A decade ago, Julia Wesselkamper, an award-winning Realtor, was introduced to Julie Johnson, a sergeant at the Cincinnati Police Department, by a mutual acquaintance. The pair attended a Reds baseball game together and clicked instantaneously.
“All Julie and I did was talk about family and faith,” Wesselkamper says. “She showed me a photo of her father holding her as a little girl, and the rest is history!”
Since meeting and eventually marrying, this dynamic duo has become a Cincinnati powerhouse in business and in the Queen City’s philanthropic and arts communities.
“This city is so welcoming and accepting. It’s our home, and we want to give back everything we can,” says Wesselkamper, owner of The Julia Wesselkamper Group and founder and CEO of the Home Staging company that bears her name — Stage It by Julia.
Wesselkamper and Johnson were born and raised in Cincinnati, a city they both adore. The couple share a love for dynamic and meaningful engagement in charitable and civic causes, and the arts, from the Greater Cincinnati Human Rights Campaign, Lighthouse Youth and Family Services and Planned Parenthood to the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Cincinnati Opera.
They also love supporting several local nonprofit organizations, including LaSoupe, dedicated to rescuing and repurposing excess food to feed those experiencing food insecurity; PFLAG Cincinnati, committed to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families; and GLSEN Greater Cincinnati, an educational group which works to end discrimination, harassment and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, in grades K-12.
The Cincinnati Opera recently recognized Wesselkamper and Johnson for their charitable and community contributions. Their support of the Opera’s Pride events throughout the years earned them an award at the 15th Annual Pride Night, a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community in Greater Cincinnati.
“We were humbled to be honored by an organization promoting inclusivity and betterment for the LGBTQIA+ community,” Wesselkamper says. “We live our lives, run our businesses and give back to our community in ways that communicate love and equality for all people, and we hope that inspires others to do the same.”
Wesselkamper, a world-class Realtor, has been making waves in the real estate industry since 1987. Her expertise and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including being the #1 Agent at CB Realty Central Regional Office from 2016 to current, and a consistent member of the Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society since 2001. Her success is not only recognized locally but also on a national level, as she has been ranked in the Top 1% of all National Realty Trust Agents in the U.S. since 2008.
Her exceptional business skills, coupled with her passion for community service, truly set her apart from others in the real estate industry.
Wesselkamper’s Staging and styling prowess is best described as magical. She credits her talent to a lifelong passion — and perhaps a genetic twist.
“It’s true,” she says with a smile. “I walk into a space, immediately see what it can be and then bring my vision to life.”
According to Wesselkamper, some homeowners don’t realize just how crucial Staging is to the successful sale of a home. “The numbers don’t lie,” she says. “Our Staging nets our clients thousands more dollars and ensures the sale of their homes.”
Wesselkamper feels fortunate to have found a kindred spirit who shares her Home Staging passion in Jackie Klein, Operations Manager of Stage It by Julia.
“We’re both obsessed with results, so we painstakingly work the transformation process for each and every property we represent,” says Wesselkamper. They have watched clients burst into tears over the magnificent Staging that so splendidly showcases their homes for potential buyers. More than one client has considered keeping rather than selling their home after seeing it so wondrously restyled.
Wesselkamper continues to abide by the advice often shared by her paternal grandmother who lived during the Great Depression. “She always said, ‘Waste not, want not,’” Wesselkamper recalls. “She had a deep appreciation for everything and never wasted a moment, let alone a piece of paper. I apply this personally and professionally.”
The Julia Wesselkamper Group’s long-term goal is to continue to grow one of the top all-female real estate teams in the nation and create a legacy plan for our younger team members, Wesselkamper notes.
Wesselkamper and Johnson’s legacy, however, is not limited to professional achievements. Watching their son, Chad, perform as the principal double bassist at Carnegie Hall three times — let alone the first time — stands out as one of the couple’s most treasured moments together. It’s an experience Wesselkamper characterizes as “surreal.”
“We are beyond proud of him,” she says.
In addition to sharing a home, a business and a commitment to community involvement, Wesselkamper and Johnson share a passion for their pups, Zuri and Beaux, two French bulldogs whom they dote on daily.
“I maintain that Julie has spoiled them rotten, and she maintains that it was my idea to get them in the first place,” Wesselkamper says, with a chuckle.
Not that Johnson is complaining.
“I can’t imagine a home without dogs!” she says.
Wesselkamper and Johnson also professes a strong attachment to Indian Hill, where they reside. Wesselkamper, who grew up in Kenwood and graduated from Indian Hill High School, relishes her role as a corporate sponsor of the Indian Hill Historical Society. As a successful, top-selling Realtor, Wesselkamper takes great pleasure in assisting people in finding their ideal homes.”
“Julie and I cannot imagine ever leaving the Indian Hill community,” Wesselkamper says. “We love living here. It’s home to us!”
Don’t miss the opportunity to find your dream home! Contact the Julia Wesselkamper Group and let them show you the best properties in the Greater Cincinnati area. Email them at Julia@juliawesselkampergroup.com, visit their website at www.thejuliawesselkampergroup.com or call 513-720-4496.