Building More Than Homes
The Founding of Bolst
At Bolst, our story began with a shared desire to create more than just a real estate business. Justin Landis, Co-Founder of Bolst and owner of the Justin Landis Group, began selling homes in 2008, steadily growing his business. But he always felt like something was missing. "We knew we needed a bigger purpose," he shares.
As the real estate market rapidly evolved, the focus shifted beyond just results. Rich Richardson, Co-Founder of Bolst and owner of Team Rich Richardson, wanted to build lasting relationships with clients. "I want to be known for being ‘Rich in Relationships,’” he says, emphasizing the importance of integrity and generosity in every transaction.
In 2018, the Justin Landis Group launched a campaign called 90 in 90, aiming to help 90 buyers in 90 days and raise $90,000 to fight homelessness. "When we hit the 90th house on the 90th day, we knew we could do more," says Jarrod Thomas, Partner at the Justin Landis Group and Co-Founder of Bolst. This campaign sparked a realization that they needed a bigger platform to create lasting change.
For Erika Brown, Co-Founder of Bolst and owner of Strive Real Estate Group, real estate was a way to give back to the community and teach the importance of generational wealth. “I wanted to impact my community and educate others,” she says. "Then we found Justin Landis!"
Ashton Ernst Ballard, Partner at the Justin Landis Group and Co-Founder of Bolst, adds, "We needed a place to do business with a higher purpose, creating a culture that gives back to those who are underserved."
In the summer of 2021, Rich, Justin, Ashton, Jarrod, and Erika came together to create Bolst. "Purpose-driven business is good business," says Justin. "We believe there's an opportunity to do more—to provide housing for all while driving both good and profit."
At Bolst, we think yes.
