Inman sat down with Raveis following his firm’s 50-year anniversary to discuss what it takes to lead a brokerage for half a century.
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In 1974, 27-year-old William Raveis rented a small office above a supermarket in his hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut.
Flash forward 50 years and Raveis is still at the helm of that company as it’s ballooned to more than 4,500 agents across 140 offices in nine states up and down the East Coast, while still maintaining Connecticut as its headquarters. The company gathered at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, last week for a convention to mark the half-century anniversary with speakers and entertainment, and received an official state proclamation declaring March 27 to be “William Raveis Day” in Connecticut.
Raveis celebrates 50 years of William Raveis Real Estate. Photo: AJ Canaria Creative Services
The brokerage has expanded both in size and scope since 1974, with mortgage and insurance businesses alongside its original brokerage business. Raveis himself has risen to the status of real estate visionary as he continues to lead the company with his sons, Chris and Ryan Raveis.
Inman sat down with Raveis following his firm’s 50th anniversary to discuss what it takes to lead a brokerage for half a century and to set it up for the next 50 years of success.
Inman: What are your thoughts on reaching the 50-year mark?
William Raveis: Our journey has just begun. As a family business, we’ve survived all the economic ups and downs to come out on top. Eight recessions, beginning with the oil embargo of 1974. That’s the year I…