.png){kind=small}
Meet TJ Cornwall
Never in a million years did I think that I would ever work in real estate! After graduating from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, I followed my dreams and went on tour as a singer-songwriter. I had the opportunity to open for some popular bands and artists such as OneRepublic, Dashboard Confessional, and Hanson. Still, I was quickly humbled when I got stuck on tour in middle-of-nowhere Vermont with only $7 in my bank account. I had to busk on the side of the road and scrape enough money together in order to make it to NYC for the next show. The time had come for me to cash in on my degree, so I moved to Baltimore for a corporate job in finance, realized the cube life wasn’t for me and moved to Australia, where I was mentored by the man who helped start Google Australia. My experience in Sydney helped shape my worldview, and I quickly learned that my strengths were working with people, problem-solving, and strategically scaling companies.
After moving back to the states, I landed a role in the security industry that brought me to Dallas in 2013. I went on to become an executive at a budding startup in the medical field and then pursued a career in real estate to help build another apartment locating company. This is where I eventually convinced Christopher and Mikala to join me. After working there for over two years, Christopher, Mikala, and I decided to branch off and create a company focused on providing the highest level of service to our clients and creating a great work environment for our agents and employees. When Christopher and Mikala asked me to help build The Realm Agency, I didn’t hesitate to accept the offer and haven’t looked back since.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF REAL ESTATE?
Music will always be a major part of my soul. Writing music for me is therapeutic and challenging all in one. It’s been the main constant in my life since I was 14 years old. When life gets too chaotic, I will always find a home at my piano. If I’m not feeling creative, you’ll either find me on the sticks playing video games or staying in touch with friends.
WHAT MAKES YOUR STYLE OF WORK UNIQUE?
This answer is two-fold. The most important quality to possess, especially in the sales world, is actually to care about the human you are serving and to focus on solving their problems. The most underrated personality trait in business is kindness. Caring and kindness will take you so much further than trying to make a quick buck.
Time is your most valuable resource. It is important to work efficiently and be smart with how you attack your work. However, that should never replace your effort since that is the one variable you have complete control over. Working hard and constantly striving to learn more will set you apart from the rest. You’ll never meet a successful business owner, musician, or athlete who said they didn’t work their ass off to get there.
