Every risk I took, every adventure I embarked on, gave me the grit and perspective to build something entirely my own. When the moment came, I was ready to break rules, rewrite the playbook, and make a real impact.

“You’re working too quickly—we need to bill the government more hours,” my boss said. In that moment, I knew I was ready for a change. At the time, I was working as an Editor for a government contractor at the Department of Health and Human Services in D.C., which entailed a lot of inefficient processes that I quickly streamlined. After being self-employed for so long, it was extremely difficult to go back to being an employee. And worse, told to slow down. That same day, I went on Craigslist, found a listing for a real estate assistant, and applied immediately.

That’s how I met Polly Driscoll, a top-producing REALTOR® who changed my life. She taught me what it meant to lead with ethics, to serve clients with intention, and to build a sustainable business. She showed me that success wasn’t just about numbers—it was about quality of life, making time for yourself and your loved ones. Her mentorship gave me a new vision for what real estate could do.

Betting on myself and taking on challenges was nothing new to me. After losing my father at a young age, faith became a constant in my life. It helped me navigate grief and gave me a deeper sense of purpose and drive. Nothing is guaranteed in life, so I wanted to make the most of it. I started college part-time at Penn State at 13, transferred to the University of Maryland at 16, and by 19, I was winning national PR awards while juggling three jobs. I gained hands-on experience in branding and marketing, building a successful career at a young age. 

When I won the Daniel J. Edelman Public Relations Student of the Year Award, it came with an internship anywhere in the world—I chose Los Angeles. The second I arrived, I knew I was home. I pivoted into acting and singing full-time. I worked a variety of jobs, from front desk work to selling imported Italian tile and waiting tables—you name it, I did it. That chapter taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of pursuing my passions.

When I came back to LA, I was determined to continue in real estate. I met a renovation resale client and told him, honestly, “I don’t have any other clients right now—I can give you 100% of my attention.” He took a chance on me. After I delivered on that first project, he kept bringing me more. Eventually, he was the one who encouraged me to open my own brokerage and market the homes the way I knew they should be.

I founded ACME Real Estate in 2011 to create the kind of brokerage I couldn’t find—client-focused, design-forward, and rooted in integrity. I wanted to elevate how homes were presented, renovated, and overall experienced. I built ACME as a space where creative marketing, strategic resale, and high-touch service could coexist. Along the way, I’ve helped launch the careers of photographers, stagers, designers, and agents who share that same vision. ACME became known for bold aesthetics, innovative listings, and a reputation for doing things differently without ever cutting corners or compromising what matters. I’ve kept the team intentionally small because quality matters more to me than scale. 

In 2021, I partnered with Heather Unger, an incredible broker in Orlando, and together we co-founded ACME Florida. That expansion made us bi-coastal, with Heather running the Florida team, while I lead our Los Angeles team of 35 agents. My two children are my ultimate motivation, wanting to build a legacy while also prioritizing time with them because, as Polly taught me, you have to have balance.

Real estate gave me the freedom to build a life on my terms, and I’ve made it my mission to help others do the same. 

I’ve made it my mission to share what I’ve learned through as many avenues as possible. I wrote Break Up! With Your Rental to help professional women build wealth through real estate. I’ve dedicated myself to educating others through seminars, speaking engagements, podcasting, and television. I created the Agent Ascent Training Program to fill the mentorship gap in our industry so agents can confidently and ethically perform their job. I’ve also launched the Under All Is The Land and The Clean Close podcasts to bring honesty and real conversations to real estate. Whether I’m guiding clients through major life transitions or training new agents, my mission stays the same: to empower people to use real estate as a tool for financial freedom, stability, and legacy.

That mission comes in how I’ve shaped ACME to serve our clients. We specialize in renovation resale with in-house design and an engaged audience that loves designer homes at any price point. I’ve created a non-corporate, creative space where we move fast, think differently, and deliver bold, story-driven marketing. From viral moments like a mini horse at an open house to our home fragrance line, we bring lifestyle and strategy together—for real results our clients can count on! 

 

Sincerely,

 

  Courtney Poulos