ACME Real Estate, a Los Angeles-based independent boutique brokerage founded by Courtney Poulos, is joining forces with SERHANT. after 15 years of independence. The move, announced this week, positions ACME as a team under the SERHANT. brand, aiming to combine boutique service with the reach of a major real estate brand.
Industry pressures, including brokerage-platform deals, AI-driven marketing tools, and shifting listing distribution models, have forced independent brokerages to adapt. Poulos views the partnership as a proactive strategy rather than a concession. “We’re at this critical moment where we have an opportunity to lean into our already innovative business model and take it to the next level with the support of a very high-visibility brand,” she said.
Poulos had previously turned down acquisition offers, but she found SERHANT. aligned with ACME’s culture. “We now have the ability to have a partnership with a brokerage that has the same philosophy and is very forward-thinking and edgy and not stuck in the weeds,” she said. Ryan Serhant, founder and CEO of SERHANT., noted in an official announcement that “the demand for SERHANT. in California made this move a natural next step.”
ACME will maintain its identity and collaborative structure, where agents share deals when mutually beneficial. “I still believe in the independence of the agent,” Poulos said. “I still want the individual success of every agent, building a successful business and appreciating the group energy and collaboration.” The culture emphasizes a startup mentality: never get stale, change on a dime.
In the competitive Los Angeles market, top-tier marketing resources and brand recognition are essential. The partnership addresses these needs while preserving personalized service. “At the end of the day, the consumer is the beneficiary of our approach,” Poulos said. “We’re a people business, not a product business. The platform serves the agents, who serve the clients.”
Looking forward, Poulos sees the move as positioning ACME for a future defined by AI-enabled agents. “The future belongs to the AI-enabled agent,” she said. “The future belongs to the innovative, liberated from bureaucracy type of agent.” For other boutique brokerage owners, she advises: “Think about where the industry is headed, not just where it’s been. Make choices that align with your values and vision, not just what’s comfortable or familiar.”
