In running, you have to know your pace, respect the distance, and be ready for the long haul. I’ve learned that much of life is the same—whether it’s raising a family, building a business, or helping a client navigate a major decision. The results come from showing up, preparing for challenges, and putting in the work day in and day out.
Running didn’t start as a passion, it started as a challenge. I was 33, working out regularly, but I didn’t feel truly fit. I had always carried the identity of being a heavier kid, a label that sticks with you even when it no longer fits. As a teenager, I went to a weight-loss camp. I lost the weight, kept it off, and built discipline around food and health, but cardio had always been something I avoided. So, one day at the gym, I stepped on a treadmill and told myself I’d run until I hated it. That happened after just half a mile. But I came back the next day. And the next.
Little by little, I chipped away at that threshold. Half a mile became three-quarters, then a mile. Soon I was outside running three or four miles a day, five days a week. Eventually, I signed up for a 5K. The competitor in me woke up, and I started training with purpose. I liked the structure, the daily rhythm, the tangible results. Over years of training, I’ve run 52 marathons, four ultras, and qualified for the Boston Marathon after nearly a decade and have run it three times now.
The mindset and habits it took to be successful in running were ones I had also exercised as an entrepreneur. I launched my first business at 14 selling baseball cards with a $300 loan from my dad. That experience forced me to develop confidence, negotiation skills, and the ability to speak to adults as a nervous teenager. From there, I spent over 20 years in the merchant services industry, cold calling out of the Yellow Pages, eventually being trusted to build a new credit card division for a public company with a million-dollar budget by the time I was 28. I later started my own merchant services company, scaled it, merged it, and built another all while managing the highs and lows that come with self-employment.
When that chapter came to a close, I pivoted into startup sales, leading new divisions in tech and medical device companies. I’ve faced layoffs, dissolving partnerships, and the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurial risk. But what always kept me grounded was knowing how to reset, refocus, and keep moving despite challenges.
Real estate came into the picture because I saw an opportunity to bring together everything I had built over the years: my ability to sell, market, connect, adapt, and build trust. At first, I helped a small team with recruiting. That gave me insight into the industry. I got licensed and closed 23 transactions in my first year. It wasn’t luck, it was a result of being consistent, client-focused, and unafraid to do the unglamorous work that drives results. Just like in running, the payoff comes from what happens when no one is watching—planning, prepping, and sticking to the process.
Outside of real estate, I enjoy time with my wife, Laurice, and our daughters, Ava and Chloe. Laurice works at a daycare and takes care of everything at home. She puts a lot of effort into every holiday, birthday, and special occasion. She decorates the house, puts together themed baskets, and takes care of all the small details to make them special. Ava’s in college at the University of Delaware and Chloe’s going into high school. In our free time, we enjoy going to the beach, checking out new restaurants, or taking day trips to places like Cape May or New Hope.
If you’re hiring a REALTOR®, you don’t want someone who just lists your home and hopes it sells. I use what I call the M.O.R.E. system—More Marketing. More Opportunity. More Reach. More Effort. That means paid Zillow Showcase listings, geo-targeted ads on Homes.com, social media that actually reaches buyers, and direct outreach to agents across the region. It’s about promoting and properly marketing your property, not just placing it online and waiting.
For buyers, I take the same proactive approach to find you the right fit. I look into listings before viewing them together to help ensure you aren’t wasting time and are looking at options that actually match your needs. I know the Monmouth County market inside and out—especially Manalapan, Marlboro, and Freehold—and I’ll tell you exactly what you need to know about neighborhoods, property condition and value, and whether it’s a great opportunity or a potential
red flag.
My honesty, preparation, and focus get real results for my clients. My goal is simple: smarter decisions, smoother deals, and less stress. If that sounds like what you're looking for, I’m here to help you on your next real estate venture!
Sincerely,
Kenny Baldo
