We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dustin Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dustin below.
Dustin , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
About four years ago, Matt and I decided to start our real estate business, Create Realty Partners. Before that, I was making a living as an actor and teaching at Drama Inc. in Atlanta. But when the pandemic hit, the entertainment industry pretty much shut down, and like a lot of people, I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. That’s when I decided to dive into something I’d always been curious about—real estate.
I took classes, got my license, and things took off quickly. Some former students and friends trusted me with their real estate needs right out of the gate, which was an incredible learning experience. That’s when Matt and I realized this could be something we build together—and that’s how Create Realty Partners was born.
What’s interesting is how much my acting career has helped me in real estate. Both industries are cyclical, and in both, you’re basically working for yourself. You face a lot of rejection and uncertainty, and while you definitely need to develop a thick skin, you also have to balance that with authenticity and vulnerability. In acting, you learn that people connect with you when you’re real. And in real estate, it’s the same thing—clients trust you because you’re being genuine, not just trying to close a deal.
That vulnerability also plays a big role in negotiations. It’s not about “winning” at all costs; it’s about understanding what both sides want and creating a win-win situation. At the same time, having empathy doesn’t mean you’re not tough. Just like in acting, you have to stay resilient, keep pushing forward, and not get stuck when things don’t go your way.
All these lessons from acting have shaped the way Matt and I run Create Realty Partners. We bring a creative, innovative approach to everything we do. And with Matt’s incredible background in management, we offer something different from your typical real estate team. We’re not just about closing deals—we’re about building long-lasting relationships, and that comes from being real and bringing our unique experiences to the table.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For those who may not know me yet, I’m Dustin Lewis, and I co-own Create Realty Partners with my husband, Matt. Our company is powered by eXp Realty, but we bring our own unique approach to real estate. Before I got into the real estate world, I spent years working as an actor and teacher in the entertainment industry. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to perform in shows like Ozark, Cobra Kai, and the upcoming Captain America 4. Matt’s background is equally diverse—he’s worked in industries ranging from healthcare to IT to management. Together, we’ve combined all those experiences into something pretty special with Create Realty Partners.
We didn’t exactly plan on starting a real estate business, but like many people, the pandemic caused us to take a step back and rethink things. For me, acting and teaching slowed down significantly, so I took the time to dive into something I’d always been curious about—real estate. Matt quickly jumped in with me, and together we’ve built something that really reflects who we are.
What sets us apart from other real estate professionals is that we don’t just see ourselves as agents trying to sell homes. We see ourselves as partners in our clients’ journeys. Whether it’s helping someone buy their first home, sell an investment property, or grow their real estate portfolio, we focus on making the process as personalized and stress-free as possible. We’re also big believers in transparency, communication, and building relationships. For us, it’s not just about closing deals—it’s about creating long-term connections and trust with our clients.
We’re incredibly proud of the unique approach we’ve developed. My background in acting has taught me some key lessons that translate really well to real estate—especially the importance of authenticity and vulnerability. Clients connect with you when you’re real and when they feel like they can trust you. Negotiations, for example, aren’t just about getting the best deal for yourself; they’re about understanding the needs of everyone involved and finding common ground. I always say that empathy goes a long way, whether you’re working with clients, negotiating deals, or even just trying to build your own business.
On the creative side, we bring a lot of innovation to how we market properties. We’ve embraced short-form video content, something I’m really passionate about from my time in front of the camera. Our open house strategies are another area where we’ve raised the bar. We’re not just trying to show off a property—we’re creating an experience that builds lasting relationships and generates real results for our clients.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve grown our business organically, starting with friends and former students who trusted us right from the beginning. That trust has been the foundation of everything we’ve built. And now, Create Realty Partners is more than just a real estate business—it’s a reflection of who Matt and I are, with all our combined experience and the passion we bring to helping people.
At the end of the day, what we want people to know about us is that we genuinely care about the people we work with. We bring a creative, innovative approach, but we’re also grounded in values like transparency, integrity, and community. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring your options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way—and to have a little fun while we do it!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots for me wasn’t just switching industries—it was learning how to lead a business. I’ve always been creative, from my acting career to teaching at Drama Inc., but suddenly stepping into the role of a business owner was a whole new ballgame. It wasn’t just about handling real estate transactions or being good at what I do; it was about thinking like a CEO and making decisions that would grow our business sustainably.
At first, I was in the mindset of “doing it all,” trying to juggle everything from paperwork to marketing. It wasn’t until Matt and I really leaned into our strengths and started working as a team that things clicked. Matt’s experience in management was a game-changer—he brought that structure and organization to the table, which balanced out my creative, client-focused side. That’s when we truly began to scale.
The lesson here is that sometimes the biggest pivot isn’t changing your industry—it’s changing your mindset. For me, shifting from the creative side of things to the strategic side has made all the difference. It’s about knowing when to delegate, when to trust your team, and when to take a step back to see the bigger picture.
I also found a lot of value in reading some great books that helped reshape my mindset as a business owner. “The Gap and the Gain” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy was eye-opening in helping me focus on progress over perfection. “Who Not How” by Dan Sullivan helped me understand the power of collaboration and building a strong team, while “10x Is Easier Than 2x” by Dr. Benjamin Hardy challenged me to think bigger and bolder when it comes to growing our business. These books were pivotal in helping me shift from “doing it all” to thinking like a true CEO.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Honestly, the most effective strategy for us has been building authentic relationships. We’ve always approached real estate with the mindset that we’re not just doing transactions—we’re building a community. Right from the start, we’ve focused on being real with people. Whether it’s through open houses, video content, or just day-to-day interactions, we make sure people know who we are and what we stand for.
A big part of that has been making sure our brand and message are 100% authentic to who we are. We’re constantly checking in and asking ourselves if what we’re putting out there reflects us and our values. Sometimes that means being more intentional about who we support in the industry and who we choose to surround ourselves with. We’ve definitely made some shifts to ensure that we’re aligning with professionals who not only share our hearts but also challenge us to expand our minds. It’s been a game changer, both in life and in business.
Social media has been huge for us too. It’s given us a platform to show the human side of our business—our personalities, our passion for what we do, and our commitment to helping clients. We didn’t go into it with some big marketing plan; we just started sharing what we love about real estate, what we’re learning, and how we’re helping people. The response has been incredible.
I think the reason it works is that people can tell when you’re being genuine. We’re not about putting up a front or trying to “sell” in a pushy way. We just focus on being ourselves, being helpful, and building trust. That’s what’s kept people coming back to us and spreading the word about Create Realty Partners.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.createrealtypartners.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createrealtypartners/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreateRealtyPartners/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinlewiscreaterp/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@createrealtypartners/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/realdustinlewis/?hl=en
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7349608/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
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