Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Jones.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2018, after more than three decades leading a successful career in information technology in the Overland Park area, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life. Vision loss, which eventually resulted in legal blindness, forced me to retire from the profession that had defined so much of who I was. The screens, spreadsheets, and complex systems that once felt like second nature now stood as barriers. I could no longer continue in the role I had built my reputation on.
For a while, I believed that chapter was my final one, that blindness meant an ending. But life, as I would soon discover, had other plans.
Fast forward to 2023. A good friend of mine, a real estate agent, looked me straight in the eye and told me, “You’ve still got what it takes.” At first, I laughed. Me? A blind realtor? How could that possibly work? But then I thought back to my days as a soldier in the United States Army, where I learned that quitting is not an option. When obstacles arise, you adapt, you overcome, and you find another way.
So I did.
In 2023, I stepped off the ledge of fear and into a brand-new adventure, becoming a legally blind real estate agent. I quickly realized that while I may not see the world the way others do, I can certainly envision it, perhaps even more clearly than most.
Drawing on my thirty-plus years of technology expertise, I began using advanced tools and artificial intelligence to give my clients a unique advantage. From creating visually stunning virtual tours to using AI-driven marketing to expand visibility, I found ways to make my listings stand out in a crowded market. My blindness did not hold me back; it sharpened my focus.
But something even more meaningful happened along the way. Word spread. Messages started coming in from others who were visually impaired, people who never thought a career in real estate could be possible for them. They asked how I did it. They asked if they could too.
That is when I realized this journey was not just about selling homes. It was about breaking barriers. It was about showing others that the limits we think we have are often illusions, that courage, purpose, and technology can bridge gaps that once seemed impossible.
I may have been the first to take that step off the cliff, but I will not be the last.
Because once one person proves it can be done, others begin to believe it too.
And that, to me, is the most rewarding part of this story, not the homes I have sold, but the hope I have helped build.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Becoming a blind realtor has been one of the most rewarding yet challenging journeys of my life. There are many things that most real estate agents take for granted, simple tasks that are not so simple when you are visually impaired.
Driving to show homes, for example, is not an option for me. Instead, I have built a strong and trusted team around me. They help with the things I cannot do alone, allowing me to focus on what I do best: connecting with people, marketing homes, and using technology to give my clients the best possible experience.
The tools of the trade are also different for me. The typical skills that a realtor uses, such as entering listings into the MLS or preparing online marketing materials, can be more challenging for someone who is visually impaired. I rely on accessibility software, screen readers, and other adaptive tools to accomplish what others may do with a mouse and a glance. It takes patience and persistence, but it is absolutely possible.
Another ongoing challenge is educating the public. Many people still assume that if someone is visually impaired, they cannot perform at the same level as their sighted peers. The truth is quite the opposite. I have found that determination, discipline, and creativity often come naturally to those who face such challenges.
Before entering real estate, I spent about fifteen years as a college professor, teaching technology and inspiring students to succeed in a competitive digital world. My background is deeply rooted in education and technology. I hold a PhD in Business with an emphasis in Technology, a Master’s degree in Technology, and nine premium Microsoft certifications. I am also a Certified Microsoft Trainer, a Certified Ethical Hacker, and I now hold seven advanced certifications in real estate.
Education has always been one of my greatest passions. I believe a person can never have too much knowledge or too many skills. That belief continues to guide me today as I complete a second master’s degree in Technical Education and prepare to enter a program for my second doctorate, also in Education.
Through my work, I have discovered that educating others is just as important as achieving personal success. My mission now is to help the world see that people who are visually impaired are just as capable, intelligent, and professional as anyone else. In many ways, we have developed strengths that others might never have to use.
Educating people that the visually impaired are just as capable as anyone else has become my mantra. It is the message I share with every client, colleague, and student I meet. Because the truth is, success is not about what you can see with your eyes, but what you can envision with your heart and mind.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Answer: What I Do and What Sets Me Apart
In my work as a real estate agent, I specialize in giving every client a true luxury experience, no matter the size or value of their property. I believe every homeowner deserves the same level of care, attention, and professional quality that million-dollar listings receive.
For my listing clients, I treat each one as if they are a multimillion-dollar client. I use the same advanced marketing tools and techniques that are typically reserved for high-end luxury homes. Every listing receives a full virtual tour, a Zillow 3-D walkthrough, and a professionally produced video tour. I also make extensive use of social media and targeted digital marketing to ensure maximum exposure. Many of my listings are seen by hundreds of thousands of potential buyers. In my former IT career, companies invested thousands of dollars for my expertise to help them rise to the top of the internet. That experience taught me how to make any brand stand out, and today, I bring that same powerful strategy to my real estate clients. As a former college professor who taught advanced technology marketing, I now use those same skills and insights to give my clients an unmatched advantage in showcasing and selling their homes.
Whether I am representing a forty-five-thousand-dollar lot or a five-million-dollar home, my clients receive the same dedication and top-tier service. I treat each one the way I would want to be treated — with honesty, respect, and excellence.
My technology background gives me a unique advantage in this business. With over thirty years of experience in information technology, I understand how to use digital tools and artificial intelligence to make listings stand out and reach the right audience. This approach has proven to be very effective. My listings often sell in a matter of days or even hours, rather than the weeks or months that are typical in many markets.
What I am most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. I have built my business on integrity, innovation, and the belief that everyone deserves the best possible service. What sets me apart is not only my technology expertise but also my heart for people and my commitment to going above and beyond in everything I do.
What makes you happy?
There are many things that bring me happiness in my work, but few moments compare to the excitement of calling a client and telling them we have an offer on their property within just hours or days of listing it. Seeing their joy, hearing the relief in their voice, and knowing that my extra effort made a difference is incredibly rewarding. I take great pride in going the extra mile to make every client feel special, valued, and truly cared for.
Beyond real estate transactions, what touches my heart most is the impact my journey has had on others. When members of the visually impaired community reach out to me to learn how I am able to work successfully as a realtor, it reminds me why I do what I do. Many of them become inspired to pursue their own real estate license and begin a new career that changes their lives and their families’ futures.
That kind of inspiration is an amazing feeling. Knowing that my story can help others believe in themselves and open doors to new opportunities gives my work a deeper purpose. It proves that success is not limited by what we can see, but by what we are willing to believe is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DrBrianJonesRealtor.com
- Other: https://RyanHutsellProperties.com
