Business Freedom Podcast - Powered By Real Estate B-school

High level salespeople are the lifeblood of any successful real estate organization. Unfortunately for most team leaders, all we ever seem to do is hire bad salespeople. As leaders, we’re too focused on potential and not past behavior. On the other hand, they seem good in the interview, but it doesn’t translate to performing well on the job. Is there a way for us to identify the behavioral traits that differentiate the highest performing salespeople in the world? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Principal, Lead Sales Psychologist and Assessment Developer at SalesDrive, Dr. Christopher Croner. Dr. Croner has a wealth of knowledge in what it takes to hire the best talent, and he’s going to share what we can do to find sales superstars. Things We Learned From This Episode The innate sales skills that we just can’t teach or train someone The magic wand question that will cut through BS and get the truth in an interview  The easiest trait for a candidate to fake in an interview  Hunters vs. farmers

For a lot of people, the idea of things going completely sideways seems far-fetched and highly unlikely, but there are a ton of signs that we’re headed for a considerable amount of turmoil. I’m not trying to sound like an alarmist, but we might be on the precipice of some hairy situations, and we have to be practically ready to support and sustain ourselves. What steps have I taken to make sure that I’m equipped for when things hit the fan? In this episode, I conclude my 4-part series on what could be in our near future and how to be ready in every sense of the word.  3 Things We Learned From This Episode The book that predicted where we are today with freakish accuracy Where I’m storing my wealth and the biggest opportunity I’m seeing in the crypto space  How to take care of your food, water and energy needs if things go sideways 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)

The real estate market is headed for some type of shift, and preparing our businesses for it is one thing. What truly matters is making sure we’re personally prepared, and that we’re in a mental and emotional state to get through it. When it hits the fan, our ability to navigate choppy waters comes down to how well we take care of ourselves. What practices do we need to put in place to prepare ourselves personally? In this episode, we’re continuing our series on the coming shift and what we need to be doing right now to get ready. 3 Things We Learned From This Episode How to garner the energy you need to get through a tough market The power of plugging into community and investing in supportive relationships  Why we need to have a margin to regroup in our daily schedules 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 as entrepreneu

In last week’s episode, I talked about what might happen in the real estate market, and why we’re very likely headed for some sort of shift.  If we’re headed for a major economic shift, how do we prepare our businesses for it? What do we need to be paying attention to so we can not only survive, but actually thrive in a challenging market?  In this episode, I share 3 ways to prepare your business for what’s coming, and the activities we need to commit to, regardless of market conditions.  3 Things We Learned From This Episode How to hold your finances accountable and systematically increase your net worth Why the passion vs. pay decision becomes more important in a market shift  The daily cadence we need to follow to keep generating business 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 as entrepreneurs navigat

Many people believe that the real estate market is headed for near-apocalyptic conditions, but I have a bit of a different take. While there are definitely choppy waters ahead, it’s not all gloom and doom. If your business is well-situated, it’s possible to not just survive a market shift but to actually thrive in it. What are some of the factors that will create opportunities in this market? In this episode, I’m going to talk about what’s going on in the market, and how it could impact your real estate business. 3 Things We Learned From This Episode Economic conditions that will impact the way we transact  How to experience multiple stages of growth in the worst market ever  Why we’ll still see activity and transactions in a shift 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 as entrepreneurs navigating the changing landsca

In my impactful conversation with Justin Ford, we talked about taking the vision you have for your life and your business and translating it into a solid plan. It’s one thing to say you want to grow and make an impact. If it’s not written down on paper as a highly-detailed plan, it’s hard to know what we need to do on a daily basis, and as a result we’re doomed to keep fumbling. How do you turn your vision into a comprehensive plan that governs every action and decision? In this clip, I’m going to share my own business plan from 2010, and how it set me on the course to build a life that’s truly fulfilling. 3 Things We Learned From This Episode How to create a three-dimensional plan that goes far beyond business results  The conceive-believe-achieve mindset that powered my business planning  Why the industry is filled with marginally successful agents with no exit strategy If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today: 1. Subscribe to Real Estate Team B

As an industry, we have a tendency to only put our best moments out there. The real rarity is letting people into the darker side of what we’ve been through, and sharing what we had to overcome to become successful business owners and leaders.  My guest today had a really bleak entrance into real estate, and more than a few struggles along the way. Today he sells 100 homes a year, runs really tight systems, and works less than he did when he first got started.  In this episode, real estate broker, author, motivational speaker, and coach, Justin Ford tells his inspiring story, and shares the mindset agents need to adopt to truly achieve freedom.  3 Things We Learned From This Episode -Justin’s story and how he leaned into his faith to completely change his life’s trajectory -The key to setting standards and boundaries and never apologizing for it -Why most agents stay stuck on the real estate hamster wheel longer than they need to Guest Bio Justin Ford is a Man of God, husband, dad, ent

When you don’t have a roadmap, making the shift from agent to owner comes with a lot of pain and suffering. Many fledgling teams are plagued by chaos and culture issues until the leader puts standards and accountability in place.  In the last episode, team leader Veronica Figueroa unpacked her own journey from busy team leader to true business owner - the early challenges, the side effects of not having core values and what she had to do to turn things around.  How do we build an ongoing cadence for our culture and core values? Where do team leaders stumble? In this episode, I’m going to talk about the impact culture and core values (or a lack thereof) have on our business growth efforts.  You’ll also learn; -Why selling a lot of homes doesn’t automatically turn you into a leader -Where team culture often goes off track  -3 key factors that make the journey from agent to owner a lot smoother If you want to continue the conversation, here's what you can do to get started today:

Most real estate teams are born out of sheer necessity, when an agent gets busy enough to need leverage, but bringing on agents is only the tip of the iceberg. The challenge is building a team on a solid foundation, and doing the work to become a true leader.  My guest today, Veronica Figueroa is a successful operator and the leader of eXp’s number 1 team in transactions, but she’ll be the first to tell you that the beginnings of her team were rocky and chaotic. In her words, it’s easy to trip over success in this business, but to have staying power, a team needs standards and accountability.  How did she steady a rocky ship, and build a culture of high standards? In this episode, Veronica shares her journey and the hard lessons she learned to get to where she is.  You’ll also learn; -Signs that your team has no accountability or standards -How to weave core values into the DNA of your business -Why accountability is something we do for our agents not to them Guest Bio-  Veronica

In the most recent episode, Greg Miller talked about the power of slow, steady and profitable growth in building a truly sustainable real estate business.  This is easier said than done for most entrepreneurs because we’re always looking for the easy button growing and scaling our teams. Business owners are an easily-distracted breed, and this wiring can delay the freedom we seek, unless we find a way to temper it.  There’ll always be another shiny object threatening to take our eye off the ball, so how do we overcome this innate wiring so we can commit to our plan of attack with blinders on?  In this episode, I’m going to talk about how distractions impact our businesses, and 3 actions that will keep them at bay.  3 Things We Learned From This Episode How to distill your 3-year plan down to weekly, daily and hourly choices  Why consuming too much content (even if it’s helpful) can dilute your focus The danger of comparing ourselves to other team leaders If you want to conti

A team leader wears a few important hats in the business, and CFO is probably one of the most mission-critical ones. The sad truth about our industry is that many people are completely in the dark about their finances, and some of the teams we see being celebrated on stages are the ones struggling the most.  Real Estate B-School coach, Greg Miller has seen it time and again. He’s coached leaders who are completely blind when it comes to their numbers. He’s seen teams that are less profitable even though they are selling more, but he believes that by making a few key changes, any team leader can become a responsible financially-minded CFO.  What mistakes are team leaders making when it comes to the numbers? Do you have to be spreadsheet-oriented to be more financially-minded?  In this episode, we talk about how to get crystal clear on your economic model and honestly assess where you are.   3 Things We Learned From This Episode The “Shark Tank test” most real estate team leaders would

In my recent conversation with Ellie Thigpen, we touched on one very important point: in real estate, money is made in the not-so-sexy activities. Things like tracking our numbers and holding our teams accountable are far from what most of us would term 'exciting', but they can make the difference between an average return and a phenomenal one, so we've got to stop letting those elements slip through the cracks.  So, how can we get better at ensuring those basic elements are met?  In this episode, I'm diving deep on the simple tasks that have the power to supersize your business.  You’ll also learn;  What we're getting wrong when it comes to accountability  How to remove the awkwardness of accountability   The system every team should have in place to ensure profitability 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

For a business to be successful, there are some things that just have to get done. That being said, trying to juggle all those things can be tough when it already feels like we don't have enough hours in a day. The great thing, however, is that we don't need to be the people who do it all, and neither do the agents on our teams. In fact, as Expert Realtor Services Director of Operations and my guest, Ellie Thigpen learned, many of the tasks that take up time and stop us from pushing the needle forward on our businesses can be streamlined and outsourced to others. Join us as Ellie shares more about how to delegate effectively and start running your team like the business it is. You’ll also learn;  How to pinpoint the tasks that can be easily handed off to someone else  Why we need to set aside time to implement new systems in our businesses How often we should be checking in on our employees' progress Guest Bio- Ellie Thigpen is the Director of Operations at Expert Realtor Services, a pla

In my recent conversation with Justin Stoddart, we discussed the importance of leveraging relationships to get more business, and today, I want to double down on that.  Going deep on our database and referral marketing is the only way to get off the hamster wheel while growing our businesses, but more often than not, agents and team leaders let past clients slip through the cracks.  How can we get to a point where we’re systematizing our database marketing, so we never need to lose out on an opportunity again?  In this episode, I’m sharing how to make database marketing an integral part of our organizations’ operations.  You’ll also learn;  The best time to start database and referral marketing How to bring more people into your database Value-add ideas for your database marketing  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 solution

The traditional real estate model is primarily based on numbers, and often, that approach can make us a ton of money. The downside to it, however, is while real estate can make us cash rich, most of the time, it bankrupts us in other areas of our lives.  What good is it providing a great life for our families if we’re not there to enjoy it alongside them? Is it really worthwhile losing out on deep relationships with the people who mean the most to us, if it means making connections with 100 potential clients, instead?  My guest, international bestselling author Justin Stoddart doesn’t think so. In fact, he’s developed a system to avoid falling into the trap of growth that forces us to sacrifice the other areas of our lives.  Join us as Justin shares how he’s grown his business to astronomical heights, while continuing to pour into his relationships, family and faith.  You’ll also learn;  The strategy Justin Stoddart uncovered as a high-end home builder How to identify the Golden

In my most recent episode, Tara Limbird talked about her journey from solo agent to 650 transactions, and how she navigated her heavy growth years.  There are 6 stages of scaling up a real estate team, and while you don’t have to understand every step of the journey, it’s important to understand that you can predictably go from newly licensed to fully leveraged if you take action with the next stage of growth in mind.  In this episode, I’m going to talk you through each stage and the strategic questions you need to be asking to get to the next level.  You’ll also learn;  Why the real estate industry is designed to keep agents on a draining hamster wheel How to systematically exit every leverageable role in your business and truly become an owner   How to go from newly licensed to fully leveraged in a healthy and sustainable manner 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 (

Today, my guest, Tara Limbird, is the owner and Principal Broker at Limbird Real Estate Group, and she has more free time on her hands than she knows what to do with...but that wasn't always the case. In fact, once upon a time, Tara was an overworked, overwhelmed solo agent, who worked round the clock. So, how did she make the shift? How did Tara go from being too afraid to hire an assistant, to owning a team of more than 20 agents and 19 support staff?  Join us as Tara opens up about her journey to a more leveraged life. You’ll also learn;  Tara’s advice to those who struggle with the idea of letting go The biggest leadership mistake Tara made in her business Why we need to stop choosing to do things the hard way How to move beyond the guilt that often comes with delegation  Guest Bio-  Tara Limbird is the owner and Principal Broker of The Limbird Team at Limbird Real Estate Group. With a background in mortgage, Tara has been in the real estate business for nearly two decades,

In my recent conversation with Christine Lee, we spoke about how to bring God into our business operations, and today, I want to use that theme to talk about peace in our businesses.  In a world filled to the brim with news, Netflix, and, of course, omnipresent squirrels, it can be tough to operate from a place of peace, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.  So, how can we bring more peace into our worlds?  In this episode, I'm explaining that most of the time, peace begins with clear vision. You’ll also learn;  How to visualize your 3-year plan  How to identify the things you need to do in 1 year to make your 3-year plan possible  2 things that can bring us clarity without sacrificing a growth mindset 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 as entrepreneurs navigating the changing landscape

Most of us tend to think of God and business as separate, but is that really what He wants?  The truth is, as my guest, CEO and Founder of Seize the Market, Christine Lee discovered, there’s no reason to keep God out of such an important part of our lives.  In fact, when we welcome Him into every step of our business journeys, we can get bigger results than we ever imagined, along with the peace that only He can give us.  Join us as Christine shares how bringing God into her business changed it in ways she could never have imagined.  You’ll also learn;  How Christine de-compartmentalized her life to incorporate God in everything 1 way to hear God’s input in our businesses Practical ways to run an organization alongside God How entrepreneurialism fits in with God’s plans for us 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 c

When I think about my recent guests, Kerby Skurat and Cristina Edelstein-Skurat, the very first term that comes to mind is consistency.  Having done 777 sides in 2021 alone, Kerby and Cristina are doing amazing things in their business, and their commitment to staying consistent lies at the heart of that.  So, what’s stopping more real estate team leaders from following their lead?  Join me as I delve into how we can stay more consistent in an industry notorious for its near-constant outbreaks of shiny object syndrome.  You’ll also learn;  1 thing we should be time blocking (but most real estate pros never will)  What makes entrepreneurs more susceptible to chasing squirrels The importance of knowing our numbers 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 as entrepreneurs navigating the changing l