Three clients called within the first week asking me to park my license with them until I got on my feet. My husband said, “Why not try?” Charles Townsend, founder of Anchor Associates in Cincinnati, offered to mentor me through the licensing process. That’s how Anchor Retail began: with licensing exams, countless late nights, and the generous guidance of a dear mentor.
Looking back, two extraordinary lessons shaped my path: the power of letting go and having faith. I live by the sayings, “When God closes one door, another opens” and “No person or circumstance is responsible for my life’s reality, nor destiny, other than me and God.”
Through every challenge, setback, and unexpected win, there were lessons to be learned. God has a way of taking the wrong people out of your life and placing the right ones in. He “takes” as fast as He “gives.” This lesson in surrender has been the foundation of everything we’ve built at Anchor Retail.
2025: A Year of Recognition and Growth
This past year has been transformative for Anchor Retail in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
We’ve been honored with recognition from GlobeSt.com as one of the Best Places to Work in Commercial Real Estate. I was featured in an ICSC article highlighting rare female-owned businesses in commercial real estate, and earned GlobeSt’s Women of Influence recognition, a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we can go in creating opportunities for women in this industry.
Speaking of social media, we also tested a hypothesis: that CRE professionals were hungry for authentic content, not corporate polish. The company account grew by over 3,000 followers; my personal account by over 7,000. The video series I launched sparked conversations at conferences and in DMs—proof that transparency resonates. As a cherry on top, I was honored to be ranked #48/150 on CREi Summit ‘s most-followed list for CRE professionals on LinkedIn, proof that authentic connection and sharing our journey resonates. With this experience in hand, I now serve on Realty Resources ‘ Marketing board, helping expand the reach of their network to help more brokers in the industry.
I also had the privilege of sharing our story on several amazing podcasts this year, as well as starting a well-received video series of my own. From Amy Calandrino CCIM SIOR ‘s Performance Mindset (which ranks in the top 5% of all podcasts!) to Allison S. Weiss ‘ The Spotlight: A Women Speak CRE Podcast, to speaking on The Crexi Podcast and Chris Ressa ‘s Retail Retold. These platforms have allowed me to connect with incredible people and share the lessons I’ve learned along this entrepreneurial journey.
Our Team: The Heart of Anchor Retail
I’m especially grateful to the three people who took the risk with me during that first Thanksgiving week in 2016: Greg Guyuron , Christopher McFarland , and Matt Wilson . Nine years later, they’re still here.
Greg and Matt are big rain makers, and they are both now rolling out two of the largest retailers in Ohio: Greg with Academy Sports + Outdoors and Matt with Meijer , among their various other clients they support. Chris has been busy securing multiple gas station deals and leasing drug stores and new vacant single NNN buildings for various REITS in Ohio. And then there’s Matt, who fills our office with laughter and keeps us grounded, and whose wisdom and guidance in dealmaking are invaluable to many here. Together, we grew from a small team into a family, driven daily by purpose and heart.
Today, we’re 12 people across offices in Cleveland and Columbus, part of the Commercial Real Estate Alliance’s Realty Resources network. To date, we’ve closed just under a thousand transactions, leased millions of square feet, and sold over 500 acres of land across 15 states. We keep adding new accounts and business, and our numbers keep rising.
Gratitude for the Village
To all of our clients and my team, Anchor Retail’s fantastic marketing, finance, and research team making it all happen: Chris, Angela, Sharon, and Katherine. Anchor Retail’s amazing retail and investment brokers Allison Giomuso , Jimmy DiFonzo , Arthur K. , Angela Greiner ; and my partner in Anchor’s Third Party Property Management Company, Mark: thank you for your loyalty and trust. You’re the foundation of our success, and without you, there is no Anchor Retail.
To our incredible partners—Andrew for IT, Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP, Maloney + Novotny LLC, VPSS, and all our program vendors—thank you for the support that allows us to grow.
And to those who have been with me behind the scenes: Charlie Townsend, my now happily retired former partner; my husband Jonathan Nook, MBA ; my father-in-law, William Nook, Sr. ; my attorney Jon Pinney , and my mom, Christine, who helped me navigate those long 12+ hour days in the early years. Your belief in me has been my guiding light. And to my children, Colten, Christina, and Bryson, thank you for grounding me in life’s most important things.
Looking Forward
Year ten starts with new large multi‑market leasing assignments that lets us do what we do best: pair local insight with national reach. It’s the kind of mandate that turns momentum into measured impact. Because we are a data‑forward boutique that out‑hustles the big shops and national‑brand reach with boutique speed and care. We’ll keep turning underperforming centers into performing assets—block by block, helping founder‑led and franchise brands scale with confidence and offering owner’s‑mindset execution from first tour to first dollar.
Want to be part of our journey? Follow us at Anchor Retail to stay updated on our latest deals, market insights, and team adventures. Whether you’re a retailer or restaurant looking to expand, a property owner seeking expertise, or someone inspired by our story. We’d love to connect with you.
With gratitude,
Tori Rendano Nook , CEO/Founder of Anchor Retail
