate and love our work … and we are encouragers for everyone we meet who is searching for direction.”

Prior to meeting Lou and getting into real estate, Deb owned and operated a plastics injection molding and tool and die business with her first husband Mike. Then, in 1986, just three days after they sold their multi-plant location, Mike died, unexpectedly, leaving Deb with two young daughters. Deb went on to assist with the transition period of their business and spent the next four years of her life working through her grief before deciding to do something she had always wanted to do: earn her bachelor’s degree. She attended Madonna University, where her “first college friend” set her up on a blind date with Lou, and it was “love at first sight.” “From 1990 to 1994, I met and married Lou, had our third child together and graduated with a 3.98 GPA,” Deb said. “I also changed things up and worked as a contractor for Ford Motor Land Division, managing automotive facility design for the premier brands.”

Lou started his professional journey as the owner and operator of a landscaping construction company specializing in both commercial and residential projects, including government-financed and multi-state jobs. In 1983, Lou became a full-time REALTOR® at his friend’s independent brokerage and earned his broker’s license in 1986. The following year, he joined RE/ MAX where he had the opportunity to combine his real estate sales and development business under the same brokerage — and keep 100% of his commission, a perk that he had not experienced early on in his career. After about 20 years as a top sales agent, Lou became a managing broker and team leader at Keller Williams, and during this time, he began conjuring up the idea for Deb to join him in real estate. “Being married to Deb and seeing the skills she had, I thought we could combine our efforts and really succeed at a high level … and I was right,” Lou said.

Deb wasn’t initially on board with Lou’s plan, but she says that at the end of 2002, it finally felt right, so she got her license. Because Lou was a team leader and couldn’t compete with agents, Deb stepped in and took over the business Lou had spent 20 years building. “It finally made sense as to why I majored in technical writing and business administration at Madonna University: It was my path to real estate and writing killer contracts,” Deb said. “I also knew our skill sets would complement each other, and they do!”

Two years after Deb was licensed, Deb and Lou established The Ronayne Team, and today, both Deb and Lou are associate brokers at eXp Realty, LLC where they run a 99.9% referral-based business entirely focused on customer experience. Deb and Lou are grateful that they found a home at eXp. “We have mutual friends, Gene and Susan Frederick, who have shown us the way to successfully work together in real estate and build a strong, family-centered marriage. We wouldn’t be at eXp Realty if it wasn’t for their friendship,” Lou said.

Lou’s empathetic nature is opportune for growing their business and attracting agents: He truly cares about the agents he works with, as well as about the professionalism of the industry. “I am a connector, and I am always interested in meeting new people and learning about what they do,” he said. “In addition, I’m experienced in commercial real estate and land development and bring many years as an experienced broker to the table.” Lou classifies himself as the “big picture/concept-guy” of the pair. “I have the vision and have been fortunate to join new real estate companies whose models are the next major force in our business,” he said.

Deb describes herself as “a detail person.” She brings the business plan to the partnership and is adept at managing numerous aspects of any project at a time. “I’m the goal setter and the driver to make things happen,” Deb said. More so, her previous training as a Stephen’s Minister has molded her into a good listener and source of trust and comfort when clients experience difficulties or challenges in life. “Having closed over 1,000 transactions on my own, there isn’t much I haven’t seen or experienced over the years, so I’m a good problem solver,” she said.

Lou and Deb agree that the most rewarding part of their business is the connection with their clients. Over the years, they’ve sold homes to the same clients, and now they’re selling homes to their children. “Many of our clients have become dear friends,” Deb said. “We’re not just service providers; we become part of peoples’ lives during the transaction and remain for years.” Lou and Deb both possess a strong work ethic and care deeply for their clients. They also agree that by always putting their family first, they help their clients in the way they would expect to be helped.

Lou and Deb have three children, Jacqueline Chenoweth, Katherine Swallow and Louie Ronayne, yet their family — the many people they spend their holidays with and cherish making memories with — extends beyond blood and conventional bounds. They say they have 10 grandchildren — “seven ‘domestic’ and three ‘imports’” — because, in addition to their children, their son-in-law Lee Swallow, their daughter-in-law Kennedy Ronayne and their seven biological grandchildren, Lou and Deb also embrace Jacqueline’s boyfriend and his daughter, as well as Jacqueline’s ex-husband, his wife and her two children as family.

“We love family vacations — both near and far — fun days and mystery tours,” Deb said. “As a couple, in addition to spending time with our family, we like to travel and are starting to make more time for this. We both like to golf and read, and Lou loves fishing and hunting. We both read the Bible and workout every day, and we enjoy our wonderful group of dear friends.” Lou and Deb are also working with their friends Kevin and Nancy Sell to support their international charity, Hearts of Hope, by fundraising for a Jeep Wrangler for a village in Kenya.

“We are proof that you can have a successful marriage and career in real estate at the same time — I actually feel we are closer because Deb joined me in the business,” Lou said. “Debbie is the best real estate agent that I have ever worked with. Her intelligence and focus on detail are unmatched, and she protects her clients’ interests at all times. I couldn’t imagine my life without her.”

“Lou is the best broker I have ever known — he is the epitome of servant leadership and kindness and is committed to our agents’ growth and success,” Deb said. “As my best friend, he’s always there for me both in support and understanding.”

Lou and Deb are confident that their individual expertise “rounds out and covers” every aspect of their business; they take comfort in knowing that, together, they are equipped to handle whatever issues business — or life — throws at them. “Being partners in all we do is who we are, and we love it,” Deb said.

Lou and Deb’s partnership is driven by their admiration and respect for another. Their relationship is a beautiful example of love, honor and loyalty … and an inspiration to everyone who surrounds them.

Dynamic Duo- Lou & Deb Ronayne