A desire to build an ADU on my property sparked an idea that blossomed into a meaningful career in real estate I never anticipated.

 

In life, when you have a calling, it’s up to you to make it work. That mentality has carried me through life's challenges, both personal and professional.

 

I’m originally from Northern Virginia but the West Coast had always called me. I was really into the music, art and culture of the West Coast. In 1997, I moved to Portland and worked as a lift operator at a ski resort, which allowed me to snowboard as much as possible—my favorite sport to this day.

 

As I immersed myself in snowboarding, I developed a desire to become an entrepreneur, which led me to pursue a degree in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship. My entrepreneurial journey began shortly after. I worked at a natural food store first, which aligned with my passion for health, nutrition, and movement. Then, a unique opportunity presented itself when a friend and I found the courage to open a nightclub. My friend was the primary investor, while I managed the business.

 

It was an exciting and challenging experience since I wore every hat possible—bartender, manager, booking agent, and promoter—and worked literally day and night. The nightclub became a venue for diverse music styles, from jazz to bluegrass to rock to electronic music to comedy, with a mission to showcase new talent.

 

The next chapter of my entrepreneurial journey arose when my childhood friend José invited me to expand his family’s janitorial business. José’s family came from El Salvador, starting from scratch after escaping a difficult political situation. His father began as a janitor, and with hard work, he built a janitorial business in the Washington D.C. area. Jose and I started the west coast division of the operation; I took on the role of sales. 

 

This role came with no guaranteed paycheck—it boiled down to my ability to sell—and our collective efforts paid off. My wife, Lisa, and I bought a house around that time and started our life together with our dog, Looney Tunes. Back then, Portland began incentivizing ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) to address the city’s saturated housing market. I found the concept fascinating and saw it as a great investment opportunity. With the help of a friend, I built an ADU on my property and started renting it out.

 

While working on that ADU, my friend suggested I become a REALTOR®. My entrepreneurial spirit ignited once again and I got my license in 2017. I focused on the ADU market, having had firsthand experience renting mine and seeing the investment opportunity this could mean for people.

 

Of course, the leap into real estate wasn’t easy. It took 9 months to make my first sale, during which I drove for Uber to support myself while building my business. By that point, I’d learned that nothing happens unless you put in the work. Whether it was running a nightclub or expanding the janitorial business, I was used to networking, earning trust, and staying persistent. I also understood that no paycheck was guaranteed unless I went all in.

 

Now, 8 years later, I’m proud of the real estate business I’ve built and the experience I’ve gained. As an investor, I’ve remodeled houses and built three ADUs. Although the work keeps me busy, I still love snowboarding and exploring Portland’s music scene and live sporting events with friends. I also enjoy traveling internationally, doing yoga, cycling, basketball, and hitting the gym.

 

To give back to the community, I’ve volunteered at the Community Cycling Center as a bike mechanic, collecting and fixing bicycles to provide them to children. I also work with Shed, an organization that creates furniture from reusable wood, like beds and tables, for homeless shelters.

 

Looking back, I’ve learned that, with consistent work and resilience, you can turn any calling into a reality.

 

I’ve always held myself accountable for making things happen, and real estate is no exception. As a resourceful and diligent REALTOR®, I know what it takes to make a transaction successful and am willing to put in the work. For example, I stay on top of new trends, regulations, and new technologies to provide the best representation and updated advice to my clients. 

 

Transparent communication is key for me—I share all the information my clients need to make educated decisions. Real estate can be an emotional process, and I strive to also be a calming presence, someone clients can trust as both a professional and a friend. I’m available to talk at any time and I’m glad to accommodate my clients’ schedules.

 

With experience as an investor and builder of ADUs, I have a keen eye for identifying investment potential as well as red flags in properties, such as maintenance issues. As a teacher at the ADU Academy, I’ve educated real estate professionals across the Western U.S. on how to navigate the ADU market, and I’m proud to offer that expertise to my clients.

 

Sincerely,

 

Stew Hulick

REALTOR®

Primary 503.740.3573

stew@realtyworksgroup.com

myfriendstew.com