“Everyone that comes to Oak Island has a dream they want to fulfill. Whether it’s a dream of living at the beach or owning a house off the island. My whole focus is trying to fulfill their dreams, and when I help make that happen, that's when I feel like I've won.”

 

Having a winning mindset is the key to Ronnie Russell's success. He followed his own dreams, leading him out of his hometown of Cunningham, Tennessee to a high-paced career in NASCAR, and then eventually to the more relaxed, semi-retired lifestyle of a real estate agent on the coast of NC. Ronnie has gained an outlook and perspective on life, career, and business that can only be achieved through experience.

 

Ronnie grew up in a little country community and learned the value of hard work on his family’s farm. “From the time I was big enough, I worked helping to harvest, hang, and smoke tobacco. We also grew corn. My Grandfather was a farmer and a builder. They were multitasking people in those days. I learned how to do a lot of things. You were raised to have respect and morals. You wanted to make sure that you did the best job that you could do.” Family provided a strong positive influence in Ronnie’s youth. “Mama and Daddy were the best of parents and raised me to be honest and trustworthy to others. They molded me to do what I said I was going to do. They also taught me that whenever you are doing a job, do it better than anyone else.”

 

The road map of a child’s future in a rural farming community during that time was limited to getting a job at a local factory, then getting married young, and having children. Ronnie felt a calling to go beyond the limits of his hometown and to create a life for himself. "There was something in me that kept saying that I needed to go somewhere else. I wasn't sure what or where. I let God take the wheel and wherever life took me, that's where I went. Everyday is a stepping stone to the next day." After 7 years of working in the Dan Post Boots Factory in Clarksville, Ronnie left his hometown and answered the call he felt in his heart.

 

He moved to Concord, NC and got a job with a NASCAR merchandising company selling Richard Petty souvenirs. Growing up, Ronnie's father was a big NASCAR fan (especially for Richard Petty) and he inherited a love for the sport. Eventually he worked his way to driving the truck and trailer and then working directly with Mr. Petty. “I was with Richard Petty for 20 plus years, holding many positions and ending as Vice President of Licensing and Merchandising. He taught me so much about how life works, what to expect, and how to deal with things. He told us, ‘I hired each one of you to win. I expect nothing less. Nobody works for me, we all work together’.”

 

Ronnie moved from working with Richard Petty to working with another titan in the racing industry, President and CEO of McDonalds, Ed Rensi. "Ed Rensi taught me so much in business. He refined me with his extensive marketing ability and business sense. He taught me to act like a CEO. When he made me president, he said, "Now you're not going to know how to do this job yet, time will evolve you to the job." Ronnie spent 13 years with Team Rensi Motorsports and went on to become part owner.

 

"Over the years those guys sculpted me into somebody who could do business, someone who branched out. Every job that I have had in life has molded me to be the best and to be a leader. Never wait until you are ready, you'll never be ready. You learn the ropes, you try to learn everything that you can, and then the rest is history. "

 

Ronnie felt that calling once again to branch out and explore the world. He and his wife moved to Oak Island 6 years ago after spending time in the area with friends and enjoying the beach. Ever the go-getter, Ronnie came to Oak Island with the mindset to dive in, get to know the local people and embrace the new possibilities in front of him. He started to make connections and look into possible jobs and activities. "Networking is huge." Ronnie introduced himself to local residents that he would meet as he explored the island. One lucky encounter with folks at a furniture store led him to meet Danny Bradley of Island Property Services. Danny helped Ronnie's wife get a job at the Lynda Haraway Group and asked Ronnie to take on various handyman projects.

 

Ronnie got to know some of the top agents in the area and became interested in real estate. “I felt that if I could sell sponsorship for a NASCAR racing program, surely I could sell houses.” Ronnie has worked at Lynda Haraway Group for over 5 years. “I enjoy going out, meeting people, and getting to know them. I have helped my clients achieve what they wanted. I’m selling dreams. I too, had a dream to come here and do something great.”

 

Whether it's answering the phones, being on desk duty, or putting out signs and flyers, Ronnie takes great pride in doing the day to day activities that lead to connections and opportunities with potential clients. "I have the great benefit of being with the Lynda Haraway Group. We're a small operation with a family feel. We all do a variety of different roles, such as taking calls and taking walk-ins, which can lead to fortunate events."

 

Having an appreciation for the hard work and effort that it takes to build toward something greater is a lesson that Ronnie understood in his early days of NASCAR and would pass on to others. "I'd start a group of guys out picking up cigarette butts in a parking lot. Later, I would explain that the ones who did a really good job at that, were the ones who would be promoted to sweeping floors or taking on other tasks. If you can't do the simplest job, do it well, and have the right attitude, then you can't go to the next job."

 

There's a lot of value in learning a variety of skills within real estate. You can have a better understanding of the process and more in-depth knowledge of specific areas. Many times young agents are encouraged to go with their strengths, but it's also good to leave space to grow in other areas. "Whatever you're doing in life, do every part of it that you can because it's going to make you better. For instance I viewed taking care of handyman jobs for rental houses as a way to be a leader. Life will give you something, but it's not going to give you a lot unless you work at it. Life has given me a master's degree in life."

 

How quickly Ronnie has grown in his real estate career is impressive. “Last year I saw that I was ranked the 175th real estate agent out of 2300 agents. My first year I think I had close to 2.5 million in sales, last year I was around 6.5 million and so far this year, close to 4 million in sales and listings. My goals are to double each year what I did the year before.” He credits his success to having a winning spirit, disciplined nature, and determination for his success. His outlook toward performance is reflective of racing. He is up early, values being a responsive communicator, and is always looking out for his client’s best.

 

"You are never too old to have a purpose and reinvent yourself. I am still reinventing myself. Everything I've always done, from working in a factory to working for Richard Petty, I have always strived to be the best and have the mindset to win. Through my years I've always chased winning trophies and I still do nothing less. The real estate industry has similarities to the racing industry in the fact that it can be highly competitive," Ronnie says with enthusiasm and charm. “Life and winning has stages. You can't go from last to first in a week."

 

After decades of traveling with NASCAR, Ronnie is now enjoying the more relaxed pace of coastal living. “My family comes to Oak Island several times a year and we have a wonderful time being together. We have quality visits with swimming in the pool, eating meals together, and going to the beach. It makes for a wonderful time together."

 

Ronnie’s wife Kim, who he met back in their NASCAR days, also works at the Lynda Haraway Group as the Director of Marketing, among many other duties. "We have been very blessed and I couldn't have done any of this without her. She's incredibly supportive.”

 

You can hear the pride in Ronnie’s voice when he talks about his children. “My daughter, Lisa Barrett, is a real estate agent and event planner in the Murfreesboro, TN area. My son, Richard Russell, lives in Concord, NC and owns his own business, Double R Welding and Fabrication.”

 

Ronnie has a “man cave” that houses his many trophies, mementos, and souvenirs from the winning events in his life and career, but there is no prize more precious than his young grandchildren. “I have 5 wonderful grandchildren. From oldest to youngest there is Tate, Bentley, Channing, Ruth, and Brock.” He also takes delight in his 3 huskies - Fig, Kayne, and Parker.

 

Ronnie also values giving back to the community through Tunnel to Towers and Saint Jude. He is a member of Elks Club and soon to be member of the Oak Island Moose Lodge.

 

When reflecting on his career, Ronnie says, “I’m retired, but the way I want to be. Working in real estate, I can balance the elements. I can have some free time while helping others to live their dreams. Life conditions you to do new things if you're willing to take chances. It's the thing that was pulling me out of Tennessee all those years ago, and I keep following that feeling, and it's never failed me yet."