By Nailah Spencer • Photos by Matt Johnson
How Kentucky Select Properties built a brokerage based on family and friendship
Kentucky Select Properties will celebrate 20 years of serving the Bluegrass State with unwavering dedication and local pride on July 15, 2024. Founded by John Stough Jr. and Sandy Gulick in Louisville, Kentucky, this brokerage emerged from a simple desire for a community-focused approach to real estate.
The decision to break away from a national franchise, where Stough Jr. held a management position, and Gulick excelled as a top agent for a decade, was driven by their vision for a more fulfilling real estate experience. In 2004, they launched Kentucky Select Properties, dedicated to providing “trusted direction in real estate,” a promise that has defined their journey and shaped their company culture ever since.
“We were just looking for a nice, pleasant, small company. We didn’t think we’d make as much money, but we thought we would have more fun. Because we were in a big corporate place that we didn’t love.” said Gulick.
“I’ll never forget, it was Bastille Day when we left. We opened the doors the next day and there were 18 agents who sort of flocked. Then we’d get a phone call every day, and 3, 5, or more would want to come on too". Said Stough Jr.
Today, Kentucky Select Properties has a team of 80 agents that serve Metro Louisville and its surrounding areas. They are led by founders Sandy Gulick and John Stough Jr., alongside partner and managing broker Jay Gulick, who has been integral to the company for 19 years. Their leadership continues to uphold local market expertise and a commitment to excellence in customer service.
“We’re not part of a bigger organization. So the Kentucky Select name and our colors, the way we advertise and market, and how we give back to the community are all unique to us, you know, many of the dollars that we make here go back to the community.” Jay Gulick said. “We are so intimately connected, it lends us to wanting to invest in community because we are invested in each other.”
KSP has supported over 20 local non-profit organizations, a testament to their commitment to the community. This dedication has earned them the title of “Most Generous Small Company” in the Business First of Louisville Partners in Philanthropy Awards five times. The Managing Director of Blessings in a Backpack, one of the organizations they support, shared her thoughts on their 13-year partnership with Kentucky Select Properties.
“They have generously given their time to distribute Blessings food on Friday mornings at Engelhard Elementary, sponsored various events throughout the years that benefited Blessings, and financially supported our program to allow us to feed more children over
the weekend” said Kim Holsclaw. “For over ten years, they have supported the families and students at Engelhard Elementary School. Engelhard is a very high need school with many high need students and Kentucky Select Properties has shown us all great allegiance to those needs” Said Engelhard Elementary’s Family Resource and Youth Services Centers Coordinator, Regina Jackson-Willis.
With two decades of success behind them and a commitment to continue growing their footprint, Kentucky Select Properties embodies the essence of supporting locally-owned businesses and investing in their community’s future.
Comments