We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Glenn Shelhamer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Glenn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
This thought doesn’t come up often, but when it does, it’s usually in the form of The Grass Is Always Greener fallacy. I think about my older brother and others who have chosen the slow-and-steady path—finding something they enjoy enough to build a career around, becoming indispensable in their field, and steadily working toward retirement. If done right, they can live comfortably for the rest of their lives, leaving behind a legacy for their children and even their grandchildren. And that’s a beautiful thing. I respect it.
But for me, that’s as far as the thought goes. I’m just built differently. There’s a fire in my gut—a relentless curiosity that drives me to march to my own beat. I don’t just look at what is—I see what could be. I’ve always chosen The Road Less Traveled, and while it’s exciting, it’s also terrifying. If it were easy, more people would probably do it. It’s a path of trial and error, where you have to become an expert at falling down, landing on your ass, figuring it out, and getting back up again.
Having a strong support system helps, and I’m grateful for my incredible wife, who stands by me through every setback, every challenge, and every triumph. But at the end of the day, I know in my heart that I’m on the right path. You either live in fear or faith, and I choose faith. I believe in what I’m doing. I believe it matters. And that belief is what gets me up every morning, ready to do it all over again.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Glenn Shelhamer, a real estate broker, entrepreneur, and industry pioneer, particularly in the senior living and real estate sectors. I lead Shelhamer Group Inc, where I manage a team of agents, helping clients navigate some of the biggest transitions in their lives—whether it’s buying, selling, or investing in real estate. Additionally, I’m the driving force behind BluejayCares, a platform designed to bridge the gap between senior living communities, real estate professionals, and families looking for the best housing solutions for their loved ones.
How I Got Here
Real estate has been a natural fit for me from the start. I’ve always been drawn to the intricacies of the market—understanding trends, negotiating deals, and, most importantly, helping people make informed decisions that align with their goals. Over the years, I’ve carved out a reputation for being both a strategic thinker and a hands-on problem solver. I don’t just list homes – I craft tailored strategies to minimize stress in every transaction.
As my career progressed, I recognized a critical need in the senior living space. Too often, older adults and their families struggle with the transition from homeownership to senior living. There was no streamlined, intuitive way for seniors or their adult children to explore their options—so I built one. That’s how BluejayCares was born. It’s not just another listing site; it’s a comprehensive resource that helps families make informed decisions about senior housing, pairing them with the right senior advisor.
What Sets Me Apart
In both my real estate practice and my entrepreneurial ventures, I focus on service over sales. What sets me apart is my deep industry knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and a relentless commitment to my clients’ best interests. Whether I’m guiding a first-time homebuyer, negotiating on behalf of a seller, or building a digital platform that reshapes how seniors find housing, my approach is always the same:
Client-Centric Approach – Every decision I make is in the best interest of the people I serve.
Innovative Thinking – I don’t just follow industry norms—I challenge them to create better solutions.
Proven Results – I have a track record of successful transactions, satisfied clients, and groundbreaking projects that make a real impact.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I take immense pride in the relationships I’ve built and the lives I’ve been able to impact. Helping a family sell a longtime home with dignity, guiding an investor to their next opportunity, or making the senior living transition less overwhelming for older adults—those are the wins that drive me.
I also take pride in the team I’ve built. Real estate and senior housing are deeply personal industries, and I surround myself with professionals who share my passion for integrity, hard work, and making a difference.
And on a personal note—I’m also a darn good dishwasher.
What I Want People to Know
If you’re looking for someone who will tell it to you straight, work tirelessly on your behalf, and bring innovative solutions to the table, I’m your guy. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or navigating senior living options, my team and I are here to help you make informed, strategic decisions with confidence.
Real estate is more than just transactions—it’s about building legacies, securing futures, and creating opportunities. That’s what I do every day, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The Limitless Value of a Strong Support Team
Early in my career, I took on too much—so much that I could have worked 24 hours a day and still not have scaled or moved at a sustainable pace. My biggest challenge wasn’t necessarily recruitment, but rather establishing clear SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for different roles.
Everything changed once I outlined workflows, created a structured framework for tracking progress, and established a way to measure employee and partnership performance. That shift allowed me to step back, trust the process, and have faith in the people around me—as long as we were all aligned toward a collective goal.
With a strong foundation in place, I learned that things tend to fall into place when everyone is working toward the same vision. And when they don’t, we have the structure and space to troubleshoot, adapt, and get back on track. From that point forward, the sky’s the limit. Go for it!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Be yourself.
Find your voice, own your expertise, and lead with confidence and conviction.
People are drawn to authenticity—when you truly believe in what you do, the right clients will find you.
Don’t chase everyone. Speak to your people, serve them well, and build relationships that last. That’s how you create a business that grows organically, sustainably, and with purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Shelhamergroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshelhamergroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealShelhamergroup/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennshelhamer/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheShelhamerRealEstateGroup
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-shelhamer-real-estate-group-los-angeles
