From Misfit to Leader: Redefining Commercial Real Estate - Elam Freeman

Elam Freeman is the Founder and Principal of Ojas Partners, a commercial real estate advisory firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. She specializes in identifying vision-aligned partners, understanding evolving neighborhood needs, and leveraging her local and national network to craft strategic plans. Before founding Ojas Partners, Elam served as an Affiliate Broker at Baker Storey McDonald Properties, Inc., where she advised clients on selecting commercial spaces.

In this episode…

Starting a business is never straightforward; entrepreneurs often struggle with uncertainty, financial risk, and the challenge of building a supportive network. Without a strong foundation and strategic approach, navigating the early years of business ownership can be overwhelming and isolating. Learn how one perseverant entrepreneur redefined industry standards to build a prosperous company.

Elam Freeman recognized early in her career that the real estate industry lacked a supportive culture. Determined to create a workplace where individuals could thrive, she built a company rooted in trust, clear communication, and shared success. By structuring her company with a transparent compensation model and hiring based on values rather than just experience, she cultivated a team focused on client service rather than internal competition. Elam believes that leadership starts with personal growth, and by identifying your personal values, you can incorporate them into your leadership approach to foster development.

In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Elam Freeman, the Founder and Principal of Ojas Partners, to discuss how she built a culture-first brokerage firm in a traditionally rigid industry. She shares how she transitioned from working at a larger firm to launching a business, the challenges of managing a growing team, and the leadership strategies that have shaped Ojas Partners.