If some of the world’s most progressive tech firms got their start in a garage, perhaps it’s only fitting that Wisconsin’s only boutique brokerage began at the quintessential dining room table. Six years ago Suzanne Powers set up shop in her dining room with the dream of building a boutique real estate business rooted in exceptional customer responsiveness and a high-touch, concierge approach to doing business. Powers Realty Group Inc. has since expanded to three locations and nearly 50 agents, in large part because it has never lost its dedication to the individual relationships and premium service that the business was founded upon. “We bring a different element than the traditional brokerage firm,” says Powers, Milwaukee’s North Shore Leader since 2006. “There’s a uniqueness in what we do that rests firmly on our philosophies toward sales and customer service.”
Exponential Growth, Exceptional Experience
Powers’ can-do attitude and customer-first approach have resulted in unprecedented growth. In less than six years, Powers Realty Group has gone from $22 million a year in sales to $200 million in 2017. Collectively, the Powers team fosters long-term relationships through digital strategy and strong social media engagement that drives nearly 1.3 million page views on PowersRealty.com monthly. “We look at the relationships with our clients as lifelong endeavors,” Powers notes. As a result, Powers Realty Group is the fastest growing independent real estate firm on Milwaukee’s North Shore and is the first name in luxury properties with the highest average sale price among the top 25 companies in the MLS.
Redefining the Real Estate Role Model
Powers’ pioneering spirit is changing the landscape of the real estate world in Wisconsin for the better. At its launch in 2011, Powers Realty Group was the only woman-owned independent brokerage firm in the state of Wisconsin. “Although the industry is primarily made up of women real estate agents, the industry was completely lacking female broker-owners, which was startling to me,” Powers said. “When I began the company, my mission was clear: I wanted to help other female Realtors® become leaders in the industry. Through the process of running a start-up, I became the mentor I wished for my own career.” Today, there are a handful of woman-owned brokerage firms emerging on the Milwaukee scene. For them, as well as for her agents and her two young daughters, Powers strives to leave a legacy. “I want business women to see that they can persevere in a world that isn’t always kind, and that they can carve out a living for themselves no matter the challenges,” she says. “This company has grown out of a deep desire to be independent and run business differently. I believe that tenacity is something most women can share in and hopefully be inspired by.”
