By: Jamie Kosofsky
The tree, one of man’s first tools, first fuels, and first shelters is often used to symbolize longevity, strength and the cycle of life. Fifteen years ago, Kelly Brady and I figuratively planted a tree in an empty field in Matthews, North Carolina and this month, Brady & Kosofsky (BK) is celebrating our 15th anniversary! With this milestone, we are adopting the tree to symbolize the firm, not only for what this image represents, but for the process that is required to develop a tree into its ultimate state. Our new website features this imagery along with a slogan that perfectly reflects who we are at BK – Established & Always Growing. We are firmly planted in who we are while always seeking the next opportunity to grow, learn and adapt!
Learn a little more about our story below.
Prepping the Soil
Kelly and I both attended law school at Western Michigan University’s Thomas M Cooley School of Law. However, back in those days, we never met, we never talked, but we did know some people in common. Kelly grew up in West Virginia one tank of gas from Charlotte, and when she ran out, she stopped and started her career here. I grew up in Indiana and had no desire to become a lawyer. I had more exciting things in mind as a photographer in the professional motor sports industry. In the midst of living that dream, my mentor saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself and encouraged me (with some force) to pursue a degree in law. So, I went to law school with intent to become a sports lawyer or agent, which narrowed my ideal location to Indiana or North Carolina. Charlotte, it was!
Selecting the Tree
When planting a tree, it is imperative to choose the variety that will root, grow, endure and flourish in the area it is planted.
Kelly was a pioneer in the title industry and early on, had the vision for how we operate today. Despite her detractors, she did her research and built her business according to the letter of the law. She entered this practice area under a set of facts that could be construed as either a threat or a dare. Her mentor once said to her, “Either you take the opportunity to build a firm that can operate at scale, or someone else will.” That’s all it took to motivate Kelly to build the prototype for what would become BK.
When I came to Charlotte, I could not get a job. I did not graduate from the right school and my grade point average was exactly that – “average.” So, I hung my shingle, took everything that came through the door, and chased my dream of becoming a lawyer in the NASCAR and INDYCAR industries. I jumped around, firm to firm trying to find the right home and learning how to practice law and run a business along the way.
As the failing economy of the early 2000’s took its toll on the racing industry, I shifted my focus to real estate. I learned North Carolina law and closing practice from the best of the best and every experience along my journey was a valuable step to develop the skillset needed for future success.
Around this time, I called Kelly to source title searches for my REO practice. My first inquiry resulted in a nice “NO.” But if you know me at all, you know I have a hard time taking “NO” for an answer! Kelly and I went to lunch one day and the result was a vision for Brady & Kosofsky! The acorn was planted and to commemorate this new beginning, 3 bonsai trees (a gift from my father in law) took up residence at the BK office. The growth was beginning.
Nurturing the Sapling
The beginning was hard. I had never had much success in business, was a lousy manager, and had little confidence in myself. But, I could bring in the clients. Kelly on the other hand, had this machine, had tasted success, and had a very appealing IT plan. Our strengths complemented each other well.
In 2008, the economy crashed right as we launched BK, but we stayed busy with REO clients and realtor-based business. I did not say we were making any money; we just had a lot in the pipeline. So, in these early days while the business was fragile, we invested, innovated, and persisted, allowing us to make it through the downturn while establishing a name for ourselves in the industry.
When the industry started to recover, we paid off the loan, and started making some profit (our sapling finally started to grow.) By the end of the second year, we had around ten people in a space made for six and our employees quickly became the roots needed to hold the young tree in place.
Reaching for the Sun
“Phototropism” (defined: bending toward the light) is a phenomenon whereby trees grow in the direction of the sun and the BK sapling was no different – bending in the direction of opportunity, challenge, and innovation.
One afternoon in December of 2011, a challenge came in that changed the trajectory of the firm. We had to figure out how to make it work, so we scrutinized the workflow for weeks and the result was amazing. Within the next year we were working around the clock. We stuffed thirty people into a space made for fifteen, hired people on the spot and chased down UPS trucks. That season was exhausting but it was awesome! The tree was really growing now!
Establishing Success
The next four years were like a dream; new clients, new business, more offices.
In the spring of 2015, a change in the law created a significant threat for companies like BK. However, we stayed ahead of the curve and by 2016, we successfully completed our first SOC 2 Type 2 review, becoming the only North Carolina firm with this credential and one of about 5 companies in our space that had one. The industry responded to this commitment to compliance and security with more volume and opportunities.
Our tree, now matured, was developing a very deep root system in the form of an incredible team of employees, vendors, partners and colleagues. Many of those roots are still with us today. Perhaps this was the point that Kelly and I knew the tree was safe, the roots were firm, and it was time to endow the tree with the proper nutrients it needed to live for years to come.
Pruning For New Growth
Proper pruning yields multiple benefits for trees: increased flowering and fruit production, healthy new growth, increased sunlight and a desired shape and size. At BK, we have experienced our share of necessary pruning over the years.
We’ve said goodbye to valuable team members who left to pursue new opportunities. Though painful, it was through these losses that we realized our root system needed some help – the catalyst to hire some of our current “non-title industry” leaders. Relinquishing sole responsibility for the tree was difficult, but we knew it was necessary to experience the “new growth” we desired. The fresh perspective was exactly what was needed to take BK to the next level.
On July 4, 2019, a line of severe storms moved through the Charlotte Area. A little after midnight I got a call – the office was on fire. On my mad dash to the office, I played out every scenario possible. We watched the fire department cut holes in the roof and drag debris out the front door while the fire gutted our entire infrastructure. Not ironically, the only thing to survive were the 3 bonsai trees that had graced the office since the day we opened. The BK team and their families worked tirelessly through the hot July night to open for business by 10 am the next morning. It was not pretty, it was not easy, it was hot, miserable, and scary. But our trees and BK had triumphantly survived! No data was lost, all client property was safe, and we were strengthened and fortified. Just as in forest fires, the fire fertilized the tree (BK) which has grown at record pace since that difficult pruning.
& Always Growing
So, what’s the secret? Quite honestly – there is no secret!
We planted an acorn that grew into a sapling, which developed strong roots, and through hard work, persistence and the encouragement and support of many around us, BK established itself as a mighty oak in the industry.
Two years ago, we launched our new mission, vision and values:
To be the employer and partner of choice for title and settlement services while we make real estate simple in a manner that reflects ONE TEAM, SERVICE, TRUST, INTEGRITY, INNOVATION, and EXECUTION.
The tree metaphor presented on our new website is not just a story – it’s the way it really happened. Kelly and I planted an acorn, and all of you, whether clients, partners, employees or former employees helped nurture that acorn into a magnificent tree that will stand for ages.
Thanks to you, we are established & always growing!
