Garrett Cox was only 20 years old when he found himself managing the finance office at a Marion County car dealership.
It was a role that demanded far more than selling vehicles. Every day brought lessons in lending, negotiations, marketing, business management and customer service. Looking back, Cox sees those early years as the training ground for the career he would eventually build.
Today, five years into real estate, the Chattanooga Realtor still relies on many of those same skills. But while the industry changed, one thing remained constant: helping people make important financial decisions.
“I enjoy helping people navigate one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives,” Cox tells Greater Chattanooga Realtors in a July 7 interview published on the organization’s website. “I like solving problems, managing complex transactions and negotiating successful outcomes.”
Before entering real estate, Cox also worked as a junior financial adviser intern with Northwestern Mutual in downtown Chattanooga, where he says mentor Bryce Thomas helped shape both his professional outlook and his approach to serving clients.
Those experiences, combined with an entrepreneurial drive, ultimately convinced him that real estate offered something unique: the opportunity to build a business of his own while making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Built on relationships
Ask Cox what he enjoys most about being a Realtor, and he talks about people.
“The people have always been my favorite part,” he says. “Clients, colleagues and everyone who’s supported me through friendship.”
That relationship-first mindset has become the cornerstone of his business. While every transaction presents its own challenges, Cox says the real reward comes from earning clients’ trust during what’s often one of the biggest purchases or sales they’ll ever make.
Owning his own business has also been deeply rewarding.
“I love having the ability to create something that’s totally mine,” he says. “Sure, there are challenges to being a business owner, but it’s rewarding.”
That entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond serving clients. Cox believes investing in the real estate profession itself is equally important, which led him to take on leadership responsibilities with Greater Chattanooga Realtors.
For him, serving on the association’s board presents an opportunity to help strengthen the profession while learning alongside other industry leaders.
“This business thrives when we all work together,” he says. “Serving in a leadership capacity allows me to serve members while continuing my own development.”
Beyond the transaction
Cox encourages fellow Realtors – especially newer members – to take advantage of the association’s resources, from free continuing education courses to committee service and networking opportunities.
He also wishes more consumers understood what the Realtor designation actually means.
While all Realtors are licensed real estate agents, not all real estate agents are Realtors. Members voluntarily agree to follow a strict Code of Ethics that emphasizes honesty, professionalism, integrity and putting clients’ interests first.
For Cox, that distinction matters because buying or selling property isn’t simply another transaction.
“It’s about earning trust, providing knowledgeable guidance and being accountable throughout the entire process,” he says.
That philosophy carries over into his personal reading as well. One of the books he recommends most often is “The Go-Giver,” which argues that long-term success comes from creating value for others rather than focusing solely on personal gain.
The lesson resonates with Cox because it mirrors the way he approaches both business and life.
Success, he says, isn’t measured only by closings or awards. It’s built through authentic relationships, consistent service and a willingness to help others without expecting something in return.
For someone who entered real estate with dreams of building a business from the ground up, that mindset has become both his blueprint and his measure of success. Whether he’s guiding first-time homebuyers, negotiating a complicated deal or serving fellow Realtors, Cox believes the strongest foundations are built long before the paperwork is signed.