Blake Ginther, the driving force behind The Ginther Group, has earned a reputation for injecting some much-needed innovation and genuine heart into the world of real estate in Winston-Salem and the whole of the Triad Area. His passion for putting clients first, helping his agents grow and develop, and plain old-fashioned creative problem-solving has made his team a trusted name in North Carolina real estate.
Recently, Blake had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit down with Barbara Corcoran, real estate legend, founder of The Corcoran Group, and star investor on ABC’s Shark Tank. The conversation between these two leaders was a powerful and timely reminder that whether you’re building a multi-billion dollar brand or just serving families in the Triad, the principles of leadership, service and innovation are always the same.
When Blake got the chance to c0-market with Barbara Corcoran, it was an opportunity he simply could not pass up. This wasn’t about posing for a photo, it was a meaningful collaboration that highlighted The Ginther Group’s commitment to learning from the best and striving for excellence.
Who Is Barbara Corcoran and Why She’s an Inspiration to Realtors Everywhere
Barbara Corcoran’s story is the kind of thing that’s guaranteed to get the entrepreneurial juices flowing. She started The Corcoran Group back in 1973 with just $1,000 and a handful of agents based out of a tiny office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Through sheer guts, vision, and a knack for making people feel good about themselves, she transformed that tiny startup into a billion-dollar real estate empire.
The amazing thing is, she didn’t stop there. In 2000 she sold the company but still managed to become a household name thanks to her stint on Shark Tank, where she invests in start-ups and doles out her hard-won advice to millions of viewers. Her influence stretches way beyond New York City. Her lessons on branding, leadership and resilience are continually shaping the approach of forward-thinking teams like The Ginther Group when it comes to client service and team culture.
For agents and brokers, Barbara is more than just a successful businesswoman – she embodies the kind of leader who builds a business that’s rooted in genuine relationships, innovation, and authenticity. Her insights are continually shaping the way forward-thinking teams like The Ginther Group approach client service and team culture.
Blake Ginther’s Commitment to Growth and Leadership
Blake Ginther’s real estate career has a pretty unconventional start, after he decided to leave waiting tables, his Mom came up with a life-changing suggestion: real estate. She recognized his deep love for architecture and advised him that a career as an architect wasn’t his calling, but he could certainly thrive in the world of property, connecting with the same structures he admired. She was right, he fell in love with it immediately, especially showing apartments and admiring the architecture of New York City.
Blake’s leadership style is all about mentorship, learning, and staying one step ahead of the game when it comes to industry trends. A great example is The Ginther Group’s “Renovate Now – Pay at Closing” program, which lets clients plan, update and renovate their homes before listing. With access to top vendors, trusted construction partners, and agents who know the best design trends, this program ensures clients maximize their profits at closing without upfront renovation costs. Blake’s people-first approach ensures both clients and agents have everything they need to succeed.
Talking to Barbara Corcoran was an unforgettable experience for Blake. She’s absolutely hilarious, a bit cheeky in the best possible way, and embodies the grit and determination it takes to thrive in a fast-paced male-dominated industry in New York City. Barbara is super smart, tough, fair and refreshingly authentic; everything you want in a leader and someone who’s truly made it to the top. For Blake, this meeting fit with his philosophy of always learning from the best, reinforcing his commitment to growth, innovation, and leadership; the values that drive The Ginther Group’s mission every day.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
When Blake caught up with Barbara, the conversation naturally turned to the core principles of real estate success. Barbara’s insights, forged through years of hard work and blazing a trail in a tough industry, really struck a chord with Blake’s own philosophy. The fact that she chooses to keep working because she doesn’t want to sit on her hands is a testament to her genuine passion and drive.
Building a Trusted Brand
Barbara made it clear that a brand isn’t built overnight. It’s the result of being consistent, authentic, and keeping every single promise you make. She was one of the first to take branding in real estate seriously, which paid off big time. For The Ginther Group, this just reinforces the commitment to showing up with integrity, and delivering top-notch service over and over again.
Creating Real Client Experiences
Barbara has always put her clients at the heart of everything she does in her business and it’s something that really resonates with Blake. He genuinely believes that how we make people feel long after a deal is done is way more important than the deal itself. For that reason, his team is trained to listen to what clients are really looking for, anticipate their needs, and go above and beyond to make sure every single one of them feels like they’re being taken care of.
Empowering Your Team to Soar
Barbara’s success can be attributed to her ability to inspire and empower those around her to be the best versions of themselves. She knows that a strong, motivated team is what really sets a business up for long-term success. With that in mind, Blake has built a culture that’s all about growth, leadership, and giving his agents the freedom to take ownership of their own success.
Barb said exactly what Blake was hoping for after they met: “Great meeting you, Blake. I love how you always put your clients first. Your Renovate Now Pay At Closing program is a total game-changer for sellers. It takes away all the stress of having to pay for renovations upfront and lets homeowners make the most of their investment. That’s the kind of thinking clients will never forget.”
How Barbara Inspires The Ginther Group’s Mission
The Ginther Group is not here to just close deals. We’re in the business of building relationships, solving problems, and creating value for every single client who walks through our door. This commitment is at the heart of everything we do, rooted in the simple philosophy that if we’re not making things better for people, then we’re not doing our job. This philosophy is pretty straightforward. It’s simply that we should “be our very best” even when no one’s looking. We should show up, even when we don’t have to, and offer people all their options without any strings attached. This kind of approach breeds trust and long-term success.
Talking to Barbara Corcoran really drove home just how much innovation matters, especially when it’s making a real difference for the people we serve. Take our “Renovate Now Pay At Closing” model, for example. This is a total no-brainer. It lets homeowners get their home fixed up before listing it, without having to shell out a single cent upfront. The renovation costs are wrapped into the closing, which is a total win-win for homeowners. Sellers can give their property a face-lift and boost its value, without having to take on any debt.
Here’s how it works:
Discover: The Ginther Group works closely with the seller to identify renovations that will maximize the property’s appeal and market value. We have access to the area’s top vendors, stellar construction companies, and experienced agents who know what buyers want. This means more money for you at closing, with no upfront costs. An agent specializing in these projects will visit your home to create a personalized plan for getting it sale-ready.
Renovate: The team oversees every step of the renovation process, from design and construction to staging, ensuring quality and precision. They will coordinate and manage all aspects of the projects, and will be your direct point of communication so you can focus on delegating your time and capital toward finding your next dream home!
Sell: Our agents handle the marketing, showings, and negotiations to get the seller the absolute best deal possible.
This model gives sellers a huge confidence boost, and also gives buyers access to homes that are move-in-ready, with all the modern features they’re looking for. It’s the kind of progressive thinking that really sets us apart. The kind of innovation that Barbara Corcoran herself picked out as a standout in the real estate world.
Blake brings all these takeaways back to his team all the time. So, how does The Ginther Group incorporate these lessons into our business? We do it by always striving to be our very best, showing up with complete transparency for our clients, and offering them all their options, no matter what. Whether it’s taking a tip from a leader in real estate or learning from the ground up by being out in the field in Winston-Salem, Blake is committed to keeping The Ginther Group at the forefront of real estate innovation, driven by this simple, guiding principle.
Real Estate Leaders Connect: Blake Ginther & Barbara Corcoran
The meeting between Blake and Barbara Corcoran shows you exactly what The Ginther Group stands for: a commitment to excellence, a willingness to lead the way, and a focus on getting results for our clients. While Barbara built her empire in New York, Blake is building something just as impressive right here in the Triad. He’s putting together a team and a culture that’s everything you want in real estate: personal, innovative, and built on the idea that your success is the most important thing.
If your looking to buy, sell, or invest in Winston-Salem or the wider Triad area, then you need a team that is going to bring that same level of commitment to the table. The Ginther Group brings together all the local expertise with the big picture thinking from the best in the business. People like Barbara Corcoran who know that real estate is all about building relationships and not just churning out deals.
Ready to see the difference for yourself? Whether your curious about how much your house is worth, want to know more about the “Renovate Now Pay at Closing” program, or just want to talk to an agent with some real knowhow, The Ginther Group is here to help. Get in touch today and see how a local leader paired up with some national inspiration can change your real estate experience.
