We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Barnes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.
Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
Choosing the name for my business wasn’t as difficult as I initially imagined. From the beginning, I knew it needed to reflect both my personal beliefs and the deeper “why” that drives everything I do. That’s how The A&O Capital Group, LLC came to life.
While I operate my real estate services under the DBA The A&O Realty Group, The A&O Capital Group stands as the overarching entity that encompasses all of my ventures, partnerships, and future initiatives.
You might be wondering, “What does ‘A&O’ stand for?” It represents Alpha and Omega — a phrase with deep biblical significance. In Revelation 22:13, GOD declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” This truth anchors me both personally and professionally. In everything I pursue, I make it a point to start with GOD and end with HIM.
Similarly, when I serve my clients, I strive to embody this principle. I want my clients to feel like they’ve found a one-stop shop — where everything they need begins and ends with me. Whether it’s providing trusted resources, advocating on their behalf, or protecting their investments, I am committed to serving with the same heart, integrity, and stewardship that my Heavenly Father has entrusted to me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
This may be a long story, but I’ll do my best to keep it concise. Before stepping into the world of real estate, I spent my career in Corporate America as an HR Compensation Consultant in Atlanta, GA. I worked for a well-known medical supply company and was promised a salary that would fairly match my skills and the responsibilities I brought to the table. At the time, the company was transitioning from its parent company into a newly independent entity. Instead of immediately offering a competitive salary, they gave me a sign-on bonus as a placeholder.
The leadership team realized that the typical HR software (PeopleSoft) was too rigid for the new organization’s needs; they needed something with more flexibility. With the help of GOD, I built a custom compensation system using Microsoft Excel and Access, which managed the merit, bonus, and long-term incentive processes. I also developed executive reporting for the CEO and the C-suite. This was a major contribution in 2015, the year I joined the company.
By the following year, after our compensation department had received outstanding reviews and successfully completed major initiatives like companywide job evaluations, I anticipated a top performance rating — and the salary increase I had been promised. However, despite my achievements, the VP of our department told me that she couldn’t award me the highest rating because only a limited number could receive it. To make matters worse, it was common knowledge that an average employee could receive a 3% raise simply by showing up daily — and after all my hard work, I received only a 3.5% raise. I had never felt so deceived.
A month or so before receiving this news, I had started praying and asking GOD to reveal my true purpose. As soon as I began seeking HIM for direction, it felt like my corporate career started to unravel.
In April 2016, I began interviewing for new jobs — positions I would normally qualify for easily — but door after door seemed to close. I sensed something greater was happening. I had a decision to make: continue playing it safe in Corporate America or take a leap of faith and bet on GOD and myself.
By December 2016, I resigned from my job without a concrete plan for what was next. My first thought was fashion. I worked with my sister as a Fashion Consultant on a movie project, but soon realized Hollywood wasn’t my destination. I decided to go to Dallas, TX to decompress, spend time with family, and seek GOD’s direction for my next move.
In January 2017, real estate dropped into my spirit. My background in the mortgage industry as a Compensation Consultant surfaced in my mind. I returned to Atlanta to research the best states for real estate opportunities, and Texas dominated the top 10 lists. Since my family was in Texas and the state didn’t have real estate license reciprocity (while Georgia did), it made sense to pursue my license there — with the thought that I would primarily practice in Georgia but remain flexible.
At that point, no one knew of my plans but me and God.
Interestingly, back in December, I had scheduled a Life Coaching session with a woman who was known to be prophetic, though that wasn’t my original reason for booking with her. I simply wanted guidance on my next steps. However, during our session, she immediately began speaking prophetically about my character, my future success in real estate, and even described me standing in front of homes with a team working for me — all without knowing anything about my intentions. I was speechless. The night before that session, I had submitted my application to begin real estate classes in Texas. Her words served as confirmation that I was on the right path.
I temporarily relocated (or so I thought) to Texas in March 2017 to begin my real estate coursework and earned my license by June 2017. Nearly Eight (8) years later, I am still here in Texas. In 2022, I advanced to become a Broker Associate and also secured my Georgia Broker Associate license that same year. In 2023, I expanded my services further by becoming a licensed Loan Officer. While I am able to serve clients across all 50 states and in nearly 30 countries through collaborative partnerships, I’m especially excited to share that our team has recently expanded into Mexico. We now have boots on the ground, offering a diverse range of opportunities — from land and condos to Airbnb investments, retirement properties, and hotel investment opportunities.
Comprehensive Services I Offer:
Through The A&O Realty Group, I offer a wide range of services to meet diverse client needs:
o Residential Real Estate: Single-Family Homes, Condos, Townhomes, and more
o Leases: Commercial and Residential
o Comprehensive Market Analysis
o Tailored Marketing Strategies
o Expert Negotiation Skills
o Mortgage Lending and Financing Solutions
o Commercial Transactions: Including churches, land, and other properties
o Commercial Loans with Creative Lending Options
o Credit Repair and Restoration Services
o Investment Loans and Consumer Financing
o Non-traditional Lending Solutions (Residential, Non-Residential Projects, Business Loans, etc.)
Who We Are:
The most important thing I want potential clients to know is that GOD truly is the epicenter of how we do business. At The A&O Realty Group, we are committed to excellence, and our core values are the foundation of every interaction and decision.
Our Core Values:
o Integrity: Prioritizing honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior.
o Client-Centric Service: Always putting our clients’ needs first.
o Excellence: Pursuing excellence in every aspect of our work.
o Collaboration: Harnessing the power of teamwork.
o Innovation: Embracing new trends, technologies, and ideas.
o Respect: Treating everyone with dignity and fostering strong relationships.
o Accountability: Owning our actions and outcomes.
o Community Engagement: Giving back to and uplifting the communities we serve.
o Learning and Growth: Committing to continuous learning and improvement.
o Community Empowerment: Helping communities thrive and grow stronger.
This is who we are — and we do not waver from these values.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Simply beginning my business — and staying in the real estate industry — is a testament to my resilience. I still remember in real estate class, the instructors would often say, “Look around you — chances are the person sitting next to you won’t still be in the business two years from now.” At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of that statement, but now, I understand it completely.
As a full-time entrepreneur with real estate as my primary source of income, managing a business requires more than just selling homes — it demands earning the trust of clients, delivering exceptional service, and creating lasting relationships where clients return and refer their family and friends. All while ensuring there’s still food on the table and a roof over your head. Success in this industry requires not only faith, but the right systems, discipline, and relentless commitment to customer service.
While I am still refining and strengthening my systems, I am deeply blessed to have stepped out on faith and built a strong, enduring presence in the real estate industry. There is certainly room for growth — but by the grace of GOD, I have been sustained for nearly eight years, and I feel extremely blessed.
Even amidst personal and professional storms, I have remained steadfast. Over the past year alone, I endured the devastating loss of my brother, while continuing the long-standing role of supporting my ailing parents — providing financial assistance, assisting with medical endeavors, and stepping in wherever I am needed — all while navigating one of the toughest real estate markets in decades. Interest rates soared, buyers grew hesitant, the NAR settlement shook the foundation of our industry, and tariff concerns currently flood the headlines. Challenges come frequently, each one testing my resilience and faith.
Yet through it all, I have stayed consistent, focused, and forward-moving — believing, even when everything around me seemed to be crumbling, that GOD’s promises were still unfolding. I didn’t quit…I won’t quit. GOD has sustained me, given me favor with my clients, opened new doors, and and shown me time and time again that resilience, faith, and unwavering commitment will always bear fruit in due season. My remaining faithful to HIS purpose for me with not go unrewarded!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
In Corporate America, I initially believed that success came from simply working hard, staying in my lane, and excelling at my job. But over time, I realized that success often involved office politics, staying within strict boundaries, and waiting for someone to offer me a seat at the table. Despite my contributions, it felt like I was waiting for validation that would never come.
Leaving that environment was a game-changer for me. Since leaving that tainted ecosystem, I’ve been able to forge amazing relationships and partner with a brokerage, eXp Realty, that truly values me for what I bring to the table — my contributions, not who I know or what I look like. I have the freedom to create my own path, build my own table, and invite others to join me. And now, I’ve had the honor of locking arms with incredible thought leaders, trailblazers, and game-changers, all working toward mutual success and impact.
It was a hard lesson to unlearn, but in doing so, I found my true calling and the freedom to live it out with integrity and purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://michelle.the-aogroup.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle.knows.realestate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingbydesign2
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-barnes-051a4b4/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1CeQjyYIyvvnjwEbyLqVbA
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/mexico.escapes/
