Robert Meche, the charismatic leader of Small World Realty and co-branded Smoker Broker, is at the forefront of real estate industry disruption and has been proactively researching how he can contribute and influence industry outcomes as the lives of real estate agents are in flux.
Meche embraces change and is welcoming the challenge. As part of that, Meche announced a big transition for his firm:
“For the past 15 years, I’ve been fighting with one hand behind my back. I took a three agent firm and transformed it into a well respected, 175-plus associate business. I have an extremely loyal agent base and could not be more proud of our results. However, it is my job to give them everything they need to compete and I have come to the conclusion we need more.
I am fighting mega-million dollar giants such as Zillow, Redfin, Open Door, etc. that have invested millions of dollars in technology and I refuse to be pushed around. I have also come to the conclusion the future of real estate is not in small real estate firms … it’s in small firms becoming large groups who have strong financial backing.
So I made the decision to find a business partner who can help me fight. Who knows technology. I went straight to the top. I went to the one company who has never been money whipped by another broker … and never will be. I went to the one company who said I can still own my firm yet have my back when competing with others. In short, I have partnered with Keller Williams.
Our Small World Realty brand will continue under the new abbreviated name SWR Group at Keller Williams and will be one of the largest teams in the entire country. My hands are now both untied and there is absolutely nothing I cannot offer to new agents. The playing field has been leveled and I have every intention of taking our group to the top of the entire industry.”
Meche’s passion is evident, and when making the decision to affiliate with the 170,000-associate brand, he carefully considered his people and sought advice from his key associates. He had been watching for several years, and KW seemed like the best company in alignment with his own values — forward-thinking enough to take on the changes happening in the real estate industry. After announcing his merger, Robert met with Gary Keller one-on-one to discuss the vision as they both see it. He is excited to be associated with a company that has a CEO that is as passionate as he is, and willing to lay it all on the line for his people.
Dee Dee Trosclair, KW GO Management General Manager states about the merger:
“Technology is recalibrating the real estate industry, which is driving the indie companies to seek strong partnerships to stay competitive. Smart businessmen like Robert have been paying attention and are looking for companies that have the economics, tools, and passionate leaders to help them during unprecedented industry disruption. This makes Keller Williams partnerships more attractive today than ever before, as most independent owners are under-gunned, if you will, to provide the technology, iBuyer programs, support, and future development to grow or even maintain their place in the market. SWR has been such a nice match for KW because the people are already learning-based and feel like a family, and that’s a testament to Robert Meche’s leadership and care for them.”
SWR has its hub at the KW Frisco Stars location on Preston Road, with benefits at all eight DFW-area KW GO Management offices including three in Dallas, Flower Mound, Southlake, Arlington, and Ellis County. KW GO Management offices are ranked No. 1 in the KW organization for sales, and also includes offices in New Mexico and Memphis, TN. SWR also has associated with the KW Austin NW market center for its expansion in Central Texas.
