Growing Together is a blog series featuring people that have joined Peoples Company and their motivation to team up with a national leader in agriculture real estate services to pair experience with data driven decision making and deliver value to landowners. If you would like to learn more about partnering with or joining Peoples Company, please reach out to Molly Zaver, Director of Industry Partnerships, at Molly@PeoplesCompany.com.
What was your background before joining Peoples Company?
I grew up on a farm in Darlington, Wisconsin, where I spent approximately 15 years farming alongside my family. During that time, we grew our Angus cattle operation from 30 cows to more than 300 cow-calf pairs. As the operation expanded, my brothers and I developed different perspectives on the business's future direction. Ultimately, I made the difficult decision to sell my ownership interest in the farm, take a leap of faith, and pursue a new path in the automotive industry.
I entered the car business as a salesperson, where I often joked that I was “putting dreams in driveways.” I quickly advanced, rising to the top of the sales leaderboard and eventually earning the role of Business Link Manager, where I worked closely with businesses and farmers. After several successful years, I was promoted to General Manager of the Platteville, Wisconsin location, overseeing a team of approximately 20 sales professionals.
My wife, Jora, and I had our first child, and I began to reassess my long-term goals. The demanding schedule of the car business, including working every Saturday and most holidays, made it clear that I wanted a career that offered greater flexibility and alignment with my growing family. I decided to obtain my real estate license and joined a local brokerage that focused primarily on single-family residential sales.
I quickly gained experience selling several homes, but it wasn’t long before I had the opportunity to represent landowners in the sale of farmland. Those transactions felt natural to me. I connected easily with the sellers and had a deeper understanding of their land, operations, and priorities than many other agents. That experience opened my eyes to the opportunity within farmland brokerage and confirmed where my true passion was. As my farmland business began to grow, balancing both real estate and the car industry became increasingly challenging. I knew then that farmland brokerage was where I wanted to focus my energy and that there was a much larger opportunity ahead in that space.
What led you to Peoples Company?
To be honest, I wasn’t familiar with Peoples Company when I began searching for a new brokerage. I had spoken with several larger firms before coming across an advertisement for Peoples Company. One evening, while lying in bed, I found myself scrolling through the Peoples Company website and was immediately impressed by the quality and sophistication of their marketing. After spending nearly an hour exploring the site, I clicked on Steve Bruere’s contact information and sent him an email.
To my surprise, I received a response within minutes, inviting me to meet the following Monday morning. I made the trip to Clive, Iowa, and met with Steve Bruere and Molly Zaver after their Monday morning meeting. I was understandably nervous going into the conversation, but they quickly put me at ease. The meeting was relaxed and conversational rather than feeling like a formal interview.
After spending additional time meeting with several Peoples Company agents, I began the drive back to Wisconsin. By that point, I already knew the decision I wanted to make; I just needed to share the news with my wife and my employer. About a week later, I made the decision to leave both the dealership and my brokerage and take a leap of faith with Peoples Company. It remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
How has your business changed since becoming part of Peoples Company?
Becoming a part of Peoples Company has truly been life-changing for my family and me. The opportunities created through this platform have extended far beyond professional growth — they have provided stability, long-term vision, and the ability to build a business that aligns with both my career goals and my family values. Being part of a firm that prioritizes integrity, collaboration, and excellence has allowed me to grow with confidence, knowing I’m supported by a team and culture committed to doing things the right way.
Professionally, Peoples Company elevated every aspect of my business. From advanced marketing capabilities and national buyer exposure to a best-in-class auction platform, the resources available have allowed me to operate at a significantly higher level. My geographic reach has expanded, my credibility with institutional and investment-grade buyers has strengthened, and my clients now have access to a deeper, more competitive marketplace. The scale and sophistication of our marketing alone have consistently delivered stronger results for sellers.
Peoples Company also introduced me to the Realtors Land Institute, an organization that has played a pivotal role in my professional development. Through that connection, I completed the rigorous education, testing, and experience requirements to earn my Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation — a distinction held by fewer than 750 land professionals nationwide. That process expanded my knowledge, sharpened my expertise, and enhanced my ability to better serve clients with complex land-related decisions.
Ultimately, Peoples Company has provided me with the tools, people, and vision necessary to succeed at the highest level while still prioritizing what matters most at home. My experience is a clear example of what can be achieved when you align yourself with the right company, the right people, and a shared commitment to long-term growth and excellence.
What has been the best part of being affiliated with Peoples Company?
The people… without question. Peoples Company has built a culture unlike any other, one that is both highly collaborative and intentionally growth oriented. There is a true A-player mentality across the organization, where individuals take ownership of their work, hold themselves to a high standard, and are committed to excellence in every detail. Team members challenge one another to improve, share insights openly, and genuinely celebrate each other’s successes rather than compete internally.
That A-player mindset creates an environment where continuous improvement is the norm. You are surrounded by high-performing, forward-thinking professionals who push you to refine your approach, think more strategically, and elevate your client service. This culture fosters both personal development and professional excellence, and it naturally raises your standard simply by being part of the team. The strength of the people and the culture they have built is, hands down, one of the most valuable aspects of being part of Peoples Company.
Is there a success that you have had that wouldn’t have occurred if you were not part of the company?
Absolutely. Several large-scale auctions and portfolio dispositions I’ve led would not have been possible without the collective strength of the Peoples Company team. In multiple instances, we’ve created highly competitive bidding environments that drove values well beyond expectations — outcomes made possible by the firm’s trusted brand, expansive buyer database, and deep auction expertise.
Beyond these transactions, I’ve been fortunate to achieve professional milestones that once felt out of reach, including being recognized as a Top 20 National Producer for four consecutive years. However, beyond any personal or professional recognition, my greatest measure of success is the results my clients achieve. Being part of Peoples Company has allowed me to play a meaningful role in delivering exceptional outcomes, guiding clients through complex decisions, and helping them maximize the value of their land. Those successful client outcomes are ultimately the most rewarding aspect of my career and a direct reflection of the team, resources, and shared commitment to excellence at Peoples Company.
What are some advantages of being part of Peoples Company?
One of the greatest advantages of being part of Peoples Company is the depth and breadth of resources available to both our clients and our agents. The firm provides national buyer and investor reach, an industry-leading auction platform, internal access to FarmWorth, and a highly sophisticated marketing and design team that elevates every property we represent. In addition, we operate within a collaborative internal culture that encourages knowledge sharing and collective growth. Our expanded brokerage licensing footprint allows us to serve clients across multiple states, while our strong reputation in agricultural investment circles brings credibility and confidence to every transaction. Beyond brokerage, we also have access to in-house expertise in land management, appraisal, and energy services, creating a truly full-service platform. Few firms offer this level of support, scale, and specialization while still empowering agents to build and grow their business with autonomy and purpose.
What was the most challenging thing about becoming affiliated with Peoples Company?
For me, my biggest challenge was raising my own standard. When you join a firm with high expectations and top producers across the country, you quickly realize that average effort simply isn’t enough. I had to elevate my systems, refine my communication, and sharpen my execution across every aspect of the business. From how listings were positioned and marketed to how I structured client conversations, followed up with buyers, and managed transactions. Being surrounded by professionals who consistently operate at a high level forces you to take a hard look at your own processes and ask, “Where can I be better?”
There is also a different level of accountability that comes with being part of a nationally recognized brand. Clients expect excellence. Colleagues expect preparation. Results matter. That environment pushed me to become more disciplined, more strategic, and more intentional with my time and energy. I invested more heavily in planning, improved my marketing presentation, expanded my buyer outreach efforts, and became more proactive in anticipating challenges before they arose.
Looking back, that initial pressure to raise my standard became one of the greatest growth accelerators in my career. It strengthened my confidence, increased the number of transactions I could handle, and ultimately improved my experience with my clients. What began as a challenge turned into a catalyst for long-term professional growth.
What advice would you give to someone that is considering joining Peoples Company?
Be ready to think bigger. Joining Peoples Company isn’t just a change in brokerage… it’s a decision to raise your standard and step into a platform that can truly expand what you believe is possible. When I made the move, I quickly realized I wasn’t just gaining a brand name. I was gaining a team, a culture, and a level of support that challenged me to operate differently — more intentionally, more professionally, and more consistently.
Peoples Company provides tools, marketing power, and national reach, but the key is being willing to work, learn, and stay coachable. The agents who grow the most here are those who embrace collaboration and take pride in continually improving their craft. If you’re willing to refine your systems, seek feedback, and lean into the resources around you, this environment will elevate your business far more effectively than trying to grow without that level of support.
My advice is simple and personal: show up, get involved early, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Spend time with the team, learn from top producers, and take advantage of the support departments that exist to help you win. Peoples Company rewards initiative. The more you engage, the more you grow — and the more confident you’ll become in the value you bring to every client and every transaction.
What else would you like to share about your affiliation with Peoples Company?
Peoples Company has allowed me to build a business that serves clients at the highest level while still staying grounded in the Midwestern values I was raised with: honesty, hard work, and doing right by people. That balance is incredibly important to me, not only as a professional, but as a husband, father, and member of my community. I’ve been able to grow a business I’m proud of without sacrificing integrity or the personal relationships that matter most.
Beyond production, Peoples Company has opened doors to opportunities I never anticipated, including leadership roles, mentorship, and the ability to help shape the next generation of land professionals. Being part of a team that values collaboration over competition has allowed me to learn from others while also giving back by sharing my own experiences. That sense of mutual investment has been both motivating and rewarding.
What stands out most is the company’s long-term vision. Peoples Company continues to invest in its people, expand thoughtfully, and raise the standard across the land brokerage industry. I’m proud to be affiliated with a firm that encourages growth not just in numbers, but in character, knowledge, and impact. For me, Peoples Company isn’t just where I work, it’s a place where I’ve been able to grow personally, professionally, and as a leader, while building something meaningful for my family and my clients.
Reach out to Adam Crist at 608.482.1229 or email him at Adam.Crist@PeoplesCompany.com.
