Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company.
Richard K. Johnson: The Johnson Group is a boutique commercial real estate company which was founded in 2001. There are eight agents. We focus on servicing a local clientele. We represent buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in a full range of services. Our areas of expertise include investment property, apartments, retail, office, industrial and 1031 tax-deferred exchange properties. We consistently have "Top Producer" agents.
NNBW: What role do you play in the company?
Johnson: I am the chief cook and bottle washer. Besides representing clients, I focus on keeping our agents trained and knowledgeable. To do this I write continuing education classes for Nevada real estate agents and I am licensed as an educator by the state of Nevada. I am a commissioner for the State of Nevada Real Estate Division and I help develop real estate contracts for the Board of Realtors. Additionally I keep statistics and graphs of the current trends of the various segments of commercial real estate in Washoe County.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Johnson: Part of my duties as a V.P. for a Fortune 500 company included the acquisition, negotiations and sales of real property. This was one of my favorite job requirements. Thus, when I started my own hospitality consulting company, I decided to get my real estate license. The more I did it, the more I liked it.
NNBW: What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?
Johnson: The use of both the right and left side of your brain. That is the ability to think and react both lineally and laterally. Additionally, you must like continual change and a focus on detail. You must have a continual desire to learn and practice what is right.
NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Johnson: Either architecture or law, and because what I do involves exposure to both while allowing me a broader experience.
NNBW: What are some of the important trends you see in your industry?
Johnson: Change, in both number of changes and size of changes. The economy is the big issue right now and it is resulting in business and personal changes for everyone. Many in our industry are validating that commercial property is heading toward increased foreclosures and short sales, however, I am now seeing banks selling the non-performing loans rather than foreclosing on the properties. Seeing this may suggest that a little different path is appropriate. If you can keep yourself from being contaminated, you might just be able to achieve innovation or evolution both of which can result in great personal success. I also see consolidation and downsizing by the real estate practitioners as well as the clients, and the need for clients to act and react most of all stop burying their heads in the sand.
NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?
Johnson: Spend time with family and friends, and travel.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Johnson: Find a mentor who has achieved what you want to achieve, and become a sponge. Learn, and the money and other trimmings will follow.
NNBW: Would you rather be younger, thinner, richer or smarter? Why?
Johnson: Younger, because everyone has the ability to be thinner and richer, if they really want to. Being smarter is marginally under your control, but being younger you do not control, and yet this would allow you the time to achieve all of these.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Johnson: Evaluate your surroundings before you become contaminated. There is always the typical or right way to do something, because that is the "way it is done." If you look at how you think it should be before you are told how it should be, you might actually improve or change things for the better.
NNBW: What are five things you can't live without?
Johnson: Food and water; family and friends; change and mental growth; appreciation and approval; and input and contribution.
NNBW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you want it?
Johnson: Hearing what other people are thinking. There is so much good that can come from knowing other people's needs, wants and desires. You would be able to have more compassion and understanding, while being able to deal with their priorities. The end result would be that everyone would be happier.
NNBW: What does the content of your refrigerator say about you?
Johnson: I am in the process of changing my eating habits.
The basics:
Name: Richard K. Johnson, president and owner of Johnson Group
How long have you been in this job? 10 Years
How long in the profession? 22 Years
Education: College degree and other misc.
What's on your iPod? Just about everything except hard rock.
The best movie ever? "Gladiator."
Spouse, kids or pets? Wife, 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and dog.
