Whitney Gesch

AN OPTIMIST IN LIFE AND IN REAL ESTATE

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Eugen Muntean

Photos taken at Cranbrook Custom Home at Montcaret in Northville

Whitney Gesch has proven that energy and persistence conquer all things. Her life experiences have made her into a fighter and a believer, reminding her that there’s a lesson in every event, while her tenacity to see the good in difficult situations has kept her moving forward in life and as a top-producing real estate agent.

“I think my life experiences have made me into a very empathetic person and into someone who always tries to find the best in people,” Whitney explained.

When Whitney was 12 years old, she lost her 36-year-old stepmother to cancer. “My stepmom owned a hair salon and was loved by everyone in our town. Losing her at such a critical time in my childhood was really difficult,” Whitney admitted. Whitney’s father took her stepmother’s death particularly hard, and as a result, became addicted to pain medication and benzodiazepines.

“I had to grow up really fast, and quickly became a survivor,” Whitney recalled. “I spent the following 20 years of my life trying to help my dad get sober and manage his entire life.”

Through Whitney’s help and support, her father eventually got sober and stayed clean for the last five years of his life. Sadly, six years ago, he died from a sudden heart attack. Thankfully, Whitney’s mom, Jill, her stepfather, Steve, and her brother Joe were there to support her through all of these troubling times and give her the love, support and drive to keep pushing through. “During those years, I could’ve easily fallen into a depression or acted out in self-destruction,” she explained. “I fought my way through those days, and I’m stronger because of it. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss my dad. I think he’d be very proud of my accomplishments.”

Whitney’s journey to real estate success has defined her as a person and as a professional. “Helping people and seeing them happy is what defines me and gives me purpose and energy,” she said.

Prior to her real estate career, Whitney was a cosmetologist and educator for Aveda. She was originally drawn to real estate after she purchased her first home. While she was thrilled to be a first-time homeowner, Whitney felt confident that she had the skills and enthusiasm to improve the buying experience. “I knew there had to be a better way of doing things, so I decided I would create that better experience myself,” she said. However, it wasn’t until her neighbor Sue Kroes, who was a real estate agent, insisted that Whitney would be great as a real estate professional that she decided to commit herself to the idea and get her license in 2015.

Over the course of three years, Whitney transitioned from her work in cosmetology and her responsibilities as a stay-at-home mom to a full-time agent in 2018. Since that time, she has achieved a sales career volume of over $40 million — $15 million of which she obtained in 2021. Whitney also established the Whitney Gesch Real Estate Group in 2021. She brought on a transaction coordinator, Malinda Mitchell, and a buyer’s agent, Alisia O’Driscoll. Whitney considers her preferred lender, Chris Kapas with U.S. Bank, as part of her team as well. “Having a rock star lender who is always responsive and always closing has helped my career immensely,” Whitney said.

Above any sales number, Whitney is most passionate about the connections she makes with people. “The majority of my business today is repeat clients and referrals,” she said. “Nurturing those relationships is what is most important, and quite frankly, the most rewarding.”

Recently, Whitney’s biggest challenge is educating her clients about the homebuying process, specifically during uncertain market trends. “It’s an ongoing task to help buyers understand that the list price is not necessarily the market value,” she said. “Currently, it’s very difficult to be a buyer right now, and therefore, it’s super important that upfront conversations are filled with a lot of information on the market so that there are honest and clear expectations.”

The key to Whitney’s success has been her focus on keeping her business about the people. “I work hard for everyone — family, clients, friends and colleagues,” she said. “I give 100% of myself to everyone around me, while at the same time, I lean on others when it’s needed. If I don’t know the answer to something, I ask for help. I find that successful agents are always willing to share their expertise and help, and in the end, that support benefits my clients.”

In 2021, Whitney had her biggest sales year in her career. She said the reason for her achievement was the result of her shift in mindset and a change in brokerages to Keller Williams Advantage. “I realized that I needed an inspiring person to push me and lead me to an organized success in my business. Rob Chubb has been a fantastic leader and mentor, and I look forward to continuing my growth at KW. I also realized this past year that the sale isn’t about the next notch on my board: It’s about the client’s happiness,” she said. “As I learned early in my life, there’s always a lesson to be learned, and knowing that is what makes me stronger and more fulfilled. I’m now in a great place to regroup, re-energize and stay focused so that I can keep myself, my family and my clients happy.”

HELPING PEOPLE AND SEEING THEM HAPPY IS WHAT DEFINES ME AND GIVES ME PURPOSE AND ENERGY.

Like so many real estate agents, Whitney strives to find a good worklife balance. “I work from the moment I wake up until I go to bed every day,” she explained. “Finding the balance between family and work is something I need to refine and is definitely something that I know will benefit my business and my family.”

Whitney and her husband, Earl, enjoy traveling, dining out for dinner, going to the theater and watching movies — both are avid Star Wars and Marvel enthusiasts. Together, they have a son, Anakin, 9, and a French bulldog, Thanos. Whitney also finds time to go to the gym, golf and relax with an occasional massage. “My family is the most important part of my day, every day,” she shared. “Without the love, support and encouragement from them, I would not be where I am today.”

“I feel like real estate is a roller coaster ride,” Whitney said. “I’m just living in the moment and enjoying the ride — as long as the ride remains fun and fulfilling.”

TOP PRODUCER Whitney Gesch from Keller Williams Advantage