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COVER STORY
Marisa Sullivan
“He Gave Me a Kidney. Together, We Built Our Next Chapter.”
One life-changing gift. Two real estate markets. A story about refusing to give up.
8/26/26, 11:33 PM
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Agent Team
Marisa Sullivan
GOLUXE AZ & Go Luxe Realty
W & Partners & Luxury Properties Hawai'i
Service Area
Arizona & Hawai'i
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Thanks for making time to chat. Let’s begin with an introduction—who are you, and what areas do you proudly represent as a realtor?
I’m Marisa Sullivan, a real estate broker, business owner, property manager, and team leader with a career that has been built largely on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. I’m the owner and Principal Broker of Go Luxe Realty and the owner of Luxury Properties Hawaiʻi LLC, where our team represents buyers and sellers and manages both vacation and long-term rental properties.
More recently, my husband, Kurt, and I expanded our real estate journey to Arizona. We both became licensed in Arizona and launched the Go Luxe AZ Team, brokered by W & Partners, while I continue to operate our companies and lead our team in Hawaiʻi.
Today, we’re proud to represent clients in Hawaiʻi and Arizona, two markets that have become deeply personal to us for very different reasons.
Hawaiʻi is where we built our businesses, raised our family, and established our careers. Arizona became part of our story after I was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney disease and we relocated to be closer to the Mayo Clinic while searching for a path to kidney transplantation. What began as a move driven by one of the most difficult periods of our lives unexpectedly became the beginning of another chapter in real estate.
Our story has taught us that real estate is about much more than property. It’s about people, relationships, resilience, and helping someone navigate major transitions in their life—something Kurt and I understand on a very personal level.
GETTING STARTED & WHY REAL ESTATE MATTERS
Every great realtor has a story. What inspired you to step into real estate, and why does this work matter to you personally?
My path into real estate actually began through hospitality and property management. At the time, I was living paycheck to paycheck, working in hotels and private membership clubs and bartending for members who were paying as much as $150,000 a year just to belong to the club.
Being around that level of hospitality taught me two things that would eventually shape my career: exceptional service matters, and I was capable of more than I was giving myself credit for.
A friend of mine, Paula Tuttle, saw that potential in me before I fully saw it in myself. She encouraged me to get into real estate and even paid for my real estate school. That act of believing in me helped change the direction of my life.
I’ve now spent more than 18 years in the industry, much of it rooted in property management. Managing homes taught me very early that real estate is ultimately a relationship business. Owners were trusting me with some of their largest investments, while guests and tenants were trusting us with the place they would call home. Moving into sales became a natural progression because I wanted to help people through the entire real estate journey—not just after they owned the property.
Eventually, I built Luxury Properties Hawaiʻi LLC, specializing in vacation rental management while continuing to handle real estate sales as opportunities came along. In 2021, my husband, Kurt, and I started brainstorming about how we could grow the sales side of the business and, more importantly, create a real estate experience that felt different. That vision eventually became Go Luxe Realty, which we built alongside an incredible team of brokers, agents and staff.
Then life tested everything we had built.
When I was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney disease, we were still operating our companies and leading our team while navigating years of testing, searching for a donor and preparing for transplant. There were days when I was making real estate and property management decisions from doctors’ offices and hospital rooms.
That period taught me one of the most important lessons I have learned as a business owner: if your company cannot function without you, you haven't truly built a company you've built yourself a job. A sustainable business requires great people, strong systems, trust, accountability and leadership.
Ironically, the medical journey that disrupted our lives also opened the door to our next chapter. We relocated to Arizona to be closer to the medical care I needed. My husband was ultimately able to donate his kidney to me, and as we began rebuilding our lives after transplant, we saw an opportunity to build something new professionally as well. We became licensed in Arizona and launched the Go Luxe AZ Team, while continuing to own, operate and grow our companies in Hawaiʻi.
What inspires me today is knowing how much can be represented by a single real estate transaction. A home can mean independence for a first-time buyer, financial opportunity for an investor, a new beginning after a major life change, retirement, relocation, or simply the decision to build a different life.
I’m equally passionate about developing agents. I know what it means for someone to see potential in you and give you an opportunity, because someone once did that for me. Seeing an agent gain confidence, build a business and realize what they are capable of brings my career full circle.
At this stage of my life, success isn't measured solely by how many properties I personally sell. It's measured by the clients we serve, the opportunities we create, the agents we help grow, and the businesses and relationships we're building in both Hawaiʻi and Arizona.
Someone once invested in my potential. Today, one of the most rewarding parts of what I do is having the opportunity to invest in the potential of others.
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LOCAL MARKET
For someone considering your area, what should they know about the lifestyle, vibe, or opportunities there?
What makes our real estate story a little different is that we get to represent two completely different lifestyles—Hawaiʻi Island and Arizona—and each offers something really special.
On the Big Island, I always tell buyers that Hawaiʻi isn't one single lifestyle. Kona offers sunshine, ocean views, resort communities, golf, boating and an incredible outdoor lifestyle, while Waimea, Hilo and North Kohala can feel like completely different worlds. Within a relatively short drive, the climate, elevation, landscape and even the style of homes can change dramatically.
Hawaiʻi encourages you to enjoy where you live. You can paddle or swim before work and end your day watching the sunset over the ocean. But living in Hawaiʻi is very different from vacationing here. A knowledgeable Realtor needs to help you understand things like microclimates, lava zones, insurance, property management, vacation-rental regulations and the realities of island ownership, not simply help you find the home with the prettiest view.
Hawaiʻi is also deeply personal to me because it continues to be such an important part of our family's life. My son attends the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on Oʻahu while pursuing an incredible competitive paddling career. He's a world-championship paddler, competes in OC1, and recently earned a national title in surf ski in Boston. Being able to support and sponsor his paddling career while watching him balance college and competing at such a high level is something I'm incredibly proud of. It has also been important to me that, even while building this new chapter in Arizona, I continue to be present for his journey.
Arizona became part of our lives unexpectedly through my medical journey, but once we started living there, we understood why so many people are drawn to the Valley. We especially love the West Valley because it feels like an area that's still being built and discovered. There are mountain views, hiking, golf, new construction and beautiful master-planned communities, with opportunities ranging from first-time homes to resort-style and luxury living.
Today, Hawaiʻi and Arizona represent much more to us than two real estate markets. Hawaiʻi is home it's where we built our businesses, raised our family and where our son is now building his own future. Arizona represents a second chapter: resilience, growth and an opportunity we never expected.
Representing both has reinforced something I tell my clients all the time: there isn't one definition of the perfect place to live. Some people dream of waking up to the ocean in Hawaiʻi; others want a new home overlooking the mountains in Arizona. What matters is finding the place that fits the life you want to create.
My advice is always the same: don't just choose a house choose the lifestyle you want to come home to every day.
THE WHY
In a competitive industry, what do you feel makes you truly different from the rest?
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I think what truly sets me apart is that I bring much more than sales experience to the table. I’ve spent more than 18 years in property management, built and operated my own companies, led teams of agents and staff, and worked with everything from investment properties and vacation rentals to residential and luxury real estate. That experience allows me to look at a property from multiple perspectives—not simply as a transaction.
I also believe deeply in relationships over transactions. I want my clients to feel like they have someone in their corner who will tell them what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. Sometimes the best service I can provide is helping someone recognize when a property or opportunity isn’t right for them.
Going through my kidney journey changed my perspective as well. Continuing to lead our businesses while facing Stage 5 kidney disease, relocating for medical care, and ultimately receiving a kidney from my husband taught me resilience in a way no business course ever could. It also reminded me how quickly life can change and how important home, family and financial security really are.
Finally, I genuinely enjoy helping other people succeed. Whether it’s a client finding the right home, an investor making a smart decision, or an agent on our team growing their business, I want the people around me to win. For me, success isn’t measured only by how much real estate I sell—it’s measured by the relationships we build, the people we help, and the reputation we leave behind.
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SERVICES, NICHE & VALUE
Do you focus on a particular niche or type of client? Tell us about what makes your services stand out.
My focus is really centered around redefining what luxury means in real estate.
To us, luxury is not a price point. It is not reserved for a multimillion-dollar listing or a certain type of client. Luxury is the level of service someone receives. Every client should feel seen, supported, informed, and cared for throughout the entire process.
That means having strong systems, communication, marketing, technology, and people in place to create an experience that feels elevated from start to finish. We believe luxury is also about having the right tools in your toolbox—the resources, knowledge, relationships, and strategies that allow you to provide something different from the average real estate experience.
One of the ways we try to make that tangible is through personal follow-up and accountability. We want someone checking in with our clients to make sure they feel supported and that the experience is going the way it should. We take the same approach with our agents. We want our agents to feel like they have someone in their corner, not just a brokerage collecting a split.
That is probably what defines my focus most: creating a luxury experience at every level, regardless of the price of the property.
To me, luxury is not what you sell. Luxury is how you serve.
Let’s go a little deeper. What’s something you do behind the scenes that clients may not realize but really makes a difference?
I joke that part of my job is being a Realtor, detective, therapist, negotiator, problem solver and occasional marriage counselor all before lunch.
Behind the scenes, I’m constantly thinking several steps ahead. My clients may be excited about the gorgeous kitchen or the ocean view, while I’m quietly wondering, How old is that roof? What’s happening with the HOA? Is that vacation rental actually legal? What will this cost to maintain? And why does that repair look suspiciously fresh?
My property management background probably makes me a little more nosy than the average Realtor and I mean that in the best possible way. After more than 18 years of dealing with homes, I've learned that properties have a way of telling you their secrets eventually. I'd rather find those secrets before my client owns them.
We also have a Brand Ambassador who checks in with our clients independently. I always say, “If you're mad at me, you have someone else to tell!” But in all seriousness, it gives our clients another layer of support and gives us the opportunity to make sure we're delivering the experience we promised.
I’m a big believer in being proactive rather than reactive. Before we ever get to the closing table, I’m looking several steps ahead anticipating potential issues, asking questions, communicating with the other professionals involved, and making sure my client understands not only what is happening, but why it matters.
At Go Luxe, we call that luxury. It isn't about the price tag. Luxury is having people behind the scenes worrying about the details so you don't have to.
And if everything looks effortless to the client at closing, then we've done our job even if behind the scenes we've had 47 phone calls, solved three mini-crises and consumed entirely too much coffee.
EXPERTISE
You’ve seen a lot in this industry. What are some pro tips or common myths you wish more people understood?
One of the biggest myths in real estate is that everything is about price. The highest offer isn't always the best offer, the least expensive home isn't always the best value, and the agent who promises you the highest listing price isn't necessarily the person who will get you the best result.
My biggest pro tip is to look beyond what you can see. Buyers naturally fall in love with kitchens, views and finishes. I'm also looking at the things that aren't nearly as exciting maintenance, insurance, HOA documents, rental restrictions, future expenses and resale. A beautiful home can become a very expensive headache if you don't understand what you're buying.
Another myth is that all Realtors basically provide the same service. We don't. Ask what your agent actually brings to the table beyond opening doors and writing contracts. What resources do they have? How do they market? Who is on their team? How well do they know the market? What happens when something goes wrong? The tools in your agent's toolbox matter.
Sellers also sometimes believe they should wait until they're ready to list before calling an agent. I would much rather have that conversation months earlier. Sometimes a seller is preparing to spend $30,000 improving something that may add very little value, while ignoring a $2,000 issue that buyers are going to notice immediately. Call me before you start swinging the hammer!
And finally, don't choose a property or an agent based solely on what looks good on social media. Real estate is still a relationship business. When the inspection comes back with surprises, the appraisal is an issue, negotiations get difficult, or you're two days from closing and something unexpected happens, that's when you find out who you hired.
My best advice is simple: surround yourself with knowledgeable people, ask a lot of questions, and never be afraid to walk away from the wrong opportunity. Sometimes the best real estate deal you make is the one you don't make.
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Thank you again for sharing your story with us. Before we wrap up, could you leave our readers with a few insider tips—and share the best ways to connect with you?
If I could leave readers with a few insider tips, the first would be: never be afraid to ask questions. Whether you're buying, selling, investing, or building a real estate career, surround yourself with people who are willing to educate you not just sell to you.
Second, don't assume luxury is defined by a price point. To us, luxury is service. It's communication, preparation, resources, relationships, and having the right tools in your toolbox when something unexpected happens. Whether someone is buying their first condo or selling a multimillion-dollar property, they deserve to feel like they're our most important client.
And finally, something I've learned both personally and professionally: don't be afraid when life changes the plan. Some of the greatest opportunities in my life came from circumstances I never would have chosen. Our family went through a journey that took us from Hawaiʻi to Arizona for reasons that had nothing to do with real estate, yet that same journey ultimately opened the door for us to build a business in a second state. Sometimes what feels like a detour becomes your next chapter.
To the agents reading this, remember that your business doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Build relationships. Find great people. Create systems. Invest in your team. Keep adding tools to your toolbox. And when someone believes in your potential, remember it—because someday you may have the opportunity to do the same for someone else.
I would genuinely love to connect with other agents through the Real Estate Agent Journal, especially those in markets outside Hawaiʻi and Arizona. Real estate is built on relationships, and some of the best opportunities come from having trusted agents across the country to collaborate with, exchange referrals with, learn from, and send our clients to when life takes them somewhere new.
You can connect with me through Go Luxe Realty in Hawaiʻi or the Go Luxe AZ Team in Arizona, and of course through social media. Whether you're a future client, fellow Realtor, investor, or simply someone who connected with our story, please reach out and introduce yourself.
Relationships over transactions always. And you never know which relationship may become part of your next chapter.
Marisa Sullivan
Agent Team
GOLUXE AZ & Go Luxe Realty
W & Partners & Luxury Properties Hawai'i
Service Area
Arizona & Hawai'i
Bio
Marisa Sullivan | Owner/Broker & Husband & Wife Team Founder of Go Luxe
Marisa Sullivan is a real estate broker, entrepreneur, property management professional, and team leader whose career has been built around one core belief: luxury isn’t defined by a price point it’s defined by how you serve people.
Marisa’s journey into real estate began while working in Hawaiʻi’s hospitality industry. Living paycheck to paycheck, she worked in hotels and exclusive private membership clubs, serving members
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