Business Freedom Podcast - Powered By Real Estate B-school

Few teams offer the same kind of service and attention to detail as my guests, Kerby Skurat and Cristina Edelstein-Skurat, so it’s no surprise that last year, their team did 777 sides, 49% of which came from repeat and referral business.  What is it that sets Kerby and Cristina Real Estate Experts apart from nearly every other real estate team in the country, and how much of their success is replicable?  What does it take to truly stand in a league of our own? Join Kerby, Cristina and I as we discuss their journey to a booming team and a $7.7 MILLION GCI.  You’ll also learn;  Why following the lead of top producers will always be more effective than reinventing the wheel How to create lifelong clients The importance of putting knowledge into practice Guest Bio-  Kerby Skurat is the Team Lead and Associate Leader of Kerby & Cristina Real Estate Experts. He is passionate about providing his clients and team alike with unparalleled service, and loves any opportunity to con

Something that struck me about my recent conversation with Chris Watters was how humbly he spoke of leadership.  It got me thinking about my own approach to leadership over the years. In some ways, I like to think I excelled, but the truth is, I made many mistakes along the way, and while I try to live without regrets, there are things I wish I would have done differently.  So, what could I have done better?  Join me as I reminisce on the mistakes I’ve made, so you don’t have to fall into the trap of making them yourself.  You’ll also learn;  The sermon that changed the way I approach the hiring process An interaction that brought me to tears and had me rethink my leadership style How to bring accountability into your organization (and why it’s a necessity) If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscribe to Real Estate Team Builders Podcast (https://bit.ly/2W9Cc3r) Learn real world solutions to the challenges we face a

Growing a real estate team is no mean feat, but that doesn't mean it has to be a drawn out process.  In fact, as my guest, Chris Watters learned when he founded Watters International Realty, growth is a natural byproduct of the right strategies.  The question is, what are those strategies?  In this episode, Chris and I dive deep on the approach that helped him build a team that handles thousands of transactions in a year.  You’ll also learn;  3 plates you need to balance while building your team The key to growing your team faster  How to create your talent bench as a team leader Guest Bio-  Chris Watters is the Founder of Watters International Realty, LLC. Over the past decade and a half, Chris has been a trusted advisor to over 3000 families across Central Texas, giving the kind of expertise that proves invaluable to his clients. Widely respected in the industry, Chris has been acknowledged by a number of publications for his success, including among others Inc5

In my recent conversation with Todd Tramonte, we spoke about how he was able to build a booming referral-based business, and today, I want to dive a little deeper on that.  We live in a world with an abundance of paid lead options, but the truth is, we don’t need to run a business that way, and in fact, relying on paid leads could actually be doing more harm than good.  By putting a bigger emphasis on repeat and referral business, we stand to make a bigger profit without needing to share our commissions with iBuyers. The only question is, how can we build a business clients want to come back to or refer to their network?  Join me as I share a few different ways to build a team worthy of repeat and referral business.  You’ll also learn;  Why paid lead sources are an unsustainable option 1 question to ask clients that could change our businesses forever How to engineer our client processes in a way that sets us up for success If you want to continue the conversation, here's wha

In a market where most agents are struggling to get listings, Todd Tramonte and his team are doing big things, and they’re doing it while turning down business.  So, how are they doing it? According to Todd, it all comes down to creating a next-level, world class experience for clients, cementing themselves as the go-to team in their market. There’s no room for average here: Todd is determined to give his team celebrity status.  Join us as we discuss what it takes to build the kind of team consumers flock to in their numbers, so we never need to chase business again.  You’ll also learn;  How to differentiate yourself from competitors, from the get go The key to generating a buzz around your team  How to hire winners guarantee to move your business forward Guest Bio-  Todd Tramonte is the Broker/Owner of Todd Tramonte Home Selling Team. A real estate professional of nearly 2 decades, Todd's commitment to providing world class service goes beyond a passion: it's an obses

In my recent episode with Greg and Stephanie Sisson, we discussed that success is a natural byproduct of committing to be the best we can be, and that got me thinking about personal leadership.  The journey to success in any aspect of our lives always begins within. After all, we can’t expect to lead a team to great things if we can’t even manage ourselves.  So, how can we get better at being our own leaders? In this episode, I’m opening up about my personal leadership journey, the mistakes I’ve made along the way, and the lessons I’ve learned in the process. You’ll also learn;  Why being honest with ourselves is a prerequisite for success Questions we need to ask ourselves if we want to succeed at a higher level The importance of structure in our daily lives How often we should challenge ourselves to be better If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscribe to Real Estate Team Builders Podcast (https://bit.ly/2W9Cc3r) Learn re

As business owners, we tend to place a heavy emphasis on the importance of growth, and with good reason, but unfortunately, many of us are going about it in the wrong way.  When we try to force or manufacture growth, it’s easy for things to get out of hand, and that’s something we want to avoid. On top of that, as my guests, Stephanie and Greg Sisson have learned, big results can come about organically, anyway!  In fact, The Greg Sisson Team did $123 MILLION in volume last year by taking a more sustained approach.  In this episode, Greg, Stephanie and I discuss how honing in on their core values helped them build a top-producing team, without needing to force anything.  You’ll also learn;  How Greg had nearly 50000 conversations in his first year as an agent (and how you can, too!) How to hire with core values in mind The key to making a bigger impact in your world Guest Bio-  Greg Sisson is a co-owner and Realtor at The Greg Sisson Team. Having grown up watching his f

Growth isn’t always comfortable, and that’s something Brett Jennings and I spoke about in our recent episode together. However, as we discussed in that episode, if growth is our goal, pushing past discomfort is a non-negotiable step in the process. Today, I want to delve a little deeper into those steps and what they entail, because it’s one thing to want to grow…but how do we actually make good on that target? The great thing is, there is a right way to grow, and there are tangible steps to it.  Join me as I outline the steps to scalable, sustainable growth, so having the business of your dreams can go from pipe dream to your waking reality.  You’ll also learn;  A detailed breakdown of our Business Growth Navigator  1 question to ask ourselves when planning to reach the next level  The importance of having the right economic model If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscribe to Real Estate Team Builders Podcast (http

The real estate industry has the power to turn dreams into reality, but despite the possibilities the business affords us, the vast majority of agents are still getting mediocre results, and that’s because they lack vision.  When we don’t have a strong vision for the businesses (and the lives) we want to create, we hold ourselves back from our full potential. The only solution is to get better at cultivating our vision - but how?  Founder and Owner of Real Estate Experts and my guest, Brett Jennings knows a thing or two about vision, having built a business that brings him not only financial reward, but personal fulfillment, all by getting more intentional about his 5000-foot view.  Join Brett and I as we dive into how he developed the growth mindset that’s helped him excel in all the areas of life most important to him.  You’ll also learn;  The first thing growth-minded agents need to get clear on  How to build a business around the legacies we want to leave 1 way to hire

In my recent conversation with lead generation and conversion master, Chris Snow, we spoke about how to maximize paid leads, but today, I want to take a different angle. That is, what if we lived in a world where paid lead generation wasn't an option?  In the absence of paid leads, how would we go about getting new business? Would we change anything we're doing now?  My guess is, most of us would shift our focus to referrals, and that would require providing better service. The question is, why aren't we operating like that regardless?  In this episode, I'm doubling down on the importance of offering stellar service in an industry that's all but forgotten what that looks like, and why doing so has the power to supersize your business. You’ll also learn;  1 thing GUARANTEED to put you a step ahead of your competitors  What to pay attention to in interactions with clients  How a simple Google Review can transform your business If you want to continue the conversation, here'

Many of us have dreams of building bigger teams, but are we generating enough business to pass on to the agents we onboard? After all, who would want to join a team if the owners themselves are struggling to pay their bills?  That's a line of questioning my guest and team leader of The Florida Coastal Team, Chris Snow got me thinking about. There can be no scaling without a constant supply of new business, so any attempts at growth need to go hand in hand with strong lead generation and conversion tactics.  The question is, how do we juggle everything at once? In this episode, Chris and I dive deep on the lead generation and nurturing strategies that have allowed him to grow his team at an astronomical rate.  You’ll also learn;  The #1 reason why most team leaders will never scale  How to nurture ANY lead over the long term  Why Zillow makes scaling more difficult than it needs to be  Why Chris’s team never leaves voicemails for new leads Guest Bio-  Chris Sno

In my recent conversation with Cody May, my guest said something that really struck me as profound: "confidence is created through your ability to figure things out". Part of the reason why Cody's words stuck out to me so much is because as leaders, confidence is non-negotiable. This is a hard business, and the only way to attain and maintain success is by taking decisive action and truly committing to our goals. The question is, how can we build the kind of confidence required to make those commitments?  In this episode, I'm sharing how I've grown my own confidence over the years, and how that's helped me build a life beyond my wildest dreams.  You’ll also learn;  Dan Sullivan's 4 Cs that regularly inspire me How I got better at making good on my commitments to succeed  The 1 thing that stops most business owners from developing their confidence If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscribe to Real Estate Team Builders Pod

Once upon a time, getting leads on the phone wasn’t all that difficult, but since 2008, that seems to be getting progressively harder. The problem is, lead conversion depends on real life, educational conversations, so we can’t cut it out altogether.  Luckily, my guest, CEO of Studio PTBO, Cody May doesn’t believe all is lost. Quite the contrary, he’s of the mind that we can still have fruitful conversations with high-quality leads, as long as we’re taking the right approach.  So, what is the ‘right’ approach? Join Cody and I as we dive deep on effective lead generation and conversion strategies.  You’ll also learn;  Why we should never rely on social media alone for lead generation 3 tactics the most successful lead converters have in common today  1 thing we need to get into the habit of saying in every conversation we have Guest Bio-  Cody May is a video creator and the co-founder and CEO of full service marketing agency, Studio PTBO. Also the co-founder of motivation

Today marks a special milestone for the Real Estate Team Builders podcast: we’re celebrating 450 episodes!  Over the last couple of years, I’ve gained a lot from this journey. From having the privilege to connect with listeners, to being able to interview other business owners who’ve made their dreams a reality, it’s been a phenomenal learning experience, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Now, I’m reflecting back on what’s stood out to me over the course of the past 449 episodes. What are the lessons that impacted me the most, which continue to impact my own business today?  Join me and my producer, Matt Johnson as we take a trip down memory lane.  You’ll also learn;  The transformational story shared on this podcast that still moves me to this day The biggest leadership challenge I’ve encountered as a business owner Why I didn’t expect to be great at podcasting until my 100th episode If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscr

For growth-focused and driven individuals going full-stride towards their goals, slowing down to take stock doesn’t come naturally, but it’s necessary. In order to have clarity on the future we want to create, we have to fully assess where we are in the areas that matter most to us, and this is the perfect time of the year to do it! What are the steps we need to take in order to assess every area of our lives, and identify areas of improvement without beating ourselves up for not being where we want to be? In this episode, I share a simple way to prepare for the year ahead so we can achieve at a high level in every area of our lives.   I will also share;  How to begin your annual planning in gratitude  How to prioritize the areas in our lives that need more of our attention and focus this year The antidote for living in the gap between where we are and where we want to be If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscribe to Real Es

2021 came with its fair share of challenges, including a ton of uncertainty and circumstances that demanded more from us than ever before. Whether we’re leading our families or our teams, navigating these chaotic and turbulent times was no easy feat, but I gained a lot of valuable insights in the process.  What are the biggest lessons I’m taking away from the year? How do we lead our teams when we’re going through personal challenges?  In this episode, I look back on the last 12 months, and share the most valuable lessons I learned.  I also share; 3 behaviors and mindsets that are guaranteed to make us better leaders and deepen our team culture.  The power of going all in and giving 100% of yourself at home and at work. How to consciously and consistently choose faith in scary, uncertain times.  If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscribe to Real Estate Team Builders Podcast (https://bit.ly/2W9Cc3r) Learn real world s

Every single day, we’re confronted with choices that make it really hard for us to achieve at high levels in multiple areas of our lives. Ribs and fries or salad, workout or sit on the couch eating Doritos, prospecting or cleaning up your office?  These are all scenarios I’ve dealt with recently, and I know we all struggle with this challenge.  Even with the best of intentions, we will be confronted with something that threatens to take us off course, so how do we combat it and still follow through on what we’re supposed to do?  In today’s episode I’m going to share 3 powerful ways we can fight our own procrastination, and stay committed to showing up at the highest level.  I also share;  Why real lasting change is impossible without some pain and frustration  How to remain congruent and in integrity with yourself  How I use the carrot-and-stick method to get myself out of procrastination If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get starte

In my recent episode with REDX’s founder, Curtis Fenn, we got into the topic of Return on Time, as opposed to Return on Investment, and that’s something I want to go a little deeper on now.  For many agents just getting started in the business, financial investment seems like the best way to move forward, especially when it comes to marketing. After all, established agents regularly take out billboards and run expensive ad campaigns, so shouldn’t we be following in their footsteps? The truth is, getting a return on our time is often under-valued, and the problem with that is we end up stressed out and caught up in ‘the grind’ with little to show for it. Plus, most of the time the financial reward isn’t worth the extra pressure, anyway!  In this episode, I’m getting into how we can get more from the hours we put in (and how to put in less hours and see a bigger reward, in the first place!).  You’ll also learn;  An introduction to the Business Freedom Index 2 things you MUST do after l

With so many options for paid leads available to us, it’s never been easier for agents to go that route - but is that always the best option for them? President of REDX and my guest, Curtis Fenn, isn't convinced. According to Curtis, too many agents are focusing on the perceived ROI of paid leads, and not enough are thinking about how they could benefit from a Return on Time.  So, when is it a smart call to invest in paid leads or advertising, and when should we put more emphasis on the number of hours we’re putting in? In this episode, Curtis and I discuss how to pour into our businesses in a way that makes sense for where we are today.  You’ll also learn;  1 thing a newbie agent should avoid investing in, altogether How to create a sphere of influence without spending a dime The key to avoiding shiny penny syndrome in our businesses  The books Curtis Fenn recommends ANY agent read Guest Bio-  Curtis Fenn is the President and COO of REDX. An industry veteran of 16 years, C

There’s a lot of collateral damage and regret in our industry, because the hard truth is that most agents have to double their hours to double their production - or at least, that’s what they think they have to do.  This is something I recently spoke about with my friends over at Real Estate Uncensored, Matt Johnson and Greg McDaniel. However, we ultimately agreed that success in business doesn’t have to come at the expense of our fulfilment in other areas of our lives.  So, what can we do to ensure we continue to build and scale our businesses, without sacrificing the parts of our lives that truly matter to us? In this episode, I’m sharing the key ingredients to holistic success.  You’ll also learn;  1 stage in business when the grind is actually necessary How to tell if we’re thinking like technicians or entrepreneurs  The ONLY 6 Dollar-productive activities in real estate If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscri