We speak with so many brilliant folks across dozens of industries and when those folks happen to be working for someone else, sometimes we can’t help but wonder why they aren’t working for themselves. How do folks decide between joining a firm or starting their own? We posed the question to the community and have shared some of their responses below.

Jhogerliz Martinez

When I was first starting out, I decided to join a firm — Northwestern Mutual — rather than starting on my own. After more than a decade in retail and operations management, I knew I wanted to build something meaningful that helped people on a deeper level, but I also understood the value of having a strong foundation behind me. Read more >>>

Dylan Lamb

From Independent Broker to Compass Partner: My Journey in Real Estate When I first started in real estate back in 2014 with Keller Williams in Tallahassee, Florida, I was still finishing school. Not long after, I moved down to Delray Beach to pursue new opportunities and joined a few local firms to learn the South Florida market and get my feet wet. Read more >>>

Gibin George

When I first obtained my real estate license, my intention wasn’t to build a career but to gain an advantage as an investor. At the time, I was operating D. Nalley’s Diner, a Louisville landmark since the 1960s, and real estate was more of a side interest. Like many new licensees, I joined a brokerage because it was required. Read more >>>