Today we’d like to introduce you to Andi Costello.
Hi Andi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path into commercial real estate wasn’t exactly a straight line.
After graduate school, for the first 15 years of my career, I worked in local government in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and California. I really loved public service and the idea of helping shape communities from the inside, whether I was working in Parks and Recreation, Wastewater, Solid Waste, or in the City Manager’s office.
But life has a way of throwing curveballs.
As an at-will City Manager working under seven different elected officials in Central California, I was let go. Not long after that, my ex-husband filed for divorce. It was one of those moments where everything felt like it was falling apart at once: my career, my marriage, and even the question of where I was going to live.
Eventually, I found my way to the Pacific Northwest, a place I had always hoped my public service career would take me. I didn’t move to the Portland area with a plan. I just knew I needed a fresh start and a place that felt like home.
That new beginning led me into commercial real estate, and I discovered pretty quickly that a lot of what I loved about government work carried over: understanding how local economies grow, helping people make big decisions, and being part of the fabric of a community. In my previous career, only about 13% of City Managers were women, and commercial real estate can feel much the same, which has made carving out my own path even more meaningful.
Now, I get to work with business owners and investors as they build their own futures, and I feel genuinely grateful for where I’ve landed, even though the road here was not the one I expected.
Looking back, I wish I had found this second career path sooner, but I only knew life as an employee. Becoming self-employed was never on my radar screen, and now I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
Starting over in a new region and a completely new industry came with a steep learning curve. I went from a structured career in local government, where I understood the systems and had years of experience, to being brand new again. I also didn’t know anyone in the Pacific Northwest, so in many ways it was truly starting over from scratch, both personally and professionally.
Commercial real estate is its own world, with a lot of complexity, and I had to learn the industry from the ground up.
Early on, I realized I needed guidance, so one of my first challenges was finding the right business mentor. I was fortunate to connect with someone who helped me understand the market, the business, and what it really takes to build a career in this field. That relationship made a huge difference in my early growth.
At the same time, another part of the journey was eventually outgrowing that mentorship. As I gained confidence and found my own voice, I had to step into doing things my own way, which can be both empowering and a little uncomfortable.
There were also personal struggles along the way. Going through major life changes while trying to reinvent myself professionally was hard. There were moments of uncertainty, both emotionally and financially, and I had to learn how to keep moving forward even when things felt unsettled.
One of the biggest adjustments was becoming self-employed. I had spent my entire career as an employee, so learning how to bet on myself, trust my instincts, and build something from the ground up was intimidating at first, but ultimately incredibly rewarding.
Looking back, those challenges shaped me. They pushed me to grow, to become more resilient, and to create a career and life that feel truly aligned with who I am now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Helping business owners, property owners, and investors buy, sell, and lease commercial properties throughout the Portland and Vancouver area through a practical, communicative, and honest approach is what I’m known for. My work spans a wide range of asset types, including retail, office, industrial, and investment properties, and I enjoy supporting clients through everything from leasing a first space to helping investors and owners navigate major acquisitions or sales.
What I’m most known for is being an educator and a trusted advocate. Commercial real estate can feel complex and overwhelming, so I focus on making the process clear, approachable, and strategic. I want my clients to feel informed, confident, and supported at every step.
What sets me apart is my communication style and follow-through. I’m constantly told that I’m the only broker who called them back, or the only one they could actually reach when they needed answers.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the reputation I’ve built around integrity, responsiveness, and doing what’s right. My business is deeply relationship-driven, and I care a lot about follow-through, clear communication, and creating an experience where clients feel genuinely taken care of.
At the end of the day, I want people to feel like they have a real partner in their corner.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson has been that setbacks can be redirection. Starting over was scary, but it led me to a career and life that fit me better than the one I originally planned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andicostello.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndiCostelloCommercialRealEstateBroker/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andicostello/
