If loving one's job is the key to a happy life, one won't find two happier people than the mother-and-daughter real estate team of Denise Sutton and Ashley Tullio.

Both have extensive roots in the community. Ashley graduated from Hickory High School in 2001, and Denise (whose maiden name was Joyner) is a Hampton Roads native with roots in Isle of Wight County, going back to the 1600s. Denise's career journey has taken her from helping others sell, rent, and buy homes to holding board positions, company ownership, teaching real estate, and partnering with her daughter, Ashley, to form Sutton Tullio Realty LLC.

Interestingly, that journey began as a Chesapeake police officer from 1979 until 1989. Denise says, "I got my license in 1985, quit the police department in 1989, and in 1991, entered real estate full-time, working for a company in Great Bridge."

Denise handled the unusual move from police work to real estate with ease. "I've been paid my entire life to be a problem solver," she says. "As a police officer, I often went into peoples' homes to help them resolve problems. As a real estate agent, I'm doing the same thing."

Even though Ashley was only two when Denise got her real estate license, she was soon helping with the work. "I'd bribe her to do little jobs like licking stamps for mailings in exchange for ice cream," Denise chuckles. Young Ashley was happy to help.  

"I remember riding on the real estate company's float in the Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade as a little girl and hanging out in the real estate office. I was in awe of the people working there-their energy and focus on serving their clients. When I was 18, I asked Mom if I could be her secretary. Working for her, I learned more about the business, especially how to communicate effectively. After observing other agents for a year, I thought: 'I can do that. I've been around real estate all my life.' I got my license through a correspondence course-which might be hard for some people because they don't know the terminology, but I'd grown up hearing it. At 19, I had my license and was working in the industry."

Denise laughs: "Ashley was so young that for her first year as an agent, she couldn't attend the annual real estate association party because they served alcohol and she was underage!"

"Most people learn by osmosis," Ashley observes, "so starting out, I had what most people pay thousands of dollars for-one-on-one mentorship from a successful, experienced agent, my Mom. Part of my evolution from being a secretary at age 18 to now owning my own company has been my ability to adapt to changing markets. During the 2008 housing bubble, markets changed, so I became a Certified Distressed Property Expert®. Also, many local military members don't want to give up their houses when they're transferred, so I added property management as a specialty. Over the years, my business grew so much that in 2020 other agents were asking if I wanted to start a real estate company. My Mom is the one person I trusted, so we went into business together."

Denise and Ashley founded Sutton Tullio Realty LLC with an eye on offering customized real estate services, emphasizing property management and residential sales. Ashley is in the field, while Denise is the principal broker, working behind the scenes but occasionally helping owners, buyers, and sellers, too.  

"We work across the entire South Side and northeast North Carolina, counseling people on market conditions and all aspects of real estate so they can make the most informed decision possible," Denise says. "We provide property management in both states and offer one-on-one mentorship to agents who want to learn property management while still maintaining the sales side of their business."

When they're not in work mode, Ashley is actively involved in her children's sports activities, and Denise sings karaoke across Hampton Roads under her alias, Minerva. If anyone sees either of them while they're out and about and asks them about real esate, they're always happy to talk. It's their favorite subject.

"One thing our clients most appreciate is our commitment to communication," Ashley says. "It's as if people today have forgotten how to communicate respectfully and well. If someone calls and leaves a message, I call them right back. A lot of times, they're shocked. 'You're the first person to call me back,' they'll say. Most issues can be resolved with good communication. It's the foundation for every good relationship."

Working alongside this dynamic duo is real estate agent Amy Trahan. Amy's husband is a retired master chief in the United States Navy. His extensive career took them all over the country. Her intimate knowledge of PCS-ing helps ease the stress of any family making the journey. As a result, she became a Navy Ombudsman and now specializes in military relocation-plus, she is a professional stager-interior decorator.

Ashley is also a military spouse, the wife of a career Navy Senior Chief, and the mother of three, with a lifelong commitment to community service. She's the past President of Chesapeake Little League, a former Navy Ombudsman, just like Amy, and someone others call when they need to get something done or a referral to another reputable professional, such as a handyman. "My love language to the world is doing for others," Ashley says. "Acts of service make me feel good. My philosophy is, 'Those who can, should, for those who cannot.' As a community, we're better together."

Ashley and Denise bring that same philosophy to real estate. "Everything we do in real estate is about taking care of people and helping them find a safe, comfortable place to call home," Ashley says. "We always put our clients first and keep things ethical and above board. Be good to people, and they'll be good to you. Money comes and goes, but your reputation-your good name lasts forever."