Brandon McCullers is a commercial real estate agent with Grubb & Ellis Phoenix Realty Group.
HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN THERE?
He started out working as an intern about a year and a half ago and was licensed eight months ago.
JOINING THE FAMILY BUSINESS?
McCullers’ mother, Rhetta Nussbaum, and his uncle, Chad Nussbaum, both work at Grubb & Ellis Phoenix Realty Group. “I grew up around it and listening to it at the family table. I told myself I was never going to do it and here I am.”
WHY DID HE GO INTO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?
“When I moved back here, I met with Ladson Montgomery, the president, and Jim Sebesta, the vice president, and talked with them about commercial real estate.” He started out interning and helping out around the office to see if it was something he really wanted to get into. “I really liked what I saw and I really liked the people in the business, not just those that work for this company, but the other brokers in Jacksonville as well. They are a good group of people and I wanted to work with them. Knowing all the people here in the city that I know, it was the best opportunity I had business-wise.”
HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?
McCullers says he loves it. “I like all the different people you get to work with from all different kinds of businesses. The people I work with here are great, too.”
SPECIALTY?
Office space leasing and sales.
WHY CHOOSE THAT?
McCullers said he chose to specialize in office space because Sebesta took time out to help him learn more about it. “He is a great guy and was willing to teach me some things. He is a great guy to learn from. I like the atmosphere of the office better. I understand it better; you are dealing with business people It’s cleaner and smaller, it’s not big, wide and open.”
WHAT AREA IS HE FOCUSING ON?
The Southpoint area and Southside towards the Beaches.
CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FOUND?
“None. I expected it to be challenging because of everything I heard growing up. I’ve always heard that it was a difficult business to get into. It is a difficult business to get into, but if you have a good attitude, are a people person and you can get out there and talk to people, it really makes it a lot easier.”
ADVICE FOR NEW AGENTS?
“Think long and hard before you do it because it’s not an easy job. It is harder than it seems and it is a lot more work than a lot of people think.”
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
McCullers left home at 17 and headed to Costa Rica where he got his first taste of real estate by helping a friend sell condominiums. He then moved to
California to sell surfing accessories with Ocean & Earth. That job led him to Vancouver, where he sold snowboarding equipment as well. He met his future wife in Vancouver and she wanted to move closer to her parents who lived on the east side of Canada. So, they decided to move to Florida which is only a three-hour flight to where her family lives.
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville and he was raised in Jacksonville Beach.
HIGH SCHOOL?
Fletcher.
WHAT DOES HE LIKE TO DO WHEN NOT WORKING?
“Surfing and playing golf are my two big hobbies. I also love to barbeque. I cook seven days a week.”
RESIDES
Ponte Vedra.
FAVORITES
A movie he saw recently and would recommend was “Gangs of New York.” An author he enjoys reading is the Dalai Lama. His favorite television show is “Seinfeld.” When dining out, he enjoys Outback Steakhouse. His favorite place to visit is Central America.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN JACKSONVILLE?
“I enjoy a bike ride up First Street in the summer or playing a round of golf early in the morning.”
— by Michele Newbern Gillis