We honored to
announce that this December, Gibson Sotheby’s International
Realty proudly celebrates its fifteenth
anniversary.
Since Larry Rideout and
Paul McGann opened our doors in Boston’s South End in 2006,
Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty has expanded into new
regions, attracted top talent, and evolved to meet the
ever-changing needs of our clients and the industry. With experts
throughout Massachusetts, we are local everywhere, allowing us to
walk alongside our clients at every stage of their journey
and ensure your home is connected with buyers, locally and
worldwide.
Looking ahead to the
next fifteen years with steadfast commitment, our
co-owners Larry and Paul discuss resilience in
uncertain times, their passion for agent success, and the core
values they have maintained every step of the way.
This December,
we celebrate Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty’s 15th
anniversary. What thoughts and emotions come to mind when you think
about that?
Larry
Rideout: My first thought is how quickly the fifteen
years passed. Then I think of the many special and challenging
moments that made that up those fifteen years.
Paul
McGann: My first thought and emotion is
pride. We are so proud of the company we’ve built and the
people that were along for the journey.
When you
started Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty in 2006, did you
think you’d be here fifteen years later? What were your
visions and how have you met or even surpassed those
visions?
LP: I never
expected that it would all be such a wonderful and fulfilling
journey.
PM: Yes! However, I had no idea what the journey
would have been to get here. It was full of ups and downs,
lots of hard work, and risk. All worth it!
What do you see
as the biggest achievements since the company’s inception in
2006? What are you most proud of?
LP: I believe
our biggest achievement was growing our company as we have but
still retaining the family culture that is so important to
us.
PM:
Holding the company together through challenging times and reaching
this level of success.
Can you talk
about the value of having those key early hires — Barbara
Cowley, Brian Back, Brian Perry, Cathy
Marotta, Fulani Butler, Kyle Kaagan, Laura Spence,
Moshe Elmekias, and Ted Pietras — still with the company
since its inception?
LP: That group
of loyal associates were the foundation that we built our company
on. I call them our Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty
founders! They are that intangible glue.
PM: They are the
glue and the culture of this company — honest,
hardworking, and ethical people. We are so proud of them and
grateful for their loyalty.
A
fifteenth anniversary is a big milestone. Can you talk about
where you hope the company will be at its 30th anniversary? In what
ways do you expect to grow?
LP:
Fifteen years is an amazing milestone. I can’t
speak for the next fifteen but we will always seek out
like-minded associates and continue to grow strategically in
the best interests of our agents.
PM: My hope is
that the company will be in great hands with someone who
carries on our vision and values.
How will you
set yourself apart from your competition over the next fifteen
years?
LP: What will
make us different from our completion is what makes us different
now. We treat our associates as friends and clients. Our goal is to
provide all of the support they need so that they can do what they
do best: list and sell. We provide the most effective
environment to accomplish that.
PM: We will keep
doing what we are doing—our real secret is that we view our
agents and support staff as our clients. We give them what they
need to succeed at what they do.
Do you have a
moment that you keep looking back to, or a favorite memory that
stands out?
LP: I have many
favorite moments, but the two that stand out and touch me
emotionally are when our markets changed essentially
overnight with the onset of the financial crisis in 2008
and the pandemic in 2020. Both times, we had several associates
offer to hold off on receiving their commission checks until we
were sure the company was on good footing. It’s moments like
that that make you love where you are, who you are with and what
you are doing.
PM: There was a moment
during the recession that sticks with me. There were a
couple of Boston businesspeople who wanted to take advantage
of the financial situation and take over our company because they
thought we were desperate (which we were). We rolled up our sleeves
and the company came back stronger than ever, and that
became my favorite moment.
What’s
been most surprising about the journey so far?
LP: I feel like
we all are are family, but what is
especially meaningful to me is having my daughters help
lead our company, doing what we love together. It’s
the best feeling of all.
PM: To me, it
has tested our fortitude and ability to stay focused on our
vision. In tough times, you discover more of what
you’re made of than you do in the good times.
What is the
best piece of leadership advice you have
received?
LP: My first
inclination is the adage “the harder you work, the
luckier you get,” but the most appropriate advice I
received from a mentor is that all real estate businesses are
growing. They are either growing larger or growing
smaller.
PM: Work hard in
silence and let your success make the noise.
What’s
one piece of company trivia that few know or no one
knows?
LP: I suppose a
bit of trivia would be our company’s
original name: Gibson Domain Domain.
PM: Early on,
for a short period of time, we signed on to be the official real
estate company of the Boston Red Sox.