In a town where real estate signs line most corners, it takes a special kind of realtor to stand out. In Aiken, two of those realtors just so happen to be best friends who laugh loudly, pray often and genuinely love helping people. Danny Minolfo and Dean Cavero may work independently, but anyone who meets them quickly realizes they are a matched set in all the best ways. Their approach is warm, joy-centered, faith-driven and unmistakably human, making real estate feel less like a transaction and more like an experience.
Minolfo’s story starts in men’s fashion, a world he adored for over twenty years. He loved the people, the personal service and the chance to help others feel confident. But during his morning Bible study sessions with Cavero, he began praying for clarity about the future. Something was shifting in his heart. In 2019, he made a bold leap of faith, sold his shares of Lionel Smith Ltd., and earned his real estate license. When the world shut down during COVID, real estate surged and he stepped through the door that opened. Helping families make one of the biggest decisions of their lives felt just as meaningful as helping someone choose the perfect suit. It became clear he had not only found a career but a calling.
Cavero’s path toward real estate was slower but no less rooted in prayer. After twenty-five years in logistics, he had built a stable career, but not one that ignited passion. Minolfo saw something in Cavero long before he saw it in himself and nudged him repeatedly. Cavero’s wife Shannon encouraged him to pray about the possibility of change, and slowly, signs began pointing toward a new direction. Cavero’s faith guided every step. “Christ is the foundation,” he says. “Every major decision starts with prayer.” When he helped his first clients discover Aiken, its neighborhoods, hidden gems and quirks, he felt something click. Guiding people through such a personal transition lit a spark he had been missing for years. Real estate wasn’t just a job. It was a new beginning God had prepared him for.
The two friends share a bond built long before their careers aligned. They met in college, reconnected through fashion and became close after deciding to hold each other accountable in their faith. What started as quick morning Bible studies grew into a brotherhood. They encourage one another, challenge one another and strengthen one another daily. Their families jokingly describe them as inseparable, and professionally, that closeness becomes an advantage for their clients. Minolfo brings the big-picture thinking, the natural storyteller’s charm and a gift for connection. Cavero brings the analytic mind, the love of data and the tech-savvy edge. They operate independently, but when needed, the other steps in without hesitation. Clients often say they get two realtors for the price of one.
What the public sees, especially through their social media reels, is humor and personality that make them unforgettable. Their reels began as casual conversations and evolved into a blend of real estate insight, local storytelling and good-natured entertainment. Their wives know exactly how much fun the men have creating the videos. “They don’t have a serious bone in their bodies,” Jennifer Minolfo says with a smile. Their daughters agree. Sophie jokes, “I don’t know why I’m in school when Dad and Dean clearly make reels for a living!” McKenzie adds that watching them make people laugh shows just how much they love what they do.
Family is the heart of everything for both men. Minolfo’s daughters and wife, Jennifer, describe him as loving, funny and deeply supportive. “He taught me the importance of waiting on God,” McKenzie shares. “I watched him walk through uncertainty with prayer and faith.” Sophie adds, “He always makes sure we’re laughing and having a good time.” Cavero’s wife, Shannon, and daughters have watched him transform into someone excited to wake up each day, confident in his purpose and grateful for his work. “When his work ethic aligned with something he truly loved, I knew he was exactly where he belonged,” Shannon says. Their daughters echo her pride. Olivia notes he seems more sure of himself, and Harper says, “He’s more excited to wake up and go to his job.”
As they look ahead, the two are excited about new construction projects, investment ventures, creative collaborations and continued growth. But more than anything, they remain committed to serving with integrity, joy and unwavering faith. For Minolfo and Cavero, success is measured not in numbers but by the people they serve and lives they touch. And in Aiken, their impact is only just beginning.
“Christ is the foundation,” he says. “Every major decision starts with prayer.”
Sophie jokes, “I don’t know why I’m in school when Dad and Dean clearly make reels for a living!”
“He taught me the importance of waiting on God,” McKenzie shares