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OAKLAND COUNTY

C O N N E C T I N G .

E L E VAT I N G .

I N S P I R I N G .

TOP PRODUCER

BRANDON

CURRY

Photo by Jessica Laine Photography

JULY 2021

CVED 21897

We would like to thank the Realtor community for the opportunity of being the Realtors’

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Oakland County Real Producers • 3

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 07

Top Producer: Brandon Curry

Editor’s Note

Preferred Partners

30 Rising Star: Morgan Luttrell

Celebrating Leaders: David Simovski

Partner Spotlight: Rob VanDette, Affordable Website Specialists

Making a Difference: Maria Kopicki

Broker Spotlight: Inked Michigan Realty

Event Recap: Cars & Real Estate Stars

If you are interested in contributing or nominating someone for a feature, please email us at Chris.csotty@realproducersmag.com or Terra.csotty@realproducersmag.com. DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Oakland County Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies. NOTE: When community events take place, photographers may be present to take photos for that event and they may be used in this publication.

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Oakland County Real Producers • 5

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editor’s note

Hello

Sunshine! Summer is here in all of its glory, which means that my productivity will constantly be put to the test. Let’s be honest — no one wants to be indoors tackling that to-do list on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon, and I am no exception. I would rather be lounging on my patio, chatting with my neighbor at the fence, tending my garden, churning my compost, putzing around in my garage, running the trail near my house, power-washing my porch, pulling weeds from my grass — literally anything that gets me away from my desk and my computer. The “summer slump” is real — several studies report that 25% of people feel less productive in the summertime. But the good news is that we need not feel guilty about our summer slacking because time spent away from our desks and enjoying sunny skies ultimately increases our productivity. Soaking up some vitamin D on a regular basis during your summer workdays and giving yourself adequate time to recharge and refresh on an extended vacation boosts motivation and happiness. Unlike the fleeting warmth and magic of summer, those items on your to-do list

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aren’t going anywhere — they’ll be waiting for you when you make your way back indoors or when you return home from a much-needed, weeklong vacation. So what are you waiting for? Embrace the summer slump right now: Grab your sunglasses, pour yourself a glass of something refreshing, venture to your favorite outdoor spot, and savor this July issue of Real Producers beneath the summer sun. Jane K. Asher, Ph.D. Managing Editor of Real Producers of Oakland County jane.asher@realproducersmag.com

Oakland County Real Producers • 7

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First State Bank Lisa Marie Pevac (586) 354-6797 First State Bank Ken Ebaugh (248) 270-6278 Gonzalez Group NEXA Mortgage (586) 201-7255 Horizon Financial Group Joshua Rubin (248) 538-7162 Huntington Bank Sandi Frith (586) 871-8002 Lake Michigan Credit Union Matt Adler (248) 219-7552 Omega Lending Group (248) 598-8000 Ross Mortgage Toni Thwaites (248) 459-2089 Level One Bank Lara Forte (248) 284-5178 Team Slobin Supreme Lending (248) 535-0465 MOVING & STORAGE Changing Places Moving Johnna Struck (248) 674-3937

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10 • July 2021

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MEET THE OAKLAND COUNTY REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

Chris Csotty Publisher

Terra Csotty Publisher

Jane K. Asher, Ph.D. Managing Editor/Writer

Dina Ranieri

Relationship Manager

Jeanne Monillo Ad Strategist

April Shanne Subiera

Robbyn Moore

Amanda Matkowski Editor

Stylish Detroit Photographer/Videographer

Jermaine Buie

Jessica Laine Gouverneur

Sasha Marceta

Brandon Ramsay

Publishing Assistant/ Reprints Specialist

Perfect Light, LLC Photographer

Writer

Jessica Laine Photography Photographer

Skyview Experts Photographer/Videographer

Andy Schwartz

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Oakland County Real Producers • 13

announcement

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OAKLAND COUNTY

C O N N E C T I N G .

E L E VAT I N G .

I N S P I R I N G .

TOP PRODUCER

BRANDON

CURRY

Photo by Jessica Laine Photography

JULY 2021

It’s a badge of honor to hold the printed version of Real Producers of Oakland County magazine in your hands. If you want all our issues wherever you go, download the Issuu app or visit www.issuu.com, and search Real Producers of Oakland County.

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18 • July 2021

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CURRY

BRANDON

SUCCESS IN SIMPLE TERMS: KINDNESS AND HARD WORK

top producer By Robbyn Moore Photos by Jessica Laine Photography

“My definition of success is working as hard as I can for my clients while doing whatever I can to represent them and their best interests,” Brandon Curry, real estate agent at Signature Sotheby’s International Realty said. “Life is a journey, and so is finding the perfect home. Everything happens for a reason, but in the end, nothing happens if you don’t work hard for it. And hard work always pays off.” Brandon’s approach to success is simple and direct, and comes with years of hard work. He put himself through college at the University of Michigan by waiting tables and bartending. He also worked at a steel mill during his college years, which gave him a solid work ethic of waking up early and working long, hard days. “I’ve worked construction and retail, and helped out for free wherever I could, whenever I could,” Brandon shared. He earned a degree in communications and started a marketing company that included clients such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menards. “My career was doing well, but I was never truly happy with what I was doing,” he said. “My heart just wasn’t there.”

Five years ago, on March 18, 2016, Brandon celebrated his birthday and launched his real estate career. Since entering the real estate industry, he has achieved a career volume of nearly $75 million — $25 million of which he achieved last year. “With my passion for making a house a home and my background in sales, a career in real estate was an obvious choice for me,” he said. “The precursor to my success was my previous work experience and a strong work ethic.”

Growing up in Bloomfield Hills, Brandon watched his parents continuously put upgrades into their home, live in it for a while and then look for another home to work on. “My parents were the original ‘flippers,’” he said with a laugh. “Watching them influenced me and developed my passion for real estate at an early age.”

At the start of his career, Brandon was met with skeptics and naysayers who criticized everything from his marketing style and clothing choice to the length of his beard. “Despite the feedback I was getting, I did my own thing and followed who I was, not what anyone else wanted me to be,” Brandon said. “Because of that, I am now one of the top three producers at Sotheby’s and the only one in the top 10 — who I can think of — who doesn’t have a team or significant other who helps.”

With real estate in his blood, Brandon remembers wanting to become a real estate agent when he was in his early 20s; however, his dad quickly told him that nobody would buy a home from a kid. “Unfortunately, it took me years to follow my heart and stand up for myself,” Brandon recalled. “It was only when I believed 100% in myself that was I able to pursue what I wanted in life.” realproducersmag.com

Brandon has also earned the title of Hour Detroit Real Estate All-Star, Sotheby’s Platinum Award, Sotheby’s Achievement Award and multiple other Sotheby’s awards.

For Brandon, there was no single moment that made him who he is today – rather, it’s been a long series of trials and errors. “Like relationships, you go into each one trying your best and hoping for the best and eventually you meet your soul

mate,” he shared. “Therefore, it’s important to learn from past failed experiences and become a better version of yourself moving forward — real estate is the same. For me, it probably took longer than most to get into the business, but in the end, I couldn’t be happier with the way the world shaped me into the man that I am, in a career that I love.” When it comes to getting a job done right, Brandon is a one-man show. His autonomous approach to his clients has established a level of trust and openness that’s second to none. From beginning to end, Brandon works side by side with his clients to provide exceptional client service, transparency, accountability and personalized attention. “You can only count on yourself to do the job right and as you see fit,” he explained. “No matter what side of the sale I’m on, I see every transaction in its entirety — every showing, negotiation, inspection, appraisal and closing — it’s all me and only me.” Brandon especially likes helping first-time homebuyers find their home. “People may own a lot of homes in their lives, but their first home will always be the most memorable and most important,” he said. “I love seeing the passion behind the hunt for those buyers and also being able to walk them through the right path of how to find that home.” Oakland County Real Producers • 19

In addition, Brandon loves helping buyers who have worked with other agents in the past as well, particularly when he hears “my last agent didn’t do that” or “I wish I knew that when I bought my last house.” However, his biggest challenge is breaking the predispositions that his clients may have toward previous experiences and real estate agents, and gaining their trust. “I want to show my clients that this can be a fun, exciting and positive experience.” Seeing clients smile at the end of a deal is the highlight of Brandon’s job. “Having a seller thrilled with what we got for their home, and the smooth process that got us there, or having a buyer pleased with the deal we got on a house, definitely brings fulfillment to my life.” However, the most rewarding aspect of Brandon’s work is referrals. “I don’t advertise or market myself or mail out flyers,” he said. “I work entirely off of referrals. I never take any opportunity for granted, and whenever I hear that a past client of mine referred a new client to me, I am honored and gracious beyond words.”

20 • July 2021

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IF YOU CAN’T ADMIT YOU’VE MADE A MISTAKE, YOU CAN NEVER TRULY SUCCEED AT ANYTHING IN LIFE. AND IF YOU LOOK AT LIFE WITH A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE, YOU’LL ATTRACT JUST THE SAME.

In addition to collecting referrals, Brandon also collects vintage Land Rovers. His collection has included a Series 1, Series 2A, Series 3 and a Defender. He currently has a 1956 Land Rover Series 1 being restored and built up in Utah and a 1995 Land Rover Defender 130 being restored and built up in Australia, which has a right-hand drive that he plans to keep intact. “It’s cool to be different,” he stated. His wife Jenna, who Brandon described as his soul mate and the center of his universe, is a recent stay-at-home mom to their son, Jack, who was born February 26, 2021. “Jenna tackled the most difficult job there is by devoting her focus to our son,” he said proudly of his wife. The couple has a shared interest in working on homes, and, as a result, Jenna started an Instagram account — @forrichardorpoorer — to document their house projects. “What started out as

realproducersmag.com

a few postings and documentation for our personal use has blossomed into something bigger. We’ve gained a lot of popularity and have a pretty big group of followers. It’s fun to share our passion while also serving as a source of help to so many others.” Brandon leads with his heart in all that he does, including his support to most anything animal-related. During the early part of the COVID-19 shutdown, Brandon donated his full commission from the sale of a home in Bloomfield to the Humane Society. “Kindness matters. That’s all,” he said. “The love you give is the love you get. Whether it is giving my time to an organization, my clients or my family, I go to bed at night knowing I worked as hard as I could that day.”

Oakland County Real Producers • 21

Brandon has found success by being unapologetically kind, authentic and hardworking. He is also a huge advocate of learning by trial and error. “I say, ‘be kind, rewind’ and ‘look at your past and learn from it.’ If you can’t admit you’ve made a mistake, you can never truly succeed at anything in life. And if you look at life with a negative attitude, you’ll attract just the same.” Real estate has everything to do with Brandon’s future dreams and goals. “I found this career when the timing was right, and I want to keep doing this job until my body won’t let me anymore,” he shared. “Some journeys take longer than others: Not everybody finds their first house on their first showing, and not every seller sells their home over asking price to the first showing. Hard work and determination are the keys to making success a reality. … Really, I don’t care if I sell one home a year or 100 homes a year — just as long as every day I’m giving work 100% of myself.”

22 • July 2021

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24 • July 2021

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ROB VanDETTE AFFORDABLE WEBSITE SPECIALISTS O P T I M I Z I N G B U S I N E S S E S O N E C L I C K AT A T I M E Internet marketing is the perfect industry for Rob VanDette because it fuses together his knowledge in technology, his drive for creativity and his passion for working with people.

While finishing up his business degree at Hope College, Rob acquired website design experience through personal efforts, which inspired him to start his own internet marketing company. Three weeks after graduation, Rob formed his first limited liability company and gained his first client. “It quickly dawned on me that this was my dream career, and I was good at it,” Rob recalled. “So I stuck with it, and here I am today, 11 years later, owning my own business and loving what I do!” Affordable Website Specialists provides custom website design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media management and Google Ads pay-perclick management. They have been in business since 2009 and have clients not only in Michigan but also across the world. With all of its employees located in Southeast Michigan, the company takes great pride in keeping small business jobs in the state. Through cutting-edge internet marketing strategies, the team lives by the motto “turning viewers into customers.” Their personalized attention to treat each customer like family is a hallmark that has kept businesses coming back and referrals coming in. “By design, we aren’t a giant firm,” Rob said. “It has always been our intention to offer value and savings to our customers while also providing excellent, personal service.” SEO is often a service that appeals to real estate agents since it’s highly important to show up on the first page for the Google search term “real realproducersmag.com

estate agent” for local areas. “Real estate professionals can greatly benefit from our services,” Rob explained. “Most likely, potential homebuyers are doing their searches online and gathering information about the real estate market. We can set up real estate agents with their own customized websites, manage their social media accounts to increase their client base and promote their listings.” Rob’s greatest satisfaction is knowing that his customers are getting more business, more calls and more leads because of their increased website traffic and standout presence on social media. “It’s fun to create a ‘buzz’ and watch our clients’ accounts grow. It’s an honor to have such a critical role in getting our clients more sales and, ultimately, improving their lives as a result,” Rob said. “Having a business owner tell me that they are having a record year, thanks to our internet marketing services, makes everything I do worthwhile!” Throughout the years, Rob has seen a great deal of things change in his industry. “When I first started out in 2009, websites were the main focus, but now we also offer social media SEO management such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as online ad management,” he said. “Since the internet is where most people are doing their search for products and services, we switched to offering full-service internet marketing to accommodate the increase in demand.” Rob has always been an outdoorsy guy. His favorite hobbies include fishing, hunting, gardening and spending time on the lake swimming, boating or snowmobiling. He’s very close with his family, who are known for their stellar cookouts. For Rob, success is the ability to make a living while doing what he loves. “I really love what I do, and I feel very fortunate to live out my dreams every day; I think my customers can see the passion in my work,” he said. Rob also shared that his commitment to his clients is at the top of his priority list. “I want to be remembered as a people person and a man of character who was dedicated to his work and clients and, of course, as an excellent internet marketer,” Rob concluded. For more information about Affordable Website Specialists, call 248-770-8408, or visit awspecialists.com. Oakland County Real Producers • 27

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Morgan

Luttrell A SHIFT IN MINDSET

When Morgan Luttrell left the comforts of her home in Canton to do some soul-searching, she discovered that her greatest challenges were actually the words she whispered to herself. Her introspective journey helped her create a mental and emotional tool kit that supported confidence, self-realization, awareness and positive daily practices, which include meditation, breathwork and fitness. While the path to personal discovery consisted of many twists and turns, it led Morgan to uncover the greatest version of herself and a career where she can help others through real estate.

In 2018, Morgan joined the team at eXp Realty, and soon thereafter, formed Move With Morgan, a brand she created to distinguish herself from others. Since launching her career, she has a total sales volume of over $20 million, was named Rookie of the Year by her agency and earned many top sales awards for her company. “There are hundreds of agents at our brokerage who support and encourage one another,” Morgan shared. “Having the stability of our agency has always been important to me; the knowledge and leadership within our company has had a huge impact on my professional success.”

Throughout Morgan’s life, she has enjoyed various jobs in sales and was continuously told by many people that she should consider pursuing a career in real estate. “Because I would repeatedly hear the suggestion, I figured there was something to the idea and began to look into it seriously,” Morgan recalled. When Morgan began to follow her real estate ambitions, she was met with questions from doubters who told her that she wouldn’t succeed. “Because I had overcome previous obstacles, my confidence was stronger, and I was better equipped to mentally tune out the noise and pursue my dreams, regardless of what anyone else said to me,” she explained. Morgan is an advocate for strong mental health and believes it is a resource that everyone can use to become stronger in their work and personal life. When she started her career in real estate, she quickly learned that she was not only helping someone find their home but also helping them in whatever life journey they were on at that moment. “Every person I work with comes to me with a story: a new marriage, a growing family and sometimes a loved one who has passed — and they need to sell their home,” she said. Morgan quickly learned that she wasn’t just selling a home: She was helping others with their next step in life, whatever it was. realproducersmag.com

Oakland County Real Producers • 31

By nature, Morgan is a “server” who finds a great deal of joy from seeing others happy. On her first showing, Morgan knew that she was in the right place when the hair on her arms stood up from seeing the enthusiasm on her client’s face. “From day one, I was hooked,” she exclaimed. “I love to see the light in people’s eyes when I am helping them. But little do my clients know, they are the ones helping me — because of them, I have realized my purpose in life.”

“I think back to when I took a chance on something I knew so little about and how much my life has changed in such a short amount of time,” Morgan said. “I have so much gratitude for my past struggles because they were experiences that made me who I am today.” For up-and-coming real estate professionals, Morgan emphasized the importance of never giving up. “The biggest breaking point comes when you least expect it,” she said. “If you put in the work and show up every day, there is no way you will fail. There will be tough days and days you want to quit or think you can’t keep going, but with the right support system and a great mindset, anything is possible.”

The most rewarding part of Morgan’s business is meeting new people, who have become lifelong clients and friends. “The people’s lives you touch in this business is something that is so fulfilling,” Morgan said. “My favorite part is closing day. The journey to the closing table can have its ups and downs, so when you get there after all your hard work has paid off, and your clients feel really good, it becomes very surreal and very gratifying — it’s a privilege to be a part of those moments.” Along with the accomplishments, so too are the challenges. For Morgan, the biggest challenge is the mental game that’s a hallmark of real estate business. “One minute you’re winning a bidding war, the next you’re working on a deal that’s falling apart,” she said. “It’s an emotional roller coaster, so having the mental strength to bounce back takes practice and a toughness that gets conditioned with time.” In Morgan’s free time, she finds happiness in cooking and doing new projects around her new home with her boyfriend, Zack, and their puppy, Ozzy. Morgan is very close to her family, which includes her brother, Logan, and sisters, Meredith and Mallory. They often spend Sundays together by enjoying a meal and good conversation; their dad, Larry, who is a trusted source in Morgan’s life, and their mom, Marlene, who is a shining example of kindness and patience, also join in on their Sunday gatherings. 32 • July 2021

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David

Simovski Unwavering in Authentic Leadership 36 • July 2021

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celebrating leaders By Robbyn Moore Photos by Sasha Marceta with Skyview Experts Photos taken at Toll Brothers - Reserve at West Bloomfield

From his early days in management at Home Depot to becoming an industry leader in real estate, David Simovski understands the value of leadership, visualization of goals and the importance of helping others. Above all, David has an unwavering commitment to remaining true to himself — a characteristic that has led him to happiness and success.

“If you are looking to be a leader, it has to be genuine,” David explained. “Do it for the right reasons: because you want to see other people succeed, because it’s important to your values or because you can make a difference in other people’s lives — not for the money.”

Prior to getting into real estate, David unknowingly found a mentor in his former manager at Home Depot, who shaped much of who he is today. “I was fortunate to have a boss who continually taught me lessons in leadership,” David shared. “At the time, however, I didn’t realize they were lessons. I was subconsciously learning how to lead people, which easily translated later into my real estate career.” Because of his natural ability to coach and train newer agents, David was the first office leader selected when his brokerage began to expand their teams. “Prior to earning my role as a team leader, I was already working with newer agents because I knew from my own experience how critical having a mentor was to my success.”

To David, leadership is earned rather than appointed. “You are typically given a leadership position based on potential,” he said. “There will be struggles, and you will always feel like you can be better; therefore, it’s important to stay focused, humble and curious.” For six years, David has dedicated himself to the real estate industry with a proven track record in sales and leadership. He is a company store leader and broker at REALTEAM Real Estate in Auburn Hills with a career sales volume totaling more than $50 million. While he has worked very hard to build and grow his business, David’s greatest accomplishments have been found in the achievements from his team, which he guides with integrity and passion. “I recruit, coach and train agents to be the best versions of themselves every day,” David said. “I truly understand and appreciate the importance of having a mentor — it made a difference in my career path, and I want to do the same for others.”

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Oakland County Real Producers • 37

David’s enthusiasm to change the lives of agents on his team parallels with their clients getting the best possible experience. “What makes us unique is our ability to work seamlessly as a team,” David said. “If one agent is unable to take a client out for any reason, another team member will step in and take that client out, ensuring flawless customer service.” The brokerage consists of approximately 55-60 agents and four to six staff members. They have multiple locations in Metro Detroit, Saint Clair Shores, Oak Park, Warren, Shelby Twp. and Auburn Hills.

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38 • July 2021

While David enjoys elevating his team and inspiring new agents, he does suggest that true success comes from two things: having a positive business mindset and staying authentic. “A team is a great source for guidance and encouragement,” David explained. “However, a top producer needs to independently visualize their own success and establish a unique identity that best represents who they are. Ultimately, it sets them apart and brings value to the team. It’s something that I personally work on every day.” Beyond David’s real estate career, and his marriage to his wife, Radmila, he said that becoming a father to their two boys is what has changed his life the most. Along with their sons — Maxim, 5, and Oliver, 17 months — David and Radmila love to travel to Florida in the winter and to Houghton or Torch Lake for the summer. “I was attracted to real estate because I knew I wanted to help people and earn an income that gave me the opportunity to design the life I wanted to live,” David said. “This profession has afforded me a certain lifestyle that I always wanted for myself and my family. Furthermore, I discovered the opportunity to change lives, and that’s really the greatest reward of all.” @realproducers

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Oakland County Real Producers • 39

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Maria

Kopicki LABORING FOR LOVE AND EQUITY BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

making a difference By Jane K. Asher, Ph.D. Photos by Jessica Laine Photography

Even though Maria Kopicki no longer spends her days shaping young minds in the classroom, her love for education, for educators and for underserved children remains at the heart of her career in real estate and continues to live on — and grow — through EVOLVEK12. Throughout Maria’s 30-year career as a public school teacher, she was revered for her dedication, generous spirit and compassion, and known for her mantra: “It’s all about the love.” After making the difficult decision to retire from teaching in June 2019, Maria wanted to continue the legacy of love that had shaped her pedagogy and her life for so many years, and that’s what inspired her vision for EVOLVEK12 as well as its name — LOVE spelled backward, followed by “VE” for Vesting in Education. Founded by Maria in fall 2019, EVOLVEK12 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Metro Detroit with a mission to “close the achievement gap by closing the funding 42 • July 2021

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gap.” Through a commission donation program in the real estate industry, EVOLVEK12 provides financial support to K-12 schools nationwide through grants and initiatives. “My goal in forming EVOLVEK12 is to provide every K-12 student and teacher with equal access to resources and opportunities that support and promote academic achievement,” Maria said. “I personally do not want any student to miss out on opportunities — like I did — because they don’t have money, nor do I want any teacher to have their passion crushed due to lack of funding.”

equity initiatives and has raised over $10,000 more from donations and Facebook campaigns. EVOLVEK12 members include a group of real estate agents who donate a percentage of their gross commission at closing to the school district or nonprofit of their choosing, as well as industry specialists and partners who donate funds or services. Maria is grateful for the support and generosity of the real estate community and for everyone who has volunteered their time to the organization. During her first year as a real estate agent, Maria achieved greater success than she ever imagined, producing over $7 million. After being in the industry for less than 18 months, she quickly rose to #1 in sales for her company among 700+ agents across the state and made Real Producers TOP 500. “As long as I can continue

my success, I will continue my charitable contributions. I will also continue networking and bringing more people on board with my efforts,” Maria said. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, EVOLVEK12 expanded its efforts to support Metro Detroit healthcare workers and first responders. Maria, along with her Angels in Action volunteer team, delivered thousands of meals, a variety of personal protection equipment, snack-filled care packages and hygiene kits to dozens of hospitals and first care responders across the tri-county area. All of these items were purchased by Maria’s donation of two entire commission checks. This operation was also successful because of Michael Supanich, a third-year medical student at Michigan State University who was given a mission to help with the COVID-19 crisis and reached out to Maria. “After spending a few minutes with him, I knew he would be a great asset to the organization, so I offered him a spot on the EVOLVEK12 Executive Board as the director of community engagement,” Maria said. “When he came on board, the nonprofit exploded — in no time, I had a team

Maria grew up in a disadvantaged family, so she has always made giving back and helping others her #1 priority in life. As a real estate agent since 2019, Maria now understands foreclosure and the pressure it exerts on underprivileged families. “I now realize why I was forced to work in high school: so we did not lose our home. No 17-year-old should have that weight on their shoulders,” she said. “I also was not able to participate in many events or attend field trips because we could not afford it. I see how I am able to mitigate some of that pressure for some kids and families, and I love the feeling.” By working hard to build and grow her business at Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Birmingham, Maria has personally donated over $20,000 to help fund education and realproducersmag.com

Oakland County Real Producers • 43

Rochester/Auburn Hills Community Coalition, a collaborative community organization dedicated to supporting healthy lifestyle choices, preventing and reducing substance misuse and promoting safety. Throughout her 30-year career in education, Maria has been honored with countless awards and recognitions for her service. Given what she’s been able to accomplish in the first year of her new career in real estate — and how much she’s given back as a result — it’s not surprising that she was a finalist for the 2020 Michigan REALTORS® Good Neighbor Award. Most significantly, Maria was selected among 150 applicants as the Coldwell Banker 2020 Hero of the Year Award Winner and honored on Facebook Live as 5,000 people across the nation tuned in. “I am so proud — and still in shock — about the Hometown Hero Award,” Maria said. “I am most proud of the thousands of people who have been impacted by my EVOLVEK12 grants, and my hope is that others will continue to spread love and make education and life more equitable for those in need.”

of millennials conduct a community needs assessment and make arrangements to drop off PPE, meals and care packages to healthcare and first responders.” Michael is not the only board member who is making a difference alongside Maria at EVOLVEK12 — her husband, Steve Kopicki, is the CFO, and all four of their daughters hold positions in the nonprofit: Kristin Kopicki as the board of directors co-chair of the executive board; Kelsie Kopicki as director of Florida operations and marketing; Kayla Kopicki, REALTOR®, who lives in Florida, as vice president; and Alexis Kopicki as marketing assistant. EVOLVEK12 also includes Board co-Chair Sid Saravanan — one of Maria’s former students who was inspired to help her found the organization — as well as board members from Detroit, Chicago, New York City and Delray, Florida.

“I do not plan to stop what I am doing — as long as my health remains intact, I will do this forever,” she said. “I am known for spreading love and want to be a bright spot in as many people’s days as possible. It brings me great joy.” If you are interested in partnering with EVOLVEK12 or making a tax-deductible contribution, visit evolvek12.org.

Maria’s history of service is remarkable: As an educator, sponsor, council member, mentor, coordinator, coach, facilitator, leader and club director, Maria’s making-a-difference career volume is immeasurable. Currently, in addition to being president and CEO of EVOLVEK12, Maria is a member of the Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County Women Build Team and a GMAR RPAC Committee Member. She was also recently named director of membership for the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Birmingham-Bloomfield. In addition, she serves as the youth coordinator for the 44 • July 2021

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broker spotlight By Jane K. Asher, Ph.D.

INKED MICHIGAN REALTY

Making a Deep, Discernible Imprint on the Industry Inked Michigan Realty is not your ordinary real estate team, which isn’t surprising because its ambassadors — founder Chris Hubel and co-founders Tony Rodriguez and Ryan Milo — are far from ordinary … and purposely so. Intent on ushering in a new age in real estate, the Inked team has built a powerful brand steeped in a unique style, humor and viral marketing. In doing so, they’ve also cultivated lasting relationships with their clients.

48 • July 2021

“We all differ on how we run our own personal business, but together we have one goal, and that is client satisfaction,” Chris said. Chris established Inked Michigan Realty, which is brokered by eXp Realty, in 2018 after having spent a year in the real estate industry and 12 years in retail management at a bicycle shop. About a year later, childhood friends Chris and Tony reconnected at a listing and decided to go out for coffee and catch up. Their conversation evolved into Chris inviting Tony to join Inked as a co-founder. At the time, Tony, who had previously ventured to California where he landed a job auditioning foreclosures, had already fallen in love with real estate and was working with Ryan Milo at RE/MAX Suburban.

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After careful consideration, Tony decided to join forces with Chris at Inked. A few months later, Tony, Chris and Ryan all met up for lunch, which culminated in Ryan coming on board as co-founder. Ryan, REALTOR®, Designated Associate Broker and CDPE, has a career volume of over $100 million and brings 23 years of real estate experience — and connections — to the team. “I’m like the parent in our group,” Ryan said. “My role is making sure we are all doing good, helping everyone not only in business but also in life.” Ryan’s propensity to help others succeed is personally motivated: He grew up in a broken family and worked

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hard to build a better life for himself. “I completed some college, but I’m not very book smart — most of my knowledge and skills are self-taught,” Ryan said. “My journey has been shaped by me coming out and growing my own confidence in myself.” Ryan and his partner, James, have been together for over 28 years. They own a salon together, love traveling to the Caribbean and have a 4-pound Chihuahua named Dushi. Tony, REALTOR®, has a five-year career volume of $30 million and is the team’s trusted source of knowledge, motivation and “crazy ideas.” Born in Pontiac and raised in Keego Harbor by his mother — a mortgage broker — and his father — a professional boxer — Tony spent

his youth in the boxing gym where he learned the value of discipline and hard work. “School was never for me, but I was always good at making money,” he said. “Moving to California by myself taught me a lot about who I am and motivated me to change my lifestyle.” In his free time, Tony enjoys traveling, hiking and working out with his girlfriend, Olivia, as well as spending time with their 4-yearold French Bulldog, Chapo. He also manages and trains professional boxers and owns Grable Boxing Academy, a nonprofit boxing gym in downtown Pontiac that is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of Pontiac youth.

Oakland County Real Producers • 49

Chris, REALTOR®, has sold $10 million in his three-year career and holds the unofficial title of “Social Media Lightweight Champion”; he’s the content creation guru who brings determination, creativity and ink to Inked Realty — he’s covered in tattoos. Like Tony, Chris spent his childhood in Keego Harbor, and like Ryan, Chris grew up in a broken family and was intent on changing the course of his life. After graduating high school with a 3.9 GPA, Chris suffered a near-death experience: a BMX racing accident that put him in a coma and resulted in crushed vertebrae, traumatic brain injury and a broken jaw. “As a result of my accident, I put my college plans on hold, and after struggling with alcoholism, those plans never came to fruition,” he said. “Since getting sober in 2013, I have continued to grow as an individual and have developed a very entrepreneurial mindset.”

marketing, and they’ve also learned not to count their chickens unless “the coop is full.” They have shaped a strong business partnership — and a cutting-edge real estate brand — by practicing patience and good communication, by having fun, and by capitalizing on each other’s strengths.

always win in the end,” Chris said. “We know this from our own life experiences, and we passionately practice this.”

Their differences converge in the many shared values that found and drive their business model: The Inked Michigan Realty team places relationships over transactions, takes client representation to the extreme, prioritizes clients’ well-being and possesses an intense passion for changing the industry. “Empathy and compassion

That process of individuating — of cultivating something with unparalleled potential — begins with individuals who fearlessly embrace authenticity and weave their true selves into the very fabric of their business. Inked Michigan Realty is more than a brand; it’s a powerful coalition of three edgy and innovative real estate pioneers who are collectively making a deep and discernable imprint on the industry.

“The importance of building brand awareness must not be overlooked,” Chris said. “In an oversaturated industry, you must find a way to differentiate yourself from your competitors.”

“We all differ on how we run our own personal business, but together we have one goal, and that is client satisfaction.” Chris is a single father who enjoys an active, outdoor lifestyle with his 4-year-old son, Kit. Chris’s hobbies include cycling and running; he’s also a big fan of nature … and tattoos. “We are a strange group with totally different backgrounds,” Ryan said. “We’re colorful, loud and professional, but, altogether, we mesh very well with each other.” Chris, Tony and Ryan have joined forces to build brand awareness through traditional and digital 50 • July 2021

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event recap

CARS & REAL ESTATE

STARS We couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous day for our first in-person event of 2021, which was also our first-ever joint event for Oakland County Real Producers and Wayne County Real Producers. The private event revved up at GR Auto Gallery where top real estate agents and our Preferred Partners browsed the expansive showroom of antique, classic and sports cars, and refueled with tasty food and treats provided by Franks Etc. food truck from Thomas’s Catering and Detroit Mini Donut.

Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors — GR Auto Gallery, Omega Lending, Alliance Title of Michigan and Defined Home Improvement — as well as to our Silver Sponsors — Sandi Frith from Huntington Bank, Lombardo Homes, Cranbrook Custom Homes, Morse Moving & Storage, Total House Inspection, Jacque Gorris from Supreme Lending, Chet’s Cleaning and Detroit Mini Donut — for making this event possible. Thank you to Andy Schwartz from Stylish Detroit, Dawn Townsend and WayUp Media for capturing the event with video and photos. Thank you to Jimmy Johnson and Tammy Dalmer from Graphic Takeover for filling the swag bags, as well as to Amanda Hatfield from Omega Lending and Lisa Zubal from One Hope Wine for checking in real estate agents. We are so grateful to all of you who joined us, and we look forward to making more memories with you at our next event.

“I didn’t think I would enjoy the cars so much,” said Tayleon Puryear from eXp Realty. “The food was great, and I loved getting to meet some of the other top-producing agents — I am looking forward to the next event.” “I enjoyed that Real Producers tied high-end cars to the real estate world, and the people who own the facility are great,” said Daryl Wizinsky from Elegant Homes Realty. “It is always said that your network is your net worth — making connections like this can only lead to bigger and better relationships.” 52 • July 2021

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Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

Photo by Stylish Detroit

Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

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Oakland County Real Producers • 53

Photo by Stylish Detroit

Franks Etc. food truck from Thomas’s Catering

Photo by Stylish Detroit

Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

Photo by Stylish Detroit

Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

54 • July 2021

Photo by Stylish Detroit

Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

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56 • July 2021

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Photo by Stylish Detroit

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Oakland County Real Producers • 57

Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

Photo by Stylish Detroit

Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

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Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design Photo by Stylish Detroit

Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

58 • July 2021

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Photo by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

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Oakland County Real Producers • 59

B U D G E T

B L I N D S

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to charity. The N2 Company donates 2.6% of their gross revenue. Thanks to the businesses within these pages, our Area Directors, and readers like you, we’re able to break the chains of this horrible reality.

Visit n2gives.com to learn more about our ﬁght.

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Oakland County Real Producers • 61