ROSS BAXTER — FEATURE
Making the MOST of EVERY Opportunity
WRITTEN BY NICK INGRISANI PHOTOS BY 2CORE FILMS
With a natural instinct for sales and an unwavering work ethic, Ross has built a thriving career in real estate with a relentless focus on his clients’ success. His life journey spans across multiple industries and states and is a testament to his ability to adapt, persevere, and excel. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area as one of five siblings, Ross was introduced to the value of hard work early on. His father, a vice president of a large parking corporation, ensured that all the boys worked in the family business from a young age. “All through summer when other kids went on vacation, my dad had us out at Candlestick Park waving cars into the parking lot, or working downtown on one of the over 70 lots”, he says. Though he may not have appreciated it at the time, the experience instilled a work ethic that would serve him well throughout his career. “I hated having to do it back then, but did like the fact that I was making money while learning invaluable social skills as a young man,” he says. “I spoke with so many different people and was exposed daily to other cultures and nationalities.”
When the time came to decide on a long- term path, Ross opted not to continue in the family business. He attended college for a year before returning home, uncertain of his next move. It wasn’t long before he found his footing in the wholesale business, which led him into jewelry sales. At just 23, he became the youngest manager in the 100-year history of the Shane Diamond Importing Company, earning the nickname “Boy Wonder” as he doubled sales figures each year while working in management.
of years and then Atlanta, where he faced an ethical crossroads. The company had promised him a leadership opportunity if he moved, but after Ross relocated, the opportunity was abruptly revoked. “I found myself at a crossroads in ethics and integrity,” he reflects. “I said they needed to give me new light at the end of the tunnel and make things right or I’d have to walk, they didn’t, so I left based upon my principles.” Discovering a Passion for Sales and Marketing His next venture into corporate gift sales and advertising wasn’t exactly the
His rapid rise in the industry took him from the Bay Area to Seattle for a couple
44 • June 2025
Alaska Real Producers • 45
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