"Our team sponsors a 4-H animal every year and gives it back to the child who raised it. It's our way of rewarding hard work and showing the importance of dedication and perseverance," says John Smith, co-founder of the Smith and Bollinger team at Long Realty Company. “Last year we bought a goat, and this year we purchased a $1,200 guinea pig at auction.”

This philosophy of rewarding hard work and fostering dedication is not just something John and his real estate partner, Matt Bollinger, believe in for their community contributions—it's the cornerstone of their successful team. 

John and Matt’s partnership began with neighboring offices at Long Realty. Each took note of the other showing up to work every day and began bouncing questions off each other after a while. Their bond solidified over the years, leading to a pairing that balances their individual strengths. In their own words, Matt is the “numbers and business guy,” while John excels in “teaching and connecting with people.” Together, they offer a 360-degree view to their clients, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

"We have a work ethic that I’ve never seen in real estate," John affirms. "Matt and I show up to work every day; we don’t skip out early and we’re 50/50 on everything.” Matt smiles before adding, “Our offices were next to each other so it was pretty clear to see that it was not going to be a one-sided thing. I knew we would both put in the work to build a business to be proud of.”

Both agents agree their complementary skills are key to their team’s accomplishments. "John is a great teacher and a great people person," Matt says. "It helps our team members and clients understand the process." On the other hand, Matt’s analytical skills provide a solid foundation for their business decisions. 

"At listing appointments, it only takes us about two minutes to tell which person the client is gravitating towards," Matt explains. "If it’s about the numbers, they gravitate towards me. If it’s more about the aesthetics, they gravitate to John. One person talks, while the other one listens and that’s important. We’re good at recognizing which personality the client identifies and feels more comfortable with to make such a large decision.

“For example, when we’re walking through a house to assess the condition and any repairs needed before the house goes on the market, John always takes the lead with his ‘Johnesty’ and the client loves it. It takes the edge off when John inevitably asks, ‘Are we still friends?’ after a walk-through.”

 

“Our egos are not at the table either,” John points out. “Everyone is looking at making the right decision. We don’t give up on deals when there are problems involved. When things get frustrating, we problem solve together, we talk to each other before the work day and come up with a game plan.”

Both John and Matt come from families involved in the real estate business. John, after 20 years as a plumber, sought a career that combined his management, marketing, and interpersonal skills. Matt’s path was influenced by his parents, with his father being a building contractor and his mother a real estate broker. His degree in economics from Gonzaga University also gives him a strong foundation for commercial real estate.

Mentorship has played a crucial role in both John's and Matt’s careers. John credits his first broker for providing invaluable guidance in his early days as a REALTOR®, and he loves paying it forward to watch others succeed. As a sales manager and CRB, John enjoys coaching others, even as he has recently stepped back to focus on his own business. 

“Matt and I don’t want lifers on our team, we want someone that wants to be trained to eventually go out on their own. My mentor was Lori Mares, and it was the best breakup of all time. She is still my mentor to this day, whether she wants to be or not!” John says with a smile.

Similarly, Matt reflects on the impact of Cecelia Terry, his mother-in-law, who taught him the intricacies of what can often be a tough business. “I would not be where I am today without what she taught me,” Matt acknowledges. “If you set someone up right, they should be able to go out on their own eventually.”

Smith & Bollinger isn’t just a professional partnership; it’s a family-oriented affair. Their team includes six agents, two of whom are their wives, supporting them from home. The busy team projects $20 million in sales volume this year, a significant leap from last year's $12 million. 

"We’re very family-oriented, and we both agree that family comes first," John emphasizes.

Their team’s strengths lie in honesty, integrity, and a relentless work ethic. This commitment to ethical practices has built a strong referral business, as clients know they can trust Smith & Bollinger to act in their best interests.

"We live by doing the right thing solely because it’s the right thing," Matt points out. 

Family and community are at the heart of John and Matt's lives. John is married to Tracy, a real estate agent and science teacher at St. Michael's School. The couple have three children: Chelsie, an RN at University Medical Center; Thayer, a college student aspiring to be an archaeologist; and Jillian, a college student aiming for a career in environmental science. John also has five grandchildren, including two sets of twins.

Matt is married to Elizabeth, the executive director of the Catholic Foundation. Their daughter, Lauren, is a second-grade teacher and graduate student, and their son, Sam, is studying Construction Management at ASU. The family enjoys traveling, with recent trips to the White Mountains and San Diego.

Beyond work, John is an avid wildlife and landscape photographer, often using his lens to capture the beauty of nature. He’s also an author and once sat on a CNN panel to discuss his book on water conservation after touring the country for several years speaking on the subject. Matt’s hobbies include golf, fishing, traveling, and collecting eclectic art when he’s not busy helping plan his daughter’s upcoming wedding.  

Both men are deeply involved in their community as well. Their team supports numerous charitable organizations, including Long Cares, Habitat for Humanity, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson. In addition to the 4-H Club, they also participate in charity golf tournaments and sponsor families during the holidays to give back at the local level.

As they continue to grow their business, both renowned REALTORS® have their eyes set on leaving a lasting legacy. Their future goals are rooted in a mutual desire to build something worthwhile and to pass on their knowledge to the next generation. 

"We both want to keep growing our business and take it to the next level," John elaborates. "We want a team that survives and hopefully someday, someone will step in and take over, whether it’s our kids or someone else that comes along.”

"The business is always changing, and we’re always learning. We want to pass that on to somebody else eventually," Matt concludes.