Sometimes, growth requires walking away from what’s comfortable and stepping into the unknown. It’s a leap that tests you in every way, but with hard work and a little faith, it always leads you exactly where you’re meant to be.

 

Walking away from my career in healthcare felt like stepping off a cliff. I had spent years building a stable career as a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery. It provided a steady income and a clear future. But something kept pulling me in a different direction.

 

For as long as I can remember, service has been at the core of who I am. Healthcare was my way of fulfilling that—helping people move from pain to healing, from uncertainty to stability. I started at the bottom, working in patient transport and hospital cafeterias before eventually becoming a PA. The work was demanding but rewarding. Yet after many years, something shifted. The long hours, the constant grind, and the time away from my family began to take a toll. There was this growing feeling that I was meant to do more, to serve in a different way.

 

Real estate had always been an interest—watching old homes become new again, helping people find the right place to call home. It was never something I saw as a career until the pull became impossible to ignore. But making that leap wasn’t easy. I left a solid salary for 100% commission, stepping into one of the worst years the real estate market had ever seen. With a wife, three kids, and a mortgage, the fear was real. There was no roadmap, no data to rely on, no control over the variables. It forced me to embrace something I had pushed aside for years—faith.

 

For most of my life, I leaned on science. Everything had an answer, a logical progression. But when everything became uncertain, faith was the only thing that made sense. Letting go of control and trusting that things would unfold as they were meant to was one of the hardest lessons, but it changed everything.

 

My father came to this country from Italy with barely anything, yet he built a life through hard work, resilience, and a willingness to face the unknown. In many ways, I’ve followed in his footsteps—leaving behind what was comfortable to create something new. That first year in real estate was the hardest my family had ever faced, testing us financially and emotionally in ways we never expected. But even in the struggle, I found something invaluable: the flexibility to be present for my wife and kids in a way I couldn’t while working in healthcare. The sacrifices were real, but so were the rewards—and by year two, everything began to fall into place.

 

Real estate turned out to be more like healthcare than I expected. Both are about guiding people through high-stress, life-changing decisions. There’s emotion, uncertainty, and trust involved. Success comes from putting people first, understanding their needs, and helping them navigate the process with clarity. I’m not here to sell anyone on anything—I’m here to guide, to make sure people feel confident in their decisions.

 

None of this would have been possible without the support of my wife, Lisa, and our kids, Brianna, Aldo, and Nico, who have been my biggest motivation. They’re competitive soccer players, and now, I get to have more quality time with them than ever before. I also have time for my other interests like working on cars and going to car shows.

 

There’s still so much ahead. The first year was survival, the second was proof of concept, and now it’s about scaling—expanding in real estate while keeping the focus on what matters most. Money, success, accolades—they don’t mean much if life outside of work suffers. The grind culture had me for years, but now my focus is on purpose, service, and finding joy in what I do.

 

Success in real estate isn’t just about knowing the market—it’s about understanding people. My background in healthcare gave me a unique perspective on working with clients, especially in high-stress situations. I spent years guiding patients through difficult, often emotional decisions about their health. Real estate, in many ways, is no different. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions a person can make, and my ability to stay calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and provide solutions makes the process easier for my clients. I don’t approach real estate with a sales-first mindset. Instead, I see myself as an advisor, someone who listens, understands concerns and helps people navigate what can often feel overwhelming. My goal isn’t just to close a deal—it’s to make sure my clients feel confident, informed, and supported every step of the way.

 

Beyond that, my work ethic and problem-solving skills set me apart. I’m not afraid to put in the extra time, research, or effort to ensure my clients get the best possible outcome. Whether it’s negotiating a tough deal, finding creative solutions in a challenging market, or simply making sure no detail is overlooked, I take pride in going above and beyond. The real estate industry is full of agents focused on transactions, but I focus on relationships. Clients aren’t just numbers to me—they’re families, individuals, and people trusting me with a major chapter of their lives. That’s not something I take lightly.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sal Rondinelli

REALTOR® | LIC# NC: 331424 SC: 134497

Direct (704) 327-3177

Office (704) 912-4020

srondinelli@paraclerealty.com

RondinelliRealty.com