A New Chapter: The Story Behind Close with Colleen Real Estate
This week marked an exciting milestone in my career: the official launch of Close with Colleen Real Estate.
After years of helping buyers and sellers throughout Nassau County, earning my broker's license, and building a business rooted in relationships and referrals, I decided it was time to take the next step and create a brokerage of my own.
Since announcing the launch, I've had many people ask why I decided to make this move.
The answer is actually pretty simple.
I started Close with Colleen Real Estate because I wanted the freedom to serve my clients the way I believe they deserve to be served.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with wonderful buyers and sellers throughout Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Yulee, and Nassau County. As my business continued to grow, I found myself wanting greater flexibility to innovate, market properties more creatively, and provide an even more personalized experience for every client I serve.
Close with Colleen Real Estate is the result of that vision—a locally owned brokerage built around relationships, honest communication, strong advocacy, and helping clients make confident, informed real estate decisions.
A Business Built Around Relationships
When I first entered the real estate industry, I quickly discovered that the part of the business I enjoy most isn't the houses—it's the people.
Real estate is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions most people will ever make. Whether someone is purchasing their first home, relocating across the country, selling a longtime family residence, or searching for a waterfront dream home, they deserve more than a transaction. They deserve an advocate.
Over the years, I've built my business around relationships, trust, communication, and results. Many of my clients have become friends. Their referrals have helped my business grow far beyond anything I imagined, and for that I am incredibly grateful.
As my business continued to grow, I began asking myself an important question:
What would allow me to provide an even better experience for my clients?
The answer was creating a brokerage built around my own values and vision.
Entrepreneurship Has Always Been Part of My Story
Starting Close with Colleen Real Estate may seem like a big leap, but in many ways it feels like coming home.
Before entering real estate, I spent years as an entrepreneur. My husband and I built and sold multiple businesses, including a successful winery and hospitality business. Along the way, I learned valuable lessons about customer service, marketing, leadership, and creating memorable experiences.
Those experiences taught me that great businesses are built one relationship at a time.
They also taught me the importance of staying true to your values, embracing innovation, and never losing sight of the people you serve.
Those lessons have guided every step of my real estate career.
Why "Close with Colleen"?
What started as a simple tagline eventually became something much bigger.
Over time, "Close with Colleen" came to represent more than a real estate transaction. It became a promise.
A promise to provide honest advice.
A promise to communicate openly.
A promise to advocate fiercely for my clients.
A promise to combine data, strategy, and local expertise to help people make confident decisions.
A promise to be there from start to close—and beyond.
When it came time to name the brokerage, there was really only one choice.
What This Means for My Clients
While the name on the door has changed, the service my clients receive will remain the same.
In fact, owning my own brokerage allows me to be even more responsive, creative, and hands-on than ever before.
My clients will continue to receive:
Personalized service tailored to their goals
Innovative marketing strategies
Strong negotiation and advocacy
Local market expertise
Honest advice and communication
A direct relationship with me throughout the process
Without layers of corporate structure, I have greater flexibility to focus on what matters most: helping my clients achieve their real estate goals.
Rooted in Nassau County
One of the things I love most about this business is helping people discover everything that makes Nassau County special.
From the beaches of Amelia Island to the waterfront communities of Oyster Bay Harbour, from historic Fernandina Beach to the growing neighborhoods of Yulee, this area offers an incredible lifestyle that continues to attract people from around the country.
I'm proud that Close with Colleen Real Estate is locally owned, locally operated, and deeply invested in the communities we serve.
Our office is located in the Bay House within Oyster Bay Harbour, placing us right in the heart of Nassau County and close to the neighborhoods where many of our clients live, work, and play.
Looking Ahead
Launching Close with Colleen Real Estate is certainly a professional milestone, but it's also a personal one.
It's the culmination of years of experience in business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and real estate. More importantly, it's an opportunity to create a company that reflects who I am and how I believe real estate should be practiced.
To every client, friend, neighbor, and referral partner who has supported me along the way—thank you.
Your trust means everything to me.
I'm excited about this new chapter and look forward to helping even more families buy, sell, and invest in Nassau County for many years to come.
Because at the end of the day, real estate isn't just about closing transactions.
It's about opening doors, building relationships, and helping people create the life they want to live.
And that's exactly what Close with Colleen Real Estate is all about.