From Surfboards to Sold Signs

Before Adam W. Thomas built a successful real estate career, he learned something far more important: people come first. That lesson—shaped by his upbringing, faith journey and sales experience—became the foundation of his real estate career at KW Bothell.

Adam grew up in Mill Creek and attended Mountlake Terrace High School before heading to Edmonds Community College where he studied interpersonal communications. In need of a change of scenery, Adam packed up and moved to Southern California to attend Bible college.

Life at Bible college brought its own surprises—especially for someone who loved being in the water.

“In the video for the college, they showed the guy standing next to the ocean—and I was a surfer,” Adam said. “Drove down there with my buddies, got to the college, found out you weren’t actually able to go to the beach.”

The strict environment forced Adam to adjust quickly, reshaping both his character and perspective.

“I grew up with the longest leash possible, no leash really. I learned a lot of lessons the

hard way through personal mistakes, character flaws, you name it,” he said. “Bible college was really good because I was so far left on the end of the pendulum as far as character, habits, whatever. It was a big transitionary period of my life, so I swung really right to the most conservative, and then by the time Bible college was over, I found myself somewhere in the middle.”

After returning to the Pacific Northwest, Adam found himself in a role that would change everything: selling shoes at Nordstrom.

“That was probably one of the biggest game changers for me career-wise,” he said. “I had always been a great worker… but Nordstrom was the best as far as their theology of putting the customer first, that was invaluable in shaping me into the person that I am.”

Real estate came into view through a friend who connected him with agent Lee Gallaher, whom Adam describes as “an old soul with wisdom.”

He started by doing a few odd jobs for Lee, which kickstarted his real estate career. Working with Lee taught Adam something foundational: real estate is about people first.

“Your follow-up and your follow-through is everything,” Adam said. “When a person walks in, your level of service that you give to them, your ability to meet their needs will provide you business down the road. It’s not just a transaction… invest in them. Learn about them. Build a relationship with them.”

Adam joined KW Bothell in 2016 and has stayed ever since due to the culture of shared success among agents.

“I didn’t choose real estate, real estate chose me,” he said. “All of these things were

priming me to be in real estate and to understand real estate.” 

Today, Adam serves as a member of Keller Williams Bothell’s Associated Leadership Council, sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow agents. For Adam, success in real estate comes down to something simple but powerful: build real relationships, serve people with integrity, and invest in more than just transactions.

Listen to the rest of Adam's story on Real Conversations: Episode 8.