What happens when a Realtor blends broadcasting brilliance, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep empathy for homeowners in transition? You get Kathy Chiero — and DownSize Columbus. In this inspiring episode, we dive into the business, purpose, and heart behind a brand that's transforming how people downsize in Central Ohio.

Welcome back to Columbus Brick by Brick, the podcast uncovering the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future of Columbus, one story at a time. Hosted by Jon Styer, broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals, this weekly series features conversations with local entrepreneurs, creatives, and changemakers redefining our city’s landscape.

In Episode 14, Jon sits down with Kathy Chiero, a veteran Realtor, founder of the Kathy Chiero Group, and creator of DownSize Columbus — a groundbreaking initiative helping homeowners transition into their next chapter with confidence and clarity. With a background in radio and television, Kathy brings a uniquely powerful voice to real estate, content creation, and client education.

In this episode, we explore:

- Kathy’s accidental entry into real estate — and how a personal move turned into a 29-year career

- The evolution from solo agent to team leader, and what it really takes to build and lead a high-performance real estate team

- The story behind DownSize Columbus — from a one-time seminar to a statewide movement

- How seminar marketing, social media, and personal branding all work together in a changing industry

- Leadership lessons, team dynamics, and legacy in both family and business

- What’s next: scaling DownSize Columbus beyond Ohio through education and entrepreneurial vision

🔗 Resources & Links:

Guest Website: https://www.downsizecolumbus.com

Kathy Chiero on Instagram: @kathychiero

Follow us on social: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick

Listen to more episodes: https://www.columbusbrickbybrick.com

💬 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode — especially if you know someone navigating a downsizing decision, leading a team, or dreaming of building a business with heart.

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.

Discover how AI is reshaping the real estate game in Columbus – smarter valuations, inspection summaries, and ultra‑personalized service.

This week on Columbus Brick by Brick, host Jon Styer sits down with Jim Perry – seasoned AI lecturer at OSU’s Fisher College of Business, Realtor at Styer Real Estate Professionals, and certified yoga instructor. With over 20 years in data and tech leadership, Jim brings transformation across Fortune 100 companies, real estate, education, and wellness.

Learn About:

Core principles of AI prompt engineering: context, storytelling, and asking the right questions

AI‑powered workflows: from inspection report breakdowns to deep MLS and competition analysis

The future of AI in real estate: personalized AI assistants managing everything from property search to negotiations

Human‑tech balance: staying authentic and adding value in an AI world

Jim’s journey: from corporate analytics → yoga teaching → real estate → AI education

🔗 Jim Perry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimperry/

📧 Email: JamesCperry@outlook.com

🏡 Learn more from Styer Real Estate Professionals: StyerREP.com/join-us

If you're a real estate pro seeking real-world, AI-driven strategies — this episode is for you. Subscribe, share, and drop a comment below!

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.

Visit us at ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com | Follow @ColumbusBrickbyBrick (Instagram • Facebook • YouTube)

How does a high-school mover go from hauling furniture to leading a top-performing real estate team—and go viral doing it? In Episode 12, Oscar Martinez lays out the playbook: niche branding, relentless hustle, systems-driven leadership, and a social-first strategy that’s redefining success in Columbus real estate.

About Our Guest

• Oscar Martinez – Owner & Lead Realtor at The Martinez Group | Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
• Bilingual in English & Spanish, Oscar specializes in new construction and residential home sales. With a commitment to flawless customer experiences, he’s disrupting local real estate and elevating industry standards.

Episode Highlights

• Humble beginnings & first sale – From working roofs and DoorDash runs to landing his first contract after six months of savings.
• Niche & brand strategy – Finding a specialty in new-construction, mastering Instagram, and even hiring a dedicated media team.
• Team building & company culture – Defining core values, using time-blocked schedules, and learning to lead by example.
• Driver of inbound leads – Transitioning from outbound calling to content-driven traction.
• Future vision & legacy – From earning a Real Producers Top 100 nod to future plans in residential and multifamily development.

Resources & Links

• 👉 Follow Oscar on Instagram: @oscarm_realtor
• ✅ Team IG: @martinezgroup_ohio
• 🌐 Browse listings: MartinezHouses.com
• 🎙️ Connect with the host: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick

Loved this story?

• Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen.
• Share with anyone driven by entrepreneurship or real estate.
• Follow us across Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @ColumbusBrickbyBrick

• Visit ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com for show notes, transcripts & more.

Every Brick Has a Story. We’re Here to Tell It.

From losing $100K on his first flip to raising millions in private capital, Tommy Harr shares the raw, unfiltered truth of real estate success. This episode is a deep dive into grit, growth, and building a business that actually lasts.

Welcome to Episode 11 of Columbus Brick by Brick, the podcast uncovering the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future of Columbus, Ohio. Hosted by Jon Styer, broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals, each week we highlight local leaders, innovators, and changemakers building this city — one story at a time.

This week, Jon sits down with Tommy Harr, a Columbus-based real estate investor, educator, and content creator behind The Real Side of Real Estate. From working summer jobs trashing foreclosed homes to flipping over 200 properties a year, Tommy’s journey is anything but typical. His story is built on consistency, authenticity, and a whole lot of trial and error.

• The real truth behind Tommy’s first flip — and how he lost $100K
• How growing up in a property preservation business shaped his mindset
• Using social media to build trust (not just followers)
• Hiring and training a team that sticks — and scales
• Flipping at scale: systems, finishes, and how a warehouse changed everything
• What “legacy” means to Tommy and why he’s staying rooted in Columbus

Whether you're an aspiring investor, real estate pro, or entrepreneur looking for a dose of real talk, this episode delivers the mindset, lessons, and tools that can help you build something brick by brick.

🎧 Watch + listen now and let us know what you think in the comments!

🔗 Connect with Tommy:

• Instagram: @tommyharr05
• YouTube: Real Side of Real Estate

📲 Follow @ColumbusBrickbyBrick on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

💻 Visit: https://www.ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.

In this episode, Jon Styer sits down with Andrew Doup, a military veteran turned attorney and founder of Syndication Counsel LLC. Discover how he went from not understanding a closing contract to becoming a trusted advisor on over 500 private investment deals. This episode explores how smart legal structure and strategic capital can build more than just wealth—they build communities.

Guest:

👤 Andrew Doup

Founder of Syndication Counsel LLC

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn

About Andrew:

Andrew is a Columbus-based attorney and founder of Syndication Counsel LLC. With a background in the Air Force and a passion for real estate law, he's helped structure hundreds of real estate partnerships and syndications across the country. His firm specializes in helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of private capital, securities compliance, and opportunity zone investing.

Topics Covered:

• What is real estate syndication and why it matters
• Legal and operational foundations of investment partnerships
• Navigating securities regulations and capital raising
• How opportunity zones incentivize community growth
• Lessons from entrepreneurship and the importance of mentorship
• Building a business that can run without you
• Balancing entrepreneurship with family and legacy

Notable Links & Mentions:

• SyndicationCounsel.com
• Opportunity Zone resources from the U.S. Treasury
• Ohio Opportunity Zone Tax Credit Program

Like what you hear? Subscribe, comment, and share with someone shaping Columbus. Follow us @ColumbusBrickbyBrick and visit ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com for more.

🎙 Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.

Welcome to Columbus Brick by Brick, where we explore the people, projects, and ideas shaping our city. In this episode, host Jon Styer, broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals, sits down with Misty Linn—founder of Core Realty Collection and a trailblazer in Columbus real estate.

Misty shares her journey from attending open houses as a hobby to leading the largest LGBTQ-owned real estate company in Columbus. With over $194 million in career transactions, she discusses her commitment to creating inclusive spaces, mentoring women entrepreneurs through her Link program, and revitalizing neighborhoods through design-forward development.

Key topics include:

• Misty’s path to becoming a top realtor and investor
• The mission behind Core Realty Collection
• Empowering women and LGBTQ+ professionals in real estate
• Transforming properties and communities with intentional design
• The importance of mentorship and legacy in business

Website: corerchomes.com

Instagram: @mistylinnrealtor

Facebook: Misty Linn Realtor

From house hacking in Polaris to owning over 35 doors, Abigail Swihart Valentine has built a real estate empire one bold move at a time. In this episode, she shares the tools, mindset, and mentorship that helped her grow a thriving business—and a life on her terms.

Abigail is the founder of The Valentine Group and a Realtor with Red 1 Realty. Known for her fearless networking, disciplined systems, and passionate mentorship, she’s helping shape the future of Columbus real estate. In this conversation, Jon and Abigail unpack her journey from Apple Store employee to full-time investor and team leader.

🔑 In this episode, we cover:

• How Abigail scaled her portfolio to 35+ units by 30
• The systems and tech that power her business (hello, Follow Up Boss!)
• Surviving tough lending markets and making strategic pivots
• Why mentorship matters and how she pays it forward
• Redefining success as a young mom, leader, and investor
• The value of consistency, harmony over balance, and trusting your gut

📌 Notable Mentions & Resources:

• Follow Up Boss CRM
• Buildium Property Management Software
• The BRRRR Method
• @abigailswihart on Instagram

📣 Call to Action:

Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a little inspiration. Every listen helps us grow.

🧱 Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.

Visit ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Follow: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook

In this episode of Columbus Brick by Brick, host Jon Styer sits down with a dynamic Realtor and renovation expert who balances entrepreneurship and motherhood while leading two growing businesses in the real estate space. As the powerhouse behind a renovation company and a personal real estate brand, she brings a unique perspective on business growth, branding, and building a legacy.

• Making the leap from corporate work to full-time entrepreneurship
• Strategies for scaling a renovation business and real estate brand
• Navigating the challenges of working with your spouse
• Balancing business with family and personal fulfillment
• Building brand visibility in a local community through social media
• The value of mentorship, delegation, and timeless design

Whether you're a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, this story is packed with actionable insights and real-life takeaways you won’t want to miss.

📲 Instagram (Real Estate): @realestatebymaleeka

🔨 Instagram (Renovation): @smithdreamhomes

📍 Learn more at ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

📢 Follow @ColumbusBrickbyBrick on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

🎙 Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.