From navigating the trading floor to handing out sneakers to kids in need, every chapter of my life has taught me the same lesson: success means lifting others as you rise.
Since I was a teenager, I dreamed of working in real estate and community development. That desire grew from my years living in East St. Louis, Illinois, where neighborhoods often lacked resources and, at times, beauty. I saw how much it mattered to have affordable housing that looked good and felt comfortable. I didn’t have a roadmap, but I knew I wanted to be part of creating better communities.
A pivotal moment came when a high school friend encouraged me to apply to college. I hadn’t thought much about higher education—no one in my immediate family had gone before me—but she sat with me, walked me through the paperwork, and showed me it was possible.
That act of friendship changed the trajectory of my life. I earned a basketball scholarship and a degree in business administration, becoming a first-generation college graduate. College opened my eyes to people from all walks of life, new mindsets, and bigger possibilities. It was my first glimpse of a world far beyond what I had known.
Yet when I graduated, the country was in the middle of a recession. Jobs were scarce; I felt like a horse ready to run but stuck at the gate. Eventually, I found work at Wells Fargo on the trading floor and later moved to Charlotte to work at a brokerage company supporting financial advisors. I was learning the mechanics of finance and customer service, but my heart wasn’t in corporate America. My dream of real estate stayed tucked in the back of my mind, but it wasn’t enough just to dream. At some point, I had to act.
In 2015, I took that leap and got my real estate license. My first broker, Tony, became a mentor who taught me property management and helped me grow my business. With time, hard work, and persistence, I transitioned into becoming a full-time REALTOR® and owning my own brokerage—one of my proudest accomplishments. Being able to buy a home, get married, and support my children on a commission-based income feels like no small feat.
Today, I’m a proud parent of two children, Alex (13) and Emil (3). Family keeps me grounded and fuels my drive. Outside of work, I decompress by golfing and listening to vinyl records—many of them passed down to me from my dad after his passing. On a Sunday, you may find me at church, burning incense, stretched out on my couch, and watching football while soaking in the voices of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bob Marley.
I also pour my energy into giving back. I started “Kicks for the City,” a nonprofit that provides shoes to people in need, especially kids. During that time, we gave away over 100,000 pairs to people across the U.S. and Ghana. It’s one way I stay connected to the values that shaped me—community and people first.
I’ve lived a life very different from my parents. No one in my family had permanently relocated, gone to college, or started a business before me. I’ve had to figure it out as I went. But what I did see, and what I carry with me every day, are the values of hard work and persistence. Those lessons guide how I serve my clients. I show up, listen, and help people build the kind of lives—and communities—they dream of.
My approach to real estate is rooted in a “people first” mindset, always prioritizing what is best for my clients. With over a decade of experience, I evaluate homes with a critical eye, focusing on potential issues as well as overall functionality to ensure buyers make informed decisions. Because I’ve renovated homes myself and have experience with developers and investors, I can offer a trusted network of vendors to handle any need, from repairs to full-scale improvements.
Education is a cornerstone of my process. I guide clients step by step through the paperwork and procedures necessary to achieve homeownership so they feel confident. I especially enjoy working with people who are relocating. Moving to a new area can be overwhelming, and I make sure my clients never feel alone. By connecting them with local resources and new friends, I help them integrate into the community and feel at home quickly.
I love seeing my clients succeed and staying in touch long after closing. I strive to be a lifelong resource and treat each client like family, honoring their trust and going above and beyond on their behalf.
Sincerely,
Javin Daniels