Julie Wyss
Building a Successful Family-Focused Real Estate Business
“The cycle of real estate is perfect for me. Because I can apply myself for a certain client and home, then it ends and I get to meet new people. I love the constantly shifting landscape.”
Julie was born in Seattle but grew up in the San Jose area. As a teenager, she discovered that formal education wasn’t her pathway and began to realize her entrepreneurial desires. She took a varied path from high school before ultimately starting her own fitness center in the mid-90s in downtown Los Gatos, building the business from the ground up.
“I took great pride in recognizing what the personal trainers brought to the business and ultimately enjoyed employing people instead of following my formal education path. I felt accomplished because I could guide the business in my own direction.”
who worked for me had master's degrees and I felt accomplished because although I didn’t have the education I was employing people who did.”
who worked for me had master's degrees and I felt accomplished because although I didn’t have the education I was employing people who did.”
Julie ran her fitness center for several years before switching to the mortgage industry in 2000 for a few successful years. Then she chose to focus on family for a bit and waited until her youngest son was in 1st grade to return to her career. Given the conditions during the mortgage crisis in 2008, she decided to pivot into real estate.
Coming from a more entrepreneurial background, Julie quickly learned that real estate was a completely different ballgame. She essentially went from leading a fun, popular job at the fitness center to a small cubicle at the back of the office without any reputation in the industry. But what Julie did know all along is that her work ethic and dedication would eventually get her there. She committed herself to learning and capitalized on the opportunities the market presented during the recession. Plus, her ability to crunch numbers from running her previous business and experience in the mortgage industry was a big advantage.
“I saw a lot of very successful realtors that lost everything. It was a good lesson for me and helped me with my investment strategies as I grew my business. I also came into the market during the short sale phase and was very successful there. I just jumped in and adapted to the current environment.”
After beginning her career in mortgages at Keller Williams, Julie went on to work at Intero and Compass before circling back to Keller Williams, where she is today. Gratefully, her business has evolved into a thriving family affair. Her husband Mark retired from his law enforcement in 2015 and became her main business partner.
Julie and Mark as a team have defined their roles in the business, each focusing on their strengths to eliminate redundancy and provide efficient, effective service. Their skill sets complement each other, and clients quickly recognize the "package deal" they bring to the table on both the listing and purchasing side of the business.
“I’m the one who does the production, my husband does an unbelievable amount for the business. He takes care of the detail work, as he’s more analytical, but he is producing some of what we do because he’s been with us long enough. My husband is a huge contributor.”
Julie and Mark as a team have defined their roles in the business, each focusing on their strengths to eliminate redundancy and provide efficient, effective service. Their skill sets complement each other, and clients quickly recognize the "package deal" they bring to the table on both the listing and purchasing side of the business.
“I’m the one who does the production, my husband does an unbelievable amount for the business. He takes care of the detail work, as he’s more analytical, but he is producing some of what we do because he’s been with us long enough. My husband is a huge contributor.”
Bianca, their daughter, has been an integral part of the team since 2015. With a wealth of experience, she has likely attended more listing appointments than many seasoned realtors with twice or thrice her tenure. As the business manager, Bianca expertly handles day-to-day operations and annual business planning, all while remaining laser-focused on delivering an exceptional client experience. Her dedication and expertise have been instrumental in driving the team's success.
Meanwhile, their youngest son Kyle will be graduating in May of this year with a business and finance degree from the University of Nevada Reno. He obtained his real estate license in 2022 and they couldn't be more excited about what he will bring to the team.
“When I first got into it I never would’ve guessed it’d turn into a family business. I love it so much.”
Meanwhile, their youngest son Kyle will be graduating in May of this year with a business and finance degree from the University of Nevada Reno. He obtained his real estate license in 2022 and they couldn't be more excited about what he will bring to the team.
“When I first got into it I never would’ve guessed it’d turn into a family business. I love it so much.”
Julie’s approach to real estate is built around systems and relationships. Her effective time management skills and organization help her avoid the minutia of the business and focus on what matters most.
“I see a lot of agents trying new things constantly. If you’re always busy learning some new program or CRM, it eats away at your income-generating activity. Get systems in place, stick with them, and stay very focused on relationship-building and income-generating activities. I like to make things look easy.”
“I see a lot of agents trying new things constantly. If you’re always busy learning some new program or CRM, it eats away at your income-generating activity. Get systems in place, stick with them, and stay very focused on relationship-building and income-generating activities. I like to make things look easy.”
When she's not working, Julie loves spending time in nature, whether it's boating on Lake Tahoe or walking along the ocean in Laguna Beach. She also prioritizes exercise and fitness, recognizing the importance of self-care in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Julie’s philosophy is simple: "The purpose of business is to fund the perfect life. My perfect life is to surround myself and my family with comfort and luxury. I love having my family close by." With her family by her side and a proven track record of success, Julie is poised for continued growth and prosperity in the world of real estate.