Episodes

  • In this episode of the Life and Listings podcast, I welcome Leigh Ann, co-founder of Lex Vivendi Solutions. Leigh Ann shares insights on her role as an online business manager, where she helps business owners streamline operations, delegate tasks effectively, and pivot when necessary. She discusses her experience working with nonprofits alongside her partner Marian Ward, who specializes in nonprofit setup and event planning. Leanne also touches on the importance of adapting to market changes, setting boundaries in business, and knowing when to pivot services for long-term success. She reflects on the challenges and rewards of running a business, as well as her personal life, which includes adventurous family outings and balancing work with fun.

    “So pivoting, I feel sometimes, is a reactionary item from random things that we are completely unknown to us, like we're making an action based off of a reaction we have no control over it. I mean, you can be on top of all the things, and you still have, like you may have your hands full, but you still have that baseball come out your face. So what are you gonna do? Drop one thing, yeah, and try to get the baseball. So I don't know if there's actually a plan, but it's good to pay attention to how you feel about things.”.

    In this episode, let’s discuss:

    Streamlining Business Operations: Leigh Ann emphasizes the importance of efficiently managing and delegating tasks to keep business operations running smoothly.

    Adapting and Pivoting: She highlights the need to pivot services when necessary to adapt to market changes and ensure long-term success.

    Nonprofit Expertise: Leigh Ann and her partner, Marian Ward, bring a wealth of experience in nonprofit setup, event planning, and working with charitable organizations.

    Setting Boundaries: She discusses the significance of setting clear boundaries in business to maintain balance and avoid burnout.

    Balancing Work and Fun: Leigh Ann shares the importance of balancing work life with personal adventures, underscoring that success comes with enjoying both work and family time.

    About Leigh Ann:

    Leigh Ann Van Epps is an online business manager and co-founder of Lex Vivendi Solutions, a done-for-you business management agency that passionately serves scaling business owners, who are overwhelmed by the tedious, yet essential, task of running their business.

    Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, she spent 20 years in the mortgage industry in various capacities honing her analytical, logical, and project management skills. Today, she uses those decades of experience to act as a strategic partner who helps business owners optimize their online operations, maximize efficiency, and generate more income, impact, and return on investment.

    Connect with Leigh Ann:

    Website: www.leighannvanepps.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavaneppsOBM

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighann.vanepps

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • In another episode of the Life and Listings podcast, I interview Amy Stockberger, the broker-owner of Amy Stockberger Real Estate. Amy shares her journey of over 24 years in the business, detailing her all-inclusive, service-oriented business model focused on repeatable excellence. She discusses her innovative lifetime home support model introduced in 2014, aimed at maintaining long-term client relationships and generating referrals. The model includes unique services like a complimentary moving truck and a party shed for clients, which have significantly contributed to her team's success. Amy also highlights her strategies for scaling a business, attracting referrals, and teaching other agents how to build profitable, systemized businesses. The episode wraps up with a discussion on Amy's upcoming PR course aimed at helping agents become local market influencers.

    “You should always be leveraging other people's audiences if you have something to serve and that's what it is. We have a lot to give, and we want to take care of the clients for life, and that attracts the right tribe to us too, because agent attrition is a big deal. So attracting the right agents who want to serve like we do, that's who we're getting, and we're just helping them create big businesses.”-Amy

    In this episode, let’s talk about:

    Client-Centered Business Model: Amy Stackberrger emphasizes a service-first approach, embodied in her "serve, serve, serve, then sell" model. This strategy focuses on maintaining strong relationships with clients not just during the transaction but "forever after," aiming to support their homeownership and life needs beyond the initial deal.

    Creative Brand Awareness and Customer Retention: Amy created innovative programs, like the moving truck and VIP club, to serve clients long-term. These offerings, which include branded equipment for events, serve as both a valuable resource for clients and a continuous marketing tool, keeping her brand top of mind.

    Focus on Systems and Referrals: Amy attributes her success to a systemized approach, which helps with consistency and scalability. By focusing on lifetime customer support and deepening relationships, her business has become 80% referral-based, proving the effectiveness of a well-executed, client-centered system.

    Systemization and Scalability: A systemized business is more valuable and scalable compared to one without systems. Implementing repeatable processes allows for smoother operations.

    Multiple Revenue Streams: To scale a business effectively, it's important to add additional income streams beyond commissions. This diversification can come from various programs serving both clients' needs and generating high-level lead opportunities.

    Client-Centric Ecosystem and Leveraging Influence: Building long-term client relationships through service models like lifetime home support is crucial for sustainability. Additionally, agents can grow their influence and brand awareness by leveraging media opportunities and creating systems that position them as go-to experts in their communities, enhancing lead generation and client retention.



    About Amy Stockberger:

    Amy Stockberger is the founder of Amy Stockberger Real Estate and the creator of the innovative Lifetime Home Support™ model. With a proven track record of leading the highest-producing real estate team in her area since 2017, Amy’ team captures approximately 10% of the market share each year. She is renowned for her strategic approach to client support, providing unparalleled value at every stage of the home buying, selling, and investing journey—before, during, and forever. Amy's philosophy of "Serve, Serve, Serve, Sell" is the cornerstone of her business approach.

    Amy's vision is to transform the real estate industry into a community of Servepreneurs, who elevate the client experience to the highest level by delivering exceptional service and support at every touchpoint, thereby creating legacy businesses for real estate agents. Her Lifetime Home Support™ model is designed to help agents leverage their biggest lead source; their sphere, keep clients for life, increase brand awareness, and generate significant income beyond commissions.

    Connect with Amy:

    Website: www.LifetimeHomeSupport.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amystockberger/



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • Missing episodes?

    Click here to refresh the feed.

  • In this engaging episode of the Life and Listings podcast, the tables are turned as the usual host becomes the guest. In this episode, I am the guest and share my incredible journey, from starting as an unpaid intern to becoming the CEO of a top operations and marketing management company for real estate agents. I dive into how a passion for operations grew from early experiences in a flooring store and an aircraft engine facility, to founding Staats Solutions seven years ago. The conversation uncovers insights into common pitfalls in team and brokerage operations, with a focus on the crucial first hire. I discuss the importance of preparation, from understanding what tasks to delegate to ensuring the right training and onboarding process. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their real estate business effectively.


    “So make sure you have something, and I'm gonna really kind of hone in on that. It doesn't have to be perfect, because that person can help you define those SOPs. As you start going, you can say, this is my basics, but can you help me make them better in the future? Because I always say, when you're hiring, I want you to be ready for that person to move on to a different role, and that person that you hired as an assistant. I'm not saying that prepare for them to leave you, but prepare for them to move up the ladder, right? Because that's always the goal. It's like, I want want those people to be able to do more, or take on more, delegate out the other stuff eventually.”- Jennifer

    In this episode, let’s dive into:

    Hiring Wisely: The first step in expanding your team is to assess your readiness to hire. This involves creating a list of tasks you can delegate, ensuring you have the budget for the new hire, and determining if you're prepared to invest time in training and managing the new person.

    Delegation Strategy: Start delegating smaller tasks, like bookkeeping or transaction coordination, to contractors or professionals before bringing on a full-time employee. This helps ease the transition and reduces the training burden.

    Effective Onboarding: When hiring a full-time employee, make sure you have a basic training structure and clear expectations in place. Consistency in meetings and communication is key to creating a positive working relationship and ensuring the new hire’s success.

    Management Accountability: As a leader, it’s crucial to hold yourself accountable to your team, just as much as you hold them accountable. Consistent check-ins and support are essential for maintaining a healthy work environment and fostering team loyalty.



    About Clarissa McNeill:

    With four years of expertise in real estate marketing, Clarissa excels in both listing promotion and enhancing online brand presence for real estate agents and brokerages. Specializing in crafting targeted campaigns and content strategies, Clarissa specializes in matching real estate agents with the right media outlets, to highlight their top listings and expertise, often getting her client’s featured in their local publications. Her creativity helps to propel real estate professionals forward in the digital landscape with innovative and effective marketing solutions.



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • In another episode of the Life and Listings Podcast, I am joined by Lindsay, a multi-passionate entrepreneur who made the leap from corporate America to real estate. Lindsay shares her journey as a real estate agent in Phoenix, managing a portfolio of single-family investment properties, coaching women in real estate through her program "Legacy Agents," and launching her new book, Becoming a Legacy Agent. In this insightful conversation, She discusses the importance of balancing the strategic side of real estate with inner work and boundary-setting. She delves into her coaching philosophy, personal growth, and passion for helping experienced agents transition from being real estate agents to becoming CEOs of their businesses. Lindsay also touches on her latest passion project, a podcast called "The Inspection Period." Tune in for valuable insights on navigating the unique challenges of the real estate industry while maintaining personal well-being and professional success.

    “I've been doing this stuff forever, and the more you understand about yourself, the more you can navigate this world with ease and build a business that's in alignment with what you're actually already good at. So instead of focusing on things that you're not good at and gridding through it with just like white knuckling through it, you can just do more of what you're already good at, and find somebody delegate what you're not good at.”-Lindsay Fricks

    In this episode, let’s explore:

    Corporate America Dropout to Real Estate Entrepreneur: Lindsay transitioned from a 12-year corporate career to becoming a multi-passionate entrepreneur in real estate, handling traditional real estate, investment properties, and a coaching program for women in real estate.

    Balancing Inner Work with Business Success: Lindsay emphasizes the importance of combining inner work—mindset, emotional regulation, and boundaries—with traditional real estate strategies for long-term success and happiness.

    "Becoming a Legacy Agent" Book: Her book, "Becoming a Legacy Agent," addresses the mental, emotional, and strategic challenges in real estate. It combines personal development techniques with practical steps to scale a business, all based on Lindsay's own experiences.

    Coaching Program for Experienced Agents: Lindsay's coaching program, "Legacy Agents," is tailored for women already making six figures in real estate. It focuses on helping them transition from being just real estate agents to becoming CEOs of their own businesses.

    Importance of Community and Mentorship: Lindsay values investing in masterminds and surrounding herself with successful, happy people. Her coaching program reflects this by creating a supportive community of like-minded, experienced women in real estate.



    About Lindsay Fricks:

    Lindsay Fricks is an accomplished real estate entrepreneur based out of Phoenix, Arizona. Since 2018, Lindsay has built an outstanding reputation for professionalism, market expertise, and client experience within her residential real estate business. In 2022, Lindsay founded a community for successful women in real estate called Legacy Agents where she blends her unique philosophy of deep personal development with time tested strategies and tactics to help women in real estate create fulfilling, aligned and sustainable businesses. Lindsay recently wrote a best selling book, Becoming A Legacy Agent, and launched a new podcast,The Inspection Period. Outside of real estate, Lindsay is highly engaged in her community and passionate about animal welfare, women’s empowerment, and preserving her local neighborhood. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Arizona Pet Project and is actively involved with Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and her local neighborhood association. When Lindsay isn’t serving her clients or community, she is spending quality time with her husband, Jason, and their two dogs and cat at their home in Arcadia, Arizona. In her free time, Lindsay can be found enjoying a great glass of champagne or bold red wine, traveling, reading, watching reality TV or dining at local restaurants.

    Connect with Lindsay:

    Website: www.lindsayfricks.com and www.legacy-agents.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsay.fricks/ and https://www.instagram.com/legacy.agents/



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • In this episode of the Life and Listings Podcast, I welcome Lauren Rathgeb, the Client Success Manager at Reside Platform, who shares her expertise in helping real estate agents and team leaders scale their businesses. Lauren dives into her experience managing large teams, including virtual assistants across the U.S., the Philippines, and Venezuela. She offers insightful tips on building strategic partnerships, training VAs effectively, and fostering clear communication. Lauren also discusses her passion for connecting with people and problem-solving, which she considers her superpower.

    Tune in for practical advice on how to successfully onboard and manage virtual assistants, as well as inspiring personal insights from Lauren.

    “You need to have training programs set up. And here's the thing, it's our mindset around leverage, I believe. So it's understanding that it's not you giving things up, it's not you being lazy. What you don't do determines what you can do. So I hired a virtual assistant to do that group training, and it's like agent onboarding, if we're constantly bringing in recruits, and then you notice your times being sucked by one person in this hour when you're training all on the same material, do group training.”- Lauren Rathgeb

    In this episode, let’s discuss:

    Strategic Partnerships in Hiring Virtual Assistants (VAs): Lauren emphasizes the importance of treating VAs like stateside employees by building strategic partnerships.

    Communication is Crucial: Regular communication through start-of-day and end-of-day emails is essential for ensuring that tasks are completed, expectations are clear, and adjustments can be made as necessary.

    Training and Accountability: Lauren highlights the importance of detailed training programs, including creating an operations manual and ensuring that new hires are trained thoroughly on all aspects of the business.

    Streamlined Processes for Managing Larger Teams: When scaling operations with multiple VAs, group training sessions and communication platforms like Slack can streamline the management process. This reduces the time spent on individual training and communication, improving overall efficiency.



    About Lauren Rathgeb:

    Lauren Rathgeb is the Client Success Manager at Reside Platform, a real estate coaching and consulting platform designed to scale real estate teams and brokerages, enhancing their productivity and profitability through a comprehensive suite of services and expert guidance. Lauren specializes in real estate team operations, administrative and virtual assistant coaching/training, and building SOPs for scalability. At Reside, she manages onboarding, agent services, client meetings, operations, and admin coaching.

    With extensive experience as a Transaction + Listing Coordinator and a proven track record in executive and operational support, Lauren has provided strategic counsel to Real Estate Admin and Virtual Assistants globally. She has led numerous special projects that have driven organizational growth. Today, Lauren is dedicated to fostering the development of operations leaders, streamlining client onboarding processes, and ensuring exceptional client experiences.

    In her free time, you will likely find Lauren either reading or exploring the outdoors. She lives in Tennessee with her fiancé and their animals, Boone, Hadley, and Oliver.



    Connect with Lauren:

    Email: [email protected]



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • Welcome to another episode of the Life and Listings Podcast, I welcome Mac Hill, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Open to Close. Mac shares his extensive experience in real estate technology, including his decade-long journey at Boomtown and 2 years at Sisu, before transitioning to his current role. He discusses the importance of simplifying life for real estate agents through technology, highlighting how different tech stacks can streamline operations, improve efficiency, and ultimately drive growth. Mac also talks about the need to assess tech usage in real estate businesses to ensure tools are being effectively utilized.

    Hear more insights about real estate tech, business growth, and a glimpse into Mac's personal life as he balances work and family. Listen in!

    “Sometimes a broker-provided system may be an invisible cost to the team because they're paying some sort of split or fee to the brokerage, but they don't see it as being something that they want to use. But in reality, there could be some features or functionality in that tool that they could use to create greater efficiency and some of your operations, or lead follow up, or what have you. So, I think it's kind of taking a look at everything that they're using, and trying to create some measurement around effective use of that and the cost of it as well. So starting there, and then continuing to to look at where they view gaps in their own business”- Mac Hill

    Let’s talk about:

    Strategic Partnerships and Real Estate Technology: Mac, the Strategic Partnerships Manager at Open to Close, emphasizes the importance of building relationships with real estate businesses, coaches, and technology solutions that support agents.

    Evaluating and Optimizing Tech Stacks: Mac suggests creating a spreadsheet to track all tech subscriptions, measure their effectiveness, and decide whether to keep or cut certain tools based on their impact on the business.

    Open to Close Transaction Management Platform: Open to Close is a robust transaction management platform designed to streamline operations for teams and brokerages.

    Mac's Approach to Relationships and Problem-Solving: Mac’s superpowers include being a people person, a connector, and someone who doesn't take himself too seriously.


    About Mac Hill:

    Mac is a veteran of the Real Estate technology space, having spent 10 years at BoomTown (building the training team, community team, and advocacy programs during that stint), two years at Sisu (managing community and ambassador relations), and is now helping Open to Close grow through strategic partnerships efforts. He has a passion for SaaS, as he has seen first hand the impact that technology can have on the profitability and quality of life of one's Real Estate business.

    Outside of helping RE businesses with improving their tech stack, Mac loves spending much of his free time with his young family. A father of two girls, aged 4 and 2, he spends much of his free time learning about proper hair-doing-techniques, the ins and outs of painting nails, and keeping up with the latest princesses to join the Disney universe. When free time presents itself, he enjoys watching soccer, staying active, and hanging out with his friends in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.

    Connect with Mac:

    Website: www.opentoclose.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacHillFB

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/machill/

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • Here’s another episode of the Life and Listings Podcast, we welcome Stephanie, a former lawyer turned full-time real estate investor and landlord. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey from practicing law for a decade to achieving financial independence through creative real estate investments, focusing on long-term and midterm rentals. She dives into the importance of leveraging systems and processes to scale her business while maintaining flexibility and a stress-free lifestyle. She emphasizes the significance of creating and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs), which allows her to delegate tasks efficiently and focus on growth.

    This episode is packed with valuable insights on how to streamline operations and achieve financial freedom. Make sure to tune in and listen until the end of the episode.

    “Don't eat the whole elephant at once. Just take one bite. One bite will get you started. And then also see if you can repeat the process, following your instructions. That's a really good check. Is something missing? So I like to start with just a little bit of mental organization, what am I trying to delegate? And what does it look like? That's even before you get to the hiring process. You need to have something to give them. You can't ask them to come in and listen to you ramble once and expect them to be able to perform. That's Oh my god, gotta check your own expectations.”- Stephanie

    Let’s delve into:

    The Importance of Systems and Processes: Stephanie emphasizes how implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and leveraging systems and processes has allowed her to manage and scale her real estate business efficiently.

    Delegation for Efficiency and Flexibility: Stephanie shares how hiring a virtual assistant to handle repetitive administrative tasks, like managing water bills and bookkeeping, has been crucial in freeing up her time.

    The Role of Her Legal Background in Real Estate: Stephanie discusses how her experience as a lawyer has been beneficial in navigating contracts, understanding transactions, and building credibility in her real estate endeavors.

    Resourcefulness as a Superpower: Stephanie identifies resourcefulness as her superpower, which has enabled her to creatively solve problems and achieve her goals. This trait has been instrumental in her success, particularly in finding innovative ways to invest in real estate and build financial independence.

    About Stephanie Cabral:

    Stephanie Cabral is a full-time buy-and-hold real estate investor, having transitioned from working as an attorney for 10 years.

    She has built a portfolio of 19.5 units, including 4 furnished Mid term rentals, valued over $4m. She specializes in the BRRRR strategy and has done over $1m in renovation. She has used multiple forms of financing, including the infamous 203k loan, private lenders, hard money, conventional and commercial financing, a Reverse 1031, and secured historic preservation grants.

    Stephanie began buying rentals while working as an underemployed lawyer and as a commercial agent. In an effort to juggle it all, Stephanie prioritized impeccable operations, determining best practices and then optimizing her systems so she could produce repeatable, predictable results using less of her time. She considers her greatest accomplishment that she serves her tenants in a way that meets her high standards, she has maintained control and transparency in her portfolio, and achieved time freedom despite humble beginnings all through leveraging systems, virtual assistants, and technology. Now, she's able to focus on her next chapter, including a new construction project, helping others streamline their operations with The Lean Landlord, and potential business ventures.

    You may have seen Stephanie as a speaker at the Bigger Pockets 2019 conference, as speaker of the month for CTREIA in October, 2023, or on various podcasts, including Bigger Pockets Show #360, the InvestHer, FurnishedFinder, and CTREIA, to name just a few.

    Connect with Stephanie:

    Website: www.theleanlandlord.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.cabral.33

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniesunrise

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • In today's episode, we're joined by Stephanie, the Executive Broker of Epic Real Estate in Little Rock, Arkansas. Stephanie shares her unique journey into real estate, which began with a personal challenge from her husband to sell their own home. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of building relationships with clients, focusing on the people behind the homes, and maintaining work-life balance. She shares how she integrates personal connections into her business by getting to know her clients' needs and preferences and even inviting out-of-town clients to her home for dinner. Stephanie also discusses the importance of aligning her schedule with her priorities, ensuring that her heart is at rest while balancing her professional responsibilities and family life.

    Tune in to learn how Stephanie combines her passion for real estate with her dedication to her family and community, and discover how you can reach out to her for referrals or to connect with an agent who truly prioritizes people.

    “I love real estate. I love the people I work with. I love the transactions. I love the ebb and flow of the business. You know, some people, I don't panic as much if there's, like, a little lull in sales, because I know that more is coming. And I just enjoy the lull and think this is extra time. I get time with my family, and then it gets real crazy again, and it's crazy.”- Stephanie

    Key takeaways to delve into:

    Career Transition and Philosophy: Stephanie transitioned from a career in elementary education to real estate after successfully selling her own home. She views real estate as more than just buying and selling houses, emphasizing the emotional value of homes and the importance of understanding clients' needs and desires.

    Balancing Family and Career: Stephanie values the flexibility of the real estate profession, allowing her to balance work and family life effectively. She uses time-blocking techniques and efficient scheduling to ensure she spends quality time with her husband and four children while also engaging with her community.

    Community Engagement and Client Relationships: Building strong relationships with clients and community engagement is central to Stephanie's approach. She focuses on getting to know clients personally, hosting them for dinners, and maintaining connections even after transactions. Her community involvement allows her to find opportunities for her clients beyond the traditional market.

    Adaptability and Professional Growth:Stephanie acknowledges the seasonal nature of the real estate business and adapts her schedule accordingly, using slower periods for personal and family time. She is open to future opportunities for professional growth, such as becoming a principal broker, as her priorities evolve over time.

    About Stephanie Caldwell:

    Stephanie is a Texas girl that found herself in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband, Tim, and their 3 kids under the age of 6 back in 2008. Since then she and her husband have added a son to their family and found that they love the people and city of Little Rock. Arkansas wasn't new to Stephanie, as she received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ouachita Baptist University located about an hour south of Little Rock. Subsequently she returned to Central Arkansas and joined the Real Estate profession as her children approached their middle school and high school years. Stephanie is well connected and actively involved in the community, foremost through the local and global ministries of Fellowship Bible Church where her husband is a pastor. These connections leverage her enthusiasm and expertise, enhancing her client dedication.​

    Stephanie showcases her clients’ homes with a personal, professional video as a promotional tool that has been very successful in reaching the targeted audience for each sale. It is her desire to be her clients’ “Forever Realtor”, trusting her to be the best in selling their home and their guide when it comes to finding the next perfect home until they are in their “Forever Home.”​

    Stephanie is the Executive Broker at Epic Real Estate. She is communicative and thorough. Her insight, honesty, knowledge of the market and genuine care for all people are strengths that her clients value the most. She thoroughly enjoys serving her clients through the big life changes that moving often represents.​

    Connect with Stephanie:

    Website: www.epicrealestateco.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steph__caldwell/

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • Welcome to the Life and Listings podcast! Today, we are joined by Jack, a business owner based in York, Pennsylvania, a licensed real estate agent but a savvy investor who started his journey in 2009, focusing on building rental portfolios, private equity investments, and short sales. Jack emphasizes the importance of Sandler Sales Training, setting upfront expectations, and maintaining a strong company culture. He shares his insights on hiring and training top-tier sales professionals, creating investment opportunities, and the importance of valuing oneself in the real estate industry. Listen in as Jack discusses how he leverages his investment background to provide unique opportunities for his team and how he keeps them motivated and accountable to achieve outstanding results. Jack's story offers valuable lessons on building a successful real estate business with a focus on people, process, and performance.

    “The most important part of anything in sales and business is showing up. And I always say, show up with a grateful heart. When you stop doing that, there's a good chance we're going to have a boost up conversation to try to, let's get this thing squared away so we can all increase our revenue and increase our contributions to the culture, because we want them to be there alongside their other teammates. But when the other teammates see that someone is not showing up 100% and we have 100% mandatory show up for meetings. We meet daily, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, via zoom at 9: 30 and Tuesdays and Thursdays are in-person, and we will bring part time agents onto our team with a path to full time within a certain time frame. If it doesn't happen, we have to part ways.” - Jack Lehr

    Key highlights from this episode:

    Approach to Building Sales Teams:Jack emphasizes the importance of professional training for his sales teams, using systems like Sandler Sales Training to build effective sales processes.

    Sales Training and Development: The business invests heavily in sales training to improve conversion rates and enhance customer interactions. Jack's approach is about mindset, building skills, and teaching team members to value themselves and their services.

    Team Culture and Accountability: Culture fit is a critical factor in team success. High-performing agents are expected to show up and contribute positively to the team culture. Regular meetings and mandatory participation ensure accountability and consistency in performance.

    Off-Market Opportunities: Jack's background in real estate investments allows him to create off-market opportunities for his team, providing them with additional revenue streams.

    Agent Onboarding and Performance: The business brings in individuals with sales aptitude and provides them with the necessary training and support to succeed.

    Focus on Value and Revenue: Jack emphasizes the importance of valuing oneself and discourages discounting services, advocating for agents to maintain their professional worth. Agents are encouraged to avoid discount deals, ensuring they receive full compensation for their work.

    Relationship Building and Expectations: Setting clear expectations with clients and team members is essential for successful relationships.

    About the Guest:

    Jack Lehr is the President & CEO of TruAdvantage Team, brokered by Real Broker a high performing residential real estate sales team based in York, Pennsylvania covering South Central PA and Northern Maryland. His team has helped over 3,000 valued clients achieve success through buying and selling homes in multiple different markets. He is the owner of Trusted Property Group, a real estate investment company that he founded in 2009 after previously purchasing several investment properties. With over 550 flips completed that range from complete gut renovations to wholesale deals, the large majority of acquisitions came from a very successful short sale process. He also is involved in several private equity investments, a real estate title company and several other businesses that support his real estate holdings. Jack and his wife Kim reside on a farm and are the proud parents of 4 sons that range in age from 16 to 24.

    Jack’s passion in life is helping others achieve at levels well beyond what they ever thought was possible.

    Connect with Jack:

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeyJackLehrHere

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jack.lehr.31

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyjacklehrhere/

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • Clarissa McNeil, the marketing lead at Stats Solutions, joins me in today’s episode of the Life and Listing Podcast. Clarissa has been with Stats for nearly four years and brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the real estate industry. Clarissa discusses her passion for marketing and shares insights on how real estate professionals can make their marketing strategies simple and actionable. She highlights the importance of building relationships and tapping into local businesses to expand your brand’s reach. She emphasizes the power of consistent, authentic content and how AI tools can assist in creating engaging posts. She also shares her personal philosophy on maintaining a sustainable social media presence and how brokerages can leverage their existing networks.

    Tune in to learn how to transform your real estate marketing strategy into something meaningful and effective.Enjoy the episode!

    “Real estate is all about relationship building. So you've got that you're building credibility, you're tapping into multiple audiences online, and you're doing it while you're living your life versus having to spend a whole day shooting content. I think you people can do that, and you can grow into that, and that's great, but start small, start with the relationships you have, and then that, in turn, gets your brokerage marketing going. And you're doing more than just popping up every listing you have on the market. That tends to get old for people, and I think it's important to remember Facebook, Instagram, all of these platforms were created for fun.”- Clarissa McNeill

    Takeaways from this episode:

    Focus on Authentic Relationships: Build relationships with local businesses and community members to leverage their established audiences.

    Consistent Content Creation: Post consistently to maintain and grow your audience. Clarissa suggests starting with one authentic post per week and emphasizes the importance of maintaining this consistency over time.

    Utilize AI Tools: Use AI tools like ChatGPT to help with content creation. These tools can assist in writing captions, generating ideas, and even creating videos, making the process more efficient.

    Emphasize Personal and Community Content: Instead of only posting listings, focus on content that showcases your personality, community involvement, and the culture of your brokerage. This helps in engaging your audience more effectively.

    Keep Marketing Simple and Actionable: Break down your marketing strategy into simple, actionable steps that can be easily executed. Focus on what feels natural and aligns with your brand identity.

    Leverage Social Media for Fun and Engagement: Remember that platforms like Instagram and Facebook were created for fun. Approach your social media strategy with a mindset of enjoyment and creativity to make it less intimidating.

    Storytelling as a Marketing Tool: Use storytelling to connect with your audience. Share your journey, expertise, and experiences to create a more relatable and engaging brand presence.

    Engage with Local Businesses: Collaborate with local businesses by creating content together, tagging them in posts, and encouraging them to share with their audiences. This cross-promotion can enhance your visibility and foster community ties.

    Be Present and Visible Online: Regular engagement and posting help establish your online presence, making you more recognizable in your local area and among potential clients.

    Start Small and Grow: Begin with simple strategies and gradually build your marketing efforts. Focus on small, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

    Authenticity Over Perfection: Don't worry about being perfect. It's more important to be authentic and genuine in your marketing efforts, as this resonates more with audiences.

    Use Social Media to Maintain Relationships: Social media is a tool for maintaining and nurturing existing relationships and slowly building new ones through engaging content.

    Understand Your Audience: Tailor your content to what your audience wants to see, focusing on community involvement and personal stories rather than just property listings.

    About Clarissa McNeill:

    With four years of expertise in real estate marketing, Clarissa excels in both listing promotion and enhancing online brand presence for real estate agents and brokerages. Specializing in crafting targeted campaigns and content strategies, Clarissa specializes in matching real estate agents with the right media outlets, to highlight their top listings and expertise, often getting her client’s featured in their local publications. Her creativity helps to propel real estate professionals forward in the digital landscape with innovative and effective marketing solutions.

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • I am joined by Justin Marconi, a seasoned real estate professional with over 11 years of experience in this new episode of the Life and Listing podcast.. Justin shares his journey from residential representation to building a real estate team and investment company focused on flipping single-family homes. He discusses his background in petroleum engineering, which fueled his passion for working with investors and controlling the inventory in the market. Justin recounts his early experiences, including a challenging first flip, and outlines his strategy for training his team to be proficient real estate agents. He emphasizes the importance of teaching his agents valuable skills to ensure their success and loyalty. Justin also shares humorous anecdotes from his real estate career and provides insights into his current goals for his team and flipping projects.

    You'll find valuable insights and tips that can help you navigate the real estate industry more effectively. Be sure to check them out and stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on Life and Listings!

    “I want to teach people how to hunt. I've seen what it looks like being on a team that spoon feeds leads to people. And that's just not it's not sustainable. You tend to have a revolving door of agents when that's the structure. And so, I want to actually teach people skills and teach them how to be proficient in this business, because that builds loyalty. If they are actually getting something of value, not just monetary value, but life value, they're going to be more loyal.” - Justin Marconi

    Takeaways to delve into:

    Career Shift and Focus: Justin Marconi transitioned from residential representation to forming a real estate team and an investment company that focuses on buying and flipping single-family homes.

    Background in Petroleum Engineering: Justin's background in petroleum engineering influenced his affinity for working with investors and understanding the financial aspects of real estate.

    Control of Inventory: He emphasizes the importance of controlling the inventory in real estate, aiming to eventually own properties in the market, from single-family homes to commercial spaces.

    Initial Challenges: Justin's first flip was a challenging project that involved extensive renovation, but it provided valuable lessons and ultimately resulted in a profit.

    Team Building: He is dedicated to building a team of agents trained to be proficient and self-sufficient, emphasizing the importance of developing skills rather than relying on spoon-fed leads.

    Training Approach: Justin uses a structured training program that includes daily meetings, role-playing, mock presentations, and shadowing to ensure his agents are well-prepared.

    Multiple Service Options: His team offers various options to clients, including traditional listings, fixing properties for a fee at closing, and direct cash purchases, increasing their success rate.

    Geographic Reach: Justin's investment and flipping projects cover a wide range within and around Houston, including areas up to a two-hour drive from downtown.

    About the Justin Marconi:

    I'm an open book, solo agent, director of sales for a team, beginning as a team lead, stepping away from production to focus on building a team and shifting focus on investment properties (flipping) and building out investment company.

    Connect with Justin:

    Website: jmcapgroup.com (under construction)

    Facebook: @texashomeheroes

    Email: [email protected]

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • Today, I have two incredible guests, Valerie Reed from the Jill Biggs Group in Hoboken, New Jersey, and Megan Henry, a MAPS Coach specializing in operations. We delve into what operations mean to them, emphasizing the importance of processes and systems in running a successful business. Valerie shares insights on keeping business running smoothly behind the scenes, while Megan discusses the importance of having clear goals and proven systems to support those goals. They both offer practical tips on refining processes, addressing pain points, and maintaining clarity on business goals to ensure long-term success. They also touch on the necessity for operations managers to support and translate the visionary ideas of business leaders into actionable plans while maintaining organizational efficiency and scalability.

    Tune in for a deep dive into the world of real estate operations with these two dynamic leaders!

    “I think a lot of agents, especially team leads, want to do everything right. They want to do great marketing. They want to do great social media. They want to have a superpower CRM. They want amazing tracking. And they want all of these aspects of their team to run really well. Well, if you don't have a defined process for those, you're going to constantly be chasing getting one of those done, and making them better. So I think even if they're simple, having your processes in place that get done the things you want to get done. You can always improve them. You can expand them. You can bring in more people. But I think at the basis you've got to have that's like your root system. You've got to have strong processes and great systems to run them on 100%”- Valerie Reed

    Key highlights in this episode:

    Definition of Operations: Operations encompass all the behind-the-scenes activities that keep a business running smoothly. This includes anything that isn't directly related to sales but is essential for the functioning of a team or organization.

    Importance of Processes and Systems: Successful operations rely on well-defined processes and systems. These should be clear, clean, and scalable to ensure consistency and efficiency.

    Aligning with Business Goals: Operations should always be aligned with the long-term goals and vision of the business.

    Adapting and Refining Workflows: Continuous improvement is key. Identifying pain points in existing processes and making small, strategic tweaks can significantly enhance operational efficiency.

    Supporting Visionary Ideas: Operations managers play a crucial role in translating the visionary ideas of business leaders into actionable plans.

    Effective Communication: Clear communication between operations managers and visionaries is essential.

    Managing Change: When implementing new ideas or systems, it’s important to consider the impact on the current workload and processes.

    Empowering Team Members: Empowering operations team members to design their own lives and careers within the business leads to greater job satisfaction and long-term retention.

    Small Tweaks Make a Big Difference: Even small adjustments in processes, such as communication protocols, can save significant time and resources in the long run.

    Real-World Analogies: Using relatable analogies, like the pizza sauce recipe, helps in understanding the importance of following proven systems to achieve desired outcomes efficiently.



    About Meagan Henry:

    When Meagan graduated college she had one goal: become a wandering do-gooder. She left for India where she and a local partner started a school designed to help low caste members acquire basic skills needed to get a job with international companies (who wouldn’t care about caste). From there, she left for Myanmar where she became the Director of Studies for a local business institute as well as the Country Coordinator for a non-profit based in the U.S, and started a microcredit program with a local partner.

    When she returned to the U.S. five years later, she joined a real estate company overseeing all aspects of operations and eventually, sales. From there she combined her years of experience in leadership and growth to become a MAPS Coach where she currently serves operations clients who want to grow their own leadership skills, improve company profits, and live a life by design.

    In her free time, you will find her outdoors with her family digging in the mud, hiking in the woods, or just running around like a racing airplane. In her *extra free time you will find her climbing mountains, scuba diving, and wondering what adventures she might get into next. She has been diving with whale sharks, ridden elephants into the remote jungle, tackled mountains, and faced down seemingly impossible piles of laundry. Her becoming game is strong.

    Connect with Meagan:

    Website: youropscommunity.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meagannhenry/



    About Valerie Reed:

    With over 12 years of experience in Marketing, Communications, and Branding, Valerie moved into the Real Estate industry to bring her skills to agents looking to spend more time working with clients and less time behind the scenes of their business. After owning a Transaction Coordination company for 10 years she ventured deeper into the world of Operations taking on a Director of Development role in an emerging brokerage. After helping to grow the brokerage from 2 to 20 agents over a year and a half, Valerie has now moved into an Operations role with a team, where she can use her process and system experience on a larger level. Valerie works on team analytics and reporting as well as in creating systems and processes.

    Connect with Valerie:

    Instagram: @realestatevalerie



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • Tune into this insightful episode of the Life and Listings Podcast, where we sit down with real estate veteran Preston Guyton. He shares his innovative strategies for lead generation and business growth. Discover how he built and sold multiple companies, created impactful platforms like EZ Home Search and Digital Maverick, and why simplicity and consistency are key to success. Learn valuable tips on improving lead conversion, building strong teams, and maintaining passion in your business. Don’t miss out – listen now!

    “I think a lot of people try to build a schedule based on somebody else's schedule. Build a schedule based on your own schedule, whatever that schedule is. Just stick to it. That's all you need, just do those things. When you look into your CRM, don't have 50 stages, keep it simple. The more simple you could keep it, the more chance you'll have success. And when you get into complexity, no agents are going to follow it. And if you're an agent and you build complexity in your own schedule, in your own CRM, you're not going to follow it either”- Preston Guyon

    In this episode, we’ll tackle:

    Building Multiple Businesses: Preston has successfully built and sold multiple companies, including real estate, construction, and mortgage businesses.

    Lead Generation Focus: His primary focus has always been on lead generation, using it to build and scale businesses.

    Digital Maverick and DCM Program: Preston runs Digital Maverick, which helps teams generate leads through AdWords campaigns, and the DCM program, which manages databases to improve lead conversion.

    EZ Home Search: This platform helps generate leads and is expanding across the U.S., aiming to cover 220 MLSs by the end of the year.

    Exclusivity Strategy: Offering county exclusivity to partners helps improve systems, processes, and recruiting.

    Simplicity and Consistency: Emphasizes the importance of simple, consistent systems and schedules for success.

    Importance of a Strong Team: Building a strong team by finding the right people and selling them on the vision is crucial.

    Real Estate Community Support: Preston is passionate about giving back to the real estate community and maintaining sustainable business practices.



    About Preston Guyton:

    Preston is a proud husband and father who leverages his 20 years of experience in the real estate industry to excel in his personal and professional life. Founder of CRG Companies, Inc. a real estate, construction, and home design company that he sold out of in 2020. co-founder of Palms Realty. Palms Realty currently has over 100 agents and 1,600 closed transactions since opening in October 2021. Additionally, he is the co-founder of Digital Maverick, Reside Platform, and founder of ezHomeSearch.com. In the past three years, Preston has played a pivotal role in generating over 300,000 opportunities for teams and companies across North America. He is passionate about lead generation, most of all he focused on providing teams and companies a better way to control their future business growth.

    Connect with Preston:

    Website: www.ezhomesearch.com; digitalmaverick.com; resideplatform.com

    Facebook: Facebook.com/prestonguyton

    Instagram: instagram.com/prestonguyton



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • This is going to be a fun episode because I have Travis, an expert in the real estate industry, joining me where he shares invaluable insights on the importance of the ISA role, lead conversion strategies, and the critical nature of follow-up. He highlights the need for simple and effective database management systems and the humanization of leads. Travis also discusses his work with Digital Maverick's DCM program, which has sent about 4 million texts and emails in just 106 days, underscoring the scale of their operations. Tune in to hear Travis's tips on training ISAs, handling difficult clients with grace, and maintaining a positive outlook in the fast-paced world of real estate.

    “The more simple your system is, the easier it is for you to close deals. Because once you really boil real estate down, it's just talk to more people, sell more homes, make more money. Like that's really what it comes down to. So a lot of the gaps that we see in Database. Is, is they their smart lists don't match their stages, or they're too they're too critical on what the filters are and things like that. And it's just like last call made stage a, like, just, that's all you need.”- Travis Halverson

    In this episode, let’s explore:

    Role and Importance of ISAs: Travis emphasizes that the ISA position is often seen as a stepping stone but he values it as a career.

    Lead Conversion Tips: Effective follow-up and consistent action are critical for improving lead conversion. Simplifying the system and ensuring uniformity in managing leads can enhance efficiency and outcomes.

    Database Management and System Setup: Clear definitions and simple systems for stages and smart lists in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) are essential.

    Humanizing Leads:Treat leads as individuals with needs and interests rather than mere numbers. Effective communication involves having genuine conversations and understanding clients' needs.

    Training ISAs: Training focuses on improving language and conversation skills rather than strictly adhering to scripts.

    Digital Maverick and DCM: Digital Maverick offers various services, including database management through the DCM (Database Conversion Management) program. Travis's role involves helping multiple teams across states manage and optimize their databases for better lead conversion.




    About Travis Halverson:

    Travis Halverson has been an ISA for 7 years, over 600 closings in his career, and currently managing 70+ databases across the country- he has finally found his niche in real estate. Travis is someone who is passionate about trying to ease the pain CEOs and Team Leads find with databases. Always coming from a place of simplicity- talk to more people, sell more homes, change more lives.

    Connect with Travis:

    Website: https://digitalmaverick.com

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/travishalversonnn/

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • Scott Sillari joins me in this episode where we discuss common challenges such as the misuse of multiple tech tools and the "shiny object syndrome," emphasizing the importance of fully utilizing existing systems, particularly CRM tools, before investing in new ones. He offers practical advice on conducting tech audits, integrating various systems, and improving efficiency. He introduces exciting upcoming enhancements to Real Sync’s platform, aimed at providing comprehensive integration solutions and business intelligence. He also talks about his personal approach to building relationships and offering honest advice to help real estate professionals grow their businesses.

    “If you were building your ultimate tech stack, again, the questions you need to be asking before you add any solution is does it integrate with my CRM. And does it fit into my process of what I want happening from the time I generate a lead to the time that person actually goes onto a nurture campaign and after I close them, right? So, you really need to understand your process more than anything, how you want to be engaging that lead, communicating with them, what things you want to be happening. It kind of starts there, and then you fill in the gaps with the automation attack. But if you already have certain solutions, you need to go figure them out, or have an employee do it.”- Scott Sillari

    In this episode, let’s delve into:

    Importance of Technology Integration: Effectively integrating and utilizing technology is crucial for real estate professionals to streamline their operations and improve efficiency.

    Maximizing Existing Technology: Before investing in new tools, agents should fully utilize their current systems, especially CRM tools, to avoid redundancy and wasted resources.

    Common Challenges: Many real estate agents suffer from "shiny object syndrome," signing up for multiple technologies without fully implementing them, leading to inefficiency and increased costs.

    Practical Guidance: Scott offers a methodical approach to auditing existing tech stacks, integrating systems, and ensuring all tools are used effectively to support business operations.

    Upcoming Enhancements: Real Sync is enhancing its platform to provide more comprehensive integration solutions and business intelligence, helping agents visualize data and make informed decisions.

    Relationship Building and Honest Advice: Scott emphasizes his strength in building relationships and providing genuine, valuable advice to help real estate professionals grow their businesses.

    Resource Availability: Scott is accessible for further support and advice, encouraging listeners to reach out via Real Sync’s website.

    About Scott Sillari:

    Scott Sillari has13+ years experience in consulting and coaching in the Real Estate industry. He worked at a Mortgage Brokerage as a Loan Processor, Certified Home Appraiser, Growing Sales and Business Development for Vyral Marketing, and Licensed RE Agent. Scott has been recognized as a speaker and influencer within the Real Estate space.

    Connect with Scott:

    Website: www.realsynch.com

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsillari/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068012318885

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottysillari/

    Real Synch's social media:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realsynch/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real.synch/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/29118878/

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBP48w99Ws-7yCUcZ4JcFOA

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/SynchReal



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • I have the pleasure of hosting Natasha and Natalie in this new episode of the Life and Listing podcast where we explore the context of women in leadership particularly within the real estate industry. They delved into the transformative role of AI in real estate, highlighting its applications in predictive analytics and AI-driven marketing, while emphasizing the importance of balancing technology with a personal touch. They also shared invaluable advice for aspiring leaders, stressing the significance of mentorship, networking, and staying informed about industry developments. Tune in to gain a wealth of knowledge from their experiences and foresight into the future of real estate.

    “So there's this sacred cow, you've always done things the way you've always done things. So why change them? Don't kill the sacred cow. The sacred cow, it's always been there. It's always been how things have been done. So don't kill the sacred cow. And I feel like in life, not just our industry in real estate, but in every industry, there are a lot of sacred cows, don't change it if it's not broken.”- Natalie Leon

    In this episode, we’ll explore:

    Leadership Journeys: Natasha and Natalie shared their unique paths to leadership roles, highlighting the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned along the way.

    The Role of AI in Real Estate: How AI is transforming the real estate industry, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing operational efficiencies.

    Balancing Technology and Human Touch: The balance between leveraging technology and maintaining a personal touch in real estate transactions; and the importance of empathy and relationship-building, even as technology becomes more integrated into the industry.

    Future Trends in Real Estate: Insights into future trends, such as the rise of smart homes, the growing importance of sustainable and eco-friendly properties, and the impact of remote work on real estate markets.

    Advice for Aspiring Leaders: Natasha and Natalie shared valuable advice for aspiring leaders in real estate, including the significance of mentorship, networking, and staying informed about industry developments. They encouraged listeners to embrace innovation and remain open to new ideas and technologies.



    About Natalie Leon:

    Natalie is the Regional Director of Business Development at Modern Broker in Fresno County, CA. This includes supporting and growing the local offices & northern division of Modern Broker. She coaches/mentoring seasoned and newer agents in real estate, coaches individuals towards leadership opportunities, assists teams in learning how work with their strengths & develop systems to help them continue to grow individually and as a team. One of the key supports for almost 200 agents, company Mentors and an instructor for company training programs. Recruiting, transaction assistance & company event planning are also on the flywheel for Natalie.

    She is also been actively involved in her local association as a C.A.R. Director, Chair of Education Committee, Chair of YPN, on the MLS Committee and Leadership Academy.

    Natalie enjoys hosting and speaking at our association events & with C.A.R.'s WomanUp! by bringing fresh perspectives in a way that inspires people to want to participate in the events she is involved with.

    Natalie's real estate career began in 2005 and is now building her own real estate team with her husband and a Buyers Agent as she enters a new season of her real estate career.

    She has a daughter that she's exceptionally proud of and loves doing all sorts of creative adventures with. Her new puppy, Moon has been a new source of excitement and has his own TikTok page where he has quite a following because of his cuteness & trouble he brings to the family.

    Next adventures for Natalie, Books, Podcasts, Speaking engagements, Production of her Leadership Resources, Real Estate Resources, a fun side business and a couple of Apps. She's finally decided what she wants to be when she grows up... so no stopping her now!

    Connect with Natalie:

    Website: theleons.modernbroker.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalie.leon.CA/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieleonrealtor/

    Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-leon-5184482a9

    About Natasha Kaye:

    Natasha Kaye is the VP of New Business Development at Agent Ichat. Leadership wasn’t something she has ever sought out, it’s just something that happened over the course of time. But she stands by the fact that lack of leadership and tech, and in real estate has been something that ultimately she would like to see course correct itself.

    Connect with Natasha:

    Website: Agentichat.com

    Instagram: Instagram.com/agentichat

    Linkedin: LinkedIn.con/company/agentichat



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • In this new episode of the Life & Listing Podcast, I sit with Mike Allen to discuss the importance of adaptation, continuous education, and relentless determination for success in the real estate industry. Mike shares how agents need to stay informed about market changes, effectively communicate their value to clients, and maintain a strong work ethic. He also discusses the importance of relentless determination and effective leadership. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from a seasoned professional and get a sneak peek into his upcoming book, "The Quantum Real Estate Agent."

    Tune in to gain practical tips and inspiration for your own real estate career!

    “Our agents, if they're not up to date on these situations, then they're not present. They've been living in a cave somewhere, and to your earlier point, they may not make it past these changes if you can't explain it, if you can't defend your value. And I think that's a healthy thing, because if you're not serious about this profession and doing business the right way, then my bold opinion is you don't need to be in this profession. Maybe you need to find something else to do.” - Mike Allen

    Key takeaways to delve into:

    Importance of Adaptation: Real estate agents must adapt to current market conditions, including understanding and navigating changes and challenges such as lawsuits and market shifts.

    Continuous Education: Staying informed about industry changes is crucial. Agents need to continually educate themselves to stay ahead.

    Effective Communication: Agents must effectively communicate their value to clients, particularly in explaining how they are compensated.

    Relentless Determination: Success in real estate requires relentless determination and a strong work ethic. Mike Allen emphasizes the importance of not giving up despite challenges.

    Leadership and Support: Strong leadership is essential in guiding agents through changes and helping them develop necessary skills. Providing continuous training and support is key.

    Buyer Representation Agreements: With new mandates, agents should sit down with prospective buyers at the onset to establish relationships and clarify expectations.

    Value of Proper Preparation: Preparing meticulously and being ready for market fluctuations and changes helps in sustaining and growing in the real estate industry.

    Training and Resources: Providing regular training and updates to agents ensures they are well-prepared to handle new market realities and client expectations.

    Upcoming Book: Mike Allen is releasing a book titled "The Quantum Real Estate Agent," which aims to provide a comprehensive guide for aspiring real estate professionals, sharing his personal experiences and insights.

    Professional Mindset: Treating real estate as an entrepreneurial endeavor and setting oneself up for success through proper preparation and affiliation with the right company is crucial for long-term success.

    About Mike Allen:

    Mike Allen is President and Co-Owner at Century 21 Jordan-Link & Company, globally recognized as a Top 25 Century 21 franchise. The company boasts nearly 400 agents across eight offices in Central San Joaquin Valley, California. Additionally, he is the President and Co-Owner of Homes For Rent, Inc., a prominent property management firm specializing in residential and commercial properties in the Central Valley.

    With a 25-year tenure as a real estate investor, Mike is the managing partner in five real estate partnerships. These partnerships span three states and oversee a portfolio exceeding $20 million in real estate assets. His leadership roles have included serving as the 2023 President of the Tulare County Association of Realtors and as a State Director for the California Association of Realtors, contributing over 16 years to organized real estate.

    Mike is on the cusp of publishing his debut book with Forbes Publishing, titled "The Quantum Real Estate Agent." This book, a narrative of triumph over adversity, shares Mike's journey to real estate excellence, born from a life-altering event. Mike describes it as, "The book I wish I had read when starting in real estate."

    Connect with Mike:

    Website: www.mikerallen.com (under construction)

    Instagram: @mikeallenc21broker

    Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mike-r-allen-67329362/

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • In this episode of the Life and Listing Podcast, Eirik Davey-Gislason joins me in a conversation about the importance of real estate agents, particularly buyer's agents, developing a strong and clear value proposition to effectively serve their clients in a shifting market. Our discussion highlights the need for agents to differentiate themselves by understanding and articulating their unique value, especially in a competitive environment where many agents might lower their commissions. Eirik shares his unique insights from nearly 20 years in the industry, discussing how agents can effectively communicate their value, the importance of personalized service, and strategic negotiation skills.

    Don't miss out on this enriching episode! Tune in to learn how to elevate your real estate business and navigate the challenges of a shifting market with confidence.

    “That was the wisdom that the misunderstanding a lot of buyers had is that somehow they're going to get a better deal by going directly to the listing agent. Well, if we decouple commissions or when we decouple commissions, because we have, now all of a sudden, there's gonna be less of that behavior, if it's true listing agents are not going to be as incentivized to try to keep both sides of the deal, because there may not be another side of the deal. So now it may be more beneficial to a listing agent to actually have a competent agent on the other side of the deal, so that they can share the work. And I think that that's something that we're not really talking about a lot.”- Eirik Davey-Gislason

    In episode 30, let’s talk about:

    Understanding and effectively communicating your unique value is crucial for success in the real estate market.

    Tailoring your services to meet the specific needs and preferences of each client can significantly enhance client satisfaction and loyalty.

    Developing and honing negotiation skills is essential for securing favorable deals for clients and establishing yourself as a trusted advisor.

    Staying flexible and adapting your strategies to the changing market conditions can help you maintain a competitive edge.

    Drawing on nearly 20 years of industry experience, Eric emphasizes the value of continuous learning and applying expert knowledge to solve client challenges.

    Clear and consistent communication with clients helps build trust and ensures that their needs are understood and addressed effectively.

    About the Eirik Davey-Gislason:

    Eirik Davey-Gislason is the Founder of Archway Partners Coaching, an expert in the art of Collaborative Negotiation, and a member of the International Coaching Federation. He is also a practicing Associate Real Estate Broker in New York City with Brown Harris Stevens and has 18 years of experience as an agent, manager, coach and Director of Sales. Eirik is originally from Minnesota and lives in Queens with his wife and two daughters. Follow and subscribe to his social media channels @EiriktheExpert. Notable Awards: Winner, World's Best Dad (2012-2015, 2017, 2019-2023)

    Connect with Eirik:

    Website: archwaypartnersinc.com

    Instagram: @eiriktheexpert https://www.instagram.com/eiriktheexpert/

    YouTube: @eiriktheexpert https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcXsZJE5J7lL95uUIzdyyew

    TikTok: @eiriktheexpert

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eirikgislason/

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • In today’s episode of the Life & Listing Podcast, Sydney Everingham joins me to talk about the importance of authenticity and intentionality in using social media, particularly in the real estate industry. Sydney shares her inspiring journey in the real estate industry and gives us invaluable insights into how she has successfully harnessed the power of social media to build genuine connections and grow her business. Our conversation nderscores that true success on social media comes from being authentic and consistently connecting with one's audience on a deeper level.

    Tune in to hear all about her tips on social media, personal development, and the importance of focusing on what truly matters.

    “I definitely want to build relationships and provide opportunity for my agents to serve our community. So I do that through social media and just posting to what is true to me. And I talk a lot about the self work journey on my platform that has helped me but I had to get clear on where I was good at in real estate, what I can authentically speak to and that is calling online leads. I'm a humble shark when it comes to calling online leads. And that's something I speak to all the time on my Instagram, but I don't speak about how to win a competing offer. I don't do that.”- Sydney Everingham

    In this episode, let’s explore:

    Authenticity and Self-Discovery: Sydney discusses the importance of being true to oneself on social media.

    Building Genuine Connections: The conversation underscores the value of engaging with followers meaningfully, treating social media interactions like real-life relationships. Sydney emphasizes the importance of responding thoughtfully to messages and comments.

    Focused Effort: Sydney advises focusing on one social media platform and mastering it rather than spreading efforts thin across multiple platforms.

    Social Media as a Tool for Networking and Opportunities: Sydney shares how her intentional use of social media has opened up numerous professional opportunities, including speaking engagements and referrals.

    Value of Self-Work: The importance of personal development and understanding one's strengths and interests is highlighted.

    Providing Value to Followers: Sydney's approach to social media is centered around providing value to her followers, whether through sharing personal stories, offering tips, or promoting other businesses. This value-driven approach helps build a loyal and engaged community.





    About Sydney Everingham:


    Sydney Everingham is a Canadian Realtor & Co - Founder of the BRIX Real Estate Group one of Canada's fastest growing Real Estate teams.

    Sydney excels in building out her team & ISA department with over 180 closed transactions from online leads she loves building out connections. You can find Sydney supporting locals, hanging with her Aussie or out in nature when she’s not growing BRIX.

    Sydney travels a lot exploring the world or speaking on stages like TEDX across North America. You can follow along her journey on her Instagram Sydney_Everingham.


    Connect with Sydney:

    Website: https://www.brixtwincities.com/

    Instagram: @sydney_everingham; @brixrealestategroup

    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

  • In this new episode of the Life & Listing, Sara Cain is here with me to talk about the intricacies of real estate operations, leadership and the power of leveraging past experiences in new industries. Sara shares her fascinating journey from preschool teaching and optometry to making a significant impact in the real estate world. She discusses the benefits of collaboration, sharing best practices, and learning from others within the industry to enhance operational efficiency and team effectiveness. This is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their understanding and practices within the real estate sector.

    “So just keep up those gaps that you can fill and utilize, you know, you're already going to be driving to that location, you're going to be driving to do that listing appointment or whatever it may be. Have that person by your side that can truly just document everything you're doing and then create that system that is constantly then in use and you can just easily bring somebody else does. That slow down to speed up a little bit.”- Sara Cain

    Let’s delve into

    The Value of Experience Transfer: Sara, a guest on the podcast, shares her journey from working in different sectors such as preschool teaching and optometry to her current role in real estate.

    Focus on Systems and Efficiency: There is a strong emphasis on the importance of creating efficient systems and processes within a real estate business. Sara discusses how setting up systematic approaches in real estate operations can lead to better management and scalability.

    Importance of Team and Collaboration: The text highlights the significance of teamwork and collaboration. It discusses how attending operations masterminds and building networks can provide new insights and strategies that enhance business operations.

    Adaptability and Learning: The conversation reflects an ongoing theme of adaptability and the readiness to learn from others, discussing how being open to learning from others’ successes and failures can significantly improve one's own business practices.

    Personal Growth and Leadership: The narrative also delves into personal growth and the development of leadership skills within the real estate industry. Sara’s transition into leadership roles in real estate from other industries exemplifies personal growth and the application of leadership across different contexts.



    About Sara Cain:

    Sara is behind the scenes at TruAdvantage Team, serving as the Director of Operations. In this pivotal role, she takes charge of managing team operations, implementing strategic initiatives, driving growth and profitability, overseeing sales training, managing personnel, and offering valuable business guidance. Recently, Sara has taken on the role of the primary recruiter, spearheading efforts to significantly expand the local team. Her journey with TruAdvantage began in 2019.

    Beyond her professional endeavors, Sara, alongside her husband Christian, is a proud parent to an adult son and shares their home with one dog and two cats. Their passion for travel, whether by plane or with their trusty travel trailer, reflects their pursuit of serenity in the great outdoors.

    Connect with Sara:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3_sara_tops/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sara.cain.186



    Connect with Jennifer Staats:

    Website: staatssolutions.com

    Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

    Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/