If you’re reading this, you know that Smith & Berg Partners is one of the top real estate teams in America. And you’re probably well aware that we have the industry’s leading digital magazine. But, there’s a lot more to us than meets the eye, like how we’re a bunch of big-hearted, food-loving, adventure-seeking real estate experts. The list goes on.
That’s why this week, we interviewed SBP team members to learn about how they got started in the real estate biz, plus their top restaurant recommendations in Los Angeles (our blog is called Tacos & Tequila, after all). And since that hardly covers all the bases, we’ve rounded up a few stellar stats that define who SBP is and who we’re becoming — one epic sale, charitable event, and media feature at a time.
WHO IS SBP?
The Brainchild of F. Ron Smith & David Berg; sit down with them HERE
The force behind real estate’s leading digital magazine, TACOS & TEQUILA
The reason for $568,559,753 in SALES VOLUME and $133,698,742 through REFERRALS in 2021
Featured in Architectural Digest, Los Angeles Business Journal & Los Angeles Times
Press stories in The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, Homes & Gardens, Curbed, Robb Report & MORE
Sponsors of the Children’s Burn Foundation golf tournament in Newport Beach
A team of 18 committed to unparalleled service (and lots of laughs); READ CLIENT TRIBUTES
The Westside’s go-to real estate team to LIST OR SELL YOUR HOME 
F. Ron Smith
How did you get started in real estate?
My family was in the real estate business in Texas and I grew up around it. I left the entertainment business here in LA to start real estate and never looked back.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Violet Bistro in Westwood.
Favorite dish there?
French onion soup followed by steak au poivre (hanger steak and fries). Total comfort in the found and surroundings.
David Berg
How did you get started in real estate?
I took a wrong turn. After college, I was planning on heading to law school. However, I took a summer job with a real estate broker and was intrigued not only by his work ethic but how much fun he was having. I got my license and never looked back.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Favorite dish there?
Everything.
Robert ‘Morty’ Morton
How did you get started in real estate?
I got into real estate after meeting David Berg while he was eating lunch at an open house.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Favorite dish there?
Any of their pastas are my favorites. The steak is also fantastic.
Courtney Welsh
How did you get started in real estate?
My mom became a realtor as a second career when I was 16 years old. I started out stuffing envelopes for her mailings over my holiday and summer breaks. I then worked for the top agent in her office directly out of college. I got my license shortly thereafter, at which point she and I partnered with me running the backend of our business. That’s when I realized I loved real estate administration and I never looked back!
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Favorite dish there?
Reginette Della Mamma paired with a glass of Italian wine from their extensive wine list, of course.
Bobby Neely
How did you get started in real estate?
This is actually my second time around. In 2008, I was in commercial real estate. Of course, we all know how 2008 turned out. I left and started a personal training biz. Then I came back to residential because after 23 years of living in LA, being in the entertainment biz and also in fitness, I’ve built a great network of individuals who I trust and who trust me.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
My favorite restaurant is Jitlada, hands down. It’s an absolute GEM located in a small strip-mall just east of Pantages Theater that specializes in Thai cuisine.
Favorite dish there?
Either the morning glory tiger prawns or Phuket lobster tails.
Parisa Schnider
How did you get started in real estate?
I found homes as a hobby for directors and producers while working as a creative executive in the film industry. After falling in love with it and finding early success, I joined Ron and David at SBP.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Capo.
Favorite dish there?
White corn ravioli with black truffle.
Trevor Edmond
How did you get started in real estate?
My wife was a realtor (before we started our family) and I joined her in 2014 in hopes of starting a husband-wife team. Once we had our first child and she became a fulltime mom, I decided to partner with SBP instead.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Favorite dish there?
Tomahawk pork chop.
Garrett Sanders
How did you get started in real estate?
After working in the hospitality industry as a concierge, the pandemic forced me to make a change. When this position came up, it felt like a perfect merging of my interest in high-end real estate and talents in concierge-level service.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Malama Pono in Sherman Oaks. Pacific-inspired seafood with great staff and atmosphere.
Favorite dish there?
Spicy yellowfin tuna crispy rice to start and horseradish-crusted mahi mahi for dinner.
Ryan Bergum
How did you get started in real estate?
My grandfather was a home-builder in Northern California and both my mom and dad are in the mortgage business. I have always had a fascination with architecture and design, and paired with an intimate understanding of the home-buying/selling process, there was no better industry for me.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Kismet in Los Feliz. It’s the only time I ever venture to the other side of town. Worth it!
Favorite dish there?
My favorite dish is their incredible lamb belly. Melt in your mouth, flavors on flavor!
Sewit Eshetu
How did you get started in real estate?
It all started with Architectural Digest. I used to love reading about beautiful homes and still do. A friend recommended getting my real estate license so that I had an excuse to tour these beautiful homes myself that launched my career with Coldwell Banker.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Felix Trattoria in Venice.
Favorite dish there?
Squash blossoms & bellwether farms ricotta, tonnarelli cacio e pepe and branzino alla brace.
Andres Vargas
How did you get started in real estate?
My interest in real estate started by watching and learning from my family’s developments and renovations. After acquiring my salesperson’s license, SBP brought me on for my first job in the industry.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Damian by Enrique Olvera in DTLA.
Favorite dish there?
Tlayuda & duck al pastor.
Brandon Smith
How did you get started in real estate?
I took a job assuming it would be a short term gig, and now, almost 5 years later, here I am!
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Favorite dish there?
Tagliolini limone.
Nathan Stadler
How did you get started in real estate?
Prior to finding real estate, I failed at the following careers: professional athlete, rockstar, fireman, astronaut. It felt like a natural progression.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Favorite dish there?
Pepperoni Pizza. I have a very sophisticated palate.
Andra Nechita
How did you get started in real estate?
I was pursuing the music industry, with aspirations to work in global marketing for a label until the pandemic hit. Graduating into that led to a complete 180. Haven’t looked back since!
Favorite restaurant in LA?
A tie between Cici’s Cafe in Tarzana and Little Izakaya in Sherman Oaks.
Favorite dish there?
Eggs benedict and green tea tiramisu pancakes / baked crab hand rolls with a side of yuzu.
Katy Yambao
How did you get started in real estate?
Quit my old corporate job, got married and wanted to do something completely different with my life. Moved down to LA, got my license, got introduced to Ron & David and the rest is history
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Pace. It combines two things I love: Italian food and Laurel Canyon.
Favorite dish there?
Bolognese paired with a great Italian red.
Krista Masella
How did you get started in real estate?
I got into real estate when I took a job processing loans for a mortgage broker. I quickly realized that I wanted to be on the sales side of the industry, so I began working as the Operations Manager for an agent duo in Studio City and the rest is history.
Favorite restaurant in LA?
Favorite dish there?
Tacos de Camarón with octopus ceviche on top. Taco trucks are an LA staple and one of the features that makes this city so great!