Steve Gardener is our partner in Cincinnati. His website is www.thefacesofcincinnati.com. He is a born and raised member of that community. In fact, his mother and father live their also. His mom was born and raised in the city – his father was a farm boy. When his dad wanted to leave the city, his mom refused.
Steve has a heart for people and doing the interviews for “The Faces Of” feeds his soul.
Q: Tell us about your family
A: I live with my wife and our 9 year old daughter, Molly. We also have two sons – Ethan who is 38 and Emily who is 28. Obviously Molly was a late comer, but she has really brought us all together. Ethan and Molly have a very special bond.
Q: From where do most of your clients originate?
A: Most of my clients are from my sphere. I’m active at Mollys school so I get a number of referrals from there. I also get business from my immediate community of Westwood. I’m active in local community organizations and also see a number of referrals from my past career in architectural and interior design.
Q: What is something unique about your community?
A: This community has had the best 7-8 years in history in regards to its offering in lifestyle, restuarants, parks and fantastic architecture as well as development of places to live around the city. It really has gone through a boom. There has been renovation of run down areas in the downtown – and it has become high end condos and single family homes. This has caused a resurgence to the downtown and surrounding areas. People love being there – there are great parks, sport venues, world class food, museums, music (including a great symphony) and a top notch zoo. It is becoming a destination and attracting lots of new restaurants.
Q: What are 2-3 of your favorite movies?
A: Jeremiah Johnson with Robert Redford – a great story about a city man that moves to the mountains – it’s about survival and it is heroic; I also love all of the Back to the Future movies
Q: Who is your favorite sports team?
A: The University of Cincinnati – competitive basketball team – The Bear Cats
Q: What attracted you to The Faces Of project?
A: It filled a need I had to be less focused on marketing me, and more focused on community. It allows me to be of service, to provide an upbeat platform, and to call attention to the community instead of my marketing my business. Now I’m calling people in high places and being able to say “I’d like to interview you”, it opens doors I would never have walked through.
Q: Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
A: George Clooney – I met him in an airport. I’ve also met some local newscasters – one that really stands out is Kit Andrews – my wife and I had dinner with her and her husband, she is very gracious.
Q: What are one or two characteristics that you have that have made you successful in your career?
A: I genuinely care and am ultra-sensitive about others and their needs. I’m a good listener and have the heart of a servant.
Q: Have you ever shown a house you believed to be haunted?
A: No, but I have shown some pretty spooky houses! A realtor in our area had a listing that looked haunted and put a rider on it that said “Probably Not Haunted”. That drew a lot of attention – the media even did a piece on it.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have been in this world?
A: I have been to a lot of pretty places but I think the most beautiful is Cancun – the water there is a beautiful blue-green.
Q: What are 2-3 of your favorite books?
A: The Go Giver and Think and Grow Rich by Dean Koontz – I try to read this as often as I can
Q: What else should people know about you?
A: I think that when you put the clients needs first, and they know they can trust you, that you are doing the right thing – even if you aren’t a “top” seller in your market.
