November 26, 2019

Meet Kyle Clayton Gore of Team Clayton of RE/MAX Professionals in Phoenix Metro Area

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Clayton Gore.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been an entrepreneur since 2008—back then I ran a successful cleaning company. In 2010 I graduated ASU and the WP Carey School of Business but I didn’t need to get a ‘real job’. My companies were doing well and I had a half dozen employees. That was pretty exciting but I wasn’t done there. Soon we launched a cookie company and in 2013 we won the best cookie in Phoenix award.

Slowly, I began to feel like I was sinking into a depression. My health was deteriorating and there was some days I couldn’t get out of bed. I didn’t know what was going on and I had to make changes. I slowly shut down all my companies. I began to visit Doctors and Oncologists to pin point what my health problems were.

Today, I’m a licensed realtor and partner in my family’s local real estate firm. It is truly magical to help people find their place to call home. This coming year marks my fourth year in real estate, so I am excited for the future as we continue building our company. Now, I am an entrepreneur for the flexible lifestyle and not for the hustle.

With things back on track with my work and health, my husband and I are excited to continue growing our family through adoption in the coming years.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s almost comical how NOT smooth the path of an entrepreneur can be. Almost. Pushing through monotony and boredom-level-burnout is difficult, but then I began to have health concerns in 2015.

My businesses were doing great, but I felt horrible. I was constantly tired, some days I couldn’t get out of bed, and on the worst days even had a hard time lifting my arms. I didn’t know what my problem was—I thought I was just extremely unhappy and breaking down. One day after talking to my mom on the phone, I realized there might be more to what I was feeling.

Armed with mom-delivered insights, I scheduled a doctor visit to have some lab tests performed and was diagnosed with Genetic Hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis is a condition in which a person’s body absorbs too much iron from the foods they eat, and stores it in the blood, organs, and joints. My body was literally weighed down with Iron. Hemochromatosis can lead to arthritis, cancer, and a whole host of other health problems. At 4200+ nanogram/mL—my ferritin (iron) level far exceeded the normal range of 30-400 ng/mL.

When there’s too much iron in your body, it needs to be removed. The typical way this is done is with a large blood donation, aka phlebotomy. Removing iron-rich blood causes the body to create new blood cells. When your iron levels are as high as mine were, those new blood cells begin absorbing iron from organs and joints. Did I mention that I’ve been deathly afraid of needles since I was a child? It’s taken a lot effort to work through that fear, but I had to try and overcome it for my long term health.

I have been going in for bloodletting, sometimes even once a week, for three years now. A recent ferritin test shows my level is currently around 250 ng/mL—finally within the normal healthy range. Since there is no cure to keep my iron levels in check, I’ll continue having my levels tested, and blood removed as necessary.

Combining my entrepreneurial spirit with my new knowledge of this obscure condition, I started a video series on YouTube. It documents my journey from the beginning through today and tracks every bump in the road along the way. People from around the world have reached out to me and left comments, it’s been so great to turn this challenge into an opportunity and to see my journey help others.

Team Clayton of RE/MAX Professionals – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Team Clayton RE/MAX Professionals was founded in 2002 by my parents, Tom and Janet Clayton. I joined the family business in 2016 with the goal of taking over the company as my parents retire. To say this is a rewarding career would be an understatement, helping people find a home to call their own is incredible!

Something I am known for in my business is my YouTube channel. Borrowing from a popular late night show, I’ve started filming Carpool Karaoke—Real Estate Edition videos with friends, family members, and clients. We drive around singing popular music, having a good time making the songs our own. It’s been incredibly fun to include people I know in my videos, and it’s fun content to drive engagement for my business online.

I’m really proud that Team Clayton gives back to the community as a part of our business. The Miracle Home Program helps us donate a portion of our commission—on behalf of our clients—to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. So for every house we help buy or sell, we give back to kids in need. Our clients receive a beautiful card in the mail from a child that they helped and it’s so special. Just this year, our RE/MAX office raised over $21,000 for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital!

I think we’re a little unique in that we’re not just about selling homes, we want to help people put down roots, engage with their community, and to give back however we can. From special family events like renting out a movie theater as a thank you to our past clients, to advice and support, we’re there to help our clients meet their real estate and home ownership goals.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I used to define success through accolades and media attention. To keep up with the awards and attention, I had to work non-stop. For 8 years I worked 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. I was “successful” but not happy or healthy. Now I define success by having the flexibility to do a job I enjoy and the freedom to balance my job with the joy and responsibility of growing a young family.

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