JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin & San Antonio Real Estate Blog

JBGoodwin Realtors Thrives On Teamwork, Mentorship, and Community

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Tammy Gardner, vice president of JBGoodwin Realtors’ West Lake and Lake Travis divisions, has just finished a meeting and is about to take a business call. She is dressed, in her own words, as “a skeleton queen.”

While the circumstance might be unique to the Halloween season, the sense of camaraderie and fun is business-as-usual at the Austin-based brokerage. “At the leadership level, we’re never going to ask our agents to do anything that we wouldn’t do, whether that’s fun or work-related,” Gardner said.

Founded in 1972 in Austin by J.B. Goodwin, who remains CEO today, JBGoodwin Realtors has served the Austin metro area for more than 50 years, building a tradition of teamwork, mentorship and support that defines its culture. During its 50th anniversary in 2022, the brokerage was designated a Texas Treasure Business by the Texas Historical Commission. Earlier this year, J.B. Goodwin was appointed by the governor to a six-year term on the Texas Real Estate Commission.

That commitment to collaboration and community is also why the firm is being recognized in Austin as a Top Workplaces winner in the large-employer category. The homegrown brokerage bested the likes of Charles Schwab, Cisco Systems, Progressive Insurance and more to claim the top spot.

A history of support and service

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

“The support starts at the top,” Gardner said. “J.B. Goodwin — he’s not just a name on the building; he’s in the office every day.”

The brokerage currently employs about 900 agents across eight offices, including four in Austin and others in San Antonio and surrounding areas. JBGoodwin is an invited member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, has earned Top Workplaces recognition for 15 consecutive years, and counts many of its agents among the Platinum Top 500.

Top Workplaces rankings for Austin are based on anonymous employee surveys conducted by Energage, a Pennsylvania-based firm that partners with the Austin American-Statesman. In March, the company was named a Top Workplaces USA winner, having previously finished first in its category in 2023.

Its JBGiving charitable efforts were honored with the Statesman Top Workplaces Social Responsibility award in 2024 and, a few months later, JBGoodwin was one of only four companies nationally to receive the same recognition for the Top Workplaces USA awards. Through the program, JBGoodwin agents and staff regularly volunteer and raise funds for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Community First! Village, Austin Pets Alive!, Hope Austin, and the Central Texas Food Bank — efforts that underscore the commitment to serving Central and South Texas communities.

Gardner said the team was especially proud of these honors, which reflect the company’s focus on community support. “When you see the sea of yellow T-shirts working on community projects, it's very impactful,” she said.

Leadership, mentorship

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

At JBGoodwin, success among leadership and agents alike is fueled by mentorship. Hank Marsh, vice president of the Williamson County division, points to the firm’s simple, two-word motto: Help people. “When we look at ‘what does a Realtor do?’ I like to distill it down to a simple form,” Marsh said. “To build relationships and trust with the clients. JBGoodwin’s job is to support the agents in building those relationships.”

Marsh said early mentorship shaped that outlook, recalling how J.B. Goodwin introduced himself and offered practical guidance when Marsh was still new at the brokerage — an example of hands-on leadership that informs his approach today. "I've had some phenomenal mentors in my time here," he said.

That's the kind of culture Marsh said JBGoodwin strives to curate, one that's collaborative and supportive "from all angles." That sentiment was echoed by Gardner, who emphasized the importance of teamwork and that training and mentoring are top priorities at the brokerage, across the board.

“We’re not in it alone, we’re in it together,” she said. “No one of us is as smart as all of us put together.” Marsh added that it’s especially crucial for agents to stay abreast of changes in the industry and marketplace. That's particularly true in Austin, where the housing market has cooled sharply since its 2022 peak and continues to swing more buyer-friendly.

Navigating industry change

As Austin's real estate market has shifted from a red hot seller’s market to one of the strongest buyer’s markets in the country, the company has emphasized education, clear communication and adaptable strategies so agents can guide clients with confidence.

“This year, in the market, it’s just about educating clients,” Gardner said. These days, Marsh said, it's not enough to list a property and wait for hungry buyers to bite. Today, landing a sale can require professional photography, detailed floor plans, careful release timing, social media campaigns and more.

“We’re really focused on investing in our agents,” Marsh said — with resources, coaching and marketing support that help them execute at a high level, adapt and keep clients informed and confident. Marsh said he is frequently asked about the state of the market. “The answer is there is no bad market, there’s only unadjusted strategies,” Marsh said.

It's one of the reasons, he said, the firm has been able to deftly navigate major changes, from the state of the market to adjusting to industrywide changes in the wake of last year's National Association of Realtors’ $418 million settlement. Regional associations, including the Austin Board of Realtors and Unlock MLS, have adopted measures to increase transparency and reduce agent risk, including requiring written buyer representation agreements before showings. Marsh explained that the firm's focus on staying abreast of changes has helped it weather major market swings.

"One of the reasons we weren't as negatively impacted as others is because we were already on the forefront of those changes," he said. That extends to the use of artificial intelligence tools.

The brokerage built a ChatGPT-style tool, ChatJBG, that draws on the brokerage's educational resources to help answer agents’ questions and shape strategies using the firm’s approved materials. The company also leverages AI to generate business efficiencies by connecting internal systems, and uses AI features in platforms such as HubSpot and Canva to support agent recruiting and power the marketing and sales tools agents use daily.

Community and culture

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Employees told Energage that JBGoodwin’s people-first approach shows up in everyday collaboration, accessible leaders and resources that help them grow. Employees repeatedly described the brokerage as a place where they feel supported, valued, and inspired to grow.

“I truly love my job because of the supportive and professional environment. It fosters growth, collaboration, and positivity, making it a place where I feel valued and empowered.” Many pointed to teamwork and a shared sense of purpose, while others said their motivation comes from the people they serve.

“I love my job because it allows me to work with a supportive and collaborative team, where every day brings new opportunities to grow and make a positive impact.” Several emphasized the company’s clear, mission-driven culture.

“I love JBGoodwin Realtors because of the supportive culture, the strong sense of teamwork, and the genuine commitment to helping people. It’s a place where you feel valued, inspired to grow, and proud to be part of a company that truly puts people first — both clients and colleagues.”

And for many, that culture shows up in simple, everyday moments. “I love the work family we have and also the support I get when I need it.”

For Marsh, the through line is consistent: steady mentorship, clear training and a client-first mindset. He said the firm continually coaches and trains so agents can keep clients informed and confident. “We’re constantly coaching and training,” he said.

As for Gardner, with nearly two decades at the brokerage, the best parts of the job haven't changed — support, service and a camaraderie that shows up in the office and in the community. “I’ve been here for almost two decades and I don’t know what anyone could say to me to get me to leave,” she said. “These are just my people. I love my people.”