Paul Barraco

FINDING STRENGTH AND SUCCESS IN AUTHENTICITY

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jermaine Buie with Perfect Light, LLC

Four years ago, Paul Barraco made the decision to get his real estate license as a part-time gig. At the time, he was in a leadership role as an executive in Human Resources. However, when his HR position was requiring him to move to Minnesota, he decided it was a great opportunity to stay in Michigan and take a dive deep into his real estate career.

The timing synced up perfectly with Paul’s desire to find a career that would challenge him and still allow him to work with people one on one. Additionally, Paul is a flight attendant with Southwest Airlines and flies up to six days a month. Moreover, as a single dad, Paul wanted flexibility in his schedule and a lifestyle that could support his family.

In October 2017, Paul joined the team at Dwellings by Rudy & Hall in his hometown of Plymouth and closed his first sale in February 2018. Paul has had over $12 million in sales since that time and ended 2020 with just over $4 million. Paul takes great pride in making positive impacts on the lives of his clients by providing superior client service and developing meaningful, lasting relationships that have gone well beyond the closing. “The fact that I can get folks into the house of their dreams is a dream come true for me, too,” Paul shared. “I’ve always been someone who’s looked after others rather than helping myself, so helping families and going the extra mile is second nature to me.”

Paul credits his courage, grit and confidence to his son Mason, who was adopted from Ukraine at the age of 2. Today, Mason is 21 years old and still continues to be a teacher in Paul’s life. “My son has taught me how to be a better man and father,” Paul said. “Because of him, I am a stronger individual and fully embrace my true authentic self.”

Those intangible qualities are key attributes that have put Paul on top of his real estate game. He balances his toughness with his ability to empathize with others. He most recently demonstrated this during a year that was hit with a pandemic. Where others saw discouragement, Paul found opportunities to reach his goals and create excitement for his clients. “The joy and smiles and hugs I got from my clients when I handed them the keys to their new home was, and continues to be, the most fulfilling aspect of my job,” he said.

Paul is cognizant of the supportive role he plays in his clients’ lives as they navigate through the homebuying and selling process. “Because my clients are trusting me with one of the most important decisions of their lives, I pay close attention to how they are feeling and manage appropriately and compassionately.”

Paul is an accepting person who embraces the individual gifts and contributions everyone has to offer. He passionately supports and leads a multitude of groups, including the GMAR Diversity and Inclusivity Committee where he’s been a member since 2018 and has served as both chairperson and vice chairperson. He also actively participates as a member of Michigan’s Asian American Association, The Michigan Hispanic Collaborative and Equality Michigan. “Giving back to the communities in which I serve is extremely important to me,” Paul said.

While Paul is a rising star in his field, he has not forgotten what it took to get him where he’s at today. “I always share with new agents that they must not get discouraged in their first year or two,” he explained. “We all have a tendency to think we are going to make lots of money right off the bat, and that isn’t usually the case. My advice is to be patient, and be a sponge.”

Paul also suggested finding someone in the business to serve as a mentor. “Find someone who will champion your career, and lean into them heavily,” he said. “Allowing yourself the opportunity to make mistakes gives you the chance to learn and grow. Of course, it’s important to be yourself and develop your own personal style; however, a seasoned agent will encourage the fundamentals.” Paul found a great deal of his support by participating in his brokerage offerings and simply showing up every day to do the work. “You also need to be visible, be present, and be hungry!”

A hallmark of Paul’s customer service is his prompt follow-up and his ability to build personal relationships. “Having trusting client connections with no pressure has made me successful,” Paul said.

Paul defines success as having family and friends who unconditionally love and support him. “Success is also having the freedom to do what I love in life,” he said. “A lucrative job does not define who I am; it’s nice, but it doesn’t define my happiness. Rather, success is making a positive impact on others and surrounding myself with like-minded people and fulfilling my passions.”

Paul and Mason have a shared passion for cooking. “Both of us love to cook meals and entertain with our friends and family,” Paul said. “Coming from a Sicilian upbringing, sharing a meal is extremely important to us.” Paul is also a travel enthusiast and proudly has more than 87 countries stamped into his passport. As a family, they enjoy traveling together: discovering new places, finding new adventures and creating lifelong memories.

“I want to be remembered as a passionate, crazy, mischievous and proud individual who embraced every opportunity to its fullest,” Paul shared. “My legacy should be how I made a big enough impact or contribution where someone would say, ‘I couldn’t have done that without his support.’”

Rising Star: Paul Barraco