Finding the place where I could truly thrive didn’t happen all at once. It took years of trying different things, learning what didn’t fit, and being willing to keep going until something finally did. 

 

As I raised my hand, I knew I was making a split-second decision that could change everything. My job was offering voluntary severance, and I could’ve stayed in the safety of a steady paycheck, benefits, and a predictable routine. But something in me said this was the moment. I was stepping toward a future I wanted to build for myself, betting on myself to succeed.

 

That decision came from a place I never thought I’d reach. Growing up, I didn’t feel like the smart kid. School was a constant struggle. I had a hard time focusing, my grades were poor, and I spent a lot of time feeling like I just wasn’t capable because of my attention deficit disorder. While other kids seemed to thrive in the classroom, I just wanted to be outside, on the soccer field—anywhere else really. I didn’t have a strong self-belief, and that stuck with me for years.

 

After high school, I served a two-year church mission in Baltimore. It was one of the first experiences that forced me to grow up fast. I learned how to connect with people, how to listen, and how to show up for others. When I came home, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I worked in call centers, managed delivery drivers, and eventually found my way into the wireless industry where I stayed for 15 years. That job gave me the schedule I needed to be present for my family, especially with four young kids at home. It was reliable, but over time, became golden handcuffs. I had hit a ceiling.

 

Real estate came into my life almost by accident. A friend from church was an agent, and I casually asked him what it was like. A year or two later, he encouraged me to get my license. I didn’t even know how real estate agents were paid, but I said “Yes!”

 

What started as a part-time job turned into the perfect career for me. Real estate is about building relationships, earning trust, and helping people with one of the biggest decisions of their lives. It didn’t rely on how well I tested or how long I could sit in a chair. It relied on effort, honesty, and connection. For the first time, I saw a path where I could thrive.

 

So, when the company I was working for offered severance, I volunteered and took it! I was finally ready to put my energy into something I believed in. Since going full-time, I’ve grown my business year after year. Being able to thrive in real estate as a top producer in the area and even earning the Quality  Service Award based on client satisfaction showed me I have always been capable, I just needed to find where my strengths fit.

 

My wife Carrie works at the Junior High helping in the counseling center part time. She’d do anything for her kids and loves serving others. We both strive to set an example for our children. As a Dad, I’ve made it a priority to be there for them at soccer games, school events, and even taking trips together, like fishing in Alaska with my boys.

 

Today, Camden runs a social page that connects college students and works in the medical coding industry full time, Kaylee is an artist at BYU, Calla is passionate about caregiving and cosmetology and is currently on a mission trip, and Kade plays high school soccer like I did. Being present for them has always come first, and it’s a big part of why I do what I do.

 

This career showed me what was possible when I stopped focusing on what I lacked and started focusing on what I could give. You don’t need to be perfect to make it. You just need to show up, care, and keep going through challenges.

 

Working with both buyers and sellers has helped me understand how to approach each deal strategically. I’ve guided clients through a variety of stages, from buying their first home to upgrading or downsizing. With that experience, I can help my client take a strategic approach to consider what the other party needs for a deal. I know what buyers are looking for in a home, so I help sellers focus on the details that matter to prep their home. I also understand what kind of offers sellers take seriously, which helps me guide buyers in writing strong, realistic offers that give them a better shot. That perspective makes the entire process more efficient

and informed.

 

That same practical approach carries through in how I work with people. I keep communication clear, follow through, and focus on building real relationships. Every situation is different, and I take the time to understand what you’re navigating—whether it’s exciting, stressful, or somewhere in between. This isn’t just a transaction. You’re trusting me with a major part of your life, and I’m here for you, during the process and long after the sale as your REALTOR® for life!

 

Sincerely, 

 

Rich Castleberry

REALTOR® 

(801) 906-3657

rcastleberry1@gmail.com

richcastleberry.com