Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself and your family:
I grew up in Huntington Valley and graduated from William Tenant High School. My mom was a nurse and my dad was in real estate. I also have a younger sister named Shannon. I went to the University of Pittsburgh on a full ride soccer scholarship and got a degree in business.
I played soccer all 4 years in college and left with a contract to play soccer in Europe. I moved from Pittsburgh down to the University of Towson where my trainer and my agent both lived. I was supposed to leave for Europe in July of that year. In the beginning of June we found out that my dad had terminal cancer and had a year left to live. I deferred my plans and moved back home right away. My dad passed away 18 months later. When he passed away I was 24 and my sister was 21. My mom was an absolute rock during this time. Even amidst such tragedy she really held it together for our family.
I had an opportunity after everything had settled down to train to play soccer again but I didn’t want to leave my mom and sister in Bucks County. Everything always works out for a reason, truly. I wouldn’t have this amazing life now if things had gone differently then.
I have a wonderful wife and 2 kids. My wife, Dana, and I just celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. Honestly, marrying her was the best decision I’ve ever made. I say this all the time—who you choose to spend your life with is the most important decision you’ll ever make. Whether it’s a spouse or a long-term partner, that person you spend most of your time with shapes so much of your life.
Dane and I actually have a unique story. I first met her through her sister, who I was friends with through surfing. Tragically, her sister passed away from a drug overdose, and it was Dane who reached out to let me know. That’s how we reconnected. It’s a crazy story, but through something so heartbreaking, something beautiful grew.
We were friends for a couple of years before we started dating, and I’m so grateful for that foundation. At the time, I was dealing with the loss of my dad, and Dane had also experienced loss at a young age. In a way, we connected over that shared understanding of grief. My dad passed almost 20 years ago now, and it’s still emotional for me. He was one of my best friends, and losing him shaped a lot of who I am. It’s something I can share and relate to with others who’ve been through it too.
Dane and I have two amazing boys, Logan, who’s six, and Keegan, who’s three. They are my whole world. Parenting is a full-contact sport—it’s the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. They keep us on our toes, and it’s constant energy. That’s why I’m so focused on my health and fitness, so I can match their energy and be the best dad I can be.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I followed in my father’s footsteps and started in the real estate business when I moved home after college. I started as a solo agent at Re/Max Center. I was there for a decade. I also opened my own appraisal company in January of 2007, talk about horrible timing. Over this time I learned a lot and unfortunately incurred a lot of debt. It was a crazy and horrible time. As crazy as it was though, I would never take any of it back. That experience really ignited my passion to teach people about financial literacy and inform them of things I wish that I had known.
When I was working at Re/max I was doing both appraisals and working as an agent. I wasn’t giving my full attention to either one. Around this time I met John McClintock at a networking event and he invited me to come join him as he opened Keller Williams Newtown in 2015. Eventually I ended up giving my appraisal company to my sister, so I could focus full time on being an agent.
When I came to Keller Williams my whole life changed. I went full 110% into the KW models and systems. I began to surround myself with incredibly high level people and they really elevated my life. This environment and those people challenged me to evaluate the way I think about my time, where I’m spending my energy, where I’m spending my money, all those things. I love that the Keller Williams model is focused on your growth as a whole person and not just you as a number. You are not just here to grind and make a company money, you are here to grow as a person and business owner.
I fully dove in here at Keller Williams. I brought my brother in law over and started a team. I quickly learned how important leverage is to a team’s growth. That is what really upped my game as far as production goes. I hired my admin Karen and my life has not been the same since. It really amazes me how the change in location for me unlocked everything.
Today, I am the Operating Principal at several Keller Williams offices in the area, including Newtown, Yardley, North East Philadelphia and Jenkintown. The Operating Principal, or OP, is responsible for the strategic and financial oversight of the business. overseeing operations, attracting agents, providing support, and ensuring the market center runs smoothly according to KW’s business model. In essence, the Operating Principal is both a strategic leader and a behind-the-scenes operator, ensuring the Market Center grows sustainably while maintaining a culture of collaboration, innovation, and success.
For me, this position is about having a positive impact on as many people’s lives as possible. I still do sales, but it has become less over the years. I’ve always loved sales and the thrill of closing a deal—that still excites me—but what really drives me now is making a difference in people’s lives.
When I can sit down with someone and teach them about profit and loss, hiring, retaining talent, investing—those are the moments that fulfill me. When someone has that “aha” moment, like, “Oh my G-d, I finally have a profit and loss statement after 20 years in business,” that’s so much more rewarding than just making a sale.
It’s about creating change that has a ripple effect, not just for one person but for the bigger picture. That’s what gets me excited. Now, it’s like casting a much wider net. I can reach more people and make a bigger difference, and that’s the beauty of what I’m doing now.
One thing about being in these roles is that you constantly have to level up. You need to stay sharp and ahead of the game. People often ask, “How do you stay on top of it all?” For me, it’s about continuously learning—reading, listening to podcasts, and surrounding myself with people who are having high-level conversations.
That’s a big part of staying effective in this role—understanding the changes happening in the world and helping people navigate them. Whether it’s market trends, new regulations, or global events like elections, there’s always something impacting the way we work. Being able to adapt and help others do the same is critical because change is never going to stop. It’s about staying ahead, staying informed, and always being ready to guide people through whatever comes next.
Q: What is your favorite part about your job and what you get to do?
It all comes back to helping people and making a difference in their lives. That’s what drives me and keeps me excited every day. The work we do has this ripple effect—when you teach someone something, they implement it, grow, and eventually pass it on to others. It’s paying it forward, and that continuous evolution is what I love most about my job.
In our world, for example, someone might need to hire their first assistant. Once they figure out how to find and retain great talent, they realize the assistant is doing amazing work, freeing up their time and energy. That success builds momentum, and before you know it, they’re growing their team, adding agents, and facing new challenges like team dynamics or managing growth. The work is never static; it evolves with every stage, and that’s what keeps it so engaging.
Life and work are always changing—market shifts, interest rate fluctuations, inventory changes—and it’s my role to guide people through those challenges. It’s exciting because every day is different, and every client’s journey is unique.
Q: What are some of your favorite movies and TV shows?
I’m a huge fan of war-related movies and TV shows—anything with a historical or military angle really resonates with me. One of my all-time favorite shows is Band of Brothers on HBO. It’s a 10-part series about the remarkable achievements of an elite team of U.S. paratroopers, starting from their D-Day drop through the end of World War II. The storytelling, the camaraderie, and the historical detail are just incredible. I also love movies like Saving Private Ryan—pretty much anything related to World War II. And, of course, classics like Gladiator fall into that “typical guy” category of things I enjoy. They not only entertain me but also remind me of the resilience and sacrifices of those who came before us.
Q: What type of music do you like to listen to?
I’m a big fan of 90s music, especially 90s hip hop and bands like Rage Against the Machine. I’ve been playing guitar for over 20 years, so I also have a deep appreciation for the classics like The Beatles.
Another favorite of mine is the Grateful Dead—I actually just saw them live in Vegas. My love for a lot of these bands comes from my dad. Growing up, we spent a lot of time on the road traveling for my sports, and we’d listen to classic rock together. Those moments really shaped my taste in music and gave me a lasting appreciation for timeless bands and their artistry.
Q: What is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled, and where do you want to go next?
For our 10th wedding anniversary my wife and I took a trip to Dubai. That was incredible and probably one of my favorite trips. Another one of my favorites is also the one I want to go back to next. Years ago I went on a surf trip to Fiji with one of my best friends when he ended up with an extra ticket. It was amazing. The waves were unbelievable. We stayed in a beautiful hut right on the water. It was absolute paradise. I really want to bring my kids there someday
Q: What is your favorite holiday? And why?
I would say Christmas because of my kids. It is special seeing them experience the season and feel the joy around it. I also love the winter in general. We all love to ski and snowboard so Christmas means that is right around the corner.
Q: What are one or two of your favorite smells?
Surfboard wax. It is such a specific nostalgic smell for me and brings back so many great memories. When I smell that coconutty surfboard wax I know I am probably about to go surfing and I am probably somewhere pretty cool!
Q: What are a couple words or phrases you think of when you hear the word home?
Home to me is safety and happiness. It is foundational in a lot of ways and consistent. It’s everything. It’s the people and the place I care the most about.
Q: Where can people find you or your business?
Instagram: thejustingaulgroup
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-gaul-58719564/
Website: https://justingaul.com/