Tyler Capelotti is out of bed by 6 a.m. every day, never later. He packs lunches for his daughters, gets them out the door and drops them off at Elliott Point. Four days a week, that drop-off is the one block on his calendar he won’t move.
- Capelotti moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1994, and aside from a seven-year stretch in Orlando, he’s called it home ever since. He joined Coastal Realty Services in 2010 and spent the better part of a decade leading its operations team as director of property management.
For the last 16 months or so, he’s been the company’s business development manager, and he’s a licensed Realtor, too. Most days, he’s juggling around 150 work texts and emails and trying to have at least three new conversations about what Coastal is doing differently.
In this edition of How I Work, sponsored by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, Capelotti talks about the career advice that stuck with him, why he skips music at his desk and how riding on Coastal’s float changed the way he sees the Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade.
Are you a lifelong local? If not, where are you from originally and how did you end up in the area?
I moved here in 1994. I was in Orlando from 2003 to 2010, but FWB has always been and always will be home for me.
What’s your current job title and where do you work?
I have been at Coastal Realty Services since 2010 and have been the business development manager for the last 16 months or so. Before that, I led the operations team as director of property management for the better part of a decade. I am also a licensed Realtor with Coastal.
What’s your morning routine?
I am out of bed by 6 a.m. every day. Some days, it is earlier, but definitely never later than 6 a.m. I hit the shower immediately and then make lunch for my girls before I have to get them up at 7 a.m. to start their day. We are out the door by about 8 a.m. so I can drop them off at Elliott Point before starting my day.
That drop-off is one of the most important time blocks on my calendar, and four out of five days a week, it’s non-negotiable for me. I have a staff meeting on Mondays, but those other days are our time to connect before we all go our separate ways for the day.
Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.
In real estate, no matter the job title, there is nothing “typical” about a workday. One of the things I love about my job is that no two days are usually the same.
I reserve two to three days a week for prospecting, follow-up and paperwork, but which days I use for those activities depends on the rest of my schedule that week. Some days are full of meetings and networking, and other days I’m setting up to host and sponsor events. I can be presenting to new clients over coffee to sell our services or working on our community outreach by attending a city or Chamber function.
No matter my schedule for the day, I try to have at least three new conversations about what we offer and what we are doing differently at Coastal Realty Services.
What’s the first thing you do when you get to work (or start your workday)?
The first thing I do to start my workday is check my email and my calendar. My calendar helps me be where I am expected or committed to be, and I use my email as a daily to-do list.
What tools, apps or gadgets can’t you live without?
My most used apps are the Gmail app, the text message app, my MLS app and my CRM (customer relationship management). I live and die by those apps and probably average around 150 texts and emails per day that are strictly work-related.
Apple or Android?
Apple.
What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?
My go-to tea order is anything sour from Dreamcoast! I also love a good coffee and am a frequent flier at Main Brew, typically for something iced.
What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?
Pounders is right down from the office, and their to-go pickup is usually on point.
What’s one local business you love supporting?
Oh man, that is a tough one. I really enjoy spending my money with local businesses anytime I can, as I want to show appreciation for those folks who support their families by providing a service or meeting a need here in our local community. I try to hit Thick Cookie once a month to try whatever flavors they are featuring.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Show up early and act professional; everything else will work itself out.
If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?
To keep my head down and just do the work. Too often, I would get caught up in the outcome, but over time I have realized that if I just keep my head down and do what is necessary, it will all work out.
How do you unwind after a long day?
Nothing beats ending the day hanging out with my wife and daughters. It doesn’t matter what we do. Sometimes we walk the pier and watch the sunset, or we cook dinner together. Other times we play a board game, or I’m on the sideline coaching one of their sports teams.
At the end of the day, no matter the successes or challenges I had that particular day, the love they have for me is unconditional, and ending my day with them helps keep me grounded in what’s really important.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am a small group leader at Beachside Church and have been for the last eight years. I spent five years leading fifth-grade boys, but I am currently leading a group of sixth-grade boys and have been with this particular group since they were in fourth grade. Lord willing, I plan to continue to lead them through middle school and high school.
What’s your favorite local event or tradition?
That’s tough, but if I have to choose one, it’s the FWB Christmas Parade. I was a spectator for many years, but Coastal will have a float for the fourth year in a row this year, and seeing it from that side has been super cool.
It is always fun decorating our floats, and then the evening of the parade, all of our staff and their families gather at the office for Chick-fil-A and crafts while we wait for the parade to start. Seeing all the families with their children lining the streets is really cool. It’s a chance for us to give back to many who support us throughout the year.
Early bird or night owl?
I can be either, just not on the same day, but I prefer the morning. I like the calmness and stillness in my backyard when no one else is up yet. I can see the sunrise just over my fence line, and I try to catch it as often as I can.
Most used emoji?
Probably depends on who I am texting, but the saluting face is the most universally used as of late.
Music while working: yes or no? (If yes, what’s on your playlist?)
Negative. I get distracted trying to play DJ. And no one wants to hear me sing or see me dance, so silence is best for everyone.
Favorite motivational quote?
“The only thing I can control is how hard I work.” (Kobe Bryant)
Standing desk or sitting? Mix?
My desk does both. I try to stand for at least a portion of my day, especially after lunch, but I sit more than I stand for sure.
If you could give any advice to someone getting into the same field as you, what would it be?
Don’t. No, I am kidding. It would be to jump in with both feet. This isn’t something you can do part time; you have to commit. And it would be to pair yourself with a good mentor and broker who align with your personal goals, whatever those may be.
Are you a member of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce?
Absolutely. I am grateful to be a participating member of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber.
