More About Marcel

The Mind (and Heart) Behind Genuine Property Management

Marcel Ford attended the University of Southern California Business School’s Entrepreneur Program and lives in Newport Beach with his family.

Marcel obtained his California real estate license in 1992 and quickly began using it to purchase several bank-owned properties for renovation and resale in Orange County. Despite a challenging real estate market at the time, Marcel’s entrepreneurial spirit thrived.

In 1993, Marcel founded Simply Silk, a silk plant cleaner for the retail market. Within eighteen months, the product was sold in over 125 Costco locations. He continued to expand his product line into several categories, eventually growing his company, Botanical Science, to offer over eighty-five products. These products were available at all major retailers like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club, Toys “R” Us, Michaels Arts & Crafts, Linen’s and Things, PetSmart, PetCo, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Albertsons, and other national chains.

In 2000, during the internet startup boom, Marcel launched CraftProducts.com, the first online arts and crafts superstore, with over 13,000 initial items available online. However, after selling to a public company and subsequent burst of the internet bubble, he returned to Botanical Science. By 2002, with a 150,000-square-foot distribution facility and over 120 employees working around the clock, Marcel decided it was time to sell Botanical Science.

He then returned to his roots in real estate, buying, rehabbing, and reselling homes with a passion for marketing. Within just a few years, Marcel became one of the largest home buyers in Southern California, purchasing and personally reselling approximately 75 homes annually. His success was largely attributed to effective marketing campaigns and became a staple in TV commercials, billboards, direct mail, and a strong online presence.

Marcel’s desire to focus on the more fortunate side of real estate led him to found Old Newport Realty, which reflects the casually elegant, yet upscale culture of Newport Beach. As client requests for property management services grew, he founded Genuine Property Management, which quickly became a leading provider of property management in Orange County and Long Beach under management. Through exceptional marketing, a unique business model, and a relentless commitment to quality service, his company now manages nearly seven hundred properties in just over six years—and continues to grow.

Don’t be fooled by Marcel’s good looks – and sense of humor. His attention to detail, tireless work ethic, unparalleled experience, and world-class professionalism make him a standout in the industry.