Tapping into your joy allows you to foster an abundance mindset in all areas of your life. When you understand what makes your light shine, you can serve others even more successfully in your business. What you will learn in this episode: Just how much grit and hustle Jessica needed to get back on her feet after some traumatic events How she learned about time blocking from the Keller Williams team and why it helped her be more present in her life The five balls we have to juggle in life and why some need more care and attention than others Jessica’s journey from brand new real estate agent to managing an uber-successful team of 12 Strategies Jessica uses to turn the light inside her on when she’s low on energy because of external events How Jessica expanded her business from her father’s hospital room Why having an abundance mindset is critical in business How to take even the slightest inkling of self-belief and use it to plan for your success and happiness Why it’s important to tell people that you care about them Fostering an Abundance Mindset I’m super excited to have Jessica on the show with us today. She is a mom, a wife, and a realty rockstar who has so many unique insights to share. I genuinely feel that you will get so many golden nuggets of TRUTH from our conversation. Jessica is the CEO of Starr Realty Group, and since joining Keller Williams in 2010, she has gone from strength to strength despite dealing with considerable trauma in her life, including her husband’s life-changing accident and the death of her beloved father. On the show, we discuss how having an abundance mindset sets you up for amazing business success and why it’s so important to embrace the joy in your life. She Believed She Could, So She Did I was excited to learn that one of Jessica’s key philosophies in life is to strive for success- not perfection. We dive into the importance of being truly present in your life and seizing opportunities that arise rather than worrying about being perfect. Jessica shares why she was never afraid of failure, even when times were at their hardest, because of her unshakeable belief in herself and her ability to keep moving forward. After all, your true riches come from your experiences and the love you have in your life. Moving Forward Successfully Jessica has led her team to HUGE success; she is the #1 profit share earner in the business over the last eight years and is a top Keller Williams Cares contributor. We discuss why she is passionate about making sure that her team members are fulfilled enough in their jobs to let their light shine through. Jessica explains what she learned when she allowed her team to support her when times were tough, and why she believes it is so essential to let people know that you care. About Jessica Starr As the CEO of Starr Realty Group, Jessica Starr led the team to become #1 in volume and total homes sold from 2012 to 2017 and #3 in 2018. Since joining Keller Williams in 2010, Jessica has nurtured and grown her business consistently despite her husband’s traumatic accident and year-long recovery in 2011 and her father’s illness and passing in 2015. During this time, Jessica made countless trips to and from Cleveland to advocate for him and be by his side while supporting her family back home and prospecting for business using the lessons, scripts, and dialogues she learned in BOLD. As a wife and mother of 4 children, Jessica believes in the importance of being present over perfect and time-blocking her schedule to balance her business and personal life. She has been a 5-year member of the ALC, the New England Cultural Ambassador, the first team in Connecticut to hit the coveted MREA status in 2016, a top KW Cares contributor, the #1 profit share earner for the past eight years, and a 16-time BOLD graduate. How to Connect with Jessica Starr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarrTeamCT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicastarrrealtor/ Website: www.StarrRealtyGroup.com Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

Being intentional about how you face the challenges in your life is a huge part of how you can share your joy and light with the world. There is an intrinsic link between your mindset and success in Real Estate. When you have a positive mindset, treat others with respect, and share your authentic self with your community, you will attract abundance in your business. What you will learn in this episode: Rebecca’s experience of starting out in the real estate business working for her dad The point when Rebecca realized real estate was the path for her and she needed to take it seriously  Traumatic experiences in Rebecca’s life that led to her reinventing herself as the short-sale expert in her area Why sometimes our reverses give us the chance to reset and move forward again The importance of being intentional, and the link between a joyous mindset and success in Real Estate Why she is so passionate about educating and empowering her clients to make the best decisions for their families What manifest destiny is and the tragic experiences that Rebecca went through that led her to that belief system How Rebecca learned to turn her tsunami of grief into gratitude and a renewed love of life Rebecca’s firm belief that you should be living your life like you live on vacation, and how doing that has made her business explode Rebecca’s commitment to sharing her knowledge and experience with anyone who wants an insight into the real estate business.  How to be the lighthouse in the storm that’s going on around you  Bring Those Good Vibrations Rebecca Hidalgo Rains is a real estate rock star, whose motto is to live every day like you’re on vacation. Her mantra aligns perfectly with the Pursuing Freedom philosophy! When speaking with a guest on the show, a coaching client, or anyone for that matter, I’m always struck by the visible shift in someone’s entire energy- I love to see when they light up! I see it when they laugh, speak their truth, or talk about something that genuinely excites them. And I saw this in my interview with Rebecca. She is an amazing woman who has weathered many storms and has come out on the other side committed to helping others. I loved having her on the show! The Choice is Yours Rebecca provided so many valuable insights on how to be intentional about your mindset. When your authenticity comes through, when you’re overcoming adversity, when times are tough, it’s your choice which way you go. Rebecca shares her story of turning a tsunami of grief into a life of gratitude, and how she regained her zest for life in spite of it all.  We discuss why you shouldn’t put off doing the things that bring you joy for “someday.” It’s important to grab life with both hands in order to create a radical transformation in your business. Rebecca is living proof that everyone can get out there and achieve their dreams.  How Are You Serving? Many people allow their energy, attention, and emotion to be hijacked by the rest of the world before they’ve even decided how they’re going to manage the light within them. So, according to Rebecca, before we talk about strategy or the number of calls we’re going to make or the number of meetings we’re going to attend, we need to take the time to breathe and ask ourselves how we want to show up in people’s lives — because when you’re committed to serving your community, you bring a vibration that is magnetic. When you are positive, authentic, and abundant in sharing your knowledge and skills with the people around you, you will find that others naturally flock to you. If you wake up and decide that you’re going to make an impact in people’s lives (and have fun doing it), then the next thing you know, your business will begin to overflow with abundance!  We can’t control external circumstances, but we can control our ability to find positivity and then attract abundance- no matter what’s going on in the outside world.    About About Rebecca Hidalgo Rains Rebecca moved to the Valley of the Sun over 30 years ago from San Francisco, California. She was originally licensed to sell Real Estate in 1993 and worked with her family to represent Hispanic clientele purchasing HUD and VA Repo homes. In late 1996, she graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts (Major in Spanish). After graduation, in early 1997, she began working directly for local builders selling residential new construction. In 1998, she earned her Broker’s license and became the Designated Broker for Sequoia Homes for two years before joining Trend Homes of Arizona as a Sales Associate. Her career with Trend Homes lasted from 2001 to 2007, during which time she was promoted to a General Sales Management position. In 2005, Rebecca began teaching Contract Law classes for New Home Sales at the Arizona School of Real Estate and Business. Rebecca’s career in Real Estate made a 360-degree change in late 2007. She returned to her roots in the foreclosure market by building the Integrity All Star Team, which focused on helping families avoid going through foreclosure when possible, as well as assisting more than 400 families successfully complete Short Sales from 2008-2013. Integrity All Stars represents Bellago Homes, selling their new homes under construction and guiding other clients through all aspects of Residential Real Estate- both New Home Purchases and listing of Re-sale homes. Rebecca has been featured on Channel 3 News, HGTV’s House Hunters, and won countless awards in her more than a ¼ decade of service in the Arizona Real Estate Market. Most notably, she was named the #1 Latina Agent in Arizona by NAHREP as well as the #1 BREA Agent in the Southeast Valley. She is considered an expert in her industry and truly loves helping families with the most significant investment of their lives. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her two daughters and close friends and family, traveling whenever life permits. How to Connect with Rebecca Hidalgo Rains Websites: https://integrityallstars.com/ https://www.gratefulheart.tv/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6dqH3Ozm5BpaxBGa5JuTQ?view_as=subscriber https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grateful-heart-tv/id1487706774 https://open.spotify.com/show/46vpGuUsGrhT0WzJoteo0C Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrityAllStarRealty/ https://www.facebook.com/GratefulHeart.Tv/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaHidalgo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccahidalgo Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

Leveraging social media content as a real estate agent can be a challenge, but with the right advice and guidance, you can understand how to use Facebook and Instagram to market yourself online. What you will learn in this episode: How Cristina kicked off her real estate career and the catalyst that prompted her to move from LA to Charlotte What Cristina’s life looks like as a successful real estate agent and how she combines her dream lifestyle with her work Cristina’s intentionality about getting to know people in her new community and how she built a fantastic network around her Retention strategy and why Cristina nurtures repeat clients organically by staying in touch in a way that meets her clients’ needs How to convert Zillow leads and other online leads successfully Leveraging social media content — and how Cristina uses her stories to gain genuine traction The differences between posting on Facebook and Instagram Cristina’s advice for agents just starting out for marketing themselves online authentically Rocking Your Social Media as a Real Estate Agent Whether you’ve been in the real estate industry for a while or you’re brand new to the niche, you need to embrace leveraging social media content as part of your social media strategy. You know that I love to be a valuable resource in your life, so I’m so excited to have Christina Grosso on the show. Cristina is a rockstar agent who has been in the business since 2012. She is a Realtor Magazine 30 Under 30 award winner, and she’s wowing real estate clients in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. I just loved talking with Cristina about how she leverages social media to build relationships and attract perfect-fit clients to her business. Love it or hate it, social media is a huge part of the modern marketing landscape, and if we’re honest, most of us could get better at using it. Cristina shares her valuable insights on what to post and how to post it on the main platforms and gives boots-on-the-ground advice for leveling up your social media content game as a real estate agent. Being Authentic Online Are you Instagram averse? Do you feel like a Facebook failure? Well, according to Cristina, it is probably because you’re not being true to yourself in what you’re posting. Post those cute baby pics, let your followers see when you’re traveling, and add a snap when you’re at work. If you’re genuine in what you post on your social feeds, potential clients follow you because they’re interested in you as a person, they want to engage with you on a deeper level, and they love being part of your world. Cristina shares why she ditched her professional Instagram account in favor of bringing her whole self to work and building AUTHENTIC and real relationships online. She describes how her engagement went off the scale when she started combining her personal passions with her love of home buying and selling. As well as diving into how to leverage your social media channels to attract perfect-fit clients, Cristina also gave me some valuable insights into converting Zillow leads successfully. And why your responsiveness online boosts engagement and attracts referrals, repeat clients, and leads. About Cristina Grossu A people person with a strong desire to help others realize the dream of homeownership, Cristina became a real estate broker in 2012 after graduating from the University of Southern California with a BA in Sociology. She was voted one of Charlotte’s ‘Rising Stars’ by her peers and colleagues (featured in the Charlotte Observer) and also featured in the Rising Star feature of the Charlotte Real Producers magazine; She has successfully negotiated over 150+ real estate sales and purchases throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. Cristina is also known for her problem-solving skills and strategic thinking, and she strives to provide outstanding service to her clients and their families. Cristina also owns a staging company, Anchor Staging Co., that provides affordable staging services to clients in the Carolinas. How to Connect with Cristina Grossu Website: https://www.cristinamyagent.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-grossu-895ab91b/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/cristinagrossurealtor Twitter: www.twitter.com/cristinaagent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristinaagent/ Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

Creating a dream business with predictable growth in a way that feels natural, authentic, and easy is simple if you know how. This week I want to give you a clear plan that turns into a snowball of activity that comes from a place of authenticity and an intention to serve your community. Listen to this podcast episode to learn how to start a real estate business and grow financially. What you will learn in this episode: Why to niche down in your real estate business Call anxiety — what is it, and how we can get over it How to gain clarity on your strategy and message The disconnect between being ‘salesy’ and serving and educating How to get control of your results and plan out your future Three ways we can find focus in our business Serving with authenticity and giving value to your community Serving with Intention When learning how to start a real estate business, you need to get crystal clear on the type of market you want to serve. Because with a firm focus, you can create interest in what you can do for your community from a place of authenticity and an intention to serve and give value above and beyond what people expect. When you’re intentional about educating and serving, it elevates your visibility, highlights your relationship-based philosophy, and results in you attracting more business than you ever anticipated! Making sure that you are guided by the authenticity within you to give value to your community is what helps you make connections and let people know about your offers without feeling ‘salesy.’ Serving your target market from a place of intention to lead with value versus the intention to get something from them creates a domino effect of a higher level of engagement with the people that could become your clients or referral partners. And it puts you top of mind as a human being who cares about them, not as a great salesperson. Get Clarity on Your Purpose When we rewrite our purpose and understand that with a high level of engagement, a high level of authenticity, and the intention to serve and give value comes above everything, we attract business seemingly out of the blue. As business owners, we need to apply the principles of simplicity, focus, consistency, clarity, and accountability to be in absolute control of our results. Plan out that ideal future that you don’t need a vacation from based on the amount of business you intend to do, the number of people you want to serve, and how you’re going to plant seeds with every relationship you make to grow trees of opportunity that last a lifetime for you. There are so many things that we can do each and every day to grow our business, but if we don’t have a clear plan and a clear message, we find ourselves in analysis paralysis — nothing gets done, we beat ourselves up, and we further dim our light. Be Authentic in Business Relationships Getting caught up in a cycle of negativity doesn’t move us forward. So, I want you to grab the wheel of your life in business and simplify it to create extraordinary results. On the Pursing Freedom podcast this week, I’m talking about how you can pick three focus points — geographic, demographic, and product or program-specific — and map out a message and strategy to support your goals. I give you insight and actionable tips on becoming the digital mayor of the geographic location that you want to serve by taking the steps that can help you create valuable relationships. The majority of successful real estate professionals don’t love the sales part of the business. It feels so uncomfortable because it feels self-serving. But if we make the goal of our engagement, and the reason for our call or social media post to educate, add value, and serve rather than sell, our light shines, and we give off those positive vibes. When you operate from this intention to give, it’s real and authentic. With no agenda other than serving, you will have the most incredible experience of building relationships, meeting new people, planting the seeds, and developing deeper bonds with people you care about. It’s a foolproof recipe, it’s recession-proof, and it’s the way to create a business you LOVE that lasts a lifetime. About Erin Bradley Erin Bradley is a speaker and business coach, bestselling author, and host of the real estate podcast Pursuing Freedom. As a mortgage lender, Erin learned the hard way just how hard entrepreneurship and success in sales can be. From flat broke to 6 figures, and then to burnout, Erin and her team have been through it all! Erin operates under the mindset that you never give up, and you never settle, in life or in business. Anything is possible when you have the right mindset, great systems, and an amazing team. Erin is passionate about helping others design their ideal life, then create a business that is a vehicle to support that lifestyle, rather than rob you of it. And she’s on a mission to help you believe in, and achieve your biggest dreams! How to Connect With Erin Bradley Business Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ApplyWithErin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pursuingfreedomofficial/ LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-bradley/ Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

Today on the show, my awesome guest, Elisha Lopez, shares her valuable insights on why the key to a solid real estate marketing plan lies in sharing your authentic voice and knowing who you are at your core. What you will learn in this episode: Elisha’s backstory and why she learned the real estate business from the inside out How her initial career plan went south and how she pivoted into real estate The importance of getting out of your comfort zone and finding new opportunities Elisha’s experience of being part of a husband-wife team and why it works so well Why Elisha loves the privilege of serving and helping others The importance of marketing strategy and Elisha’s actionable ideas on going out there and finding more business How to be your authentic self in the real estate business and strategically build relationships so that you can develop that predictable business Why Elisha and her husband personally train and mentor new agents at their school How company culture impacts sales How Elisha navigated her fear of letting go when it came time to step back from handling clients Ways that Elisha supports her agents to allow them to grow How to Strategically Choose a Real Estate Marketing Plan I was so honored that Elisha could join me on the show this week; this amazing woman has three kids, she leads a brokerage, and she’s a committed mentor to her real estate students. I was excited to dive into a detailed discussion with Elisha about how her company, Ocala Realty World, leverages strategic marketing to attract leads. Elisha gives some super valuable actionable tips for listeners ready to level-up their real estate marketing plan, showing how to get out there and find business opportunities. She describes why the core principles of real estate never change and highlights the importance of the human connection no matter whether you’re using social media or simply getting out in your community and meeting people. People make heart-centered decisions — even when we feel like we’re being analytical, our emotions are often in charge. Which is why it is so important to be genuine and authentic in your marketing and in how you behave. Because if you’re not going to BE you, people are going to see that, and they’re not going to want to work with you. Using Your Authentic Voice I honestly never fail to be blown away by the sheer diversity of individuals who find success and happiness in the real estate business. And I genuinely believe that it’s a testament to the principle of being yourself — because you are already enough. When I discussed this with Elisha, we agreed that people struggle when they have no plan, so they try and mimic other people. Being authentic is key to allowing potential clients to know, like, and trust you, but there are also steps you can take to avoid analysis paralysis and strategically build relationships so that you can develop that predictable business. Elisha shares her insights into the importance of decisiveness and clarity around your core values, who you are, and what lights you up. She emphasizes that when you’re clear about who you are to your core, everything just starts to flow naturally. And those same principles apply when you scale your business, too. I know there will be people listening to the show who are actually overwhelmed with business; and they’re in the burnout phase. Elisha shares some real golden nuggets of advice on why we need to stop resisting the idea of bringing on team members and shares how she moved from dealing directly with clients to focusing on mentoring and supporting others. About Elisha Lopez Elisha Lopez is a real estate broker and owner of Ocala Realty World in Central Florida. Elisha has more than 20 years of experience in real estate, with over 10 of them as a Broker/Owner and leading a large team and brokerage. She’s also the founder of the ORW School of Real Estate, which serves real estate students seeking licensure in Florida. In her courses and training sessions, Elisha shares her unique real estate expertise, insider tips, and digital marketing strategies. Elisha is a graduate of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design. Elisha’s number 1 goal in business and in life is to help others. She operates Ocala Realty World with her husband and brokerage partner, Luis Lopez, who first encouraged her to start a career in real estate two decades ago. How to Connect with Elisha Lopez Website: https://www.ocalarealtyworld.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OcalaRW/?fref=ts Twitter: https://twitter.com/OcalaRW LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocala-realty-world-llc/ Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

Knowing how to be successful in real estate relies on making strategic choices so that you can move the needle professionally and have the dream life you envisioned! Intentionality and laser focus on your goals help you achieve a work-life balance while you scale your business and go to the next level in all areas of your life. What you will learn in this episode: How Jamie learned about the business of real estate appraisal and where she did her internship Why Jamie got her real estate license but didn’t use it for several years How Jamie’s knowledge of appraising real estate helped her sell homes How Jamie built a professional network and good relationships in her industry and how they helped her business The strategy Jamie followed when she opened her brokerage after just one year in real estate sales How the I Hate Real Estate podcast came about and how it helps the real estate community How you can make money giving expert testimony on real estate sales How Jamie took her brand international with EXP Be Intentional in Your Business Being strategic, in addition to being knowledgeable, is the key to moving forward with a successful business and a life that you love. Oh my gosh have I got a treat for you this week — I’m so excited to have Jamie Taylor on the podcast to share her incredible journey from real estate appraiser to selling homes to building and scaling a successful brokerage. Now Jamie is a true real estate unicorn! From appraiser to broker is a pretty unusual (and intense) path in the industry, but as Jamie reveals finding that elusive work-life balance wasn’t a bed of roses. We have a radically honest conversation about HOW we can achieve balance as a real estate professional despite its pressures and what Jamie has done to bring back a sense of joy and freedom to her role. She digs into why it’s essential to stop throwing stuff at the wall in your business to see what sticks and instead be intentional and strategic about the future. Doubling down on your strengths and hiring out your weakness is a great way to move the needle in your organization — and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you will serve your clients more effectively. Take a breath — you also need to appreciate the need for rest and recovery in your life; you operate better when you rest, you operate better when you are focused, and you can’t get focused if you’re not rested. Once you have the systems in place to have extra time and energy in your professional day, you will be able to pour into somebody else, and that’s the beauty of the industry that we’re in. Seize the Day for Success in Real Estate None of us know what the future holds, and that has been made abundantly clear to the whole world over the last two years! You may not know what challenges or opportunities are around the corner, but you can be intentional in your choices to start down the right path in your business. Jamie shares why she made the decision to join EXP Realty, explains why she felt like she broke out of the jail cell of constant work, and why this is going to be the year she intentionally grows her team and recruits new agents to help continue to live a life she loves. Jamie continues to inspire me as I learn more about her and I’m so excited that she was able to join me to tell me more about her philosophy on being successful in the real estate industry. I’m so grateful she joined me on the show to share how building a local network allowed her to get involved in her community, add value, and circle back around to the passion she has for real estate and for authentically serving the local area. About Jamie Taylor Jamie Tayor started her career in real estate as an appraiser – then, after nearly 12 years in the industry, she added a real estate license to the mix, followed closely by a broker’s license. From brokerage ownership, she transitioned to an international passive income opportunity and now focuses her attention full time on her passion for creatively pursuing real estate. Jamie’s story highlights the versatility of a career in the real estate industry and shines a spotlight on the multitude of opportunities that sheer proximity and access to the niche provide. Real estate introduced Jamie to opportunities in networking, podcasting — all things she had never imagined she would have been interested in had she not stumbled upon them via – you guessed it – real estate. How to Connect With Jamie Taylor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-taylor-31008b142/ Podcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-hate-real-estate/id1588805194 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluebirdBrokeredByEXPRealty/ Twitter: @jamieetaylor Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

As your business evolves, you inevitably hit new ceilings and face new challenges. In understanding how to scale your real estate business you learn that with the right people and systems in place, you can solve any problems that arise and move forward with confidence. What you will learn in this episode: Where Misty was in her success journey when she realized that she needed to enlist the help of others Why a key component to running a business effectively is having the help so that you aren’t focusing on the activities that don’t bring value to your business The importance of having coaches and mentors to support you as you scale your business How Misty helps new agents on her team help them find success quickly The SOLD in Central Iowa onboarding processes and how it differs from other real estate teams How Misty leverages her contacts to recruit new agents to the team The importance of developing systems as you expand and enlist the help of others How to Scale Your Real Estate Business Successfully When people think about scaling their business, they often worry about the cost, the added responsibility of having an employee, and how they’re going to train someone new. Entrepreneurs are naturally anxious when they’re outsourcing for the first time — but if we shift our perspective from “what is this person going to do for me?” to “what am I going to do for this person?” then we become much more comfortable with the process of scaling. So many agents on their success journey fall into the trap of having a person be their key player rather than a system, and when that person leaves, then they have to start all over again. You have to have processes in place on the back end to help your team and drive your day-to-day responsibilities forward. As the business owner, you can allow your business and the systems you’ve created to elevate another person’s life and have faith that their success will become your success or the organization’s success. When you find the right people to add to your team and train them effectively, then those people will grow and evolve. Even if they graduate from you at some point down the line, it will not only have been an enriching experience for you both; you will be confident that you have such a sound system in place, you can bring another amazing human into the system and let their life be elevated too. Putting Systems into Place When you don’t enlist the help of others, you’re basically doing the assistant’s job rather than focusing on profitable activities. Often what happens in the real estate industry is that we focus on presenteeism or a feeling of busyness to the detriment of sitting down and actually figuring out what we need to do to take the next step. Misty talks us through what she means by non-dollar-productive activities versus dollar-productive activities and where she was in her success journey when she realized that she needed to implement systems around her sales processes. Entrepreneurs are hard-wired to keep on going even when they don’t quite know where they’re going or how they’re going to get there. But at the end of the day, you need to get your back end organized so you can concentrate on the activities that take you forward. Misty dives into why the idea of a sales script in real estate is often stigmatized and explains why incorporating a system into your sales process is just as valid as incorporating it elsewhere. About Misty Soldwisch Licensed to sell real estate since 2000, Misty has been a Broker/Owner since 2007. She enjoys the challenge and the honor of helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with her team of dedicated agents who all have specialized roles for their part of the real estate process. While Misty had great success with my prior brand affiliations (I was the No.1 Team Leader for four years), she jumped at the opportunity to partner in 2017 with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. It is an incredible combination of a trusted, quality brand backed by a media powerhouse – great technology, grounded in the traditions of home! How to Connect With Misty Soldwisch: Websites: http://www.soldincentraliowa.com/ https://www.zillow.com/profile/MistySOLDwisch%20Team LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistysold/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MistySOLDTeam Twitter: https://twitter.com/mistysold Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

Breaking into real estate as a new career path can feel overwhelming, but guest expert Shayla Twit shares tips to make the process easier. Hear insights about: How Shayla got started on her path as a real estate agent, and why breaking into real estate became Shayla’s number one goal How Shayla’s career arc has progressed from the beginning to today, and what she has changed about how she does business as she has gained experience What early challenges and struggles Shayla had to conquer when first breaking into real estate, and how she overcame those obstacles Why getting to your first few sales is a process, and why it becomes easier and easier as you gain more experience and test new strategies How Shayla found a balance between doing the necessary day-to-day work while also spending time developing her business and charting her future How Shayla’s YouTube page has become an ideal platform for her high-quality content, and how she uses her videos as marketing and as a value add for her community Why Shayla sets firm boundaries between work time and personal time, and why putting boundaries in place can help you appear more professional How the challenges Shayla has faced have helped her refine her business practices and better prepare for the future, and how she defines “freedom” Breaking Into Real Estate If you’re a brand new real estate agent or you’re only beginning to consider making a career change, those early days can feel overwhelming. Not only is there so much to learn, but you have to hustle hard to land those first few sales. However, those early hurdles breaking into real estate can become easier to deal with when you have insights from someone who has already been there! My guest this week is Shayla Twit, a thriving Sarasota, Florida-based real estate professional who got started in the industry in 2002 and who has since built a booming business for herself. Shayla knew very quickly that breaking into real estate was the right career path for her, but that early learning curve was steep. However, once she notched a few wins she began to focus on building out her business, and today Shayla has found a new level of personal, professional, and financial freedom thanks to her hard work. In this week’s episode of the Pursuing Freedom podcast, Shayla shares how intentionality was a cornerstone of her business growth and getting past those awkward early days, and she explains why putting the right systems and processes in place has helped her grow her business faster and with less grinding. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced real estate professional, I know you’ll be able to draw valuable insights from my conversation with Shayla Twit! Breaking Into Real Estate While Avoiding Common Early Pitfalls As Shayla said, those first few sales are the most difficult. It can feel like a slow, painful process, but it’s also a learning experience that can give you the confidence and experience you need to start building significant successes for yourself and your business. For Shayla, it was important to not just get caught up in the day-to-day work but to also set aside time to get strategic about what she wanted her business to look like in the future. Being clear in your goals is crucial for charting a path to achieve them. There’s a careful balance between the day-to-day and the long-term strategy parts of your business. While analysis paralysis is certainly a potential roadblock, so to is not spending enough time planning for the future and creating systems and processes to help you get there, says Shayla. The secret is to understand your three precious business resources: money, time, and energy. Think of all three as different kinds of currency that all have the power to grow your business. As the leader of your business, you should be focusing your time on the things that make the biggest difference. However, the necessary but minor day-to-day tasks don’t offer enough payoff for the amount of time you have to spend on them, so instead spend money to pay someone else to do those tasks. Early in any real estate agent’s career, they typically have greater access to time and energy than they do money, so they grind harder. However, at a certain tipping point, time and energy become much more limited resources. That’s when money becomes the key to how to grow the real estate business fast. Focus on Being Helpful and Adding Value When you’re breaking into real estate, finding a platform that fits your ideals and interests and then creating regular, consistent content can help establish yourself as a trusted ally and professional in your niche. Shayla has turned her YouTube channel into a powerful platform to get her message out, to market herself and her business, and to add value for her clients, prospects, and community. The key is to focus on how you can be helpful, what unique value you can offer, and then turning that value into posts, videos, blogs, or other content that your audience can easily access. Shayla’s focus on being helpful comes through in her videos, which keeps her audience coming back for more, time after time. And that trusted relationship can pay dividends in referrals and in helping you build a reputation you can be proud of! If you’d like to learn more about Shayla Twit and the work she does, please visit her website. Don’t forget to check out her YouTube channel as well, to see how Shayla is creating content that gets results! And as always, check out www.pursuingfreedom.com for other great podcast episodes and interviews with industry professionals! About Shayla Twit: Shayla Twit has been a highly recognized & sought-after Sarasota, Florida top Realtor since ’02. Her repeat & referral clients have consistently given her 5-star reviews as being dedicated, communicative, hard-working & always having her clients’ best interests at the forefront. She & her team work hard but also very efficiently. Her years of hyper-focused market knowledge & advanced advertising techniques have placed her as a top performer amongst her peers. When deciding upon the right Sarasota Realtor to work with, rest assured, Shayla has the track record to prove that she will move you through the most challenging of markets with professionalism & confidence. Whether you’re at the stage of life where you are interested in selling your home to downsize into a beachfront condo or are finally ready to purchase your luxury second home here in the sun, Shayla & her exceptionally proactive & in-demand team can assist you with any and all circumstances with ease. Specializing in absentee & snowbird clients, she is an absolute pro when it comes to working virtually from contract to closing. Rest assured you’ll never need to hop on a plane if not preferred! But certainly don’t trust her word for it – check out her average 5-star reviews on Google, Zillow, and LinkedIn. Shayla is also honored & proud to have such an incredibly rich & diverse culture at her fingertips within the Coldwell Banker international family. Her Brokerage affords her & her team immense opportunities with ongoing education as well as consistent agent-to-agent referrals from around the globe. Their high quality, user-friendly tools, global reach & state of the art platforms offered to the agents & their clients, are second to none. Aiming to always under-promise & over-deliver both Shayla & Coldwell Banker will not disappoint. Shayla has also been recognized by the Wall Street Journal & many other recognized publications worldwide as being a top Sarasota realtor to call on for your selling or purchasing needs. Her CLHMS {Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist}, Top 1000, Five Star Professional, Florida 100 & other accolades have only come to fruition because her clients have trusted her over & over again. Shayla was born & raised in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Graduated with a B.S. degree in both business & French. She is conversational in Turkish & is fluent in French. Dogs are her passion & she contributes in her downtime to the Lakewood Ranch Humane Society as much as possible. Shayla is also big into fitness & enjoys making others laugh! How to Connect With Shayla Twit: Website: www.shaylatwit.com Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCCprjLZO4mwl0CQaXyHa24Q Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShaylaTwitSarasotaRealtor LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-twit-96088555/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/shaylatwit/ Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

Real estate expert Brittiny Howard shares why she feels connecting with clients is so important and why she is so passionate about providing an amazing customer experience:  What you will learn in this episode: How Brittiny was inspired to start her real estate career and why it still makes her feel close to her late father Resources that Brittiny used to find her first leads and why being a total beginner worked in her favor What to do to find leads if your initial sphere of influence is small or you’re in a new area Why success in real estate is all about following the right recipe while adding a sprinkling of your personality too Brittiny’s approach to nurturing client relationships, adding value, and staying visible and relevant How Brittiny identified her ideal niche with families looking to upgrade their homes The importance of outsourcing tasks that aren’t in your zone of genius Brittiny’s lessons learned in the real estate business and why she prefers a smaller, tight-knit team of agents The responsibility we have as leaders for individuals in our team and how to ensure we look after them Moving Your Business Forward Becoming a successful real estate agent takes hard work and commitment, but there is no reason why you can’t move your business forward at a rapid pace if you are committed to putting in the work. People from all walks of life are attracted to the various niches in real estate for many different reasons. This week, my guest on the Pursuing Freedom podcast Brittiny Howard tells her story of why she was inspired to get into the industry. Whether you are looking for a full-time commitment in the business and see yourself making a very healthy income and scaling quickly or looking for a second income stream that you love there becoming a real estate agent can work for you. On the show, Brittiny describes how her passion for her family construction business as a little girl reignited when a friend suggested she should get into the real estate business. Brittiny shares why she is so passionate about providing an amazing customer experience which often starts with letting families know how much equity they have in their homes. She and her team at The B Group love building a genuine rapport with their clients and helping them find the perfect home for their families. Finding Individuals who Align with Your Business Brittiny discusses what made her realize that to scale her business that she not only needed to outsource the admin side, but she also needed to build her team of real estate agents. She describes the process of letting go and how the lessons she learned during the first part of the journey enabled her to understand the importance of surrounding herself with people who have the same goals. We discuss how we sometimes advance through our reverses and why reflecting on what didn’t work out as planned helps you build a picture of how you really want your business to be. As Brittiny advises in her coaching, when you have a picture in your mind of what you want your ideal company to look like, it’s much simpler to follow the path that leads you there. Having a big team made Brittiny realize that what she valued above anything was leading a small, tight-knit team of real estate agents who truly buy into the mission and vision behind The B Group. Just Follow the Recipe! Look at building your stellar real estate business like baking a cake. Stay with me here…some of us are making a chocolate cake, carrot cake, and some delicious lemon drizzle, but they all have the same essential ingredients and follow the same method. If real estate agents, whatever their niche, use the right ingredients and follow the recipe, then they will be successful. When you put the work in and leverage the tried and tested method; you can make your business a success. Brittiny reveals some of the resources she used to catapult her business forward, and we discuss the importance of listening to advice and emulating the steps to success. When it comes down to it, f you pay attention to the lessons, put the work in, and add your unique qualities to the mix, then you can take your business to the next level. About Brittiny Howard: I began selling homes at the ripe old age of twelve. I helped my mom sell our home to my best friend’s family. My dad and granddad built a roofing and brick masonry business in my hometown of Memphis. I visited sites with my dad and learned about construction. I remember being on job sites as a little girl and watching the building of homes. I fell in love with the process of watching something go from a simple patch of land into a home for a family. That awe-struck little girl became a single mom in her early 20s. I knew that I needed to be better, greater, faster to provide a good life for my little boy. I can remember counting nickels in a drive-through and thinking, “this struggle can’t be all there is to life.” I knew there had to be more. During this time of my life, I met my husband. He was a single dad of two great kids and lived about an hour away in Baton Rouge. The stars aligned. I’d had a job interview there and was offered an amazing job. After assuring my now-husband that I wasn’t a stalker (insert facepalm), my son and I moved to the Baton Rouge area. Less than two years later, my husband proposed, and we began wedding planning. Our planning and wedding were bittersweet due to my dad’s failing health and being placed on hospice care. He died a month and four days after our wedding on Christmas Eve. I miss him every day. I became a stay-at-home mom and added one more to our Brady bunch. As the kids grew and began activities, we decided that I needed to bring in an extra income. I became a real estate agent to take some of the pressure off of my husband. I always liked homes and helping people. I also wanted to take a yearly vacation with my family that didn’t take away from our household expenses. But it soon became more than just a second income for me. Being a real estate agent reminded me of the passion I once had as a little girl. I love helping people. My goal became to help as many people as I could enjoy the wealth, stability, and pride of owning their own homes. One of my favorite things is telling my sellers how much equity they’ve gained in their first homes. In my first nine months, I sold 19 homes; the following year, I set an ambitious goal of one closing a week and sold 52 homes. What I thought would be a fun way to get back to my roots and take a family vacation has become the career of my dreams. I’ve traveled and spoken internationally. I’ve won awards. I’ve lived my dream and my passion. Each time I enter a home, I can imagine the workers that built the houses. It reminds me of my childhood, tagging along with my dad and visiting work sites. In an odd way, real estate has allowed me to keep my connection with my dad. He’s gone but not forgotten. Selling a home is hard. There are so many emotions involved with it. There are so many decisions to be made. Through our B Guided Home process, we take the fear out of your minds, relax and be at ease. We have your back. During our first consultation, we will help you with a pros and cons list. This list will help us decide if you should buy, renovate or build. Sometimes the home you’re in is the perfect home for you. We have an extensive list of vetted professionals that can help turn your home into what you’ve been wanting. If your current home is no longer a fit for your family, we will search to find you the perfect home. We will go through the process of answering your questions. Our neighborhood guides will assist you in narrowing down the best area for your family. If you’d like to learn more about Brittiny Howard, you can check out her website at www.findhomesinbatonrougearea.com. You can also visit www.pursuingfreedom.com for more podcast episodes that will help you take your business, and your life, to new levels! How to Connect With Brittiny Howard: Website: https://www.findhomesinbatonrougearea.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebgroupbatonrouge/ Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals

How to build wealth in real estate? Expert Jamila Tunu is here to share her top tips and generational wealth-building strategies. Hear insights about: How working at a bank at the age of 18 ignited Jamila’s passion for understanding how money works, and how she built her career around wealth building How Jamila got started in real estate investing, and why her focus is on helping people learn how to build wealth in real estate Why many people struggle to know where to begin and lack the financial education they should have received as kids, and how Jamila is helping change that for her clients Why financial literacy starts with creating new habits and patterns, understanding your purpose and vision, and setting and sticking to the right goals Why the right mindset is a crucial blueprint and foundation for learning how to build wealth through real estate, especially for building generational wealth for your family How the outbreak of the global pandemic allowed Jamila the time and ability to follow her passion for serving others in a new way through teaching How Jamila’s course is structured to teach you how to build a “financial legacy house” from the foundation up Why Jamila believes consumer debt like credit cards mean you’re helping someone else build their financial legacy, and why getting out of debt is the key to great investing Why Jamila’s group coaching provides an additional layer of accountability that helps her students keep their focus and achieve their goals How to get a 50% discount on Jamila’s coaching just for being a Pursuing Freedom podcast listener How to Build Wealth in Real Estate As you know, there are lots of different ways to pursue a career in real estate, from being a builder to being an agent to flipping houses. However, even as a real estate agent, it can be worthwhile to consider investing in your own properties. Real estate can be an extraordinary way to build wealth for yourself; true, generational wealth that can provide your family with security and financial freedom for generations to come. But… learning how to build wealth in real estate is a process, and it starts with financial literacy. This week’s guest on the Pursuing Freedom podcast is Jamila Tunu. Jamila is an experienced real estate agent, loan originator, investor, and wealth coach whose passion lies in helping people create exactly the kind of financial freedom they need to be able to pursue their own dreams and passions. In our conversation in this week’s episode, Jamila shares why so many of us lack the foundational financial literacy we need to be able to truly make sound money decisions for ourselves, and she shares how she has set about changing that through her coaching work. When we have the right knowledge platform in place, and when we truly understand how we relate to money, our empowered mindset can allow us to achieve extraordinary results! I’m certain that Jamila’s wisdom and infectious enthusiasm will help you achieve your financial goals. Building Wealth in Real Estate Starts With Mindset Imagine being asked to make a delicious meal for someone, but you’re missing half of the ingredients on the list and you’ve been given a strange appliance you’ve neither seen nor heard of before to put it all together. Sure, you could make something that kind of, sort of resembles the meal you’ve been asked to make, but the results aren’t going to be anywhere near what you would want them to be. Building wealth is a lot like that; you need all the correct ingredients and the understanding of how to combine them if you want to achieve great results. This is where Jamila comes in. She realized early on that the financial lessons she had learned as a kid by watching her mother were never going to allow her to build true wealth, and she realized that she needed to start over from scratch if she hoped to learn how to build wealth through real estate. So, Jamila eagerly educated herself on all the fundamental lessons about money and debt she hadn’t had the opportunity to learn as a child. Once she had those key fundamentals in place, she could clearly define what she wanted the future to look like and then take the necessary steps to achieve that future. A Passion for Teaching Others How to Build Wealth in Real Estate Jamila’s financial journey has created freedom and allowed her to follow her passion for helping others, and today she works as a financial coach who helps others redefine their relationship with money and master their wealth-building mindset. Jamila believes that real estate investing has the power to change lives and empower families for generations, and that’s why she is so passionate about her teaching work. As Jamila described it during our interview, building wealth is a lot like building a house. You start with a great foundation of knowledge and a clear vision for what you want, then you add important pillars to support your house. Only once all of that is in place can you finally see the fruits of your labors, when you put on the roof. It all starts with a great foundation, which is why financial literacy is such an important subject for anyone looking to learn how to build wealth in real estate investing. If you’d like to learn more about Jamila Tunu, you can check out her website at www.jamilatunu.com. As a Pursuing Freedom listener, you can even get a generous 50% discount on Jamila’s coaching services by using the code “FFF2021”! And don’t forget to visit www.pursuingfreedom.com for more episodes like this one that will help you take your business, and your life, to new levels! About Jamila Tunu: Jamila Tunu (/too – n(y)o͞o/) is a Commercial and Residential Real Estate Professional with exp Realty and a top producer on her team, Global Investor Agent. She is also a Commercial Loan Originator and Wealth Coach. Her mission is to plant seeds of generational wealth and positively impact family trees through education and economic empowerment. One way she is fulfilling her mission is through Financial Legacy Building Secrets with Jamila Tunu course which covers 6 foundational steps to gaining sustainable financial freedom and building a legacy. After starting a Facebook group, Financial Freedom Foundations, she noticed that the majority of the women were not investors because they didn’t know where to start. So she started working with women to build their foundation first, before embarking on their real estate investment journey. Once the foundation is set, the starting point will no longer be an issue. Jamila resides in Houston, TX, but where you’ll most likely find her and her husband is living their best life traveling and enjoying new experiences. How to Connect With Jamila Tunu: Website: www.jamilatunu.com Financial Legacy Building Secrets Course: https://courses.jamilatunu.com/courses/financial-legacy-building-secrets Private Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/womenlegacybuilders Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/financiallegacybuildingsecrets LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jamilatunu/ Balanced Growth Course: Website: https://pursuingfreedom.thinkific.com/courses/balanced-growth Additional Resources: Set for Success Planner Time Tracker 5-Step Guide to More Referrals