Jax Listing Sisters: Tammy Baranowski and Brooke Hewitt
Sisterhood Synergy
Meet Tammy Baranowski and Brooke Hewitt, the dynamic ladies behind the Jax Listing Sisters team at Momentum Realty. Their contrasting personalities form a balanced partnership, with each sister bringing her unique strengths and background to the closing table.
The proof? Their team was ranked #89 out of 12,000 REALTORS® in Northeast Florida last year and the deserving pair won The Top Duo Award at their brokerage as well. Their shared mission is deeply personal, driven by a burning desire to enjoy success on their own terms while providing for their families and caring for a disabled parent.
“The fact that we are not just a duo, but sisters, has really been our secret sauce. We have polar opposite personalities in so many ways, which we often describe as being the yin to the other’s yang,” Brooke shares. “We trust each other with our lives, so of course we trust each other every step of the way in our business.”
Early Ventures
Born and raised in Clay County, Florida, the sisters embarked on separate career paths before life circumstances brought them together professionally. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from University of North Florida, Tammy worked in healthcare as a clinical dietitian and the food industry for years, while Brooke somehow successfully managed her family’s farm in the midst of raising five children. Both sisters note their diverse backgrounds undoubtedly laid the groundwork for their robust work ethic and compassionate approach to service.
Brooke initially dipped her toe in real estate in 2016 but the timing wasn’t ideal with her children’s busy school schedules. She took a job with their cousin’s construction company for several years and renewed her real estate license with something to prove in 2019, crushing over $8 million in her rookie year.
“Once I discovered the possibilities of working in real estate, but still understanding the challenges and uncertainties that came with it, I begged Tammy to jump in and join me as well,” Brooke smiles.
At the time, Tammy was five months pregnant with her second child and dreading a return to strict office hours once the baby was born. Brooke knew her sister’s outgoing personality and entrepreneurial spirit would be a terrific fit in sales and convinced Tammy to give real estate a shot as their ailing mother began to require around-the-clock care. Brooke's guidance helped Tammy navigate her inaugural year, leading to an impressive debut with 35 homes sold in 2020, generating over $11 million in volume.
Together, they formed the Jax Listing Sisters in 2022, combining their talents to provide unparalleled service and expertise. Their collaboration has already yielded remarkable success, as the pair closed 61 units for $23 million last year.
“No one else but my sister could have known my heart and convinced me to take the big scary leap into real estate,” Tammy shakes her head. “Brooke took days and I took nights to care for our mom around the clock for a month when she was in critical condition. It’s no exaggeration when I say this: thanks to real estate, we were able to keep food on the table and keep her alive.”
Compassionate Approach
The Jax Listing team is renowned for its nurturing approach, focusing on creating positive experiences for their clients.
“Being compassionate and nurturers at heart is one thing we do have in common, and that has also helped us play the long game, as all our acts of kindness and genuine connection with others has returned exponential blessings to our business,” Brooke remarks.
Tammy nods her head in agreement as Brooke speaks. Both sisters affirm that genuine connection and prioritizing the needs of clients has paved their way to success in real estate. Their mutual advice embodies their ethos: to remain humble and kind while providing stellar service for their clients and caring for their families.
“Never give up,” Tammy advises. “I won an award last year for ‘top grit’ at our brokerage and part of that is due to the fact that if there’s a will, there's a way. I’m very transparent with my own personal struggles and as someone who is now over one year sober, I want to show others they can succeed, too."
“Regardless of status or expertise, my advice would be to remain humble and always be willing to help others,” Brooke adds. “Don’t be too proud to take every opportunity that comes your way in the beginning, because you never know what it could grow into!”
Beyond Business
Outside of their busy careers, Tammy and Brooke cherish time well spent with loved ones.
Married to Keith for 11 years, Tammy says the happy couple keeps busy raising their two young daughters, Fiona (7) and Stella (3). The Baranowski household is further enlivened by the company of two Labrador Retrievers, Daisy and Buddy.
Likewise, Brooke’s world outside the office revolves around her large brood, with husband Tim and a beautiful blend of five daughters, including triplets: Camille (25), Darien (25), Sophia (25), Lexi (21), and Gabriella (16). The presence of their young grandson, Callum, adds a special layer of joy, as well as the family’s 160-pound Bullmastiff “lap dog” named Gnash, and Deedee, their beloved cat.
As they look ahead, the Jax Listing Sisters aspire to leave a lasting impact on the real estate industry and their community. Both women are committed to giving back, supporting charities such as Ability Tree and the Pace Center for Girls. They envision a future where they can further mentor young agents, perhaps grow their team, and delve into real estate investing while maintaining their strong family values and community involvement.
"Our goal is to build an investment property portfolio and continue growing our business while providing for our families and making a positive difference in the world," affirms Tammy. “We may even start a staging company.”
Likewise, Brooke dreams of expanding their team’s reach, mentoring upcoming talent, and exploring new opportunities, all while staying true to their core values of compassion, professionalism, and the freedom to spend time with family.
“Building relationships with customers and being a trusted advisor during a significant time brings a deep sense of fulfillment,” Brooke concludes. “Knowing that we played a part in making someone’s dream home a reality is what drives us in this profession.”