Balancing purpose with progress and John Berkowitz's impact value method paying off throughout Austin's tech (r)evolution.

I had the chance to connect with John Berkowitz, Founder and CEO at OJO and CASA Board Member.?

John Berkowitz is the CEO and founder of OJO, an industry-leading real estate technology company that partners with the top real estate teams and agents to deliver value for millions of consumers on its platform. Founded in 2015, OJO has raised more than $140 million and placed 29th on the Deloitte Tech Fast 500 and 49th on the Inc. 5000 in 2021. John has received numerous leadership accolades, including EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Central Texas, Austin Business Journal’s Best Company CEO, Austin Under 40 Award, HousingWire Vanguards, Swanepoel’s SP200, and The Most Powerful Technology Executives in The Residential Real Estate Brokerage Industry. Prior to OJO, John co-founded Yodle, an online marketing leader for small businesses, that was successfully sold to Web.com for $340 million in an all cash transaction.

Q: Tell me about your business and what separates you from your competition?

We’re successful when more people realize their dreams of homeownership.

A: We are really laser-focused on the bridge between consumer needs and success for real estate professionals. We work with the top real estate agents and teams to provide value to the millions of consumers on our platform, and the first part of that statement is as important as providing value to the millions of consumers we meet each month. Our consumers are successful when our real estate partners are successful, so we need to ensure we’re listening to their wants and needs, and really helping them grow their business. Our superpower is that connection.

Q: Who or what has influenced your leadership ethos?

A: I’ve been very fortunate to be around incredible leaders at OJO, as well as work with some of the world's most successful VCs and entrepreneurs. It’s really a combination of emulating what I see out in the world from these leaders and taking what works for me.?

Q: How does your team emphasize corporate, social, and community responsibility to give back to the community?

Focusing on purpose does not come at the expense of progress.?

A: From the beginning, OJO has been about cascading impact value — we've been able to harness the ability to do good while also winning. We’re successful when more people realize their dreams of homeownership. It’s important to us, it’s sustainable, and focusing on purpose does not come at the expense of progress.?

We also have a dedicated charity arm — OJO Cares — and we recently hosted our first company-wide day of service. Nearly everyone at the company took the day off and went out into the community to volunteer. It was incredible to see both the impact the initiative had on the community and the connections that were formed within the company.?

Q: Congratulations on winning the Central Texas EOY award in 2021. What advice would you give a business leader or aspiring entrepreneur that you wish someone would have given you?

A: I would say it’s going to be hard but you are capable of more than you probably know.?

Q: How has the application of AI impacted your business??

A: From the beginning of the company — before the second to last hype wave — we have leaned into AI applications to solve problems and built a muscle around using the tools of AI and continue to be at the forefront of it. We use it as a tool to solve problems and have done a good job staying away from the hype and missteps of it. Nothing in the recent hype wave has changed us and we’re proud of that.?

Q: How have you seen tech in Austin change over the past eight years since founding OJO Labs??

Austin is booming and growing as far as bold ideas, money, and collaboration.

A: The tech scene has matured. When we first started there was a narrative around “Could you raise money in Austin?” but now look at the quality of talent, all of the money flowing in — it’s created this incredible flywheel. Austin is booming and growing as far as bold ideas, money, and collaboration.

Q: What have you learned in the years that you have been involved with CASA?

A: I've learned a ton about the hardships that children of Travis County feel, against the contrast of how much progress is happening in certain areas of Austin. I’ve also learned a ton about the effective running of nonprofit organizations, it’s as good of a run org as any I’ve seen. So I’ve learned a lot about high-stress decision-making, mission-oriented companies, and the problems and opportunities for our most neglected children.?

Thank you for contributing to this series, John.

Movoto is the best place for all of your real estate needs, from buying, to selling, to owning a home.??

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