I dreamed of building skyscrapers as a boy in Mumbai. Life had other plans—each setback and pivot quietly rerouting me toward something I never saw coming.

 

The idea of becoming a REALTOR® first took root when a former teammate from my startup days in New York asked if I had ever considered real estate. “Not really,” I replied, but the question stayed with me.

 

Months later, I was let go from my role as a director at a tech startup. It was December, the holidays were approaching, and for the first time in my 20-year career, I was without a job. My wife, Megha, encouraged me to see it as an opportunity. “Why not real estate?” That day, I signed up for a licensing class. By January, I had my license and a new sense of purpose.

 

But my story began thousands of miles away.

 

I grew up in Mumbai, India, dreaming of becoming an architect after reading about the Empire State Building. My first major goal was earning admission to IIT, one of India’s most competitive universities. Despite being a straight-A student, I didn’t pass the entrance exam. That setback taught me an early lesson about adapting when life doesn’t follow the plan.

 

I pursued electronics engineering instead, where I met Megha, who would later become my wife.

 

After graduation, I joined IBM. At 23, a business trip brought me to Raleigh, North Carolina. That first weekend, I headed straight to New York City to finally see the Empire State Building. It marked the beginning of my love for this country.

 

My career took me from India, to Germany, where I earned my MBA. Living abroad strengthened my ability to adapt, connect with people, and build relationships across cultures.

 

At 30, I lost my mother in a tragic accident. She was my role model, known for her compassion, ability to connect with people, and commitment to serving underprivileged women. Losing her changed my perspective on life. It reminded me how little time we’re promised and how much relationships matter.

 

Eventually, my management consulting career brought me to New Jersey. I worked with C-suite executives, helping them understand complex business challenges and develop practical solutions. I learned to listen closely, ask the right questions, and understand what people truly needed.

 

The work was rewarding, but constant travel and high-pressure projects came at a cost. After my first daughter was born, I realized I was missing moments I could never get back.

 

I moved into the startup world, joining a SaaS company as Director of Customer Success and leading teams across the Americas. Then the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank disrupted startup funding, and my position was eliminated.

 

It shook my sense of security and probably my ego too. But it also brought me back to that question:

 

Why not real estate?

 

With the help of a great mentor, I quickly discovered how much I loved helping people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives. The skills I had built across engineering, consulting, leadership, and customer success suddenly had a new purpose.

 

Today, when I’m not working with clients, you’ll likely find me playing pickleball, in the gym, watching a Bollywood or Hollywood film, or spending time with Megha and our daughters, Mehr and Mahira.

 

Looking back, every goal and every challenge has shaped the person I am today. Real estate is simply the latest chapter in a life defined by resilience, reinvention, and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

 

I bring the same level of care, attention, and professionalism that I developed over twenty years in management consulting and customer success. I listen actively, take the time to truly understand what my clients want, and remain patient, even if it takes months to find the right home. Throughout the transaction, I make sure to follow through, keep them informed, and always be available to answer questions.

 

I provide a holistic perspective, offering not only real estate expertise but also financial and economic insights, so my clients understand the full picture before making a decision. I'm honest about the realities of the market, helping ground my clients' dreams in reality while explaining the implications of their choices. My advice is thoughtful, analytical, and tailored to each client's needs. I even prepare comparative market analyses for buyers—something many agents reserve for sellers. No matter the price point, every client receives the same level of care and commitment. As a highly solution-oriented professional, I strive to make the process as stress-free as possible for my clients, guiding them with both optimism and thoughtfulness.

 

Sincerely,

Rohan Shende