I used to run on 80-hour weeks and adrenaline. These days I'm at the gym at 5 a.m. and home for dinner. The road between those two versions of me is the whole story.

The co-owners and I sat at the restaurant table late at night. The air was thick with exhaustion and tension, the kind that builds when people who once shared a vision no longer share one. "So what do we do next?" one of them asked. We all co-owned the restaurant, but it was I who had built it from scratch, created the food and drinks menu, poured 80-hour weeks into it for four years, and shown up when nobody else did. I knew exactly what needed to happen. "We need to hire a lot more staff," I said. That didn't fly. That night, the restaurant I had given everything to closed, and I drove home in silence.

I was gutted. Not just disappointed, genuinely gutted. I had spent my entire adult life in restaurants, bartending, waiting tables, managing, doing every role there was. The dream of running my own place had been alive in me since my late teens. All I had ever wanted was to be my own boss, to build something mine. The hospitality industry, the world I had lived in for so long, suddenly felt very small.

Then a bachelor party changed everything.

My good friend had organized his celebration, and I found myself spending real time with A.J. Powers. A.J. had been introduced to me and would visit my restaurant, so we already knew each other, but that weekend, we finally talked business. He wasn't just a top realtor in the area. Like me, he was obsessed with tech-driven, streamlined systems that created efficient, flawless processes. We spoke the same language. When he invited me into real estate, I didn't hesitate. I knew he was exactly the right person to learn from.

What I didn't expect was how much I would love it, honestly, even more than the restaurant. Real estate was service-oriented, which felt familiar, but it was also connected to construction and architecture, which had always fascinated me. I worked two jobs for a stretch, real estate mornings, restaurant nights, and I won't pretend it wasn't exhausting. But I wasn't in it for a quick buck. I wanted to shadow A.J., absorb everything, and become genuinely excellent at this craft. I was patient about it in a way I hadn't been patient about anything before.

In 2017, I helped A.J. build a solid team of producing agents, hiring, training, and setting people up for success. Building something greater than myself gave me a feeling I hadn't felt since those early restaurant days, except this time, it lasted.

Courtney and I were no longer happy in California. We had vacationed in Bozeman and fallen hard for the mountains, the people, and the pace of life. One day, we looked at each other and said: Why aren't we just living there? In 2020, we packed everything up and made the leap. Starting from scratch in a new market wasn't easy, but for the first time in a long time, everything felt right.

Courtney and I now have a four-year-old daughter, Codi, and watching her grow up in a place like Bozeman is something I don't take for granted. Life is full. My quiet time is the gym at 5 a.m., no emails, no calls, just weights, sauna, and a cold plunge. Back in my restaurant days, I ran on adrenaline and very little sleep. These days, I show up rested, grounded, and ready. My clients get the best version of me, and that's exactly the point.

Looking back, every hard chapter was quietly pointing me here, for work that fits perfectly with who I am. That night, when we closed the restaurant, I drove home in silence believing it was over. It was just the beginning.

I bring over 10 years of experience in real estate, guiding my clients with both strategy and compassion. I begin by truly understanding their dreams and goals, then build a thoughtful plan tailored around what matters most to them. My approach is highly analytical and data-driven, I study the market closely, evaluate every detail, and use that insight to find opportunities that align as closely as possible with what my clients are looking for.

I have a strong grasp on all facets of real estate, from investments, rentals, land acquisitions, and ground-up developments. I pride myself on honesty and transparency, ensuring my clients always receive clear, accurate information so they can make informed decisions.

Beyond the numbers, I focus on the human side of the process. I aim to reduce stress, bring a sense of ease, and even enjoyment to each transaction. Building meaningful relationships is important to me, many clients become lasting friends. Ultimately, I’m passionate about helping people feel supported, empowered, and excited throughout their real estate journey.

Sincerely,

 

Aaron Cribbes