Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gibin George. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gibin , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Early in your career, how did you think through the decision of whether to start your own firm or join an established firm?

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. The training was solid, but I quickly realized that success in real estate takes far more than a license and enthusiasm. During that first year, I closed only one buyer transaction and assisted with one rental. My sphere was supportive, but the reality was that most people are hesitant to trust a brand-new agent without experience or name recognition.

Everything changed in June 2024, when a fire forced the closure of my restaurant. As a lifelong entrepreneur, I knew I wanted to continue running my own business, but I also recognized I lacked the experience and systems to succeed in real estate on my own. That’s when I made the pivotal decision to join the Jewell Smith Group at Keller Williams Louisville.

Joining a team showed me that real estate is, in fact, running your own business—but you don’t have to do it alone. I gained the mentorship, peer collaboration, and structure I needed to grow. More importantly, I saw how real estate could become not just a license or side pursuit, but my next true entrepreneurial venture. Looking back, making the shift from an individual agent to joining a team was the right choice and the foundation for everything I’ve built since. I learned for a whole quarter, the system, the way to talk, how to acquire & expand your clientele, social media presence, buyers & sellers, residential & commercial real estate, but, in that quarter I sold one house worth $175K. By the beginning of 2nd quarter I was ready and ended my second quarter with a sold sales volume of $5.5 Million and I haven’t looked back and run my own business with the support of my team.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I spent the first decade of my career as a restaurateur in Louisville, where I owned and operated Old School historical diners — first Twig & Leaf, then D. Nalley’s Diner. Those years taught me how to run a business from the ground up: the importance of hospitality, consistency, and creating a place people think of as “home.” I finished high school in India and have returned four times in the last 18 years. Each visit reminded me how memory and place shape who we are — and deepened my appreciation for nostalgia, community, and the small rituals that make a location feel like home.

I originally got my real estate license to help myself as an investor. I was tired of watching listings disappear on sites like Zillow and Realtor.com, and I wanted first access to opportunities. What started as a personal tool quickly became something much bigger. As I met people and dug into the work, I realized real estate isn’t only about transactions or profit — it’s about first impressions, trusted conversations, and helping people move toward their dreams. A casual question about rent often turns into a conversation about homeownership goals, family plans, and the practical barriers that stand in the way. Those conversations matter to me.

That’s why I approach every client like family. Whether I’m meeting a first-time buyer who’s nervous about the process or a seasoned investor evaluating a commercial property, I treat their questions the same way I would want someone to treat mine: honestly, patiently, and without judgment. I’ll drive 3.5 hours to show one house, pick up calls late at night, and take the time to explain the small details that make a big difference. Buying or selling a home is overwhelming — if I can remove even 0.1% of that stress, I want to do it.

I also leverage a background in small business and hospitality to serve both residential and commercial clients. After ten years as a business owner, I understand numbers, operations, and what entrepreneurs need from a property — whether it’s a $100 lease or a $1 million acquisition. I use social media to share what I know and make real estate accessible: years of experience can speak for itself, but smart, consistent content helps people understand the process before they ever pick up the phone.

My results reflect that effort. In Q1 of 2025 I closed a $175,000 sale; by Q2 I was responsible for over $5 million in sales — a jump that came from investing time in learning, showing up for people, and listening. More important than those numbers, though, is the trust I’ve built: clients don’t just check in with me — they tell their friends and family. Referrals are how my business grows, and that’s because I prioritize relationships over transactions.

If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s this: I’m here to stay. No question is silly, and I’ll treat you like family throughout the process. Real estate is one of the most powerful vehicles for building stability and wealth, and I’d love to help you explore what it can do for you — whether you’re just curious or ready to act. Insomnia is my unofficial business partner, so night or day, I’m just a text away.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy that has worked for me in the real estate industry is treating each client like family and possibly the only client I will ever have. Every realtor can be looked up today, in regards to their sale volume, their reviews and effectiveness and that does bring in clients. But, in order to be looked up, especially with people outside your network it requires someone to mention you to their peers, friends and family. When you treat each client as family and help them understand the process and help them make good decisions, they remember it and anytime real estate comes up they mention you. Real Estate is a business of referrals and every person out there trying to buy, sell or invest has 1-3 realtors in their mind. Client service and the how genuine you are makes sure that you are on the top names and it has defintiely worked for me.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I have been a restaurateur since 2015. I have owned 2 Old School Historical Diners in Louisville, Twig and Leaf & D. Nalley’s Diner. I owned Twig & leaf back to its good old days from the 90s. But my business partner and I had different philosophies. He believed a penny saved is a penny made and mine was after a certain point you have to put in money and not just time. This caused a major rift between me and my business partner. He was the majority share holder and so I didn’t have much of a choice. I could continue doing what was going on and continue with life. But I wanted to give back to the community that helped bring this diner back.

At this time I found out there was another diner called “D. Nalley’s Diner” that had been shut down after 50 years because nobody from the family wanted to run it. I brought up the idea to my business partner and he didn’t want to get involved. I took the decision of taking this diner up. Even though I had owned Twig & Lead for 3 years i had never collected any money other then my pay and seemed like I wasn’t going to get my share either. But i believed in giving back and the value of Diner’s in todays world so I left Twig & Leaf and took over D. Nalley’s Diner. I was nervous and didn’t know if people even wanted D. Nalley’s Diner back. But, what I didn’t realize is how much people cared about what I had achieved and what I was trying to do. A lot of my customers from Twig & Leaf started coming to D. Nalley’s Diner once it opened, people with their years of memories at the diner came back, the City & Mayor of Louisville was so happy that the announced October 26th of every year to be celebrated as “The Grand Reopening of D. Nalley’s Day” and lastly I was awarded the title of “Kentucky Colonel”. This is when I realized it is not your ability but your actions and choices that define you and when you do right by people. People do right by you and what you stand for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.findmyhomeinlouisville.com/agent/MMA153C52696FD4595B249449DAE4E100A
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gibz_fer07/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibin.george.5811/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gibin-george-6b0aa5a8

Image Credits
Jewell Smith Group & Keller Williams Louisville