Helen Adams, a sixth-generation Charlottean, had real estate in her blood. With a great-grandfather who led Charlotte’s Mutual Building and Loan Association and a father who owned multiple drugstores and managed extensive land holdings, her transition into a real estate career in 1973 seemed predestined. And in 1975, when she founded Helen Adams Realty with four female colleagues, she solidified a foundation, built on family values, for a successful real estate company that has flourished for nearly half a century. Now, as Helen’s son Jeff transitions from president to CEO and readies himself to pass the torch to the newest generation, the future of Helen Adams Realty is shining bright as ever.
Still remembered fondly by those in the community who knew and worked with her, Helen was more than a businesswoman—she was a trailblazer, a visionary, and a self-described optimist who believed in finding the goodness in life. Likewise, Jeff Adams built upon his mother’s legacy, growing the company from a single office with six agents to a thriving enterprise with four offices and 240 agents. This is the same level of grit, determination, and love that her grandchildren, Frank Adams and Rebecca Adams Starrs, plan to deliver to the Charlotte community as they assume leadership in the company as co-presidents.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to lead our family’s business into its next chapter. Our mom and dad have been integral parts of the firm, and our two sisters are also involved as agents,” says Starrs. “Our dad raised us to be good stewards of the firm’s legacy. We work every day to uphold our mission to be the best possible business partners we can be to our agents so that they can provide the highest level of service to our clients.”
Frank and Rebecca have worked side-by-side with their father to ensure a smooth transition. “In a family business, everyone wears all hats and no one is above any job. Rebecca and I have complementary strengths, and there has been a very natural progression into our roles as co-presidents,” says Frank.
The duo also pledges to honor their family’s ongoing commitment to the community through their steadfast dedication to the UNCC scholarship that the firm established in Helen’s honor. The merit-based scholarship supports incoming freshmen with a preference for local students. Frank, Rebecca, and Jeff are also proud to have a phenomenal staff who drive the firm’s core services. In addition to their exceptional in-house marketing agency, they offer a robust technology platform, outstanding administrative functions, and affiliated services for mortgage, title, and insurance.
Next year, Helen Adams Realty will celebrate a half-century in business. “We want to be the steady ship. We’ve been here for fifty years and we expect to be here for fifty more, always keeping our grandmother’s and father’s legacy and our mission to be the best business partner possible at the center of everything we do,” says Starrs. “We offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last fifty years, and we’re thrilled and humbled to be able to reflect on this journey."
Originally printed in Home Design & Decor Magazine