My Journey in Business and Beyond

With nearly 50 years of business experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge, perspective, process and passion to everything I do.

I often say I started my career in Cable TV before there was MTV. The industry at that time was fueled by visionary thinkers — Michael Eisner, Ted Turner, Bob Pittman, inter alia — pioneers whose unbridled business acumen and strategic foresight profoundly shaped how I think about business even today.

In the 1990s, I launched The ADCraft Agency, one of the first firms to bring local commercials to national satellite channels like ESPN and CNN. During those exciting years, our small ad agency found itself competing against one of the largest in the country — The Richards Group. Somewhere in the middle of the account review, I received a note from a fellow executive that I’ll never forget:

“Michelle, it doesn’t take a big stick to be Goliath. Just good aim.”

Fast forward to the months following 9/11, when my parents called me and said,

“Honey, pack your bags. Come to Naples. Your family is here. There’s plenty of opportunity.”

It was that call — and that moment — that marked my formal introduction to the world of real estate.

Succeeding in the Naples Florida Real Estate Market

Currently, approximately 13,000 real estate agents compete for a market of just 170,000 households in Naples, Florida. That level of competition means it’s not enough to simply be good — you must be strategic and exceptional to stand out in such a crowded field.

True strategy in the Naples real estate market means looking beyond simple appreciation. My team focuses on helping investors identify and acquire luxury vacation rental properties that produce meaningful income.

Not every property in Naples lends itself to an income-producing model — understanding which communities deliver the best potential is key. That’s where our expertise comes in.

By turning nonperforming assets into income-generating ones, we help investors cover carrying costs — taxes, HOA fees, insurance, and improvements — while enhancing overall tax efficiency. Ultimately, we position your investment to perform, not just appreciate.

As Managing Broker of Naples Homes and Rentals, I oversee a $250 million portfolio of premier residential properties across Naples and the surrounding Gulf Coast. I specialize in luxury property sales, high-end vacation rentals and hands on client service, ensuring exceptional value and performance for property owners and investors.

Naples Homes for Sale – Maximizing ROI

A prime example of strategic selling is 6974 Greentree Drive in Pelican Bay illustrating how thoughtful positioning and market insight create outstanding results.

This beautiful property served as a Naples vacation rental for nearly a decade, generating close to $750,000 in gross rental income. When the owners decided to downsize, they entrusted me to oversee the sale.

Originally purchased in 2013 for $2,100,000, the property had already provided steady income that covered carrying costs year after year. Leveraging a carefully designed marketing and pricing strategy, we successfully sold the property for $4,600,000, achieving $1,144.28 per square foot.

In the end, the sellers not only enjoyed a decade of income but also more than doubled their original investment — a true testament to the impact of strategic representation in the luxury Naples market.

Navigating the New Condo Landscape in Florida

With Florida’s newly enacted laws requiring five-year high-rise condominium evaluations — together with the possibility of added assessments, repairs and construction mandates — selling a condo has never been more complex.  And of course, every transaction brings the intricacies of the HOA into play.

When the owner of 5555 Heron Point #201 decided to return to New York with his new bride, he was referred to me by a trusted member of one of our Investor Groups. His priority was speed over profit, seeking a smooth and efficient sale in a challenging market.

Even with that focus, the results were exceptional: in just two years, he realized a $250,000 gain on his $860,000 investment, achieving a sold price of $446.68 per square foot. A timely, well-executed sale in a shifting regulatory environment—proof that with the right strategy, even urgency can deliver outstanding returns.