Looking to Buy, Sell  or Invest in Real Estate
Jason Smith 
Jason Smith 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Even in sales, it's about relationships. Focusing entirely on getting your client to buy what your selling can leave you unprepared for what lies ahead. Spending time getting to know the people you see daily, and building a team that has your back is a great foundation; being who you say you are and leading by example is the formula for success.
Preferred Lender: Jason Smith
  • ​Jason is the preferred Lender for A.Z. & Associates. His energy, personality, and everything about him is impressive. What got Jason into the position he is in today, and what makes him so good at it? Jason was raised by a single Mom in the Central Phoenix area. He was self-driven as an only child and had to work for everything he has accomplished in his life. 
  • ​When Jason was 19, he joined the military to straighten his life out, taking advantage of having school paid for and getting his head on straight. For five years, he served as an air traffic controller, and it transitioned into the Mortgage Lending business and has been in it for over 15 years. 
  • ​How did Carla and Jason meet? Jason was watching A.Z. on social media, and then Carla started to join him on his podcasts. Jason was drawn to them because of their realness. Jason eventually crossed paths with an agent with the brokerage, and they started to work together; that led to him working with most of the agents at A.Z. & Associates.
  • ​Carla liked how genuine Jason was and that he wasn't coming on like a persuasive salesman. He wasn't there to get their business, but he wanted to know Carla and A.Z. and all of the agents. Carla felt no pressure from Jason, and she sees that is how he delivers for his clients and agents also. 
  • ​Jason tried several home loan offices but has been with NOVA Home Loans for five years. The most successful people Jason knows build relationships; he has tried to make that his focus and not so much the product he is selling. Jason has made some amazing contacts over the last 15 years and can work the razor's edge and get things done. 
  • ​Jason is passionate about VA loans because he was in the military. He has one of the top producing agencies in the company, so he can call on the higher-ups if he needs a favor.
Glamping and a Good Mental State
  • ​Jason is married to Taylor Jordan, who is an agent at A.Z. & Associates. They have been married for a year, and for their anniversary, they went glamping. They were both born and raised in Arizona, and she had never been to the Grand Canyon. 
  • ​Jason has a great team, so he was able to take this short trip with his wife, disconnect, and not worry about his business. It also gives him the time to stay in contact with his clients and give them one on one time. He takes the time to build connections and relationships, and he can do that because of the team he has established that has his back. 
  • ​When the crash in the market happened many years ago, Jason wasn't prepared. It was a gut check that hit him hard, but it caused him to change his mindset. You have to do more than chase that commission check; if that is all you do, you will burn out. 
  • ​Carla believes that business is last; her marriage, children, and health are first now. She used to put business first and put all of her energy into it; she had nothing left, and then the business went under. When you are young, you don't realize what is important until you go through the things that cause you to change your mindset and your focus. 
  • ​Mental state is everything, and without it, you cannot deliver in any area of your life When you are leading by example, the right people are going to get it and the others won’t. You can't let their criticism affect how you do you. You will attract the right people when you commit to being genuine. 
  • ​New agents and even agents that have been in the business for years have a piece that is missing to give them the success they want. When you come to A.Z. & Associates, they allow you to be who you want to be and create what you want to create. It's not a question of who you are but who you want to be. 
  • ​Carla is very direct, but she speaks her truth, and business is the last thing that should be on your mind. The intention behind it might make some nervous, but it is golden; it is all about who you are as a person and giving the best of yourself.
Baby Girls and Labradoodles
  • Jason has worked with a lot of other brokerages, and their agents are floundering because they have no direction; at A.Z. & Associates, training and coaching are what makes them stand out. 
  • ​Jason is exceptional at what he does, and he is also a friend to both Carla and A.Z. He understands what they are trying to build and do at their brokerage. Jason is living what they coach, and it is apparent in the way he lives his life and runs his business. Jason is a perfect match for A.Z. & Associates.
  • ​There is nothing better than working with people who are on the same page as you vs. putting on a mask daily to be someone that the client wants. Everything about Jason is entirely different from all of the lenders that Carla has worked with in the past. 
  • ​Jason is thankful for the friendship he has with Carla and A.Z., and he is thrilled that he gets to do business with them also. This industry can make you struggle, and that wears you out, especially when the client wants you to go over the top for them to keep their business. With A.Z. & Associates, Jason only has to do what he is supposed to do and be his best self. 
  • ​Jason has an 18 month old baby and no more planned in the immediate future. He loves his little girl, and he is content with the one. He has created a great team that has allowed him to spend time with his daughter and make his family a priority. 
  • ​Carla always wants another baby, and A.Z. still gets her a new Labradoodle instead. She loves babies and loves a crying baby. She thinks it is because when her girls were little, she would always tell them to keep quiet; now, she wishes she could get that time back. Where they are now, it wouldn't be fair for her girls to have to split their time with a new baby. So she is probably getting another dog. 
  • ​If you are interested in learning more about A.Z. & Associates, go to www.badassagents.com to get more information, and they will contact you.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Even in sales, it's about relationships. Focusing entirely on getting your client to buy what your selling can leave you unprepared for what lies ahead. Spending time getting to know the people you see daily, and building a team that has your back is a great foundation; being who you say you are and leading by example is the formula for success.
Preferred Lender: Jason Smith
  • ​Jason is the preferred Lender for A.Z. & Associates. His energy, personality, and everything about him is impressive. What got Jason into the position he is in today, and what makes him so good at it? Jason was raised by a single Mom in the Central Phoenix area. He was self-driven as an only child and had to work for everything he has accomplished in his life. 
  • ​When Jason was 19, he joined the military to straighten his life out, taking advantage of having school paid for and getting his head on straight. For five years, he served as an air traffic controller, and it transitioned into the Mortgage Lending business and has been in it for over 15 years. 
  • ​How did Carla and Jason meet? Jason was watching A.Z. on social media, and then Carla started to join him on his podcasts. Jason was drawn to them because of their realness. Jason eventually crossed paths with an agent with the brokerage, and they started to work together; that led to him working with most of the agents at A.Z. & Associates.
  • ​Carla liked how genuine Jason was and that he wasn't coming on like a persuasive salesman. He wasn't there to get their business, but he wanted to know Carla and A.Z. and all of the agents. Carla felt no pressure from Jason, and she sees that is how he delivers for his clients and agents also. 
  • ​Jason tried several home loan offices but has been with NOVA Home Loans for five years. The most successful people Jason knows build relationships; he has tried to make that his focus and not so much the product he is selling. Jason has made some amazing contacts over the last 15 years and can work the razor's edge and get things done. 
  • ​Jason is passionate about VA loans because he was in the military. He has one of the top producing agencies in the company, so he can call on the higher-ups if he needs a favor.
Glamping and a Good Mental State
  • ​Jason is married to Taylor Jordan, who is an agent at A.Z. & Associates. They have been married for a year, and for their anniversary, they went glamping. They were both born and raised in Arizona, and she had never been to the Grand Canyon. 
  • ​Jason has a great team, so he was able to take this short trip with his wife, disconnect, and not worry about his business. It also gives him the time to stay in contact with his clients and give them one on one time. He takes the time to build connections and relationships, and he can do that because of the team he has established that has his back. 
  • ​When the crash in the market happened many years ago, Jason wasn't prepared. It was a gut check that hit him hard, but it caused him to change his mindset. You have to do more than chase that commission check; if that is all you do, you will burn out. 
  • ​Carla believes that business is last; her marriage, children, and health are first now. She used to put business first and put all of her energy into it; she had nothing left, and then the business went under. When you are young, you don't realize what is important until you go through the things that cause you to change your mindset and your focus. 
  • ​Mental state is everything, and without it, you cannot deliver in any area of your life When you are leading by example, the right people are going to get it and the others won’t. You can't let their criticism affect how you do you. You will attract the right people when you commit to being genuine. 
  • ​New agents and even agents that have been in the business for years have a piece that is missing to give them the success they want. When you come to A.Z. & Associates, they allow you to be who you want to be and create what you want to create. It's not a question of who you are but who you want to be. 
  • ​Carla is very direct, but she speaks her truth, and business is the last thing that should be on your mind. The intention behind it might make some nervous, but it is golden; it is all about who you are as a person and giving the best of yourself.
Baby Girls and Labradoodles
  • Jason has worked with a lot of other brokerages, and their agents are floundering because they have no direction; at A.Z. & Associates, training and coaching are what makes them stand out. 
  • ​Jason is exceptional at what he does, and he is also a friend to both Carla and A.Z. He understands what they are trying to build and do at their brokerage. Jason is living what they coach, and it is apparent in the way he lives his life and runs his business. Jason is a perfect match for A.Z. & Associates.
  • ​There is nothing better than working with people who are on the same page as you vs. putting on a mask daily to be someone that the client wants. Everything about Jason is entirely different from all of the lenders that Carla has worked with in the past. 
  • ​Jason is thankful for the friendship he has with Carla and A.Z., and he is thrilled that he gets to do business with them also. This industry can make you struggle, and that wears you out, especially when the client wants you to go over the top for them to keep their business. With A.Z. & Associates, Jason only has to do what he is supposed to do and be his best self. 
  • ​Jason has an 18 month old baby and no more planned in the immediate future. He loves his little girl, and he is content with the one. He has created a great team that has allowed him to spend time with his daughter and make his family a priority. 
  • ​Carla always wants another baby, and A.Z. still gets her a new Labradoodle instead. She loves babies and loves a crying baby. She thinks it is because when her girls were little, she would always tell them to keep quiet; now, she wishes she could get that time back. Where they are now, it wouldn't be fair for her girls to have to split their time with a new baby. So she is probably getting another dog. 
  • ​If you are interested in learning more about A.Z. & Associates, go to www.badassagents.com to get more information, and they will contact you.
Janette Owen 
(Featuring A.Z. Araujo)
Janette Owen 
(Featuring A.Z. Araujo)
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Sales can be an easy task to master when you are in the right environment. That means being surrounded by people who will share their knowledge and coach you to be a successful business owner. At A.Z. & Associates, the focus is training you in every facet of real estate and giving you support from every area of the brokerage. You aren't an employee; you are an entrepreneur; start being treated like one.
The Power of Women in Sales: Janette Owen
  • ​Mastering your real estate career whether you are a man or a woman, is hard work and takes a lot. Being in sales as a woman involves a lot of emotions, failures, and doubts. Jeanette Owen is the Designated Broker at A.Z. & Associates and is in the studio with Carla and A.Z. Araujo to give some insight on what pressures she faces as a woman in real estate. A.Z. will also be sharing how he deals with the demands of real estate being a dominant male. 
  • ​What are some obstacles that Janette has faced being a woman in sales? As an agent, from the beginning, there was pressure in general, not necessarily woman-specific. She was never intimidated by other people; she loves people. Did she ever question what she was doing, and how did she overcome that? Absolutely and she even had someone tell her she wasn't good at marketing. It set her back for a minute, but she focused on how she could improve.
  • ​Janette ramped up her marketing, researching, and talking to other agents who were doing a great job at it. Did Jeanette ever go into social media marketing, or did she lean on referrals? Most of her business is referral based, but being at A.Z. & Associates, she is geared more towards social media now. 
  • ​Janette learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable doing social media. A.Z. would tell her to do more videos so people could see what she was all about. She jumped in and put in the reps of getting in front of a camera and talking. She stopped worrying about what she was going to say and kept going. 
  • ​A.Z. is good at pushing people who are uncomfortable to get behind the camera. He did that for Carla, which led her to create this podcast about Women in Real Estate. What does A.Z. do to push people to that point? He sees the upside; he sees the great personalities around him. Most don't shine a light on that enough and put too much emphasis on everything being perfect. Most people love Carla, Jeanette, and A.Z. because of their imperfections. 
  • ​A.Z. feels it's his job to encourage those to put themselves out there. He told Jeanette to be herself because that is why she became the Broker at A.Z. & Associates. Jeanette does a lot of the internal training for the brokerage, and it's from her perspective. 
  • ​What made Janette choose to come to A.Z & Associates? She had met Carla & A.Z. at an event, and she liked their energy and the comradery. When an agent is thinking about coming to A.Z. & Associates, you first meet with the owners, which is Carla and A.Z., and then you meet the Broker, which is Jeanette. They want to see if this is a good fit for you and them also. When Jeanette meets with the agents, what are some of the things she walks them through? 
  • ​She shares with them a book she has created for them and tells them she wants to get to know them. The team at A.Z. & Associates has created a how-to for basically everything an agent needs to know. There is also a video for new agents that tells them how to do absolutely everything when they are getting started.
Stay Calm and Sell On
  • ​Every transaction is so different. There are videos available to the agents at A.Z. & Associates, that teach in many different areas of real estate. The training walks the agents through all of the steps to be successful in their business. Janette has a training called, "Broker Breakdown," that she airs each Friday detailing issues that have come up and how to handle them.
  • ​Sales are difficult if you lack the confidence and knowledge to get that listing. A.Z. provides coaching on top of the training to get you, the agent, to the next level. There are many different facets to how A.Z. & Associates works and the Broker support is huge, but it goes beyond that.  
  • ​When things fall apart, and you start to doubt your abilities in real estate, that is where A.Z. comes in. It is an elite mindset, skillset, and leadership training program, and they make sure they support the skill set but also the mindset reinforcement behind those teachings. This business is not difficult. You have to possess common sense, and consistency keeping up on technology and the competition; it's a mindset to continue to move forward past your failures. We all have failures. 
  • ​There will be listings and buyers you don't get, escrows that fall through, and those are the things that can be detrimental to an agent. They put so much emphasis on one or two deals, and if they don't go perfect, it throws them off of their game. You begin to question yourself and fail to take the appropriate action in marketing. The more failures you face, the more you are pushing yourself forward; you are moving. 
  • ​Some agents at A.Z. & Associates have been in the game for two years, and they haven't faced resistance because they haven't produced much in the past. Once they come here, they face challenge after challenge and understand they are facing those challenges because they are taking action towards getting something for themselves. 
  • ​You find power in sales through failures and repetition. Falling flat on your face can be one of the best tools for growth in your business. When agents at A.Z. & Associates make minor or major mistakes, Carla and Jeanette try to figure out a solution for it. Carla congratulates the agents on every failure because she has been there. The harder you fall, the better it is, and every failure is a win. There are no losses in real estate only wins. The reason? You become more knowledgeable and fearless.
  • ​When things fall apart, how does Jeanette deal with that from a Broker standpoint? She is very protective, but she knows the contract thoroughly, and she focuses on calming the agent down so they can move forward. It sets the tone for the brokerage. If the Broker makes a mountain out of a molehill, it makes the situation that much more difficult. Jeanette adds that component of calmness and reassures that they will find a solution which is key. 
  • ​If the agent thinks their career is over from a small mistake, it does something to their psyche, and they are less likely to bounce back quickly. Feeling belittled in this industry can push you down or cause you to rise; it is more difficult when you don't feel supported. At A.Z. & Associates, we come hunting for you if you disappear or find out something happened. We want to know where you are at and how we can assist you because real estate can chew you up and spit you out.
It Takes Time
  • ​Did Jeanette ever feel belittled in this industry as an agent? Deals falling apart or a client leaving can make you question what's wrong with you. Most times it's the other person and not you at all; you have got to know that you are stable and you know what you are doing. You can't take everything to heart in this business; most times, it isn't about you.
  • ​Sometimes it's not a client that upsets an agent but another agent. The way to handle that is to put everything in writing, to lessen the chances of a dispute. If the other agent is rude in an email, forward that on to their Broker. 
  • ​What are some pointers you would give a new agent or even a veteran agent who is feeling stagnant in their career? How can they master their career? A.Z. would say that it doesn't come easy and you aren't only a realtor but a business owner. It will take time to learn your marketing, sales, and systems; success will not happen in the next 30 days; this is a long-term game.
  • ​It will take time to be profitable, and this business does not take a substantial financial investment to get up and running. It does require sweat equity, which means there will be a lot of hard work in the beginning. There aren't a lot of luxuries like vacations and buying things that you want, but that is a possibility if you stay consistent. 
  • ​A lot of people get into real estate because they are inspired by other agents and what they can buy and how successful they are. They see the shiny object but not the work behind it. Given time and with the right repetitions and environment, you will have success. The agents at A.Z. & Associates thrive in this environment because they are reminded of what is required to be where they want to be.
  • ​Carla and A.Z. were overwhelmed running the business alone, and so they hired Jeanette as their "BAB"; Bad-ass Broker. As they grew, they only brought on people who were like-minded about what they wanted to bring to the environment. Jeanette filled that space because she was an agent in the beginning, and she had the same mindset as them.
  • ​What made Jeanette decide to make a move from agent to Broker? The two criteria she had to have to come to a brokerage was comradery and broker backing; she knew she could provide that broker backing. They tried to hire outside of the brokerage, and it didn't work out because they didn't share the same philosophy. 
  • ​Carla loved Jeanette from the beginning because she had no filter; she didn't hide the craziness of her life. She hasn't changed and has only become more powerful. Carla knew if she was honest about her personal life, she would be that way in the brokerage. Nothing ever stops Jeanette, and she continues to grow. 
  • ​A.Z. loves that Jeanette continues to lean in, even in the most uncomfortable of situations she keeps going. Carla is very proud of what they have created at A.Z. & Associates and the environment they have for agents who want to grow and succeed. 
  • ​Sales are easy; what makes it difficult is how you approach it. If you lack that confidence and are fearful, you will face every challenge out there. You got your license for a reason, and the journey won't be easy but go into it knowing that it's not easy, but it is fun. When you apply at a brokerage, make sure you ask all the right questions. What kind of support will you have? Who is signing you on and what do they have to offer in your growth? You are not an employee, but an independent contractor so treat yourself like that. 
  • ​At A.Z. & Associates, they do things differently, and they take the approach with their agents that they are not helpless. You are a business owner that is looking to grow and expand your business over time. A.Z. & Carla take the time as owners to meet with you. They have over 130 agents and are considered a large brokerage, but they have created enough space in their lives to take the time to meet with each agent. 
  • ​They want you to know that you have people behind you to support you. That is the key to what they do, and they put the responsibility back on you, the agent. As business owners, you will discuss what the next steps are for your marketing, sales, and implementing systems. Working on your mind and your health is also vital to Carla and A.Z. If you don't have those elements, anything you do will fall apart.
  • ​Balance is essential, and if you are failing in one area, you won't be able to succeed in the others. You are your own business, and most brokerages will make you promises they can't keep. A.Z. & Associates want to be a part of your life; you won't come on board and never be seen or heard from again. That is not the way it is structured here. 
  • ​If you are an entrepreneur in real estate, consider A.Z. & Associates; you will see the difference. They are a coaching and consulting company and if you want more information, go to www.badassagents.com and check it out. Fill out an application and then meet with Carla, A.Z., and Jeanette and see if it's a fit.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Sales can be an easy task to master when you are in the right environment. That means being surrounded by people who will share their knowledge and coach you to be a successful business owner. At A.Z. & Associates, the focus is training you in every facet of real estate and giving you support from every area of the brokerage. You aren't an employee; you are an entrepreneur; start being treated like one.
The Power of Women in Sales: Janette Owen
  • ​Mastering your real estate career whether you are a man or a woman, is hard work and takes a lot. Being in sales as a woman involves a lot of emotions, failures, and doubts. Jeanette Owen is the Designated Broker at A.Z. & Associates and is in the studio with Carla and A.Z. Araujo to give some insight on what pressures she faces as a woman in real estate. A.Z. will also be sharing how he deals with the demands of real estate being a dominant male. 
  • ​What are some obstacles that Janette has faced being a woman in sales? As an agent, from the beginning, there was pressure in general, not necessarily woman-specific. She was never intimidated by other people; she loves people. Did she ever question what she was doing, and how did she overcome that? Absolutely and she even had someone tell her she wasn't good at marketing. It set her back for a minute, but she focused on how she could improve.
  • ​Janette ramped up her marketing, researching, and talking to other agents who were doing a great job at it. Did Jeanette ever go into social media marketing, or did she lean on referrals? Most of her business is referral based, but being at A.Z. & Associates, she is geared more towards social media now. 
  • ​Janette learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable doing social media. A.Z. would tell her to do more videos so people could see what she was all about. She jumped in and put in the reps of getting in front of a camera and talking. She stopped worrying about what she was going to say and kept going. 
  • ​A.Z. is good at pushing people who are uncomfortable to get behind the camera. He did that for Carla, which led her to create this podcast about Women in Real Estate. What does A.Z. do to push people to that point? He sees the upside; he sees the great personalities around him. Most don't shine a light on that enough and put too much emphasis on everything being perfect. Most people love Carla, Jeanette, and A.Z. because of their imperfections. 
  • ​A.Z. feels it's his job to encourage those to put themselves out there. He told Jeanette to be herself because that is why she became the Broker at A.Z. & Associates. Jeanette does a lot of the internal training for the brokerage, and it's from her perspective. 
  • ​What made Janette choose to come to A.Z & Associates? She had met Carla & A.Z. at an event, and she liked their energy and the comradery. When an agent is thinking about coming to A.Z. & Associates, you first meet with the owners, which is Carla and A.Z., and then you meet the Broker, which is Jeanette. They want to see if this is a good fit for you and them also. When Jeanette meets with the agents, what are some of the things she walks them through? 
  • ​She shares with them a book she has created for them and tells them she wants to get to know them. The team at A.Z. & Associates has created a how-to for basically everything an agent needs to know. There is also a video for new agents that tells them how to do absolutely everything when they are getting started.
Stay Calm and Sell On
  • ​Every transaction is so different. There are videos available to the agents at A.Z. & Associates, that teach in many different areas of real estate. The training walks the agents through all of the steps to be successful in their business. Janette has a training called, "Broker Breakdown," that she airs each Friday detailing issues that have come up and how to handle them.
  • ​Sales are difficult if you lack the confidence and knowledge to get that listing. A.Z. provides coaching on top of the training to get you, the agent, to the next level. There are many different facets to how A.Z. & Associates works and the Broker support is huge, but it goes beyond that.  
  • ​When things fall apart, and you start to doubt your abilities in real estate, that is where A.Z. comes in. It is an elite mindset, skillset, and leadership training program, and they make sure they support the skill set but also the mindset reinforcement behind those teachings. This business is not difficult. You have to possess common sense, and consistency keeping up on technology and the competition; it's a mindset to continue to move forward past your failures. We all have failures. 
  • ​There will be listings and buyers you don't get, escrows that fall through, and those are the things that can be detrimental to an agent. They put so much emphasis on one or two deals, and if they don't go perfect, it throws them off of their game. You begin to question yourself and fail to take the appropriate action in marketing. The more failures you face, the more you are pushing yourself forward; you are moving. 
  • ​Some agents at A.Z. & Associates have been in the game for two years, and they haven't faced resistance because they haven't produced much in the past. Once they come here, they face challenge after challenge and understand they are facing those challenges because they are taking action towards getting something for themselves. 
  • ​You find power in sales through failures and repetition. Falling flat on your face can be one of the best tools for growth in your business. When agents at A.Z. & Associates make minor or major mistakes, Carla and Jeanette try to figure out a solution for it. Carla congratulates the agents on every failure because she has been there. The harder you fall, the better it is, and every failure is a win. There are no losses in real estate only wins. The reason? You become more knowledgeable and fearless.
  • ​When things fall apart, how does Jeanette deal with that from a Broker standpoint? She is very protective, but she knows the contract thoroughly, and she focuses on calming the agent down so they can move forward. It sets the tone for the brokerage. If the Broker makes a mountain out of a molehill, it makes the situation that much more difficult. Jeanette adds that component of calmness and reassures that they will find a solution which is key. 
  • ​If the agent thinks their career is over from a small mistake, it does something to their psyche, and they are less likely to bounce back quickly. Feeling belittled in this industry can push you down or cause you to rise; it is more difficult when you don't feel supported. At A.Z. & Associates, we come hunting for you if you disappear or find out something happened. We want to know where you are at and how we can assist you because real estate can chew you up and spit you out.
It Takes Time
  • ​Did Jeanette ever feel belittled in this industry as an agent? Deals falling apart or a client leaving can make you question what's wrong with you. Most times it's the other person and not you at all; you have got to know that you are stable and you know what you are doing. You can't take everything to heart in this business; most times, it isn't about you.
  • ​Sometimes it's not a client that upsets an agent but another agent. The way to handle that is to put everything in writing, to lessen the chances of a dispute. If the other agent is rude in an email, forward that on to their Broker. 
  • ​What are some pointers you would give a new agent or even a veteran agent who is feeling stagnant in their career? How can they master their career? A.Z. would say that it doesn't come easy and you aren't only a realtor but a business owner. It will take time to learn your marketing, sales, and systems; success will not happen in the next 30 days; this is a long-term game.
  • ​It will take time to be profitable, and this business does not take a substantial financial investment to get up and running. It does require sweat equity, which means there will be a lot of hard work in the beginning. There aren't a lot of luxuries like vacations and buying things that you want, but that is a possibility if you stay consistent. 
  • ​A lot of people get into real estate because they are inspired by other agents and what they can buy and how successful they are. They see the shiny object but not the work behind it. Given time and with the right repetitions and environment, you will have success. The agents at A.Z. & Associates thrive in this environment because they are reminded of what is required to be where they want to be.
  • ​Carla and A.Z. were overwhelmed running the business alone, and so they hired Jeanette as their "BAB"; Bad-ass Broker. As they grew, they only brought on people who were like-minded about what they wanted to bring to the environment. Jeanette filled that space because she was an agent in the beginning, and she had the same mindset as them.
  • ​What made Jeanette decide to make a move from agent to Broker? The two criteria she had to have to come to a brokerage was comradery and broker backing; she knew she could provide that broker backing. They tried to hire outside of the brokerage, and it didn't work out because they didn't share the same philosophy. 
  • ​Carla loved Jeanette from the beginning because she had no filter; she didn't hide the craziness of her life. She hasn't changed and has only become more powerful. Carla knew if she was honest about her personal life, she would be that way in the brokerage. Nothing ever stops Jeanette, and she continues to grow. 
  • ​A.Z. loves that Jeanette continues to lean in, even in the most uncomfortable of situations she keeps going. Carla is very proud of what they have created at A.Z. & Associates and the environment they have for agents who want to grow and succeed. 
  • ​Sales are easy; what makes it difficult is how you approach it. If you lack that confidence and are fearful, you will face every challenge out there. You got your license for a reason, and the journey won't be easy but go into it knowing that it's not easy, but it is fun. When you apply at a brokerage, make sure you ask all the right questions. What kind of support will you have? Who is signing you on and what do they have to offer in your growth? You are not an employee, but an independent contractor so treat yourself like that. 
  • ​At A.Z. & Associates, they do things differently, and they take the approach with their agents that they are not helpless. You are a business owner that is looking to grow and expand your business over time. A.Z. & Carla take the time as owners to meet with you. They have over 130 agents and are considered a large brokerage, but they have created enough space in their lives to take the time to meet with each agent. 
  • ​They want you to know that you have people behind you to support you. That is the key to what they do, and they put the responsibility back on you, the agent. As business owners, you will discuss what the next steps are for your marketing, sales, and implementing systems. Working on your mind and your health is also vital to Carla and A.Z. If you don't have those elements, anything you do will fall apart.
  • ​Balance is essential, and if you are failing in one area, you won't be able to succeed in the others. You are your own business, and most brokerages will make you promises they can't keep. A.Z. & Associates want to be a part of your life; you won't come on board and never be seen or heard from again. That is not the way it is structured here. 
  • ​If you are an entrepreneur in real estate, consider A.Z. & Associates; you will see the difference. They are a coaching and consulting company and if you want more information, go to www.badassagents.com and check it out. Fill out an application and then meet with Carla, A.Z., and Jeanette and see if it's a fit.
Lani Chappell
Lani Chappell
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Making a big move from one end of the country to the other can be a challenge, and gaining trust from clients who are doing that is the biggest challenge of all. Lani Chappell took the leap and left her home state of Alaska to make Arizona her new home away from home; she uses that experience to help her clients do the same. Someday the biggest leap of faith is in yourself and when you're surrounded with those who encourage and teach you to grow in the small things, your journey becomes full of huge successes.
Alaska to Arizona
  • ​Carla has the Home Away App on her phone, and last summer the family vacationed in California; the Home Away App said the rental house was terrific. The pictures looked great, but it wasn't what they had hoped for. It had no a/c; the garage was too small for their rental car; the Home inside was beautiful and spacious and right by the beach.
  • ​The little details they left out, and the humidity they were not used too made not having an a/c a problem; but they made it through. What if you were buying a home out of state and you aren't told the whole truth about the Home until you see it. Lani Chappell has her homes listed on Home Away, Vrbo and Airbnb. She has a home locally in Arizona, but her first Home was in Alaska where she was born and raised. 
  • ​Lani moved to Arizona 11 years ago with her then-husband, but after some family tragedy, she moved back to Alaska and started the Airbnb when she was 21. She ultimately moved back to Arizona several years later. Her mother was very successful as a Real Estate agent in Hawaii in the, and it's always been in her blood. Her family built their first Home from the dirt up themselves. 
  • ​Lani has always been fascinated by trends, fashion, and interior design. How does Lani make her clientele from Alaska feel comfortable purchasing homes in another state? It is a lot of referral based, and she deals with mostly out of state purchasers from New York, California, Oregon, Canada, and Alaska. It starts with a Facetime interview or Skype; It's not only the client interviewing her, but she is interviewing them. 
  • ​They have to trust Lani because she is dealing with a big purchase for them. The main thing is not being afraid to ask the client a lot of questions; the same goes with the buyers; they need to ask their agents a lot of clients. What are some of the questions that Lani asks her out of state clients? She tells her clients that she isn't selling homes; she is selling a lifestyle. Where you purchase a home dictates what kind of life you are going to live. Do you want to be in a good school district? Do you want seclusion and to be near hiking trails? Do you want to play golf all day or live in the city in a high rise? 
  • ​Lani bombards her clients with questions; it is essential to know every detail so they will be happy. Then it becomes a matter of research and finding homes that meet that criteria, especially since Lani is not from Arizona. What is some advice that Lani can give to buyers that want to move to Arizona, the questions they can ask their agent? Ask a lot of questions, don't be afraid to tell your agents what you like to do and what your day to day activities include. It's all about the lifestyle you want to be in.
Going All In
  • ​The biggest obstacle that Lani runs into with out of state buyers is they want one thing over the phone and then something completely different when they get to Arizona. There is nothing worse than feeling stuck in something you didn't want. Has Lani ever run into that? What are some tips that she can give the buyer when it's not too late for them to take a step back? It is an important purchase and if you're not comfortable, what are the options for them? Lani always puts in the contingency offer that they need to book their flight; it is a big purchase, and they need to make sure they are happy.
  • ​She also tells them that she is researching them, but they need to research the area, the HOA, on the schools themselves. Lani is taking videos and closeup pictures for them, but that is as far as it goes. Before they agree to the deal, they need to sacrifice and purchase that last minute plane tickets. 
  • ​You can reach Lani if you have any questions on her Instagram @listedbylani, she has a website www.lanichappell.com, and her Facebook is Lani Chappell Realtor. Lani has three children, and she is a full-time real estate agent. How does she make it all happen? Lani does it and doesn't think about it; if she spent the time analyzing it, she wouldn't get it done. That is a problem a lot of people have; they overthink. 
  • ​Lani was in the position of having three small children, divorced and no real work experience within the last seven years. Nowhere to go, no family in Arizona so she just went for it. She loves Arizona, so even though she originally moved there for her ex-husband's career, she decided to stay. Lani thoroughly enjoys interior design, and that is what she does when she isn't doing real estate. 
  • ​Lani has been an agent for three years, and her business is booming. What are some of the challenges that she has faced? Her biggest obstacle is that she isn't from Arizona; especially from other agents that have been in the business a long time or were raised here. The market is always changing and evolving, so she reminds them that trends are constantly changing; the area is ever changing; it doesn't matter if she has only been in Arizona for seven years. 
  • ​Has there been a time that Lani thought that Real Estate wasn't for her? There were some breakdowns she had in A.Z.'s office, crying and ready to be done. You need to have thick skin to be in this industry, and some days it can break you. Before Real Estate Lani did medical coding and billing and also worked in a school district; but when she had her family, she became a stay at home Mom. 
  • ​Lani worked in a bar when she first started in real estate and being so exhausted was keeping her from being all in. She set a target and quit the bar, and jumped into real estate with both feet. You can't just dip your toe in the water. Her first year was, and if she hadn't made that move, she doesn't know where she would be now. 
Knowledge is Power
  • ​From that moment at 21 when she purchased that first home until now how did that help Lani become the agent she is? Did having that experience make the transition into real estate easier? Lani had the experience of buying two homes, and she is an avid reader. For her, she decided to learn the financing, and she wanted to take inspection and appraising classes; expanding her knowledge, so she had a full understanding of the game. 
  • ​What can Lani's clients expect from her? She has excellent knowledge of all the aspects of real estate. There are questions she doesn't know the answer too, and then she tells them, but she will find out. What would Lani tell new agents or veteran agents coming into the brokerage of A.Z. & Associates? Get all of the knowledge you can get. If you want it you need to go in with both feet; go all in, and it is hard at first. 
  • ​Once the ball starts rolling, it gets easier. You will face new challenges because it is real estate and it can eat you up if you let it. Looking back to when Lani first started, what would she tell herself? Hang in there, girl. She would say to herself to stop over thinking it and go all in sooner. Unless people in an encouraging environment surround you, people to tell you to keep going, it's complicated. 
  • ​At A.Z. & Associates, you have a whole army behind you telling you to keep going. What is the greatest value she has received at this brokerage? She has learned a lot about motivation and inspiration. Times will get tough, and you need to keep pushing. A.Z. always talks about the small things that people don't want to do, and she has learned to stick to the basics and keep it simple. 
  • ​What is Lani doing towards her small, daily deposits? She is marketing, making calls and sending emails; even if it is only ten people per day, those ten will remember you. She puts a lot of herself and her kids out on her social media, so people know who they are working with. Selling or buying a home is personal, and people want to be comfortable in knowing what makes their agent tick. 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Making a big move from one end of the country to the other can be a challenge, and gaining trust from clients who are doing that is the biggest challenge of all. Lani Chappell took the leap and left her home state of Alaska to make Arizona her new home away from home; she uses that experience to help her clients do the same. Someday the biggest leap of faith is in yourself and when you're surrounded with those who encourage and teach you to grow in the small things, your journey becomes full of huge successes.
Alaska to Arizona
  • ​Carla has the Home Away App on her phone, and last summer the family vacationed in California; the Home Away App said the rental house was terrific. The pictures looked great, but it wasn't what they had hoped for. It had no a/c; the garage was too small for their rental car; the Home inside was beautiful and spacious and right by the beach.
  • ​The little details they left out, and the humidity they were not used too made not having an a/c a problem; but they made it through. What if you were buying a home out of state and you aren't told the whole truth about the Home until you see it. Lani Chappell has her homes listed on Home Away, Vrbo and Airbnb. She has a home locally in Arizona, but her first Home was in Alaska where she was born and raised. 
  • ​Lani moved to Arizona 11 years ago with her then-husband, but after some family tragedy, she moved back to Alaska and started the Airbnb when she was 21. She ultimately moved back to Arizona several years later. Her mother was very successful as a Real Estate agent in Hawaii in the, and it's always been in her blood. Her family built their first Home from the dirt up themselves. 
  • ​Lani has always been fascinated by trends, fashion, and interior design. How does Lani make her clientele from Alaska feel comfortable purchasing homes in another state? It is a lot of referral based, and she deals with mostly out of state purchasers from New York, California, Oregon, Canada, and Alaska. It starts with a Facetime interview or Skype; It's not only the client interviewing her, but she is interviewing them. 
  • ​They have to trust Lani because she is dealing with a big purchase for them. The main thing is not being afraid to ask the client a lot of questions; the same goes with the buyers; they need to ask their agents a lot of clients. What are some of the questions that Lani asks her out of state clients? She tells her clients that she isn't selling homes; she is selling a lifestyle. Where you purchase a home dictates what kind of life you are going to live. Do you want to be in a good school district? Do you want seclusion and to be near hiking trails? Do you want to play golf all day or live in the city in a high rise? 
  • ​Lani bombards her clients with questions; it is essential to know every detail so they will be happy. Then it becomes a matter of research and finding homes that meet that criteria, especially since Lani is not from Arizona. What is some advice that Lani can give to buyers that want to move to Arizona, the questions they can ask their agent? Ask a lot of questions, don't be afraid to tell your agents what you like to do and what your day to day activities include. It's all about the lifestyle you want to be in.
Going All In
  • ​The biggest obstacle that Lani runs into with out of state buyers is they want one thing over the phone and then something completely different when they get to Arizona. There is nothing worse than feeling stuck in something you didn't want. Has Lani ever run into that? What are some tips that she can give the buyer when it's not too late for them to take a step back? It is an important purchase and if you're not comfortable, what are the options for them? Lani always puts in the contingency offer that they need to book their flight; it is a big purchase, and they need to make sure they are happy.
  • ​She also tells them that she is researching them, but they need to research the area, the HOA, on the schools themselves. Lani is taking videos and closeup pictures for them, but that is as far as it goes. Before they agree to the deal, they need to sacrifice and purchase that last minute plane tickets. 
  • ​You can reach Lani if you have any questions on her Instagram @listedbylani, she has a website www.lanichappell.com, and her Facebook is Lani Chappell Realtor. Lani has three children, and she is a full-time real estate agent. How does she make it all happen? Lani does it and doesn't think about it; if she spent the time analyzing it, she wouldn't get it done. That is a problem a lot of people have; they overthink. 
  • ​Lani was in the position of having three small children, divorced and no real work experience within the last seven years. Nowhere to go, no family in Arizona so she just went for it. She loves Arizona, so even though she originally moved there for her ex-husband's career, she decided to stay. Lani thoroughly enjoys interior design, and that is what she does when she isn't doing real estate. 
  • ​Lani has been an agent for three years, and her business is booming. What are some of the challenges that she has faced? Her biggest obstacle is that she isn't from Arizona; especially from other agents that have been in the business a long time or were raised here. The market is always changing and evolving, so she reminds them that trends are constantly changing; the area is ever changing; it doesn't matter if she has only been in Arizona for seven years. 
  • ​Has there been a time that Lani thought that Real Estate wasn't for her? There were some breakdowns she had in A.Z.'s office, crying and ready to be done. You need to have thick skin to be in this industry, and some days it can break you. Before Real Estate Lani did medical coding and billing and also worked in a school district; but when she had her family, she became a stay at home Mom. 
  • ​Lani worked in a bar when she first started in real estate and being so exhausted was keeping her from being all in. She set a target and quit the bar, and jumped into real estate with both feet. You can't just dip your toe in the water. Her first year was, and if she hadn't made that move, she doesn't know where she would be now. 
Knowledge is Power
  • ​From that moment at 21 when she purchased that first home until now how did that help Lani become the agent she is? Did having that experience make the transition into real estate easier? Lani had the experience of buying two homes, and she is an avid reader. For her, she decided to learn the financing, and she wanted to take inspection and appraising classes; expanding her knowledge, so she had a full understanding of the game. 
  • ​What can Lani's clients expect from her? She has excellent knowledge of all the aspects of real estate. There are questions she doesn't know the answer too, and then she tells them, but she will find out. What would Lani tell new agents or veteran agents coming into the brokerage of A.Z. & Associates? Get all of the knowledge you can get. If you want it you need to go in with both feet; go all in, and it is hard at first. 
  • ​Once the ball starts rolling, it gets easier. You will face new challenges because it is real estate and it can eat you up if you let it. Looking back to when Lani first started, what would she tell herself? Hang in there, girl. She would say to herself to stop over thinking it and go all in sooner. Unless people in an encouraging environment surround you, people to tell you to keep going, it's complicated. 
  • ​At A.Z. & Associates, you have a whole army behind you telling you to keep going. What is the greatest value she has received at this brokerage? She has learned a lot about motivation and inspiration. Times will get tough, and you need to keep pushing. A.Z. always talks about the small things that people don't want to do, and she has learned to stick to the basics and keep it simple. 
  • ​What is Lani doing towards her small, daily deposits? She is marketing, making calls and sending emails; even if it is only ten people per day, those ten will remember you. She puts a lot of herself and her kids out on her social media, so people know who they are working with. Selling or buying a home is personal, and people want to be comfortable in knowing what makes their agent tick. 
Caitlyn Morton
Caitlyn Morton
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Many people think that when you own your business, you have all the money and time in the world; this is not the case. Being in a relationship with someone who is building their business and putting all of their time and effort into learning the systems and processes to be successful can leave you wanting as a spouse. For Caitlyn Morton, she experienced this while her husband Craig was getting his career going and it didn't help that she was driven to succeed also in her field as a nurse. With time and patience, all things can grow, it takes the commitment and care to want to see success in not only your life and business but in your partners also.
Married to a Realtor
  • ​Being married to a Realtor will either make you or break you. Years ago, when Carla was expecting her child, she was working at home when her contractions started. She gathered everything up and called A.Z., and on the way to the hospital, A.Z. is on the phone, making a few deals. 
  • ​When she got to the hospital, the doctor told them that Carla was very stressed and A.Z. was still on the phone making deals. Real Estate can be very stressful, but they have always been consistent in their business and processes but not in their marriage. Being in Real Estate can be very stressful on marriage, and although their business was on point, they weren't on the same page in their relationship. 
  • ​Caitlyn Morgan is not in Real Estate but her husband Craig is an agent with A.Z. & Associates. She is a nurse, and in the beginning, they were busy while she was finishing up her nursing degree and Craig was getting his real estate business off of the ground. They didn't have a lot of time together because she was busy in her career and he was giving himself to everyone else but her. 
  • ​A lot of people think that people who have small businesses, especially real Estate, have a lot of money and a lot of time. This couldn't be further from the truth. Marriage in Real Estate can be a challenge, and many ends in divorce and separation. Starting your business is the most difficult, and you don't see the face of your spouse very often in the beginning. You never want to miss a call or a sale. 
  • ​Carla and A.Z. were great partners in business, but they didn't have the time for the romance they needed for their relationship. Caitlyn was very driven by her nursing in the beginning, and Craig was struggling to learn the systems and processes of his business. Real Estate is a process and doesn't happen overnight; it takes time to build it up, and that is where Caitlyn had to learn to be patient.
One and Done
  • ​Caitlyn is a new Mommy and Craig’s business is flourishing, but she had a problematic pregnancy and decided to become a small business owner herself. She opened up her boutique. She isn't just a nurse, but a small business owner, a wife, and a mother to an 8-week old baby.
  • ​The pregnancy was so tough, they are one and done. He came six weeks early. She wanted to figure out what she was going to do long term, and when her son was three weeks old, the opportunity dropped in her lap to open this boutique. How does she handle it all? Caitlyn admits that she has been going so hard, she hasn't had time to think about how she is making it work. Her Med Spa is in place, and she can take her son to work with her, and it is doing very well.
  • ​What does Caitlyn see her marriage now with the challenges they are facing? The problems aren't as big now as what they have been through already. Craig is a great marketer and wants to help her, and she has a marketing degree, so the most significant challenge right now is being open to his ideas and incorporating them with hers. 
  • ​There are always new challenges that never changes. Carla can remember having to be open to learning from A.Z. It was one of the hardest things for her to do. Caitlyn has a hard time learning from Craig, but he takes a step back and lets her come to him when she is ready to hear his ideas for her business. 
  • ​How is Caitlyn transferring the knowledge she had from being a nurse to her new business? She is good with people, and enjoys being a nurse, what made her want a Med Spa? She does botox and fillers for her clients to help keep their frown lines away. Caitlyn is going to do a botox treatment on her husband Craig live on Facebook. 
  • ​Her store is located on Lake Pleasant and Happy Valley in Phoenix. She is starting small, but it is already blowing up, and she has no plans for stopping. Caitlyn is taking small steps but is moving forward; she doesn't know how to quit. She has plans to expand into laser tech and get into a bigger shop by next year. 
  • ​You can reach Caitlyn through her Instagram @allbutteredupbeauty; her Facebook page is in the works. It is essential to maintain your youth; it is preventative and not a cure-all. Taking care of yourself early on will help you look your best as you grow older. 
  • ​How does Caitlyn see Craig's transformation since he has been with A.Z. & Associates? How is he as a father, a business owner, and an overall person? He had been a realtor for about a year before he came to A.Z., and he approached Caitlyn and told her he was going to a brokerage. He handed Caitlyn a picture of A.Z. and said, "Look at this guys beard!" 
  • ​Even though he based his decision on that beard, it has been the best thing that ever happened to Craig and for them as a couple and now a family. He has been with A.Z. & Associates for four years now; she has gotten a lot out of it as well and has enjoyed watching his growth. A.Z. & Carla are such a strong couple in the business, and it inspires her to try her hardest in her relationship with Craig. 
  • ​We all face the same challenges in business and our relationships, especially if you are working with your spouse. But even if you are not, but are in the same household with a real estate agent, it can be tough. People get into real estate, realizing the demand there is for your time as a business owner. You need to find the balance it takes to be successful in all areas of your life. 
  • ​Carla has a fitness app that is available to the agents at A.Z. & Associates, and Caitlyn was one of her models for it while she was pregnant. Caitlyn always has a smile and a positive attitude, and that is what Carla loves about her.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Many people think that when you own your business, you have all the money and time in the world; this is not the case. Being in a relationship with someone who is building their business and putting all of their time and effort into learning the systems and processes to be successful can leave you wanting as a spouse. For Caitlyn Morton, she experienced this while her husband Craig was getting his career going and it didn't help that she was driven to succeed also in her field as a nurse. With time and patience, all things can grow, it takes the commitment and care to want to see success in not only your life and business but in your partners also.
Married to a Realtor
  • ​Being married to a Realtor will either make you or break you. Years ago, when Carla was expecting her child, she was working at home when her contractions started. She gathered everything up and called A.Z., and on the way to the hospital, A.Z. is on the phone, making a few deals. 
  • ​When she got to the hospital, the doctor told them that Carla was very stressed and A.Z. was still on the phone making deals. Real Estate can be very stressful, but they have always been consistent in their business and processes but not in their marriage. Being in Real Estate can be very stressful on marriage, and although their business was on point, they weren't on the same page in their relationship. 
  • ​Caitlyn Morgan is not in Real Estate but her husband Craig is an agent with A.Z. & Associates. She is a nurse, and in the beginning, they were busy while she was finishing up her nursing degree and Craig was getting his real estate business off of the ground. They didn't have a lot of time together because she was busy in her career and he was giving himself to everyone else but her. 
  • ​A lot of people think that people who have small businesses, especially real Estate, have a lot of money and a lot of time. This couldn't be further from the truth. Marriage in Real Estate can be a challenge, and many ends in divorce and separation. Starting your business is the most difficult, and you don't see the face of your spouse very often in the beginning. You never want to miss a call or a sale. 
  • ​Carla and A.Z. were great partners in business, but they didn't have the time for the romance they needed for their relationship. Caitlyn was very driven by her nursing in the beginning, and Craig was struggling to learn the systems and processes of his business. Real Estate is a process and doesn't happen overnight; it takes time to build it up, and that is where Caitlyn had to learn to be patient.
One and Done
  • ​Caitlyn is a new Mommy and Craig’s business is flourishing, but she had a problematic pregnancy and decided to become a small business owner herself. She opened up her boutique. She isn't just a nurse, but a small business owner, a wife, and a mother to an 8-week old baby.
  • ​The pregnancy was so tough, they are one and done. He came six weeks early. She wanted to figure out what she was going to do long term, and when her son was three weeks old, the opportunity dropped in her lap to open this boutique. How does she handle it all? Caitlyn admits that she has been going so hard, she hasn't had time to think about how she is making it work. Her Med Spa is in place, and she can take her son to work with her, and it is doing very well.
  • ​What does Caitlyn see her marriage now with the challenges they are facing? The problems aren't as big now as what they have been through already. Craig is a great marketer and wants to help her, and she has a marketing degree, so the most significant challenge right now is being open to his ideas and incorporating them with hers. 
  • ​There are always new challenges that never changes. Carla can remember having to be open to learning from A.Z. It was one of the hardest things for her to do. Caitlyn has a hard time learning from Craig, but he takes a step back and lets her come to him when she is ready to hear his ideas for her business. 
  • ​How is Caitlyn transferring the knowledge she had from being a nurse to her new business? She is good with people, and enjoys being a nurse, what made her want a Med Spa? She does botox and fillers for her clients to help keep their frown lines away. Caitlyn is going to do a botox treatment on her husband Craig live on Facebook. 
  • ​Her store is located on Lake Pleasant and Happy Valley in Phoenix. She is starting small, but it is already blowing up, and she has no plans for stopping. Caitlyn is taking small steps but is moving forward; she doesn't know how to quit. She has plans to expand into laser tech and get into a bigger shop by next year. 
  • ​You can reach Caitlyn through her Instagram @allbutteredupbeauty; her Facebook page is in the works. It is essential to maintain your youth; it is preventative and not a cure-all. Taking care of yourself early on will help you look your best as you grow older. 
  • ​How does Caitlyn see Craig's transformation since he has been with A.Z. & Associates? How is he as a father, a business owner, and an overall person? He had been a realtor for about a year before he came to A.Z., and he approached Caitlyn and told her he was going to a brokerage. He handed Caitlyn a picture of A.Z. and said, "Look at this guys beard!" 
  • ​Even though he based his decision on that beard, it has been the best thing that ever happened to Craig and for them as a couple and now a family. He has been with A.Z. & Associates for four years now; she has gotten a lot out of it as well and has enjoyed watching his growth. A.Z. & Carla are such a strong couple in the business, and it inspires her to try her hardest in her relationship with Craig. 
  • ​We all face the same challenges in business and our relationships, especially if you are working with your spouse. But even if you are not, but are in the same household with a real estate agent, it can be tough. People get into real estate, realizing the demand there is for your time as a business owner. You need to find the balance it takes to be successful in all areas of your life. 
  • ​Carla has a fitness app that is available to the agents at A.Z. & Associates, and Caitlyn was one of her models for it while she was pregnant. Caitlyn always has a smile and a positive attitude, and that is what Carla loves about her.
Craig Morton
Craig Morton
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Being raised in an environment where women are encouraged to thrive is what gives Craig Morton the drive to empower women in his business. Surrounding himself with powerful, smart women have allowed him the opportunity to create space so that he can thrive in his real estate business and with his clientele. Staying stuck in stereotypes of the roles women and men play in the home and your business, will stifle your growth and the growth of those around you. No one has a specific place in life or business; instead, there is a place of empowerment for everyone.
The Male Perspective
  • ​Carla has invited Craig Morton to the Women in Real Estate Podcast today because she wanted to hear his perspective on how he runs his business. Craig has been an agent with AZ & Associates for four years. When Carla and Craig first met, he came to Carla and asked her how she ran the back end operation of the business; most men would have gone to another man for that advice. 
  • ​What made Craig go in the direction of asking Carla? Craig generally thinks that women are smarter than men; they are more organized and are more task oriented. With his family owning a construction business, Craig grew up watching his Mom run the back end of it, and his Dad was in the physical aspect of it's running. It gave him cause to understand that women are strong and powerful and men are screwed without them.
  • ​An Entrepreneur and a Business Owner are, for the most part, different things. Az is the entrepreneur in their marriage and Carla is the business owner, running the back end; and she does it well. They are continually learning, but Carla loves that Craig saw that coming into the brokerage. Craig is one of the few that recognized how beneficial it would be to pick Carla’s brain before anything else; learning how to run the business so he could stay in business. 
  • ​Craig is married and feels that his wife along with him make up a team; she is organized, and he is more the idea guy. His wife is good at executed processes in running their home, and not because she is a woman but because they compliment each other in that way. With Craig's wife getting a promotion at work as a nurse, their life is heading a new direction. How does Craig feel about that? He thinks it's awesome because there's nothing cooler than a woman with drive. The stereotype for women causes them to not get enough credit for what they do, even in Real Estate.
  • ​Over half the first time home buyers are single women; they don't get enough credit for what they do and the power they have. Craig and his wife just had a baby, and she is the charge nurse for her floor; now she just leased out office space to start a botox and filler business. What is Craig's clientele base made up of? Craig works well with females because of the respect level he has with them. 
  • ​Craig had Carla train him for the most part, and she was the first female trainer he had; she has the credibility of a professional, and Craig liked the perspective she gave him while getting in shape. As a women trainer, it is hard, but Carla is very intense and in your face. She is present in the moment and almost militant. Craig feels that Carla has more passion for her training than a male trainer does. Males are probably more numbers-minded, and women channel their feelings more into the workout.
When the Anger Turns to Confidence
  • ​Was there any time when Carla was training Craig that he thought her mindset was not correct? Craig never felt that way, and he credits that to how he was raised; his Dad put his Mom on a pedestal, and not that a woman has her place but that there is always a place. 
  • ​Does Craig ever run into female real estate agents that are aggressive and powerful? Craig feels they are just trying to, but some men do the same thing. How does he treat the male vs. the female in that? With a man, he tends to bark back at them, and with women, he will let them go for a bit and then he will ask them to treat him with the same respect he has been treating them. 
  • ​This will usually stop women in their tracks. Society doesn't give women enough credit and causes them to feel insecure in their power. As a business grows rules and regulations get bigger, and Carla can remember in the beginning they had none. They knew the process and as they began to grow so did the rules and guidelines. A lot of men thought Carla was rude and tough; they would go to A.Z. to try to get a yes after hearing Carla's no. 
  • ​Carla is now comfortable with channeling her power. How is Carla different from 4 years ago to now? Craig feels like she was a bit more aggressive in the beginning, but now she is more matter of fact and calm. He thinks it's because she has grown into her confidence and power and the people around her have watched the growth; the respect is there, so she doesn't have to fight so aggressively. 
  • ​Carla felt both male and females bullied her in the beginning, and that brought up a lot of anger; as she became more secure and not caring who liked her or not, she realized she wasn't in business to lose money or make friends.
  • ​There are a lot of female agents that come across as angry; that anger is coming to the surface because they don't want people to think they don't know and they want to be respected. They can feel belittled and insecure by males and when they get called out on something they blow-up. 
  • ​Carla had told Craig that it was hard for her to work out because she couldn't get mad anymore. Was that because she started to realize the value that she brought which gave her confidence? Of course, When she became more secure and knew that she was a knowledgeable person in the fitness industry. Her power came when she let go of the anger and started to love herself.
Learning to Empower
  • ​Where does Craig see himself in the future? Craig is looking forward to when his son gets mobile, and then he can bring him with him. His business has not slowed down, but his systems and processes are in place, so it is possible to take time off to be with his wife and son. 
  • ​Craig didn't plan for that to take place, but his client care specialist is good at helping him run the business. His Mom analyzes all of their listings and sends them to his people; this makes more time for Craig to market and spend time with his clients showing homes. 
  • ​Craig isn't buried in the paperwork, so he has created space to operate in the areas of his business where he needs to be. He didn't even realize he was building business and processes; it just happened that way. He is comfortable with the team he has built, so that gives him time to be with his family.
  • ​When A.Z. and Carla first started she never saw A.Z.; they were great business partners, but they had no marriage. Carla used to look at that as a negative, but marriage is a business, it's give and take, and you got to flow together. You need to do the reps with working with your spouse, if you don't your business will fall apart. 
  • ​There have been different times in their lives where they are continually growing and learning from each other, but they have had to separate their marriage from their business. When Craig first hired an assistant he didn't know what she would be doing, he just knew he needed help. Now she does so much and keeps things flowing smoothly on the business side of things for him. A lot of that was because Craig had points in his life where he couldn't handle everything and had no choice but to burn it down or empower someone to help him. 
  • ​Craig was encouraged by a friend of his to empower his assistant, and she would start to grow in her position; this would then help Craig to grow because she is growing. His business has increased fourfold since she joined his team. The joy Craig gets when he empowers a woman can be seen all over his face. He thinks it's awesome and it makes him so happy. 
  • ​Carla has so much respect for men that can openly encourage and empower women. Craig is one of those men who unashamedly cheer females on, and it comes naturally to him. He feels that when you empower a woman, she jumps leaps and bounds above the rest. It is cool to watch that happen. Craig has surrounded himself with strong females to help him grow his business and sustain his success. 
  • ​One of Craig's biggest pet peeves is when he sees a woman not owning it; it drives him crazy when they can't make a decision and own it. People become empowered when others empower them; they feed off of that. Craig gave Carla immediate respect, and he doesn't feel he ever looked at her different because she was a woman, he saw that she was knowledgeable and he wanted to feed off of that. 
  • ​A lot of men are blind to that and are drawn to the power of a man. If clients want to reach out and work with Craig, they can find him all over social media. He is on Facebook @CraigMorton, or his business page, @CraigMortonRealty, Instagram @ Craig_Morton, and his phone number is all over his Facebook page. 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Being raised in an environment where women are encouraged to thrive is what gives Craig Morton the drive to empower women in his business. Surrounding himself with powerful, smart women have allowed him the opportunity to create space so that he can thrive in his real estate business and with his clientele. Staying stuck in stereotypes of the roles women and men play in the home and your business, will stifle your growth and the growth of those around you. No one has a specific place in life or business; instead, there is a place of empowerment for everyone.
The Male Perspective
  • ​Carla has invited Craig Morton to the Women in Real Estate Podcast today because she wanted to hear his perspective on how he runs his business. Craig has been an agent with AZ & Associates for four years. When Carla and Craig first met, he came to Carla and asked her how she ran the back end operation of the business; most men would have gone to another man for that advice. 
  • ​What made Craig go in the direction of asking Carla? Craig generally thinks that women are smarter than men; they are more organized and are more task oriented. With his family owning a construction business, Craig grew up watching his Mom run the back end of it, and his Dad was in the physical aspect of it's running. It gave him cause to understand that women are strong and powerful and men are screwed without them.
  • ​An Entrepreneur and a Business Owner are, for the most part, different things. Az is the entrepreneur in their marriage and Carla is the business owner, running the back end; and she does it well. They are continually learning, but Carla loves that Craig saw that coming into the brokerage. Craig is one of the few that recognized how beneficial it would be to pick Carla’s brain before anything else; learning how to run the business so he could stay in business. 
  • ​Craig is married and feels that his wife along with him make up a team; she is organized, and he is more the idea guy. His wife is good at executed processes in running their home, and not because she is a woman but because they compliment each other in that way. With Craig's wife getting a promotion at work as a nurse, their life is heading a new direction. How does Craig feel about that? He thinks it's awesome because there's nothing cooler than a woman with drive. The stereotype for women causes them to not get enough credit for what they do, even in Real Estate.
  • ​Over half the first time home buyers are single women; they don't get enough credit for what they do and the power they have. Craig and his wife just had a baby, and she is the charge nurse for her floor; now she just leased out office space to start a botox and filler business. What is Craig's clientele base made up of? Craig works well with females because of the respect level he has with them. 
  • ​Craig had Carla train him for the most part, and she was the first female trainer he had; she has the credibility of a professional, and Craig liked the perspective she gave him while getting in shape. As a women trainer, it is hard, but Carla is very intense and in your face. She is present in the moment and almost militant. Craig feels that Carla has more passion for her training than a male trainer does. Males are probably more numbers-minded, and women channel their feelings more into the workout.
When the Anger Turns to Confidence
  • ​Was there any time when Carla was training Craig that he thought her mindset was not correct? Craig never felt that way, and he credits that to how he was raised; his Dad put his Mom on a pedestal, and not that a woman has her place but that there is always a place. 
  • ​Does Craig ever run into female real estate agents that are aggressive and powerful? Craig feels they are just trying to, but some men do the same thing. How does he treat the male vs. the female in that? With a man, he tends to bark back at them, and with women, he will let them go for a bit and then he will ask them to treat him with the same respect he has been treating them. 
  • ​This will usually stop women in their tracks. Society doesn't give women enough credit and causes them to feel insecure in their power. As a business grows rules and regulations get bigger, and Carla can remember in the beginning they had none. They knew the process and as they began to grow so did the rules and guidelines. A lot of men thought Carla was rude and tough; they would go to A.Z. to try to get a yes after hearing Carla's no. 
  • ​Carla is now comfortable with channeling her power. How is Carla different from 4 years ago to now? Craig feels like she was a bit more aggressive in the beginning, but now she is more matter of fact and calm. He thinks it's because she has grown into her confidence and power and the people around her have watched the growth; the respect is there, so she doesn't have to fight so aggressively. 
  • ​Carla felt both male and females bullied her in the beginning, and that brought up a lot of anger; as she became more secure and not caring who liked her or not, she realized she wasn't in business to lose money or make friends.
  • ​There are a lot of female agents that come across as angry; that anger is coming to the surface because they don't want people to think they don't know and they want to be respected. They can feel belittled and insecure by males and when they get called out on something they blow-up. 
  • ​Carla had told Craig that it was hard for her to work out because she couldn't get mad anymore. Was that because she started to realize the value that she brought which gave her confidence? Of course, When she became more secure and knew that she was a knowledgeable person in the fitness industry. Her power came when she let go of the anger and started to love herself.
Learning to Empower
  • ​Where does Craig see himself in the future? Craig is looking forward to when his son gets mobile, and then he can bring him with him. His business has not slowed down, but his systems and processes are in place, so it is possible to take time off to be with his wife and son. 
  • ​Craig didn't plan for that to take place, but his client care specialist is good at helping him run the business. His Mom analyzes all of their listings and sends them to his people; this makes more time for Craig to market and spend time with his clients showing homes. 
  • ​Craig isn't buried in the paperwork, so he has created space to operate in the areas of his business where he needs to be. He didn't even realize he was building business and processes; it just happened that way. He is comfortable with the team he has built, so that gives him time to be with his family.
  • ​When A.Z. and Carla first started she never saw A.Z.; they were great business partners, but they had no marriage. Carla used to look at that as a negative, but marriage is a business, it's give and take, and you got to flow together. You need to do the reps with working with your spouse, if you don't your business will fall apart. 
  • ​There have been different times in their lives where they are continually growing and learning from each other, but they have had to separate their marriage from their business. When Craig first hired an assistant he didn't know what she would be doing, he just knew he needed help. Now she does so much and keeps things flowing smoothly on the business side of things for him. A lot of that was because Craig had points in his life where he couldn't handle everything and had no choice but to burn it down or empower someone to help him. 
  • ​Craig was encouraged by a friend of his to empower his assistant, and she would start to grow in her position; this would then help Craig to grow because she is growing. His business has increased fourfold since she joined his team. The joy Craig gets when he empowers a woman can be seen all over his face. He thinks it's awesome and it makes him so happy. 
  • ​Carla has so much respect for men that can openly encourage and empower women. Craig is one of those men who unashamedly cheer females on, and it comes naturally to him. He feels that when you empower a woman, she jumps leaps and bounds above the rest. It is cool to watch that happen. Craig has surrounded himself with strong females to help him grow his business and sustain his success. 
  • ​One of Craig's biggest pet peeves is when he sees a woman not owning it; it drives him crazy when they can't make a decision and own it. People become empowered when others empower them; they feed off of that. Craig gave Carla immediate respect, and he doesn't feel he ever looked at her different because she was a woman, he saw that she was knowledgeable and he wanted to feed off of that. 
  • ​A lot of men are blind to that and are drawn to the power of a man. If clients want to reach out and work with Craig, they can find him all over social media. He is on Facebook @CraigMorton, or his business page, @CraigMortonRealty, Instagram @ Craig_Morton, and his phone number is all over his Facebook page. 
Brianne Anspach
Brianne Anspach
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Trying to establish a relationship through Social Media can be challenging especially when you aren't comfortable sharing the intimate details of who you are. For Brianne Anspach the place to get comfortable was sharing her life with her daughter, but not getting in to the deep areas of her personal life. Sales can eat you up and spit you out if you don't keep up and putting yourself out on social media is the way in the door for most. You can't take rejection personally when you realize it's up to you to find a way to reach someone through gaining their trust. That happens when they discover who you really are. 
Sales Can Eat You Up and Spit You Out
  • ​Today Carla is joined by Bri from Nova Home Loans and is the first Women that she has had on the podcast that isn't in Real Estate. Sales will eat you up and spit you out and leave you behind if you don't keep up with the game. Bri is a woman, and she is in sales. What does Bri do at Nova Home Loans? She is in Business Development at the Scottsdale branch; she works with her loan officers to help them build relationships with agents. It is her job first to get the agents on board. 
  • ​Her approach to accomplish that is to meet with the agents, find out what is important to them and where she can assist them and what they need. Before home loans, she was a Sales assistant in Titles. When she started Business Development, it was scary and intimidating because she had to put herself out there and bring in business. Bri had no idea what that meant or how to do bring in agents to them. 
  • ​Bri went on Facebook and never had on before. Putting herself out there so people would know who she was she put the things that were important to her on her page. Her daughter which is her number one thing, and also she likes to make an impact on people; kindness is vital to her. Bri’s Facebook started to take a turn for her when she was fundraising for Addiction. She shared a story about her father who was an addict, and that was a game changer.
  • ​Bri had so many people come to her because of her transparency with the story of her father; they could connect with her. Posting the video she had made was terrifying, it was so personal. Did she want to do that or did she think she could draw people in by sharing that story? Bri shared that part of her life because she was trying to raise money for an addiction charity. 
  • ​How did she find her nitch in calling people? Once people saw who she was, that she was a real person, not just a character on a Social Media page; they found that Bri had depth and connected with her there. Posting something as deep as what she experienced with her father and then she went on to post pictures of her with her daughter doing karaoke and making things; if she didn't have the cause, would she have shared with people that she had a father who was an addict? 
  • ​Bri posted it because it was a cause. Did she ever go deep like that again on live video or continue to share rainbows and unicorn moments with her daughter? Bri thinks the silly videos are equally as hard for her. Silliness is easy, we make people laugh, it makes people like us, and Bri wants everyone to like her. As women it is common for us to show us this way; we want everyone to like us, and we don't want people to know we cuss, we are aggressive or are loud.
  • ​When does Bri find herself feeling that enough is enough? For Bri she has always been middle of the road, everything was put together. She is consistently making silly videos, and she shares that it is hard for her. How does she stay consistent with that? Bri’s nine years old has brought that out in her, and it is a part of her now. This had made her change from when she was younger and now is okay with herself; realizing she doesn't have to be put together all of the time.
Rainbows and Unicorns
  • ​Does Bri feel she is consistent in putting content out there in regards to her business? She thinks her message is pretty clear on her live videos. How many of her live videos are about her business? Bri doesn't have her Facebook set up like a business page. So how is she clear than on her message about what she does and who she is? Bri doesn't put out there specifically that she does Business Development for Nova Home Loans. 
  • ​What she does is show people who she is on a personal level, building that relationship with people; that's what this business is about, selling yourself. A person who wants to be around Bri and know who she is has commented that they remember her for what she has done.
  • ​There have been several women on this podcast who have talked about real estate; it goes one of two ways. One way she will say that she is great at sales and is consistently selling herself by sharing her life, her kids and her family. When it comes to selling her business, it is challenging because they are not confident in what they sell. They feel they will be judged or questioned, by selling their product, their business, their company. 
  • ​How comfortable is Bri to go consistently selling herself in the business part, the sales part of who she is? Bri is confident in that, but she feels she has a balance within it. Did making the silly videos give her confidence in her sales because she had never been in sales before? How did she overcome that fear? Bri feels she puts on her sales hat and if she has a class coming up or a product she is trying to get out there; it has her personality to it still, but it has a different approach than a video of her and her daughter. 
  • ​It gives Bri the confidence to call an agent and tell them that she was thinking of them and she has a class that she believes they would benefit from. They remember her from her videos, and it helps to open that door. Has she ever had someone hang up on her? Yes. She plays dumb and calls back or emails them and tells them she thinks they had a bad connection.
  • ​Bri assumes positive intent, and she knows that agents get 5 million lender calls a day. She doesn't take it personally if she gets hung up on. It means that she didn't have enough of a connection fro the agent to feel that she should be calling them. Bri feels it's her job to try to find a way to connect on another level. 
  • ​What has been Bri’s most significant obstacle in sales? Bri isn't pushy, and she feels that there is room for everyone to have success and therefore she wants everyone to have success. What has she found out about herself in this job over the last 2 ½ years? She hated being on the phones, and her branch manager encouraged her to get her teeth out and keep at it. When she did it the way, he suggested it worked. 
Overcoming
  • ​Does Bri see herself doing anything else? Bri wants to make an impact on people, and she feels she can do that at Nova Home Loans. That is the life she wants for herself. Aside from Nova what does Bri want? She wants her daughter to be happy and to provide a life for her daughter that requires certain financial freedom. If Nova didn't exist where does Bri think she would be? She feels she would be with a company working, striving to better herself. Bri enjoys sales, and she never saw herself as a salesperson.
  • ​What does Bri feel was the block for her, in the beginning from doing a live video? She had a fear of looking dumb and not being clear in her message. Where did she find that feeling of judgment coming from? Bri had a personal relationship where the person ultimately defeated her and told her she wasn't interesting and nobody cared about her. It was 100 % engrained in her. 
  • ​How did she feel after making that first video? Bri felt relieved that she did it and got through it. The videos were her baby steps to becoming the sales person she needed to be, where does she see herself falling short in wanting more? What's next? Does she feel she is settled in her mindset at Nova? For Carla it wasn't stopping at being an IFP pro, she questioned herself what is next? So she started going aggressive in her company and marketing more. Then Carla began a women's movement, wrote a book; never stopping and wondering what was next for her. What is next for Bri? Does she see more for herself in the game of life?
  • ​Bri had a dark year, last year and didn't have a lot of hope. Things began to turn for her, and she knew there was more. She is in a phase of trying to figure out what that looks like for her; she doesn't have the answers, but she is excited about it. Bri was trapped for ten years living someone else's life, and goals. Now she is in a place where she has realized she has so much she can do; she is just trying to figure out what that it is. 
  • ​What is Bri going to show outside of her business box? Everyone knows who Bri is in business, but what steps is she going to take to get outside of that and show who Bri is? It's about the Reps and continually putting yourself out there. She feared a lot because of what she went through in her past, how did she overcome all of that? Carla got through that by discussing her anxiety, depression, and abuse; she didn't stop for a second to think what the public thought of her, because it would have stopped her in her tracks.
  • ​We all care what people think about us, but the repetition of putting yourself out there helps you to understand who you are. Bri believes it's hard to overcome your insecurities and people think you are confident; you put one a good game face. You need to be okay with whatever version of yourself you choose to show up as that day; you don't have to be pigeonholed in a particular version of yourself. Being okay with every version of yourself is the difficult part. 
  • ​So many women go through this, and the women who come on this podcast already feel uncomfortable because they fear what Carla will ask them. It is awesome that the women in sales, which is one of the hardest positions to take one, continue to come on the podcast and share who they are with Carla.
  • ​If you are interested in joining AZ & Associates Real Estate Group, go to www.badassagents.com and apply and they will reach out to you. Continue to put yourself out there, a little at a time, sharing that part of yourself goes a long way. Social media is hard to do, but get your feet wet, and it feels good. Being in sales is incredible; don't let it chew you up and spit you out.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Trying to establish a relationship through Social Media can be challenging especially when you aren't comfortable sharing the intimate details of who you are. For Brianne Anspach the place to get comfortable was sharing her life with her daughter, but not getting in to the deep areas of her personal life. Sales can eat you up and spit you out if you don't keep up and putting yourself out on social media is the way in the door for most. You can't take rejection personally when you realize it's up to you to find a way to reach someone through gaining their trust. That happens when they discover who you really are. 
Sales Can Eat You Up and Spit You Out
  • ​Today Carla is joined by Bri from Nova Home Loans and is the first Women that she has had on the podcast that isn't in Real Estate. Sales will eat you up and spit you out and leave you behind if you don't keep up with the game. Bri is a woman, and she is in sales. What does Bri do at Nova Home Loans? She is in Business Development at the Scottsdale branch; she works with her loan officers to help them build relationships with agents. It is her job first to get the agents on board. 
  • ​Her approach to accomplish that is to meet with the agents, find out what is important to them and where she can assist them and what they need. Before home loans, she was a Sales assistant in Titles. When she started Business Development, it was scary and intimidating because she had to put herself out there and bring in business. Bri had no idea what that meant or how to do bring in agents to them. 
  • ​Bri went on Facebook and never had on before. Putting herself out there so people would know who she was she put the things that were important to her on her page. Her daughter which is her number one thing, and also she likes to make an impact on people; kindness is vital to her. Bri’s Facebook started to take a turn for her when she was fundraising for Addiction. She shared a story about her father who was an addict, and that was a game changer.
  • ​Bri had so many people come to her because of her transparency with the story of her father; they could connect with her. Posting the video she had made was terrifying, it was so personal. Did she want to do that or did she think she could draw people in by sharing that story? Bri shared that part of her life because she was trying to raise money for an addiction charity. 
  • ​How did she find her nitch in calling people? Once people saw who she was, that she was a real person, not just a character on a Social Media page; they found that Bri had depth and connected with her there. Posting something as deep as what she experienced with her father and then she went on to post pictures of her with her daughter doing karaoke and making things; if she didn't have the cause, would she have shared with people that she had a father who was an addict? 
  • ​Bri posted it because it was a cause. Did she ever go deep like that again on live video or continue to share rainbows and unicorn moments with her daughter? Bri thinks the silly videos are equally as hard for her. Silliness is easy, we make people laugh, it makes people like us, and Bri wants everyone to like her. As women it is common for us to show us this way; we want everyone to like us, and we don't want people to know we cuss, we are aggressive or are loud.
  • ​When does Bri find herself feeling that enough is enough? For Bri she has always been middle of the road, everything was put together. She is consistently making silly videos, and she shares that it is hard for her. How does she stay consistent with that? Bri’s nine years old has brought that out in her, and it is a part of her now. This had made her change from when she was younger and now is okay with herself; realizing she doesn't have to be put together all of the time.
Rainbows and Unicorns
  • ​Does Bri feel she is consistent in putting content out there in regards to her business? She thinks her message is pretty clear on her live videos. How many of her live videos are about her business? Bri doesn't have her Facebook set up like a business page. So how is she clear than on her message about what she does and who she is? Bri doesn't put out there specifically that she does Business Development for Nova Home Loans. 
  • ​What she does is show people who she is on a personal level, building that relationship with people; that's what this business is about, selling yourself. A person who wants to be around Bri and know who she is has commented that they remember her for what she has done.
  • ​There have been several women on this podcast who have talked about real estate; it goes one of two ways. One way she will say that she is great at sales and is consistently selling herself by sharing her life, her kids and her family. When it comes to selling her business, it is challenging because they are not confident in what they sell. They feel they will be judged or questioned, by selling their product, their business, their company. 
  • ​How comfortable is Bri to go consistently selling herself in the business part, the sales part of who she is? Bri is confident in that, but she feels she has a balance within it. Did making the silly videos give her confidence in her sales because she had never been in sales before? How did she overcome that fear? Bri feels she puts on her sales hat and if she has a class coming up or a product she is trying to get out there; it has her personality to it still, but it has a different approach than a video of her and her daughter. 
  • ​It gives Bri the confidence to call an agent and tell them that she was thinking of them and she has a class that she believes they would benefit from. They remember her from her videos, and it helps to open that door. Has she ever had someone hang up on her? Yes. She plays dumb and calls back or emails them and tells them she thinks they had a bad connection.
  • ​Bri assumes positive intent, and she knows that agents get 5 million lender calls a day. She doesn't take it personally if she gets hung up on. It means that she didn't have enough of a connection fro the agent to feel that she should be calling them. Bri feels it's her job to try to find a way to connect on another level. 
  • ​What has been Bri’s most significant obstacle in sales? Bri isn't pushy, and she feels that there is room for everyone to have success and therefore she wants everyone to have success. What has she found out about herself in this job over the last 2 ½ years? She hated being on the phones, and her branch manager encouraged her to get her teeth out and keep at it. When she did it the way, he suggested it worked. 
Overcoming
  • ​Does Bri see herself doing anything else? Bri wants to make an impact on people, and she feels she can do that at Nova Home Loans. That is the life she wants for herself. Aside from Nova what does Bri want? She wants her daughter to be happy and to provide a life for her daughter that requires certain financial freedom. If Nova didn't exist where does Bri think she would be? She feels she would be with a company working, striving to better herself. Bri enjoys sales, and she never saw herself as a salesperson.
  • ​What does Bri feel was the block for her, in the beginning from doing a live video? She had a fear of looking dumb and not being clear in her message. Where did she find that feeling of judgment coming from? Bri had a personal relationship where the person ultimately defeated her and told her she wasn't interesting and nobody cared about her. It was 100 % engrained in her. 
  • ​How did she feel after making that first video? Bri felt relieved that she did it and got through it. The videos were her baby steps to becoming the sales person she needed to be, where does she see herself falling short in wanting more? What's next? Does she feel she is settled in her mindset at Nova? For Carla it wasn't stopping at being an IFP pro, she questioned herself what is next? So she started going aggressive in her company and marketing more. Then Carla began a women's movement, wrote a book; never stopping and wondering what was next for her. What is next for Bri? Does she see more for herself in the game of life?
  • ​Bri had a dark year, last year and didn't have a lot of hope. Things began to turn for her, and she knew there was more. She is in a phase of trying to figure out what that looks like for her; she doesn't have the answers, but she is excited about it. Bri was trapped for ten years living someone else's life, and goals. Now she is in a place where she has realized she has so much she can do; she is just trying to figure out what that it is. 
  • ​What is Bri going to show outside of her business box? Everyone knows who Bri is in business, but what steps is she going to take to get outside of that and show who Bri is? It's about the Reps and continually putting yourself out there. She feared a lot because of what she went through in her past, how did she overcome all of that? Carla got through that by discussing her anxiety, depression, and abuse; she didn't stop for a second to think what the public thought of her, because it would have stopped her in her tracks.
  • ​We all care what people think about us, but the repetition of putting yourself out there helps you to understand who you are. Bri believes it's hard to overcome your insecurities and people think you are confident; you put one a good game face. You need to be okay with whatever version of yourself you choose to show up as that day; you don't have to be pigeonholed in a particular version of yourself. Being okay with every version of yourself is the difficult part. 
  • ​So many women go through this, and the women who come on this podcast already feel uncomfortable because they fear what Carla will ask them. It is awesome that the women in sales, which is one of the hardest positions to take one, continue to come on the podcast and share who they are with Carla.
  • ​If you are interested in joining AZ & Associates Real Estate Group, go to www.badassagents.com and apply and they will reach out to you. Continue to put yourself out there, a little at a time, sharing that part of yourself goes a long way. Social media is hard to do, but get your feet wet, and it feels good. Being in sales is incredible; don't let it chew you up and spit you out.
Allie Clark-Swartz
Allie Clark-Swartz
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
We all have a voice in our head that makes us doubt what we are capable of and who we are. Being safe in someones else's space, let them walk you through your business, gives them full access to all of the growth and success. Where does that leave you? Carla and her guest Allie Clark-Swartz have both experienced that in their businesses; trusting someone else and their processes and systems to build their business. It left them knowing they wanted more, but lacking the confidence in themselves to push forward. You have to go; persevere, fail and get back up ready to kick ass. This is your business, your life; You don't owe anybody anything, but you owe yourself everything!!
Women in Real Estate
  • ​This podcast is about real life with real women and the challenges that we face in real estate. Today's topic: STOP TELLING YOURSELF YOU CAN'T DO IT. It will probably hit home for a lot of you and have your own stories. Carla many years ago purchased a franchise. The reason she bought it was she was trying to avoid all of the pain, the marketing, the systems, and software that she knew she would have to do if she were on her own; she lacked that confidence.
  • ​Scared to go into business for herself, afraid to sell, she needed help and decided to open a franchise. Franchises have everything set up, and it was easy to market the franchise because of that. Marketing the franchise was easy because the work had been done her; she didn't have to go out and create the content because it was already created for her. 
  • ​When she sold the franchise and went solo and started her own business, she didn't realize how lacking she was in confidence. She realized there was a delay in the growth of the business because there was no system in place or product to sell; she was alone. She started from square one, and she had to sell herself.
  • ​Allie Clark-Swartz has been with A.Z. & Associates for about a year, and before real estate, she was a Chef. She suffered a lot of loss in her family and put her through a whirlwind of change. Some family of hers in Texas who owns a large Title business wanted to expand to Arizona, and bring Allie and her mother one to start it. 
  • ​She took that leap, and she found out quickly that she wasn't interested in that; she had only sold food before, and now she was trying to sell hard money loans in an industry she had never been in before. When she let go of that idea she got interested in residential real estate. The idea to have the opportunity to help someone to purchase a home was very gratifying. 
  • ​How was that transition for her having to sell real estate entirely on her own? Allie started on a team because she was new and they had everything set up for her. She became a buyers agent on the team and is grateful for the experience because it taught her how to write a solid contract and several other skills she developed through being part of the team. 
  • ​There was something though about putting somebody else's signs out with their name on them; she lacked the confidence to start on her own but quickly realized she wasn't making the money she wanted working one a team. 
  • ​Carla knew she lacked confidence, but it wasn't until she went solo that she knew things had to change if she was going to grow her business. It took years to build that confidence, but with repetition and time, it came. 
  • ​Carla has known Allie since she had her franchise, over ten years. She has watched Allie grow in her business. You know when you aren't in the right space, and you need someone to point it out to you; for Allie, that was Carla in a Starbucks parking lot. 
Brings Home the Bacon; Cooks it Up in a Pan
  • ​At that moment Allie was empowered to do what she needed to do; she met with a coach at A.Z. & Associates, and she signed on the next day. Carla knew for a long time that Allie had her license, but she never tried to market her. Carla needed Allie to want to be at her brokerage, part of the environment. 
  • ​A lot of agents hesitate to change brokerages because they are comfortable where they are at because everything is being done for them. At A.Z. & Associates that encourage their agents to be independent; you are the business owner. Allie was torn because she knew the team she was working for personally; at the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you and what you want. 
  • ​Allie had to go all in on herself in the beginning. Was that hard for her? It was so hard, and she can remember that it scared the crap out of her in the beginning; she didn't have any initial expense going into real estate. Allie didn't have any capital to speak of to go into business, but she went all in. She ordered signs right away, even though she didn't need them and the week she got the signs she got three listings. 
  • ​It was as if the universe opened up because she was operating in her truth, being where she wanted to be. Even when Allie makes mistakes on her own, she is happy. She uses the experience to figure out what went wrong and makes sure it doesn't happen on the next deal. We make it stronger because we have to go through the pain and the challenges. 
  • ​Allie was a Chef for nine years and does dabble in it, but she is all in on her Real Estate business. It gives her more family time, and now she cooks when she wants too. What lessons did she take from being a Chef into real estate? Allie has tied being a Chef which is a male-dominated world, and how it better prepared her sales in ways that she didn't know. It hardened her, gave her a thick skin and that is what it takes to be in real estate. You hear no over and over, and then you get that one, yes and you ride it as long as you can. 
  • ​Was there a time when Allie thought that real estate was not for her? Because it doesn't turn off at 6 p.m., depending on the client, you have to be flexible. She has had to persevere through personal obstacles and keep her business afloat. Allie had operated the best she could, even if she worked from bed when she had Valley Fever, pulling on outside resources if she had too.
One No Brings You Closer to That One Yes
  • ​Allie has never been motivated by money; she was a Chef because she loved what she did. In real estate, you are making a memory for someone. Bad or good you make a mark on someone's life, and they are going to remember you. Allie cares about what her clients are looking for more than she cares about her paycheck. 
  • ​What does Allie do now to release stress? Allie has a five-year-old daughter. Time flies and you spend a lot of time thinking about what you should do next. What would Allie had done differently when she started in real estate? She believes she learned a lot from being on a team; they don't give you the full picture in real estate school. She thinks she would have left sooner though or had done more research on what a buyers agent is. 
  • ​Allie feels she moved pretty quickly when she thought she was in a bad situation; she didn't let herself stay stagnant for too long. She feels she wouldn't change much about her real estate journey; even her mistakes she learned from 
  • ​What would Allie tell the agents that are on the fence about making a change? Allie would say to them that having confidence in yourself is an essential aspect of being an agent. You cannot generate the kind of confidence in yourself that it takes to thrive as an independent working under someone else's name. It changes everything when your name is on the sign. It's a total game changer; if your feeling complacent at all then move and do it for you. 
  • ​Those other agents you leave behind will be fine; just go. You don't owe anybody anything; you owe yourself everything. Allie operates that way every day; why are you asking someone else their advice instead of going with what you do know. 
  • ​You have to take the no’s and the failures to get to that one yes, that one success. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable and take chances; it feels so much better to move one step at a time to your growth and success. 
  • ​Where can people find Allie? You can call her at 480-244-1988 she is also on Instagram and Facebook @agentallie. She also has a website www.agentallieaz.com. Allie is 100% passionate about doing real estate and being a chef is just a bonus.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
We all have a voice in our head that makes us doubt what we are capable of and who we are. Being safe in someones else's space, let them walk you through your business, gives them full access to all of the growth and success. Where does that leave you? Carla and her guest Allie Clark-Swartz have both experienced that in their businesses; trusting someone else and their processes and systems to build their business. It left them knowing they wanted more, but lacking the confidence in themselves to push forward. You have to go; persevere, fail and get back up ready to kick ass. This is your business, your life; You don't owe anybody anything, but you owe yourself everything!!
Women in Real Estate
  • ​This podcast is about real life with real women and the challenges that we face in real estate. Today's topic: STOP TELLING YOURSELF YOU CAN'T DO IT. It will probably hit home for a lot of you and have your own stories. Carla many years ago purchased a franchise. The reason she bought it was she was trying to avoid all of the pain, the marketing, the systems, and software that she knew she would have to do if she were on her own; she lacked that confidence.
  • ​Scared to go into business for herself, afraid to sell, she needed help and decided to open a franchise. Franchises have everything set up, and it was easy to market the franchise because of that. Marketing the franchise was easy because the work had been done her; she didn't have to go out and create the content because it was already created for her. 
  • ​When she sold the franchise and went solo and started her own business, she didn't realize how lacking she was in confidence. She realized there was a delay in the growth of the business because there was no system in place or product to sell; she was alone. She started from square one, and she had to sell herself.
  • ​Allie Clark-Swartz has been with A.Z. & Associates for about a year, and before real estate, she was a Chef. She suffered a lot of loss in her family and put her through a whirlwind of change. Some family of hers in Texas who owns a large Title business wanted to expand to Arizona, and bring Allie and her mother one to start it. 
  • ​She took that leap, and she found out quickly that she wasn't interested in that; she had only sold food before, and now she was trying to sell hard money loans in an industry she had never been in before. When she let go of that idea she got interested in residential real estate. The idea to have the opportunity to help someone to purchase a home was very gratifying. 
  • ​How was that transition for her having to sell real estate entirely on her own? Allie started on a team because she was new and they had everything set up for her. She became a buyers agent on the team and is grateful for the experience because it taught her how to write a solid contract and several other skills she developed through being part of the team. 
  • ​There was something though about putting somebody else's signs out with their name on them; she lacked the confidence to start on her own but quickly realized she wasn't making the money she wanted working one a team. 
  • ​Carla knew she lacked confidence, but it wasn't until she went solo that she knew things had to change if she was going to grow her business. It took years to build that confidence, but with repetition and time, it came. 
  • ​Carla has known Allie since she had her franchise, over ten years. She has watched Allie grow in her business. You know when you aren't in the right space, and you need someone to point it out to you; for Allie, that was Carla in a Starbucks parking lot. 
Brings Home the Bacon; Cooks it Up in a Pan
  • ​At that moment Allie was empowered to do what she needed to do; she met with a coach at A.Z. & Associates, and she signed on the next day. Carla knew for a long time that Allie had her license, but she never tried to market her. Carla needed Allie to want to be at her brokerage, part of the environment. 
  • ​A lot of agents hesitate to change brokerages because they are comfortable where they are at because everything is being done for them. At A.Z. & Associates that encourage their agents to be independent; you are the business owner. Allie was torn because she knew the team she was working for personally; at the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you and what you want. 
  • ​Allie had to go all in on herself in the beginning. Was that hard for her? It was so hard, and she can remember that it scared the crap out of her in the beginning; she didn't have any initial expense going into real estate. Allie didn't have any capital to speak of to go into business, but she went all in. She ordered signs right away, even though she didn't need them and the week she got the signs she got three listings. 
  • ​It was as if the universe opened up because she was operating in her truth, being where she wanted to be. Even when Allie makes mistakes on her own, she is happy. She uses the experience to figure out what went wrong and makes sure it doesn't happen on the next deal. We make it stronger because we have to go through the pain and the challenges. 
  • ​Allie was a Chef for nine years and does dabble in it, but she is all in on her Real Estate business. It gives her more family time, and now she cooks when she wants too. What lessons did she take from being a Chef into real estate? Allie has tied being a Chef which is a male-dominated world, and how it better prepared her sales in ways that she didn't know. It hardened her, gave her a thick skin and that is what it takes to be in real estate. You hear no over and over, and then you get that one, yes and you ride it as long as you can. 
  • ​Was there a time when Allie thought that real estate was not for her? Because it doesn't turn off at 6 p.m., depending on the client, you have to be flexible. She has had to persevere through personal obstacles and keep her business afloat. Allie had operated the best she could, even if she worked from bed when she had Valley Fever, pulling on outside resources if she had too.
One No Brings You Closer to That One Yes
  • ​Allie has never been motivated by money; she was a Chef because she loved what she did. In real estate, you are making a memory for someone. Bad or good you make a mark on someone's life, and they are going to remember you. Allie cares about what her clients are looking for more than she cares about her paycheck. 
  • ​What does Allie do now to release stress? Allie has a five-year-old daughter. Time flies and you spend a lot of time thinking about what you should do next. What would Allie had done differently when she started in real estate? She believes she learned a lot from being on a team; they don't give you the full picture in real estate school. She thinks she would have left sooner though or had done more research on what a buyers agent is. 
  • ​Allie feels she moved pretty quickly when she thought she was in a bad situation; she didn't let herself stay stagnant for too long. She feels she wouldn't change much about her real estate journey; even her mistakes she learned from 
  • ​What would Allie tell the agents that are on the fence about making a change? Allie would say to them that having confidence in yourself is an essential aspect of being an agent. You cannot generate the kind of confidence in yourself that it takes to thrive as an independent working under someone else's name. It changes everything when your name is on the sign. It's a total game changer; if your feeling complacent at all then move and do it for you. 
  • ​Those other agents you leave behind will be fine; just go. You don't owe anybody anything; you owe yourself everything. Allie operates that way every day; why are you asking someone else their advice instead of going with what you do know. 
  • ​You have to take the no’s and the failures to get to that one yes, that one success. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable and take chances; it feels so much better to move one step at a time to your growth and success. 
  • ​Where can people find Allie? You can call her at 480-244-1988 she is also on Instagram and Facebook @agentallie. She also has a website www.agentallieaz.com. Allie is 100% passionate about doing real estate and being a chef is just a bonus.
Marissa Kirn
Marissa Kirn
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
In the excitement and overwhelm of buying a home, it is easy to confuse yourself when you aren't given proper direction. As agents, it is our responsibility to ask the right questions and listen to what our clients want in their new space. For Marissa Kirn, she has to learn along the way, but it has come quickly to her because of her approach. To know she is the business owner, and it is up to her to be successful, and to be successful, she had to sell homes. Recognizing that when your client may be overwhelmed and confused about what, where and how they want their home will help you as the agent to take control and show your client the confidence you have in finding them their perfect home.
Saying Yes to Everything Causes Confusion
  • ​Today Carla is joined by Marissa Kirn, and they will be discussing how Saying Yes to Everything Causes Confusion. We think we know what we want when we purchase a home, but when you get qualified and have so many options, you want to say yes to everything. A few years back in Carla’s early 20;s she was qualified for a home, as soon as she found out the amount Carla and A.Z., who were dating, were so excited to go home shopping.
  • ​Every door our realtor opened we thought was the perfect home. Moreso Carla than A.Z. The more yeses she gave, the more she became confused. She would go home every night with a stack of homes she said yes too, and she wouldn't be able to recall what the first house even looked like. 
  • ​Carla was getting impatient, and she ran into a problem where she would go into a home and wanted it, and A.Z. would tell her it was too small. They went into an Open House without their agent. The agent there asked what they were looking for and started pulling homes up on her laptop quickly realizing Carla was saying yes to everything. 
  • ​She said she knew what they were looking for, what they wanted and she sold them on her confidence. Marissa Kirn has run into that problem many times. It is an overwhelming process, and it is our job as agents to ask the right questions to get to know the client and what is important to them. 
  • ​Carla and A.Z.’s agent didn't have the confidence to tell them it was their first home, not their forever home. The second agent caught one that they were looking for a bigger home, so she directed them to one that may have been further away but for a better price. 
  • ​The agent started to show them new builds and painted a picture for them; they didn't even see. They went into the first model, and Carla knew it was what they were looking for but a bit small. The square footage worked, but she asked them if they could see themselves there in two to three years. Carla said no. The agent told them to look at that as a starter home that they could sell in a few years and then get something bigger. That worked for them because of the picture the agent painted for them.
We All Need A Cheerleader
  • ​When Carla was an agent one of her clients wanted to see a specific area. Carla showed her about ten homes in that area, and the client said she didn't like the area, so she showed her another ten homes. She was with this client for 2 to 3 weeks, and Carla became frustrated. How as an agent do you manage that and move in with that confidence? Marissa is a phenomenal agent, and she shows up as if she knows what the client wants. 
  • ​It took Carla a very long time to sell her first client on something. For every home Carla showed her, she would open the door and ask the client to tell me what you think. Carla went based on her first agent from many years before; he would do the same. He didn't paint a picture for me of what the house could be. The second agent painted a picture of the potential of the home. 
  • ​For Marissa, she is a problem solver. The client doesn't know what they want, but if you are saying no to every single one, there is a problem there. It is the agent's job to ask the client what they LIKE about the home. Asking specific questions about location so it can open up the client's mind to things they haven't thought of. As the agent you retain the information they give you so when you search again, you are more likely to find a fit. 
  • ​Over the years Carla got better as an agent and started to catch on to the conversations she would have. It is great to be able to sell something to someone they truly want, not selling them on something that you know is not going to be a fit. In the end, they won't be happy and either will you.
  • ​Marissa has a lot of repeat business, and her business is growing. How is she making it happen? Marissa runs it like a business, and she is a business owner. She had to be self-motivated and go after it with the same customer service she was doing at her job, but now she was doing it for herself and her clients.
  • ​Most agents don't make it. They get frustrated, and they put themselves in the wrong environment. To make it in Real Estate, the environment is essential, and you need to be surrounded by cheerleaders. Real Estate is hard, but people only see the successes. Marissa loves A.Z. & Associates because she has cheerleaders, it's fun, and she can ask a million questions. 
  • ​Marissa loves what she does, and it took one client to give her the confidence to see that she is good at what she does. Some agents have been in the industry a lot longer than Marissa, but yet she is ahead of the game financially. To see the challenges that she has overcome and the mindset she changed from thinking Real Estate wasn't for her, to getting past those minor speed bumps and keeping at it. What would Marissa tell those agents who are experiencing that? 
  • ​The first step for Marissa was to decide to either stop Real Estate or go all in. She did that as soon as she got to A.Z. & Associates. She started doing Open Houses consistently, and she had to overcome the fears she had about doing Social Media. It is knowing that you have to be uncomfortable constantly to grow. You have to figure out what works best for you; finding your niche. Open Houses, Social Media, Referral base, Talking to your Sphere of Influence. 
  • ​Carla has had conversations with agents who don't think Social Media works; Cold Calling doesn't work; your DataBase doesn't work. Nothing works, and it isn't for them. Has Marissa ever been stuck somewhere in your mind that it isn't working for her, so she is going to stop it all? 100%; she went through her first dip. She wondered what was going one. Marissa got a little comfortable, and the results didn't come as fast. 
  • ​It had everything to do with Marissa’s confidence and her mindset. She had gone back to scarcity and thinking it wasn't for her. Marissa realized that all of the work she had put in was to get the results that she did. You constantly have to identify what you aren't doing that you did before and course correct.
  • ​Where can Marissa’s clients find her? Facebook and Instagram you can follow her @Marissakirn, or you can call or text her at 623-277-8836. She will help you to say yes to what you want. Where does Marissa see herself in her process to assist her clientele? Marissa wants to learn her systems and processes more and to get it down to a tee and to expand from there.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
In the excitement and overwhelm of buying a home, it is easy to confuse yourself when you aren't given proper direction. As agents, it is our responsibility to ask the right questions and listen to what our clients want in their new space. For Marissa Kirn, she has to learn along the way, but it has come quickly to her because of her approach. To know she is the business owner, and it is up to her to be successful, and to be successful, she had to sell homes. Recognizing that when your client may be overwhelmed and confused about what, where and how they want their home will help you as the agent to take control and show your client the confidence you have in finding them their perfect home.
Saying Yes to Everything Causes Confusion
  • ​Today Carla is joined by Marissa Kirn, and they will be discussing how Saying Yes to Everything Causes Confusion. We think we know what we want when we purchase a home, but when you get qualified and have so many options, you want to say yes to everything. A few years back in Carla’s early 20;s she was qualified for a home, as soon as she found out the amount Carla and A.Z., who were dating, were so excited to go home shopping.
  • ​Every door our realtor opened we thought was the perfect home. Moreso Carla than A.Z. The more yeses she gave, the more she became confused. She would go home every night with a stack of homes she said yes too, and she wouldn't be able to recall what the first house even looked like. 
  • ​Carla was getting impatient, and she ran into a problem where she would go into a home and wanted it, and A.Z. would tell her it was too small. They went into an Open House without their agent. The agent there asked what they were looking for and started pulling homes up on her laptop quickly realizing Carla was saying yes to everything. 
  • ​She said she knew what they were looking for, what they wanted and she sold them on her confidence. Marissa Kirn has run into that problem many times. It is an overwhelming process, and it is our job as agents to ask the right questions to get to know the client and what is important to them. 
  • ​Carla and A.Z.’s agent didn't have the confidence to tell them it was their first home, not their forever home. The second agent caught one that they were looking for a bigger home, so she directed them to one that may have been further away but for a better price. 
  • ​The agent started to show them new builds and painted a picture for them; they didn't even see. They went into the first model, and Carla knew it was what they were looking for but a bit small. The square footage worked, but she asked them if they could see themselves there in two to three years. Carla said no. The agent told them to look at that as a starter home that they could sell in a few years and then get something bigger. That worked for them because of the picture the agent painted for them.
We All Need A Cheerleader
  • ​When Carla was an agent one of her clients wanted to see a specific area. Carla showed her about ten homes in that area, and the client said she didn't like the area, so she showed her another ten homes. She was with this client for 2 to 3 weeks, and Carla became frustrated. How as an agent do you manage that and move in with that confidence? Marissa is a phenomenal agent, and she shows up as if she knows what the client wants. 
  • ​It took Carla a very long time to sell her first client on something. For every home Carla showed her, she would open the door and ask the client to tell me what you think. Carla went based on her first agent from many years before; he would do the same. He didn't paint a picture for me of what the house could be. The second agent painted a picture of the potential of the home. 
  • ​For Marissa, she is a problem solver. The client doesn't know what they want, but if you are saying no to every single one, there is a problem there. It is the agent's job to ask the client what they LIKE about the home. Asking specific questions about location so it can open up the client's mind to things they haven't thought of. As the agent you retain the information they give you so when you search again, you are more likely to find a fit. 
  • ​Over the years Carla got better as an agent and started to catch on to the conversations she would have. It is great to be able to sell something to someone they truly want, not selling them on something that you know is not going to be a fit. In the end, they won't be happy and either will you.
  • ​Marissa has a lot of repeat business, and her business is growing. How is she making it happen? Marissa runs it like a business, and she is a business owner. She had to be self-motivated and go after it with the same customer service she was doing at her job, but now she was doing it for herself and her clients.
  • ​Most agents don't make it. They get frustrated, and they put themselves in the wrong environment. To make it in Real Estate, the environment is essential, and you need to be surrounded by cheerleaders. Real Estate is hard, but people only see the successes. Marissa loves A.Z. & Associates because she has cheerleaders, it's fun, and she can ask a million questions. 
  • ​Marissa loves what she does, and it took one client to give her the confidence to see that she is good at what she does. Some agents have been in the industry a lot longer than Marissa, but yet she is ahead of the game financially. To see the challenges that she has overcome and the mindset she changed from thinking Real Estate wasn't for her, to getting past those minor speed bumps and keeping at it. What would Marissa tell those agents who are experiencing that? 
  • ​The first step for Marissa was to decide to either stop Real Estate or go all in. She did that as soon as she got to A.Z. & Associates. She started doing Open Houses consistently, and she had to overcome the fears she had about doing Social Media. It is knowing that you have to be uncomfortable constantly to grow. You have to figure out what works best for you; finding your niche. Open Houses, Social Media, Referral base, Talking to your Sphere of Influence. 
  • ​Carla has had conversations with agents who don't think Social Media works; Cold Calling doesn't work; your DataBase doesn't work. Nothing works, and it isn't for them. Has Marissa ever been stuck somewhere in your mind that it isn't working for her, so she is going to stop it all? 100%; she went through her first dip. She wondered what was going one. Marissa got a little comfortable, and the results didn't come as fast. 
  • ​It had everything to do with Marissa’s confidence and her mindset. She had gone back to scarcity and thinking it wasn't for her. Marissa realized that all of the work she had put in was to get the results that she did. You constantly have to identify what you aren't doing that you did before and course correct.
  • ​Where can Marissa’s clients find her? Facebook and Instagram you can follow her @Marissakirn, or you can call or text her at 623-277-8836. She will help you to say yes to what you want. Where does Marissa see herself in her process to assist her clientele? Marissa wants to learn her systems and processes more and to get it down to a tee and to expand from there.
Ruth Nastasi
Ruth Nastasi
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Being yourself in a marriage doesn't happen for most right away. As women, we want the picket fence, the significant relationship and to be the best wife we can be; until that isn't enough. We grow tired of the act, and lack of fulfillment and our spouse is left standing there wondering what the hell happened. Ruth Nastasi voiced her changing needs to her husband, over and over again and she didn't hear her; until the divorce papers and the moving truck rolled up. Realizing that you need to pour into yourself so you can have everything else is where you need to start. Change is, but growth comes from knowing when to drop the act.
Losing Your Identity in Your Marriage
  • ​We have all become great actors in our marriages. Carla lost her identity in her marriage like so many of us do. We want to hide, and that leads to us thinking we are going through all of this alone. You don't go into a marriage, knowing everything about each other automatically. You share what you think they want to hear, your goals and dreams; but they don't know the true you 
  • ​Carla was a great actress acting like someone she wasn't; she ignored what she wanted for herself. Before Carla got married she was independent she knew what she wanted, and BOOM she fell in love. She went into it not speaking the truth, and it didn't go her way. You marry a man with his own goals, and it overpowers your own. 
  • ​Carla became good at shutting down and pretending to be someone she was not. Eventually, she was dying inside, she wasn't doing anything and wasn't taking control of her life; she was madly in love and along for the ride. What Carla wanted didn't matter, and love took over. 
  • ​Ruth Nastasi went through a similar experience but asked for a divorce. Carla and Ruth have bonded over the madness and craziness in their marriage. Ruth is a very powerful woman, successful; she had it all, so it wasn't about the financial. She wanted more.
  • ​Ruth was in her marriage and wondered what now? Carla tried to play the perfect wife role, and she was good at it. Ruth and her husband had been together for some time, and he didn't want anything to change. People change throughout the years you are together. Ruth got into real estate, and it completely changed her. They had to learn how to support each other and grow together. That is why Ruth is so open about what she has gone through. Everybody goes through their stuff the difference is whether they talk about it or not. 
  • ​In the beginning, Ruth was marrying the man of her dreams, and everything was great. How long was it before she realized it wasn't what she expected? We are continually changing, and someone in the relationship will always want more. Unless you speak up the other person will always think that everything is good. Ruth knows they had their issues along the way and it was always something. 
  • ​It became a snowball effect and marriage is constant work. When Ruth decided to file for divorce, why did the work stop? Ruth felt she put everything out there and asked him what he wanted in the marriage. She kept telling him how she felt they could make it work and what would fulfill her needs and it became exhausting. 
I Am Women; Hear Me Roar
  • ​When you are continually talking to the other person about what needs to change, it can become threatening; I'm going to leave unless you do this. Then your spouse knows your never going to leave because you don't. It took them filing for divorce and him moving out for Ruth's husband to realize that it was real. What gave Ruth the courage to finally leave? It was being so tired of having an issue, always trying so hard and it not working out. 
  • ​Before Do The Work, Carla created a fitness group called FIT IN 12. Ruth was part of that group, and Carla trained her for quite some time. Carla could feel that Ruth wasn't completely with her. Ruth told Carla she was filing for divorce, but she kept showing up for FIT IN 12. She wanted more because her husband wasn't showing up. 
  • ​Working out made Ruth feel powerful, and when she was in the gym, she was in her power. What was Ruth's mindset every time she left FIT IN 12? Did she know she was taking more control of herself? Carla’s workouts are phenomenal, and you may have felt like you were going to die at times, but she never did. Did Ruth ever get in her car and realize that she was getting stronger? At some point, you have to ask yourself what you want. Ruth’s husband's pain threshold was a lot different than hers; when you tell some on that if things don't change and you are going to leave, he didn't get it until he moved out.
  • ​When you're in your marriage for the long haul, you need to learn how to support each other at the right times. Some couples aren't meant to be, and they continue to work on it; we put deposits into the other person instead of ourselves. At the end of the day it's not about the marriage it's about you and the other person getting what they want also.
  • ​Carla always felt like she was continually depositing into her marriage, being a good wife. She realized that she should have been working on herself in the marriage. Instead, she put on an act until her role wasn't serving her anymore. At any time did Ruth know that she would be rekindling her relationship at any time? At any point did she think that her husband might not step up at the threat of a divorce? 
  • ​At the time Ruth was done, and she really couldn't try to make him understand any more of what she needed to make their relationship work. When they filed for the divorce, she was at the point that she was done. It was unfortunate because of the time they had invested in each other, and they clicked so well in the beginning. It was worth it the long run because now they are better than ever.
  • ​It takes a lot for a marriage to work itself out. A lot of times we try to put deposits into the marriage, and it has to do with you and what you bring to the table. Women want more from the marriage from day one but we are honest, and we hide behind an act of being the perfect wife and you completely lose yourself.
  • ​Carla loves that Ruth and herself have always had a connection and have been able to talk about their marriages openly. Women one a whole need to be more open to that, we have different challenges and different arguments with our husbands, but we want the same. We want us and for us to feel alive.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Being yourself in a marriage doesn't happen for most right away. As women, we want the picket fence, the significant relationship and to be the best wife we can be; until that isn't enough. We grow tired of the act, and lack of fulfillment and our spouse is left standing there wondering what the hell happened. Ruth Nastasi voiced her changing needs to her husband, over and over again and she didn't hear her; until the divorce papers and the moving truck rolled up. Realizing that you need to pour into yourself so you can have everything else is where you need to start. Change is, but growth comes from knowing when to drop the act.
Losing Your Identity in Your Marriage
  • ​We have all become great actors in our marriages. Carla lost her identity in her marriage like so many of us do. We want to hide, and that leads to us thinking we are going through all of this alone. You don't go into a marriage, knowing everything about each other automatically. You share what you think they want to hear, your goals and dreams; but they don't know the true you 
  • ​Carla was a great actress acting like someone she wasn't; she ignored what she wanted for herself. Before Carla got married she was independent she knew what she wanted, and BOOM she fell in love. She went into it not speaking the truth, and it didn't go her way. You marry a man with his own goals, and it overpowers your own. 
  • ​Carla became good at shutting down and pretending to be someone she was not. Eventually, she was dying inside, she wasn't doing anything and wasn't taking control of her life; she was madly in love and along for the ride. What Carla wanted didn't matter, and love took over. 
  • ​Ruth Nastasi went through a similar experience but asked for a divorce. Carla and Ruth have bonded over the madness and craziness in their marriage. Ruth is a very powerful woman, successful; she had it all, so it wasn't about the financial. She wanted more.
  • ​Ruth was in her marriage and wondered what now? Carla tried to play the perfect wife role, and she was good at it. Ruth and her husband had been together for some time, and he didn't want anything to change. People change throughout the years you are together. Ruth got into real estate, and it completely changed her. They had to learn how to support each other and grow together. That is why Ruth is so open about what she has gone through. Everybody goes through their stuff the difference is whether they talk about it or not. 
  • ​In the beginning, Ruth was marrying the man of her dreams, and everything was great. How long was it before she realized it wasn't what she expected? We are continually changing, and someone in the relationship will always want more. Unless you speak up the other person will always think that everything is good. Ruth knows they had their issues along the way and it was always something. 
  • ​It became a snowball effect and marriage is constant work. When Ruth decided to file for divorce, why did the work stop? Ruth felt she put everything out there and asked him what he wanted in the marriage. She kept telling him how she felt they could make it work and what would fulfill her needs and it became exhausting. 
I Am Women; Hear Me Roar
  • ​When you are continually talking to the other person about what needs to change, it can become threatening; I'm going to leave unless you do this. Then your spouse knows your never going to leave because you don't. It took them filing for divorce and him moving out for Ruth's husband to realize that it was real. What gave Ruth the courage to finally leave? It was being so tired of having an issue, always trying so hard and it not working out. 
  • ​Before Do The Work, Carla created a fitness group called FIT IN 12. Ruth was part of that group, and Carla trained her for quite some time. Carla could feel that Ruth wasn't completely with her. Ruth told Carla she was filing for divorce, but she kept showing up for FIT IN 12. She wanted more because her husband wasn't showing up. 
  • ​Working out made Ruth feel powerful, and when she was in the gym, she was in her power. What was Ruth's mindset every time she left FIT IN 12? Did she know she was taking more control of herself? Carla’s workouts are phenomenal, and you may have felt like you were going to die at times, but she never did. Did Ruth ever get in her car and realize that she was getting stronger? At some point, you have to ask yourself what you want. Ruth’s husband's pain threshold was a lot different than hers; when you tell some on that if things don't change and you are going to leave, he didn't get it until he moved out.
  • ​When you're in your marriage for the long haul, you need to learn how to support each other at the right times. Some couples aren't meant to be, and they continue to work on it; we put deposits into the other person instead of ourselves. At the end of the day it's not about the marriage it's about you and the other person getting what they want also.
  • ​Carla always felt like she was continually depositing into her marriage, being a good wife. She realized that she should have been working on herself in the marriage. Instead, she put on an act until her role wasn't serving her anymore. At any time did Ruth know that she would be rekindling her relationship at any time? At any point did she think that her husband might not step up at the threat of a divorce? 
  • ​At the time Ruth was done, and she really couldn't try to make him understand any more of what she needed to make their relationship work. When they filed for the divorce, she was at the point that she was done. It was unfortunate because of the time they had invested in each other, and they clicked so well in the beginning. It was worth it the long run because now they are better than ever.
  • ​It takes a lot for a marriage to work itself out. A lot of times we try to put deposits into the marriage, and it has to do with you and what you bring to the table. Women want more from the marriage from day one but we are honest, and we hide behind an act of being the perfect wife and you completely lose yourself.
  • ​Carla loves that Ruth and herself have always had a connection and have been able to talk about their marriages openly. Women one a whole need to be more open to that, we have different challenges and different arguments with our husbands, but we want the same. We want us and for us to feel alive.
Brigette Alvarez
Brigette Alvarez
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
The shine of a new home can be even brighter when it's a new build. The model homes are beautifully decorated and filled with every upgrade imaginable. But you roll up in your U-Haul, and your new home is butt naked. That is what Carla is talking about today with Brigette Alvarez, an agent that has had her fair share of showing new builds to her clients. Asking the right questions and knowing your local builders can equip you to be the authority when it comes to your client's needs. When someone is expecting the home of their dreams and ends up with the naked nightmare, you are the one left holding the bag.
The Nudity of the New Build
  • ​Today Carla is welcoming back Brigette Alvarez to the studio to talk about THE NUDITY OF THE NEW BUILD. Back in 2005 when A.Z. and Carla were looking for a home; there were excited and knew exactly what they wanted. Their agent showed them some resale homes, and they wondered what a New Build had to offer. 
  • ​They went to see some new builds; they walked in and were amazed at everything about the first house. The lighting, the doors, the floors; it had everything they wanted. They go to the sales office and start to see the numbers, and the market was hot, and the lots were going fast. They were ready because that model home they saw was a shiny object. As homeowners, we do that all the time. We see the shiny object, and that is all we want, but that isn't what we get.
  • ​The next step was to get to the Design Center. They got a beautiful lot, and they were always driving by it, envisioning that Model Home they saw ready for them to move in. At the Design Center, the broker was telling them what they could and couldn't have. When they walked out, they couldn't process what their home would like exactly. For the most part, they were still focusing on what the model home looked like.
  • ​They got the basic everything thinking they would do all the upgrades themselves but not considering what that would cost. Their new home was built, and they went to do the walkthrough, It still hadn't hit Carla what they were getting; she was still thinking of that model home. Move in day came and they had very little to move into the house; somehow their house still looked naked. 
  • ​The naked home was a nightmare, and they were going to upgrade little by little. The first thing they tackled was the outside. A.Z. ordered grass, gravel, and dirt to create something for the front; HOA gave them two days to install all of the landscaping products or move it to the back. Carla gets burnt and blistered, and they still can't believe how much their house doesn't look like the model. It was a nightmare and took them almost a year to get the front and back yards done.
  • ​Then they tore out the carpet and put in wood floors in the second year. That was the year they needed to sell the house; after all of that work, they didn't get to enjoy it. Everything was left undone; fans were half installed, the plumbing wasn't right. They had to come up with a few thousand dollars to get everything right so they could sell the home.
Ceilings Are An Upgrade or When Did My Tub Shrink?
  • ​The question is should you buy a new build? Is it worth it? That is the question Brigette gets from a lot of her clients. They are everywhere now, and they are in demand. Brigette says that it is a preference; she gives her clients the pros and cons of it. She feels you can get more for your money with a resale home. A resale home sometime will have work done to it; going the upgrades while they live there. People don't realize how expensive it is to landscape a yard. A resale home more than likely has landscaping already. 
  • ​Most people that buy a new build will have their backyard bare for a few years because it is so expensive. When you walk a client into a model home, how do you explain to them what they are getting? Brigette is very honest with them without being a Debbie Downer. She tells them exactly what to expect, because if they aren't happy they are going to come back to her; even though she had no control they remember the experience.
  • ​Most clients are okay with it and understand what she is saying. Brigette worked with a client who wanted a new build because of the location and asked if she could see what the house looked like without all of the upgrades. When she saw how her home would look, she was no longer excited. Brigette called the sales office that night and told them they were going to have to give her client something to entice her. If they wanted the deal, they would have to figure something out. 
  • ​They ended up offering her home in on a lot that had some of the flooring upgrades that she wanted. But Brigette knew that her client didn't want the basic package and wasn't going to go for it. It isn't a normal thing that happened with that deal. It's a case by case deal. Not every new build you can negotiate. 
  • ​Brigette always tries to negotiate, but every seller is completely different and operates differently. She does the best for all of her clients, but if she knows she can get more, she will push for more. 
  • ​On the resale end, the backyard can be done, but then the inside is outdated. Is it possible to negotiate anything being repaired on a resale home? Everything is negotiable, but they aren't going to upgrade anything. A seller does not have to fix anything they don't want to fix; it's up to you as the buyer to want to continue to move forward with the home. 
  • ​Agents need to explain that process to their client. If they are asking for a repair and expecting an upgrade, they won't be happy. Brigette had the experience purchasing her own home where she asked for a safety latch on the sliding glass door, and that didn't get fixed when they closed. During the final walk through, Brigette was in a rush to move in, and she could have held up the closing, but she needed to move in. 
  • ​Brigette informs her clients on the new builds that the things you might not think are upgrades are upgrades. You have to ask and make sure that all the things you see in the model are not upgrades. Brigette makes a practice of going to all of the new builds around so she can familiarize herself with the builders and what they are offering. You can find Bridgette @brigettealvarezrealtor on Facebook and Instagram.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
The shine of a new home can be even brighter when it's a new build. The model homes are beautifully decorated and filled with every upgrade imaginable. But you roll up in your U-Haul, and your new home is butt naked. That is what Carla is talking about today with Brigette Alvarez, an agent that has had her fair share of showing new builds to her clients. Asking the right questions and knowing your local builders can equip you to be the authority when it comes to your client's needs. When someone is expecting the home of their dreams and ends up with the naked nightmare, you are the one left holding the bag.
The Nudity of the New Build
  • ​Today Carla is welcoming back Brigette Alvarez to the studio to talk about THE NUDITY OF THE NEW BUILD. Back in 2005 when A.Z. and Carla were looking for a home; there were excited and knew exactly what they wanted. Their agent showed them some resale homes, and they wondered what a New Build had to offer. 
  • ​They went to see some new builds; they walked in and were amazed at everything about the first house. The lighting, the doors, the floors; it had everything they wanted. They go to the sales office and start to see the numbers, and the market was hot, and the lots were going fast. They were ready because that model home they saw was a shiny object. As homeowners, we do that all the time. We see the shiny object, and that is all we want, but that isn't what we get.
  • ​The next step was to get to the Design Center. They got a beautiful lot, and they were always driving by it, envisioning that Model Home they saw ready for them to move in. At the Design Center, the broker was telling them what they could and couldn't have. When they walked out, they couldn't process what their home would like exactly. For the most part, they were still focusing on what the model home looked like.
  • ​They got the basic everything thinking they would do all the upgrades themselves but not considering what that would cost. Their new home was built, and they went to do the walkthrough, It still hadn't hit Carla what they were getting; she was still thinking of that model home. Move in day came and they had very little to move into the house; somehow their house still looked naked. 
  • ​The naked home was a nightmare, and they were going to upgrade little by little. The first thing they tackled was the outside. A.Z. ordered grass, gravel, and dirt to create something for the front; HOA gave them two days to install all of the landscaping products or move it to the back. Carla gets burnt and blistered, and they still can't believe how much their house doesn't look like the model. It was a nightmare and took them almost a year to get the front and back yards done.
  • ​Then they tore out the carpet and put in wood floors in the second year. That was the year they needed to sell the house; after all of that work, they didn't get to enjoy it. Everything was left undone; fans were half installed, the plumbing wasn't right. They had to come up with a few thousand dollars to get everything right so they could sell the home.
Ceilings Are An Upgrade or When Did My Tub Shrink?
  • ​The question is should you buy a new build? Is it worth it? That is the question Brigette gets from a lot of her clients. They are everywhere now, and they are in demand. Brigette says that it is a preference; she gives her clients the pros and cons of it. She feels you can get more for your money with a resale home. A resale home sometime will have work done to it; going the upgrades while they live there. People don't realize how expensive it is to landscape a yard. A resale home more than likely has landscaping already. 
  • ​Most people that buy a new build will have their backyard bare for a few years because it is so expensive. When you walk a client into a model home, how do you explain to them what they are getting? Brigette is very honest with them without being a Debbie Downer. She tells them exactly what to expect, because if they aren't happy they are going to come back to her; even though she had no control they remember the experience.
  • ​Most clients are okay with it and understand what she is saying. Brigette worked with a client who wanted a new build because of the location and asked if she could see what the house looked like without all of the upgrades. When she saw how her home would look, she was no longer excited. Brigette called the sales office that night and told them they were going to have to give her client something to entice her. If they wanted the deal, they would have to figure something out. 
  • ​They ended up offering her home in on a lot that had some of the flooring upgrades that she wanted. But Brigette knew that her client didn't want the basic package and wasn't going to go for it. It isn't a normal thing that happened with that deal. It's a case by case deal. Not every new build you can negotiate. 
  • ​Brigette always tries to negotiate, but every seller is completely different and operates differently. She does the best for all of her clients, but if she knows she can get more, she will push for more. 
  • ​On the resale end, the backyard can be done, but then the inside is outdated. Is it possible to negotiate anything being repaired on a resale home? Everything is negotiable, but they aren't going to upgrade anything. A seller does not have to fix anything they don't want to fix; it's up to you as the buyer to want to continue to move forward with the home. 
  • ​Agents need to explain that process to their client. If they are asking for a repair and expecting an upgrade, they won't be happy. Brigette had the experience purchasing her own home where she asked for a safety latch on the sliding glass door, and that didn't get fixed when they closed. During the final walk through, Brigette was in a rush to move in, and she could have held up the closing, but she needed to move in. 
  • ​Brigette informs her clients on the new builds that the things you might not think are upgrades are upgrades. You have to ask and make sure that all the things you see in the model are not upgrades. Brigette makes a practice of going to all of the new builds around so she can familiarize herself with the builders and what they are offering. You can find Bridgette @brigettealvarezrealtor on Facebook and Instagram.
Hillary Key
Hillary Key
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
In today's episode of Women in Real Estate, Knowing your Worth is essential not only in your business but personal life also. Hillary Key can relate to this as she has had to fire a client or two for not valuing her time as their agent. When people value themselves, they will value you. Hillary has always been all in with her decision to become a real estate agent; her growth over the past five years though has made her not only a Top Producer but more confident in all areas of her business and life.
Women in Real Estate
  • ​We are talking about Real Life, Real Life Stories and Real Women on this podcast and all of the challenges they face; today will be no different as we discuss Knowing Your Worth.
  • ​There was a time in Carla’s fourth or fifth year of business; one of her staff members had a child who was in and out of the hospital. She was calling off work a lot, and Carla understood. Having a child with asthma also, she understands the challenges of being a working Mom and getting your child to doctors appointments and the hospital. Carla’s heart was there for her.
  • ​There was one moment when Carla walked into the office, and this employee wasn't at her desk. She went back to her office and began to call her, and she doesn't pick up. In Carla’s mind, she was going to fire her if she didn't get a phone call. Four days go by, and she strolls into Carla’s office and says she is ready to work. She claimed to be too busy to call Carla and stated her child was in the hospital. Carla told her she had been fired; she had been replaced because she never called, never touched base. 
  • ​She was upset and couldn't believe Carla would do this saying that Carla should understand, she is a working Mom also, and her child has asthma as well. Carla’s heart sank for a moment, and restated that she had been fired; her last day was the day she didn't call Carla. For a quick second, Carla couldn't believe she was considering taking back a staff member that had been gone four days, no text, no call, no warning, no nothing. It broke her heart, but she had no choice; Know your worth,
  • ​Hillary Key can relate to Carla's story; we have all been in that position one way or another. A boss can take advantage of us as employees or investors; she had wasted a good amount of time in her first year of real estate, bending over backward for these investors. She was putting her regular clients on hold to work for these investors who were blowing smoke up her ass. How did she handle that? When did she say enough was enough? When it started to affect Hillary's personal life and her the rest of her business. Not all investors are bad, but her time is priceless so she determined that if they weren't going to value her time, she would figure another way to pay her bills. She realized that her clients need her more than she needs them. 
  • ​Hillary loves what she does. What did she do before real estate? She was in property management for 14 years at different levels. Hillary ran an apartment complex for ten years and then for four years she worked as a maintenance supervisor. How did she transition to real estate or feel that she needed to leave property management? Was it a challenge for her to go from one thing to the next? Did she know what she wanted? Hillary knew she wanted to be a successful realtor, but didn't know how to get there necessarily. Going from an hourly job to running your own business; getting started buying signs, cards, lock boxes, it can be expensive. 
  •  
Don't Think Just Go!
  • ​Hillary came from a team when she came to real estate. Why did she choose first to be part of a team instead of an independent like she is now? She didn't educate herself in the beginning and assumed that stepping into a team would be the best route for her. It was short-lived, and Hillary decided to go out on her own. Hillary is very smart and one of A.Z. & Associates top producers. Carla loves not only that she is a woman but that she is kicking ass. How did Hillary strategies the marketing part of it? How did she go all in? It wasn't slow, from one day to the next she was a different individual. What made her decide to go all into real estate? Hillary didn't have a choice. Her back was against the wall and had to go forward as fast as possible. She didn't even think twice. 
  • ​In the hard moments though has Hillary ever thought that real estate might not be for her? For the first few years, she would ask herself if she was sure that real estate was what she wanted to do. At the times that you are in your dips that is where you think the worst. Those are the times you need to rise up and not consider going back to what you use to do. It needs to be short-lived.
  • ​Where can Hillary's clients reach her? She works with a lot of investors and first-time buyers, where can she be seen? You can text or call Hillary directly at 623-556-3491 she is also on Facebook @HillaryKey. Is Hillary an investor herself? She has a few rental properties, and it was about finding good deals and helping the family. Hillary has a family member living in one of her rental properties right now; it helps her partner and her help their family any way they can. 
  • ​Hillary is now trying to build a team and staff. What is the plan for her business? The plan is to have three people on her team in the next 30 days. She has brought on a transaction coordinator, and for her to double her business, she needs to expand her team. Hillary is a tiger in business, and you need to follow her on her Facebook and Instagram. She is an awesome individual that continues to rise above. 
  • ​What does Hillary do when she has time to enjoy herself? She kayaks a lot, which is fun. Traveling also is something she likes to do even if it is just a 48-hour turn around trip; it refreshes and resets her and her business as well. What can her clients expect from Hillary? She is honest from the jump; she won't tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear. Hillary is excellent at communicating and has never had a client who has had an issue with her lack of communication. Clients can expect extensive marketing on properties from her; she gives her clients the highest level of customer service and one -on- one.
  • ​How many years has she been in this industry overall? In July it will be 19 years total; as an agent five years. What advice would Hillary give agents who are just starting? You will face daily changes, but don't give up. Don't take each transaction personally. Not everything is for you to fix so don't overextend yourself. You need to make your buyers and sellers realize they have responsibilities as well and make them live up to them. 
Overcoming the Plateau
  • ​Has Hillary ever had to let a client go that wasn't working out for her? Yes, she has had to fire clients. Hillary tells them that if she isn't happy they probably aren't either, so they should part ways. If they don't have respect for themselves they sure as hell won't have respect for her as their agent. 
  • ​You have to have the confidence in yourself to let those nightmare clients go. You aren't meant to work together and need to move on to the next. Coming out of real estate school you are so happy to get that first client, and they are a nightmare. You want it so bad, so you do whatever it takes, and it doesn't work out. 
  • ​When someone has been in the industry for some time, and they hit a plateau, what would Hillary tell them? When they feel they can't go any further what should they do? Bring people on whether it is a transaction coordinator or a showing agent. You are still representing your buyer, but you are having someone else open doors for you so you can help more people. 
  • ​What does Hillary look for in a showing agent? Someone dependable that doesn't try to convince a buyer to make an offer because they are done showing homes. Everyone needs to be a closer, but not all homes are ready to fit your client's needs. What are some of the most significant values that Hillary has received at A.Z. & Associates? What are some of the things that she has learned in her five years at this brokerage? Other than systems like marketing, the main takeaway is her mindset and growth. She used to be a people pleaser. As a woman, we always want to please everyone and have the right answer. The personal growth and the teachings that Hillary has received from A.Z. & Associates, even the meditations. Knowing that it is okay to fire a client and not bend over backward; it is okay to know your worth and stand by that. 
  • ​Does Hillary have long term clients? What do they say about the changes that she has made in herself and business? They can see a difference in the way she carries herself and how she postures. Her business and how she treats her clients has always been on point; the change is mainly in how she carries herself and communicates with you. 
  • ​If you would like to be part of Hillary's team you can give her a call at 623-556-3491 or if you would like to low key stalk her first you can check her out on Facebook and Instagram. 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
In today's episode of Women in Real Estate, Knowing your Worth is essential not only in your business but personal life also. Hillary Key can relate to this as she has had to fire a client or two for not valuing her time as their agent. When people value themselves, they will value you. Hillary has always been all in with her decision to become a real estate agent; her growth over the past five years though has made her not only a Top Producer but more confident in all areas of her business and life.
Women in Real Estate
  • ​We are talking about Real Life, Real Life Stories and Real Women on this podcast and all of the challenges they face; today will be no different as we discuss Knowing Your Worth.
  • ​There was a time in Carla’s fourth or fifth year of business; one of her staff members had a child who was in and out of the hospital. She was calling off work a lot, and Carla understood. Having a child with asthma also, she understands the challenges of being a working Mom and getting your child to doctors appointments and the hospital. Carla’s heart was there for her.
  • ​There was one moment when Carla walked into the office, and this employee wasn't at her desk. She went back to her office and began to call her, and she doesn't pick up. In Carla’s mind, she was going to fire her if she didn't get a phone call. Four days go by, and she strolls into Carla’s office and says she is ready to work. She claimed to be too busy to call Carla and stated her child was in the hospital. Carla told her she had been fired; she had been replaced because she never called, never touched base. 
  • ​She was upset and couldn't believe Carla would do this saying that Carla should understand, she is a working Mom also, and her child has asthma as well. Carla’s heart sank for a moment, and restated that she had been fired; her last day was the day she didn't call Carla. For a quick second, Carla couldn't believe she was considering taking back a staff member that had been gone four days, no text, no call, no warning, no nothing. It broke her heart, but she had no choice; Know your worth,
  • ​Hillary Key can relate to Carla's story; we have all been in that position one way or another. A boss can take advantage of us as employees or investors; she had wasted a good amount of time in her first year of real estate, bending over backward for these investors. She was putting her regular clients on hold to work for these investors who were blowing smoke up her ass. How did she handle that? When did she say enough was enough? When it started to affect Hillary's personal life and her the rest of her business. Not all investors are bad, but her time is priceless so she determined that if they weren't going to value her time, she would figure another way to pay her bills. She realized that her clients need her more than she needs them. 
  • ​Hillary loves what she does. What did she do before real estate? She was in property management for 14 years at different levels. Hillary ran an apartment complex for ten years and then for four years she worked as a maintenance supervisor. How did she transition to real estate or feel that she needed to leave property management? Was it a challenge for her to go from one thing to the next? Did she know what she wanted? Hillary knew she wanted to be a successful realtor, but didn't know how to get there necessarily. Going from an hourly job to running your own business; getting started buying signs, cards, lock boxes, it can be expensive. 
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Don't Think Just Go!
  • ​Hillary came from a team when she came to real estate. Why did she choose first to be part of a team instead of an independent like she is now? She didn't educate herself in the beginning and assumed that stepping into a team would be the best route for her. It was short-lived, and Hillary decided to go out on her own. Hillary is very smart and one of A.Z. & Associates top producers. Carla loves not only that she is a woman but that she is kicking ass. How did Hillary strategies the marketing part of it? How did she go all in? It wasn't slow, from one day to the next she was a different individual. What made her decide to go all into real estate? Hillary didn't have a choice. Her back was against the wall and had to go forward as fast as possible. She didn't even think twice. 
  • ​In the hard moments though has Hillary ever thought that real estate might not be for her? For the first few years, she would ask herself if she was sure that real estate was what she wanted to do. At the times that you are in your dips that is where you think the worst. Those are the times you need to rise up and not consider going back to what you use to do. It needs to be short-lived.
  • ​Where can Hillary's clients reach her? She works with a lot of investors and first-time buyers, where can she be seen? You can text or call Hillary directly at 623-556-3491 she is also on Facebook @HillaryKey. Is Hillary an investor herself? She has a few rental properties, and it was about finding good deals and helping the family. Hillary has a family member living in one of her rental properties right now; it helps her partner and her help their family any way they can. 
  • ​Hillary is now trying to build a team and staff. What is the plan for her business? The plan is to have three people on her team in the next 30 days. She has brought on a transaction coordinator, and for her to double her business, she needs to expand her team. Hillary is a tiger in business, and you need to follow her on her Facebook and Instagram. She is an awesome individual that continues to rise above. 
  • ​What does Hillary do when she has time to enjoy herself? She kayaks a lot, which is fun. Traveling also is something she likes to do even if it is just a 48-hour turn around trip; it refreshes and resets her and her business as well. What can her clients expect from Hillary? She is honest from the jump; she won't tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear. Hillary is excellent at communicating and has never had a client who has had an issue with her lack of communication. Clients can expect extensive marketing on properties from her; she gives her clients the highest level of customer service and one -on- one.
  • ​How many years has she been in this industry overall? In July it will be 19 years total; as an agent five years. What advice would Hillary give agents who are just starting? You will face daily changes, but don't give up. Don't take each transaction personally. Not everything is for you to fix so don't overextend yourself. You need to make your buyers and sellers realize they have responsibilities as well and make them live up to them. 
Overcoming the Plateau
  • ​Has Hillary ever had to let a client go that wasn't working out for her? Yes, she has had to fire clients. Hillary tells them that if she isn't happy they probably aren't either, so they should part ways. If they don't have respect for themselves they sure as hell won't have respect for her as their agent. 
  • ​You have to have the confidence in yourself to let those nightmare clients go. You aren't meant to work together and need to move on to the next. Coming out of real estate school you are so happy to get that first client, and they are a nightmare. You want it so bad, so you do whatever it takes, and it doesn't work out. 
  • ​When someone has been in the industry for some time, and they hit a plateau, what would Hillary tell them? When they feel they can't go any further what should they do? Bring people on whether it is a transaction coordinator or a showing agent. You are still representing your buyer, but you are having someone else open doors for you so you can help more people. 
  • ​What does Hillary look for in a showing agent? Someone dependable that doesn't try to convince a buyer to make an offer because they are done showing homes. Everyone needs to be a closer, but not all homes are ready to fit your client's needs. What are some of the most significant values that Hillary has received at A.Z. & Associates? What are some of the things that she has learned in her five years at this brokerage? Other than systems like marketing, the main takeaway is her mindset and growth. She used to be a people pleaser. As a woman, we always want to please everyone and have the right answer. The personal growth and the teachings that Hillary has received from A.Z. & Associates, even the meditations. Knowing that it is okay to fire a client and not bend over backward; it is okay to know your worth and stand by that. 
  • ​Does Hillary have long term clients? What do they say about the changes that she has made in herself and business? They can see a difference in the way she carries herself and how she postures. Her business and how she treats her clients has always been on point; the change is mainly in how she carries herself and communicates with you. 
  • ​If you would like to be part of Hillary's team you can give her a call at 623-556-3491 or if you would like to low key stalk her first you can check her out on Facebook and Instagram. 
Elizabeth Santillan
Elizabeth Santillan
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Tradition and culture can dictate what society says a woman should be; how she looks and the way she should show up. When Elizabeth Santillan decided that she had more to offer herself and her son, she began to create a life that lived up to the potential she knew she had all along. Finding herself was how she became the strong leader and example for not only her children but her husband and clients. Never stop fighting to become the you that will be the light for someone else; put yourself in that place of empowerment and keep swimming.
Women in Real Estate: Elizabeth Santillan
  • ​This podcast is about real Women telling their real stories and sharing their journeys as Real Estate agents. Being in sales is not pretty and has its challenges; especially if you are not comfortable in your skin. When you are insecure about other things in your life and then to have to face a client, trying to control the madness in your head can be difficult. You have to show up as someone else; at least that is what Carla faced. 
  • ​It was eating Carla alive to continually have to show up as someone else, wearing different masks. The environment that Carla had surrounded herself with made her mind overwhelmed. Sales became difficult for her because she felt she had no backbone and that she was weak. Elizabeth Santillan can relate to that story as well. 
  • ​Elizabeth's energy is so different now because of people like Carla, and she is so thankful for that. It's time for her to be the absolute true Elizabeth that she knows is inside of herself. Being in real estate is so hard because you have to believe in yourself and have those strong biceps to keep swimming or you will sink. What was Elizabeth's life like before real estate? Elizabeth worked in health care as a Medical Assistant. She went with it for a few years and got married young and was divorced a year later. After her marriage, she had to learn how to become independent because she lived with her parents up until her wedding day; completely traditional.
  • ​She felt ready for marriage and to be a wife and to have her husband be the protector and provider. It switched right away, and she knew she should have had it annulled right away because he showed his true nature. A lot of women fall into that love that happens when we are younger and gets married to that person very young also. You think it will be a fairy tale, and we fall into that trap that society dictates to depend on someone. It does not work that way, and you stay because of it being easier not to rock the boat; stay quiet, get a part-time job and make it work.
  • ​Carla loves hearing that she wasn't the only one who has gone through the same problems she experienced and overcame. The more we open up as women we find out there are so many who feel we don't have a backbone, and we don't stand up until things get bad. It can be a generational and cultural thing, handed down from Mother to Daughter over and over again. You get married, and you take care of your spouse. 
  • ​When Elizabeth got remarried, she went back to square one. When she got married at 21, they stayed together ten months they were separated. During the separation, she got pregnant with their son, and that was a gift to her. Her son became the motivation she needed to do more for herself. What did Elizabeth do from that point? She had to grow up and become independent, learning quickly how to take care of herself and not depend on a man. For four years Elizabeth she became very good at being a Medical Assistant. She had allowed herself to be vulnerable, and in that vulnerability, somebody hurt her; she had to develop a backbone. 
  • ​Everything Elizabeth did was for her and her son. She bought a home at 23 for them, doing it all on her own, she didn't tell anybody. Was it challenging for Elizabeth to have her first purchase, with just her and her son? Carla can remember what a challenge it was for her at 23 to buy a home and the negativity she received from friends. That is why Elizabeth didn't tell her parents; she didn't want to hear anything negative.
Keep Swimming
  • ​At times it can be close friends or your own family that hold you back from moving forward. Although Elizabeth was scared, it was the best decision she ever made for herself and the most rewarding. Unknowingly after that first purchase, she became an investor from that point forward. She owned that first home she purchased for $80,000 for two years and sold it for $210,000. 
  • ​From that she invested the money she made into another home; across the street from her parents; it was a fixer-upper, and she was able to pay off her debt and remodeled the house. Elizabeth then bought a piece of land in Mexico and purchased another home. The gift of purchasing a home has been a blessing. 
  • ​Wanting more and being knowledgeable, helps you to have a vision and a timeline to accomplish that. How can Elizabeth assist her clients in achieving the same for themselves? Elizabeth can guide her clients because she has lived it. It can be scary for a first-time buyer; especially a single woman. Those are compelling moments when she helps her clients to accomplish what they want. 
  • ​Elizabeth is a natural protector and always has been. She protects her clients, and she knows the deals and helps them envision what is possible for them. Carla sees so much strength, love, and compassion in Elizabeth and in that the wrong people can take advantage of you because of that. Carla can see so much in someone's eyes, and she had to allow herself to be who she was and appreciated that about herself. Carla wanted people to what she loved about herself, and that is what she loves about Elizabeth. By staring at her, you can tell that she brings honesty, love, compassion, patience, knowledge to her clients because she can share her story so freely. 
  • ​There was a moment during a sales meeting that Carla talked about women being empowered, not depending on a man and Elizabeth approached her and told her she doesn't depend on anyone. Carla loved that she said to her that because she could feel Elizabeth's defensive tone and that she was declaring she wasn't that person anymore. 
  • ​At A.Z. & Associates, everyone speaks their truths and tells their stories. It may not be for you, or maybe you are just not ready to hear it. When you hear another woman talk about empowerment, it can be offensive to you because you aren't prepared to listen to the truth she is sharing. 
  • ​If you want to know more about Elizabeth, you can find her on her social media accounts. On Facebook she is @ Elizabeth Santillan,@ElizabethSantillanrealtor on Instagram or you can call or text her at 623-670-9045. There is so much of Elizabeth out there that she willing to share. She has overcome so much and not let anything stand in her way or stop her. 
  • ​Elizabeth eventually remarried the same man, and when she had her last daughter, they were both working, and something had to go; for the best interest of their children, she stayed home but lost herself. She knew she had more potential than that and could help her husband in other ways. In so many ways all the craziness that our men bring to us causes us to rise. Carla blamed A.Z. for so many years, for everything in their lives; in reality, it was her pain, and she had to work on her. You have to swim and not sink.
Growing Together
  • ​When women get empowered, they will either love you or leave you. Elizabeth knew she didn't need her husband to succeed, but she wanted to stay. She loves him and knew what his full potential was as a man and a husband. When they were seperated Elizabeth learned how to be alone, and she was alone for many years. The only one she betrayed was herself, and she used to blame her husband, but she was also was acting childish. 
  • ​Women need love and to feel a connection, but they also want to feel secure and protected, and Elizabeth's husband wasn't providing that. She had certainty, independence and she knows she is beautiful. There was growth in herself but she wanted to grow with her husband, and he was resistant. 
  • ​How does that affect her business now? When you have a lot going on, if you are honest, your business will suffer. How has that know turned around for Elizabeth so that she things differently in her business? Elizabeth has been with A.Z. & Associates for five years, and they have always told her to have certainty, to take care of her body, her mind, her business, and your relationships; that has still been running through her mind and heart. She has heard it, and it has always been consistent. 
  • ​Elizabeth has always needed to have control, and the one thing she did not have power over was her husband; that caused problems with her being able to focus on her work. Even though she isn't a top producer, she has never given up. She knew little by little; she would eventually get there. Once her marriage fell into place, and her husband started to grow, he knew that she was there to support him to help him find himself. 
  • ​Now this peace that Elizabeth has is bringing people to her. Being her true self is what is going to attract people to her. What would Elizabeth tell other agents if they feel they have hit a plateau? Life can hit you hard, and you begin to wonder if you should even be in sales. There is more than just telling someone to keep going. What is something that has kept Elizabeth going? What kept her going as she had the presence of God in her life. She never let Him go because she felt Him in her life. 
  • ​You need to follow your heart, who you are and never let anyone dictate what you can and cannot do; you know what you need to do. Follow that peace and light that feeling and guidance; it's there, and that is who is protecting you. It took Elizabeth for many years, but it is worth it. If you are in any position where you are experiencing hurt, when you speak your truth, it will bring you to the place you need to be. Elizabeth didn't have the confidence in real estate in the beginning because something was missing in her. She needed her husband because she wanted him there to rise with her. 
  • ​Unexpected things will come your way when you find yourself and believe in you. But when you keep doing the reps over the years, you can share all of yourself and show up in a big way to not just those around you but yourself. Just be you, and love and take care of your clients as you would yourself.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Tradition and culture can dictate what society says a woman should be; how she looks and the way she should show up. When Elizabeth Santillan decided that she had more to offer herself and her son, she began to create a life that lived up to the potential she knew she had all along. Finding herself was how she became the strong leader and example for not only her children but her husband and clients. Never stop fighting to become the you that will be the light for someone else; put yourself in that place of empowerment and keep swimming.
Women in Real Estate: Elizabeth Santillan
  • ​This podcast is about real Women telling their real stories and sharing their journeys as Real Estate agents. Being in sales is not pretty and has its challenges; especially if you are not comfortable in your skin. When you are insecure about other things in your life and then to have to face a client, trying to control the madness in your head can be difficult. You have to show up as someone else; at least that is what Carla faced. 
  • ​It was eating Carla alive to continually have to show up as someone else, wearing different masks. The environment that Carla had surrounded herself with made her mind overwhelmed. Sales became difficult for her because she felt she had no backbone and that she was weak. Elizabeth Santillan can relate to that story as well. 
  • ​Elizabeth's energy is so different now because of people like Carla, and she is so thankful for that. It's time for her to be the absolute true Elizabeth that she knows is inside of herself. Being in real estate is so hard because you have to believe in yourself and have those strong biceps to keep swimming or you will sink. What was Elizabeth's life like before real estate? Elizabeth worked in health care as a Medical Assistant. She went with it for a few years and got married young and was divorced a year later. After her marriage, she had to learn how to become independent because she lived with her parents up until her wedding day; completely traditional.
  • ​She felt ready for marriage and to be a wife and to have her husband be the protector and provider. It switched right away, and she knew she should have had it annulled right away because he showed his true nature. A lot of women fall into that love that happens when we are younger and gets married to that person very young also. You think it will be a fairy tale, and we fall into that trap that society dictates to depend on someone. It does not work that way, and you stay because of it being easier not to rock the boat; stay quiet, get a part-time job and make it work.
  • ​Carla loves hearing that she wasn't the only one who has gone through the same problems she experienced and overcame. The more we open up as women we find out there are so many who feel we don't have a backbone, and we don't stand up until things get bad. It can be a generational and cultural thing, handed down from Mother to Daughter over and over again. You get married, and you take care of your spouse. 
  • ​When Elizabeth got remarried, she went back to square one. When she got married at 21, they stayed together ten months they were separated. During the separation, she got pregnant with their son, and that was a gift to her. Her son became the motivation she needed to do more for herself. What did Elizabeth do from that point? She had to grow up and become independent, learning quickly how to take care of herself and not depend on a man. For four years Elizabeth she became very good at being a Medical Assistant. She had allowed herself to be vulnerable, and in that vulnerability, somebody hurt her; she had to develop a backbone. 
  • ​Everything Elizabeth did was for her and her son. She bought a home at 23 for them, doing it all on her own, she didn't tell anybody. Was it challenging for Elizabeth to have her first purchase, with just her and her son? Carla can remember what a challenge it was for her at 23 to buy a home and the negativity she received from friends. That is why Elizabeth didn't tell her parents; she didn't want to hear anything negative.
Keep Swimming
  • ​At times it can be close friends or your own family that hold you back from moving forward. Although Elizabeth was scared, it was the best decision she ever made for herself and the most rewarding. Unknowingly after that first purchase, she became an investor from that point forward. She owned that first home she purchased for $80,000 for two years and sold it for $210,000. 
  • ​From that she invested the money she made into another home; across the street from her parents; it was a fixer-upper, and she was able to pay off her debt and remodeled the house. Elizabeth then bought a piece of land in Mexico and purchased another home. The gift of purchasing a home has been a blessing. 
  • ​Wanting more and being knowledgeable, helps you to have a vision and a timeline to accomplish that. How can Elizabeth assist her clients in achieving the same for themselves? Elizabeth can guide her clients because she has lived it. It can be scary for a first-time buyer; especially a single woman. Those are compelling moments when she helps her clients to accomplish what they want. 
  • ​Elizabeth is a natural protector and always has been. She protects her clients, and she knows the deals and helps them envision what is possible for them. Carla sees so much strength, love, and compassion in Elizabeth and in that the wrong people can take advantage of you because of that. Carla can see so much in someone's eyes, and she had to allow herself to be who she was and appreciated that about herself. Carla wanted people to what she loved about herself, and that is what she loves about Elizabeth. By staring at her, you can tell that she brings honesty, love, compassion, patience, knowledge to her clients because she can share her story so freely. 
  • ​There was a moment during a sales meeting that Carla talked about women being empowered, not depending on a man and Elizabeth approached her and told her she doesn't depend on anyone. Carla loved that she said to her that because she could feel Elizabeth's defensive tone and that she was declaring she wasn't that person anymore. 
  • ​At A.Z. & Associates, everyone speaks their truths and tells their stories. It may not be for you, or maybe you are just not ready to hear it. When you hear another woman talk about empowerment, it can be offensive to you because you aren't prepared to listen to the truth she is sharing. 
  • ​If you want to know more about Elizabeth, you can find her on her social media accounts. On Facebook she is @ Elizabeth Santillan,@ElizabethSantillanrealtor on Instagram or you can call or text her at 623-670-9045. There is so much of Elizabeth out there that she willing to share. She has overcome so much and not let anything stand in her way or stop her. 
  • ​Elizabeth eventually remarried the same man, and when she had her last daughter, they were both working, and something had to go; for the best interest of their children, she stayed home but lost herself. She knew she had more potential than that and could help her husband in other ways. In so many ways all the craziness that our men bring to us causes us to rise. Carla blamed A.Z. for so many years, for everything in their lives; in reality, it was her pain, and she had to work on her. You have to swim and not sink.
Growing Together
  • ​When women get empowered, they will either love you or leave you. Elizabeth knew she didn't need her husband to succeed, but she wanted to stay. She loves him and knew what his full potential was as a man and a husband. When they were seperated Elizabeth learned how to be alone, and she was alone for many years. The only one she betrayed was herself, and she used to blame her husband, but she was also was acting childish. 
  • ​Women need love and to feel a connection, but they also want to feel secure and protected, and Elizabeth's husband wasn't providing that. She had certainty, independence and she knows she is beautiful. There was growth in herself but she wanted to grow with her husband, and he was resistant. 
  • ​How does that affect her business now? When you have a lot going on, if you are honest, your business will suffer. How has that know turned around for Elizabeth so that she things differently in her business? Elizabeth has been with A.Z. & Associates for five years, and they have always told her to have certainty, to take care of her body, her mind, her business, and your relationships; that has still been running through her mind and heart. She has heard it, and it has always been consistent. 
  • ​Elizabeth has always needed to have control, and the one thing she did not have power over was her husband; that caused problems with her being able to focus on her work. Even though she isn't a top producer, she has never given up. She knew little by little; she would eventually get there. Once her marriage fell into place, and her husband started to grow, he knew that she was there to support him to help him find himself. 
  • ​Now this peace that Elizabeth has is bringing people to her. Being her true self is what is going to attract people to her. What would Elizabeth tell other agents if they feel they have hit a plateau? Life can hit you hard, and you begin to wonder if you should even be in sales. There is more than just telling someone to keep going. What is something that has kept Elizabeth going? What kept her going as she had the presence of God in her life. She never let Him go because she felt Him in her life. 
  • ​You need to follow your heart, who you are and never let anyone dictate what you can and cannot do; you know what you need to do. Follow that peace and light that feeling and guidance; it's there, and that is who is protecting you. It took Elizabeth for many years, but it is worth it. If you are in any position where you are experiencing hurt, when you speak your truth, it will bring you to the place you need to be. Elizabeth didn't have the confidence in real estate in the beginning because something was missing in her. She needed her husband because she wanted him there to rise with her. 
  • ​Unexpected things will come your way when you find yourself and believe in you. But when you keep doing the reps over the years, you can share all of yourself and show up in a big way to not just those around you but yourself. Just be you, and love and take care of your clients as you would yourself.
Yesenia Espinoza
Yesenia Espinoza
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
From the beginning, Ysenia Espinoza knew that there was more for her than being a teacher. In Real Estate she found power and a purpose in not only helping her clients find their new home but educating them throughout the process. Growth and power come from showing up and implementing the systems that have been developed to do that in your business and life. Having the right people around you to support that growth in you is essential and makes the journey that much sweeter. 
Remembering to Breathe
  • ​While Carla was washing some sheets, without realizing, a library book of her daughters went into the wash with the sheets, ruining it. Taking it back to school in that condition and paying for the damages wasn't a simple solution for her daughter.As women, we deal with a lot of pressure from the moment we wake up; as Moms the first thing that hits us in the morning is what our family needs.
  • ​The kids need breakfast, clothes and their lunches made. We aren't up getting ourselves ready for the day; we are getting everyone else ready first. Carla gets up earlier to ensure that her home is running smoothly and everyone hits the door happy, full, and ready for the day. Then a book gets washed, and it turns everything upside down.
  • ​Ysenia Espinoza is one of the agents at A.Z. & Associates, and she has known Carla from the beginning of her Real Estate career. Ysenia is always happy because there is still something to be happy about. Ysenia was a former teacher, and she can't remember a time when a child brought a book from home that their Mom had washed.
  • ​How long did she teach before she became an agent? For five years. She looped up with her students from 3,4, and 5th grade. She currently is helping a former student buy their first home. How did Ysenia incorporate her teaching experience into Real Estate? Having that experience, patience, and knowledge from teaching and sharing that love of teaching must cross over. What made her get into Real Estate? Her babies. Ysenia went on maternity leave and took a year off and then got pregnant again. She had no choice to stay, and she helped her husband run his business for a year which didn't work out.
  • ​Carla and Ysenia had the same of experience becoming their husband's secretaries in a sense. Following that year off, Ysenia decided to get into Real Estate, because she knew she needed something more. She loved it from the very beginning, and in her first year, she closed 12 deals.
  • ​Ysenia connected with some banks right away; She reaped the benefits right away. Teaching was different in the aspect that now Ysenia had to market herself; how did she overcome that? For the first seven years she was with a different company, out on her own and then she met A.Z. and Ruben, and she interviewed with A.Z. & Associates. What was the difference between her former brokerage and now? How did that affect her growth? Because she had three kids, she was overweight, stressed out and feeling like she needed connections and growth.
Buying Her Time
  • ​Ysenia clicked with Carla right away and helped her get healthy; going as far as paying for training for Ysenia for the three months. If you want to create something big, it will happen. Carla can remember when she started a program called, “Fit in 12,” which is now, “Do the Work.” Ysenia never showed that she lacked confidence or was tired; she just wanted Carla to train. So Carla went to a local gym and worked out an arrangement where she could pay monthly to be a trainer. With seven ladies and Carla training them, it was a confidence builder, and they all began to grow into themselves together. 
  • ​They ladies trained together for several months, and they attended a big event together. Carla remembers Ysenia walking into that event, exuding confidence and it was amazing to see. Not only did she lose 50 pounds, but she also became a sponge, and her confidence grew phenomenally. Ysenia feels it's the motivation that A.Z. and Carla give every day, energizes everyone around them which is empowering.
  • ​Carla had hit a plateau and didn't want to work out anymore, and Ysenia suggested gardening. Carla thought it was funny and Ysenia told her it would give her peace and calm. Carla went all out and started planting and loves being in her yard with her hands in the dirt.
  • ​Where is Ysenia at now in her business? Through the years A.Z. and Carla helped her and the other agents create systems. To be more successful you need systems; you need help. Ysenia likes to control everything herself, like most women. About five years ago, A..Z noticed that Ysenia was in her office doing paperwork. He told her she needed to pay someone 12 bucks an hour to do that work so she could be out meeting with clients and building your sphere of influence and marketing yourself.
  • ​Ysenia hired a part-time assistant and now has a full-time assistant. It allowed her to grow and pushed her to do better. She had to have that push, and she gives all the credit to A.Z. & Associates for giving her the confidence to succeed. She also had to implement all of the systems that were in place in the beginning. As a teacher, you have to be a good student, and she implemented everything A.Z. taught her. Ysenia has been in the top ten every quarter and is representing as a woman.
  • ​There was a time when Ysenia was probably doing well in her business and on the outside, but on the inside, she was falling apart. How does Ysenia balance everything at home now? She went from being her husband's secretary to being the head of the household. How is she able to maintain her balance? You feel good from the inside out and she is naturally hyper, but she realized that just like at work she needed help at home. As a wife and a mom of 3 kids, going from part time to full time, getting help gives her the opportunity to buy her time.
How You Show is How You Grow
  • ​When you are trying to do it on your own, it will drive you crazy. When A.Z. & Associates was growing Carla struggled with trying to do it all until she hired help and by her doing so it set the example for Ysenia to follow suit. Ysenia has been at the brokerage from the beginning, and she admits that the most significant growth she has seen in anyone was from Carla.
  • ​Carla went from being in the gym to be the powerhouse that she is. Carla loves to empower through her story and lead by example. She had depression and anxiety and has learned how to manage it. There were moments when Carla would dread going to the gym; she had so much anxiety about working out in front of people or alone. She was showing up that way at home and in her business also.
  • ​Ysenia loves being part of the growth that is happening at A.Z. & Associates, and it has been an amazing journey for her. The true leaders aren't the ones that write the quotes of motivation but the ones that are taking action. Ysenia has taught Carla a lot in the six years they have known each other. Ysenia is along for the ride and excited for even more growth.
  • ​The steps are never ending, and you need to keep climbing; never consider for one second that you have arrived. Where can clients reach Ysenia or learn more about her? On Facebook and Instagram @ Ysenia Espinoza. You can go to her website www.yseniarealty.com or by phone at 623-826-6857. 
  • ​What are some of Ysenias hobbies? When she is stressed out, she is in her garden. She loves to garden, bike, and hike; anything that connects her with nature. She loves the peace and connection and opening all of her senses. Ysenia always focuses on being happy because successful, creative people have to be happy people.
  • ​Having a positive, happy attitude is essential in painting an excellent picture for your clients when you are showing them a potential new home for them. 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
From the beginning, Ysenia Espinoza knew that there was more for her than being a teacher. In Real Estate she found power and a purpose in not only helping her clients find their new home but educating them throughout the process. Growth and power come from showing up and implementing the systems that have been developed to do that in your business and life. Having the right people around you to support that growth in you is essential and makes the journey that much sweeter. 
Remembering to Breathe
  • ​While Carla was washing some sheets, without realizing, a library book of her daughters went into the wash with the sheets, ruining it. Taking it back to school in that condition and paying for the damages wasn't a simple solution for her daughter.As women, we deal with a lot of pressure from the moment we wake up; as Moms the first thing that hits us in the morning is what our family needs.
  • ​The kids need breakfast, clothes and their lunches made. We aren't up getting ourselves ready for the day; we are getting everyone else ready first. Carla gets up earlier to ensure that her home is running smoothly and everyone hits the door happy, full, and ready for the day. Then a book gets washed, and it turns everything upside down.
  • ​Ysenia Espinoza is one of the agents at A.Z. & Associates, and she has known Carla from the beginning of her Real Estate career. Ysenia is always happy because there is still something to be happy about. Ysenia was a former teacher, and she can't remember a time when a child brought a book from home that their Mom had washed.
  • ​How long did she teach before she became an agent? For five years. She looped up with her students from 3,4, and 5th grade. She currently is helping a former student buy their first home. How did Ysenia incorporate her teaching experience into Real Estate? Having that experience, patience, and knowledge from teaching and sharing that love of teaching must cross over. What made her get into Real Estate? Her babies. Ysenia went on maternity leave and took a year off and then got pregnant again. She had no choice to stay, and she helped her husband run his business for a year which didn't work out.
  • ​Carla and Ysenia had the same of experience becoming their husband's secretaries in a sense. Following that year off, Ysenia decided to get into Real Estate, because she knew she needed something more. She loved it from the very beginning, and in her first year, she closed 12 deals.
  • ​Ysenia connected with some banks right away; She reaped the benefits right away. Teaching was different in the aspect that now Ysenia had to market herself; how did she overcome that? For the first seven years she was with a different company, out on her own and then she met A.Z. and Ruben, and she interviewed with A.Z. & Associates. What was the difference between her former brokerage and now? How did that affect her growth? Because she had three kids, she was overweight, stressed out and feeling like she needed connections and growth.
Buying Her Time
  • ​Ysenia clicked with Carla right away and helped her get healthy; going as far as paying for training for Ysenia for the three months. If you want to create something big, it will happen. Carla can remember when she started a program called, “Fit in 12,” which is now, “Do the Work.” Ysenia never showed that she lacked confidence or was tired; she just wanted Carla to train. So Carla went to a local gym and worked out an arrangement where she could pay monthly to be a trainer. With seven ladies and Carla training them, it was a confidence builder, and they all began to grow into themselves together. 
  • ​They ladies trained together for several months, and they attended a big event together. Carla remembers Ysenia walking into that event, exuding confidence and it was amazing to see. Not only did she lose 50 pounds, but she also became a sponge, and her confidence grew phenomenally. Ysenia feels it's the motivation that A.Z. and Carla give every day, energizes everyone around them which is empowering.
  • ​Carla had hit a plateau and didn't want to work out anymore, and Ysenia suggested gardening. Carla thought it was funny and Ysenia told her it would give her peace and calm. Carla went all out and started planting and loves being in her yard with her hands in the dirt.
  • ​Where is Ysenia at now in her business? Through the years A.Z. and Carla helped her and the other agents create systems. To be more successful you need systems; you need help. Ysenia likes to control everything herself, like most women. About five years ago, A..Z noticed that Ysenia was in her office doing paperwork. He told her she needed to pay someone 12 bucks an hour to do that work so she could be out meeting with clients and building your sphere of influence and marketing yourself.
  • ​Ysenia hired a part-time assistant and now has a full-time assistant. It allowed her to grow and pushed her to do better. She had to have that push, and she gives all the credit to A.Z. & Associates for giving her the confidence to succeed. She also had to implement all of the systems that were in place in the beginning. As a teacher, you have to be a good student, and she implemented everything A.Z. taught her. Ysenia has been in the top ten every quarter and is representing as a woman.
  • ​There was a time when Ysenia was probably doing well in her business and on the outside, but on the inside, she was falling apart. How does Ysenia balance everything at home now? She went from being her husband's secretary to being the head of the household. How is she able to maintain her balance? You feel good from the inside out and she is naturally hyper, but she realized that just like at work she needed help at home. As a wife and a mom of 3 kids, going from part time to full time, getting help gives her the opportunity to buy her time.
How You Show is How You Grow
  • ​When you are trying to do it on your own, it will drive you crazy. When A.Z. & Associates was growing Carla struggled with trying to do it all until she hired help and by her doing so it set the example for Ysenia to follow suit. Ysenia has been at the brokerage from the beginning, and she admits that the most significant growth she has seen in anyone was from Carla.
  • ​Carla went from being in the gym to be the powerhouse that she is. Carla loves to empower through her story and lead by example. She had depression and anxiety and has learned how to manage it. There were moments when Carla would dread going to the gym; she had so much anxiety about working out in front of people or alone. She was showing up that way at home and in her business also.
  • ​Ysenia loves being part of the growth that is happening at A.Z. & Associates, and it has been an amazing journey for her. The true leaders aren't the ones that write the quotes of motivation but the ones that are taking action. Ysenia has taught Carla a lot in the six years they have known each other. Ysenia is along for the ride and excited for even more growth.
  • ​The steps are never ending, and you need to keep climbing; never consider for one second that you have arrived. Where can clients reach Ysenia or learn more about her? On Facebook and Instagram @ Ysenia Espinoza. You can go to her website www.yseniarealty.com or by phone at 623-826-6857. 
  • ​What are some of Ysenias hobbies? When she is stressed out, she is in her garden. She loves to garden, bike, and hike; anything that connects her with nature. She loves the peace and connection and opening all of her senses. Ysenia always focuses on being happy because successful, creative people have to be happy people.
  • ​Having a positive, happy attitude is essential in painting an excellent picture for your clients when you are showing them a potential new home for them. 
Brianna Young
Brianna Young
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Being a strong woman in times of tragedy does not mean that you are unfeeling. It means that you don't have time wallow, that you have the power inside you to keep moving forward even when you want to crawl inside. Brianna Young has proven that her whole life and most recently with the loss of her father. Society would have her huddled in a corner, soft and emotional; She didn't have time for the pity party most people thought she should attend. Leading by example is what makes a leader, and she has learned through the strong people she surrounds herself with that it okay to be who she needs to be; resiliency brings not only power but success. 
Women in Real Estate: Brianna Young
  • Have you ever had that moment where you are gasping for air because of something that suddenly happens in your life? You can't breathe, you can't think straight, and nothing is going right. That is what we are going to talk about today, and Carla knows that many women go through this in business. We go through a lot of events in our lives and wonder “Why Us?” It leaves you with anxiety and wondering what is going on with you. 
  • ​It happens to everyone, especially to those of us that are in business; even more so for Women in Business, it is difficult. Some of us are wives, Moms, sisters, aunts, and daughters; there is so much going on in our lives, and we always want to be connected with our families, our kids and in tune with our husbands. We want to be present in our conversations, but sometimes life comes at us, and it comes hard. 
  • ​For Carla a few years back, her father had passed away, and that same month, her aunt was killed in a hit and run. The only thing going through her mind was that she had so much going on and so many projects, she had to continue forward. The brokerage had to run, her podcast, her coaching and consulting had to continue. The staff and agents needed to see that she was present and going; she never had that moment where she could break down, run to the top of a mountain and scream. 
  • ​No one knew about the losses that Carla suffered until weeks later. She didn't want to hear the condolences; she didn't want anyone to know that things could fall apart. She had to understand that life had to go on. To be hit with two family tragedies is hard and then to watch her Mom break down while she, herself is running her own business. Carla’s Mom was going through her depression and anxiety because of the loss of her husband, and she still had to show up to her employees and staff; she had to be present. As women, as entrepreneurs, they had to continue to show up and cry together behind closed doors. Today we are talking about the X-factor. 
  • ​Carla is welcoming Brianna Young today, and the two share a lot of similarities within this topic. Before asking what the X-factor is in Brianna’s life, what put the pause in her business or not; What made Brianna want to become an agent? She tried to put all of her excellent skills to use, to help people and to be impactful. Brianna wanted to leave a legacy for her kids. What did Brianna do before Real Estate? She was a Mom. How did that transition to a career in sales? Did she think it would be easy? Did she think she would focus on friends and family or was she going to go all out on marketing? Brianna’s intent was never to dominate or kill it; it is what evolved out of it. 
  • ​It's easy when you love what you do, and you do it with a good heart. Brianna has been able to form great relationships through it. She has a very tight bond with her husband and everyone around her. How long has she been married? She has been with her husband since she was 17 and they have three children that are now teenagers; 12 to 17. In the five years she has been an agent there ever a time she thought it wasn't for her? Many times. 
No Pity Party and True Grit
  • ​When Carla lost her Dad and her Aunt, Brianna can relate to her story. A few weeks ago Brianna's father past away, how did she handle that? It was a unique set of circumstances, and Brianna isn't known to be too emotional; you have to show up because there is no time for a pity party. Everyone has a story, and her story is one that she doesn't want to share because it involves so many layers. Brianna is typically a private person, so to put herself out there is something she wasn't comfortable doing. 
  • ​Does that hold her back? Carla says she is a private person to some extent, but a lot of women hold a lot of emotions in because we don't want to appear weak. It can become challenging because you don't want to share something so huge; you are concerned that if people find out they will assume everything is going to fall apart. 
  • ​Carla never missed a day of work, and she was so afraid people would find out they would think she was heartless and didn't care. Some people are gone from their businesses for 6 to 8 months because of sudden deaths. Carla was not that person. Did Brianna feel that pressure of not wanting anyone see you breakdown? It's an internal battle of trying to be transparent, open, honest and real while trying to stay guarded.
  • ​It isn't that she is cold hearted or can't feel, it is that who Brianna shows that vulnerability too, are a few select people. It is something that Brianna feels doesn't hinder or help her business. It forces her to rise in situations where some people maybe cannot. 
  • ​Brianna was calling clients the next morning bright and early. People wondered why she was working, but in her mind, she didn't know what else she should be doing. There aren't many women out there that have that moment in their lives that they have to deal with tragedy and feel they have to shut the doors. Carla doesn't function that way and never has; her backbone became powerful years before so when this happened, she was prepared. There are assignments we are given in life, and you have to ask yourself how you will handle this assignment. 
  • ​It's an assignment you will either pass or fail, but you can't ignore the assignment, you have to carry on. Society tends to put added pressure on us as women because you should be soft, and emotional; not have any grit or tenacity. Don't have the wherewithal to get through bad things. You have to realize that you are a hell of a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. You can endure so much then you can comprehend. 
  • ​Society dictates that we should be sad, cry and get emotional when something terrible happens. For so many years Carla watched the tone of her voice and how she handled herself. She would wear a different mask to hide from whoever she was talking too. Carla has been called, and the truth is she is powerful. She suppressed for years her desire to be powerful; it made her thick-skinned and more anxious to release who she was. 
Come Play With the Cool Kids
  • ​Carla’s Dad told her not to let life pass her by; one day she could be laying in a bed sick, thinking about all of the things she should have done or said. He was a business owner for 50 plus years; he went through a lot. Carla learned so much from this great man about business and in life. When Carla decided to be herself, to speak her truth, she came at it hard; because it had been pent up for so long. 
  • ​Where does Brianna want to take her business now? What can your clients expect from you ? Brianna feels that there are parallels in what Carla said. Mortality forces you to deal with things in a certain way even if you don't want to deal with them. For her, she doesn't know how much time she has but she does know that she has today and she can make small changes every day. She wants her business to be as big as it can be while helping as many people as she can. Brianna’s clients can expect exactly what they have always gotten from her, continuing to build phenomenal relationships, meeting cool people along the way. 
  • ​Where can people find Brianna? Brianna has a great Facebook and a phenomenal funny Mom who is high on life. You can find her on Instagram @homesforsalebri, and she is on Facebook. 
  • ​What are Brianna’s hobbies? She loves to dance, read, hike and she loves to be with her babies. Her husband is a firefighter, and they try to have a date night every two weeks, trying something different each week. They are really about experiences, and she challenges her husband. What has Brianna do differently or plan to do differently than she did five years ago when she started? Moving forward she wants to solidify a foundation for growth so she can build her team; in a way that she could walk away from in 5 to 7 years and know that it is a well-oiled machine. That is what she is trying to implement now. What would Brianna tell any agents that are wanting a change because they feel stuck? What would you tell those agents in regards to the value that A.Z. & Associates could offer them? The support, encouragement, and knowledge is invaluable. It's a one-stop shop. So many people can benefit because they lead by example at A.Z. & Associates. Leadership is not an easy thing, and a lot of people want to do it, but not many can. 
  • ​Carla loves to surround herself with amazing women that are challenging to her. It is always about what's next; never sitting comfortably. There is a purpose and a reason why Carla does what she does because it is essential to speak up for each other and the next generation. Carla gives a voice to a generation that was told to sit and look pretty, don't be smart and don't talk too much. 
  • ​What was the one thing when Brianna walked through the doors at A.Z. & Associates that made her realize the agency was different? It took Brianna about two years that she and A.Z. were in communication about meeting. She finally said the hell with and came in. The level of genuine care in this brokerage that they have for Brianna and her business was unmatched. No one ever sat down with her and asked her what her plan was. Success looks so different to all of us, so to put everybody under an umbrella of a standard of success, may not work for everybody. 
  • ​A.Z. & Associates are there to help you propel forward which causes you to elevate. When you are surrounded by greatness, you want to be great and play with the cool kids. Carla’s schedule is booked for the month on this podcast because the Women in Real Estate of Badass Agents love to share.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Being a strong woman in times of tragedy does not mean that you are unfeeling. It means that you don't have time wallow, that you have the power inside you to keep moving forward even when you want to crawl inside. Brianna Young has proven that her whole life and most recently with the loss of her father. Society would have her huddled in a corner, soft and emotional; She didn't have time for the pity party most people thought she should attend. Leading by example is what makes a leader, and she has learned through the strong people she surrounds herself with that it okay to be who she needs to be; resiliency brings not only power but success. 
Women in Real Estate: Brianna Young
  • Have you ever had that moment where you are gasping for air because of something that suddenly happens in your life? You can't breathe, you can't think straight, and nothing is going right. That is what we are going to talk about today, and Carla knows that many women go through this in business. We go through a lot of events in our lives and wonder “Why Us?” It leaves you with anxiety and wondering what is going on with you. 
  • ​It happens to everyone, especially to those of us that are in business; even more so for Women in Business, it is difficult. Some of us are wives, Moms, sisters, aunts, and daughters; there is so much going on in our lives, and we always want to be connected with our families, our kids and in tune with our husbands. We want to be present in our conversations, but sometimes life comes at us, and it comes hard. 
  • ​For Carla a few years back, her father had passed away, and that same month, her aunt was killed in a hit and run. The only thing going through her mind was that she had so much going on and so many projects, she had to continue forward. The brokerage had to run, her podcast, her coaching and consulting had to continue. The staff and agents needed to see that she was present and going; she never had that moment where she could break down, run to the top of a mountain and scream. 
  • ​No one knew about the losses that Carla suffered until weeks later. She didn't want to hear the condolences; she didn't want anyone to know that things could fall apart. She had to understand that life had to go on. To be hit with two family tragedies is hard and then to watch her Mom break down while she, herself is running her own business. Carla’s Mom was going through her depression and anxiety because of the loss of her husband, and she still had to show up to her employees and staff; she had to be present. As women, as entrepreneurs, they had to continue to show up and cry together behind closed doors. Today we are talking about the X-factor. 
  • ​Carla is welcoming Brianna Young today, and the two share a lot of similarities within this topic. Before asking what the X-factor is in Brianna’s life, what put the pause in her business or not; What made Brianna want to become an agent? She tried to put all of her excellent skills to use, to help people and to be impactful. Brianna wanted to leave a legacy for her kids. What did Brianna do before Real Estate? She was a Mom. How did that transition to a career in sales? Did she think it would be easy? Did she think she would focus on friends and family or was she going to go all out on marketing? Brianna’s intent was never to dominate or kill it; it is what evolved out of it. 
  • ​It's easy when you love what you do, and you do it with a good heart. Brianna has been able to form great relationships through it. She has a very tight bond with her husband and everyone around her. How long has she been married? She has been with her husband since she was 17 and they have three children that are now teenagers; 12 to 17. In the five years she has been an agent there ever a time she thought it wasn't for her? Many times. 
No Pity Party and True Grit
  • ​When Carla lost her Dad and her Aunt, Brianna can relate to her story. A few weeks ago Brianna's father past away, how did she handle that? It was a unique set of circumstances, and Brianna isn't known to be too emotional; you have to show up because there is no time for a pity party. Everyone has a story, and her story is one that she doesn't want to share because it involves so many layers. Brianna is typically a private person, so to put herself out there is something she wasn't comfortable doing. 
  • ​Does that hold her back? Carla says she is a private person to some extent, but a lot of women hold a lot of emotions in because we don't want to appear weak. It can become challenging because you don't want to share something so huge; you are concerned that if people find out they will assume everything is going to fall apart. 
  • ​Carla never missed a day of work, and she was so afraid people would find out they would think she was heartless and didn't care. Some people are gone from their businesses for 6 to 8 months because of sudden deaths. Carla was not that person. Did Brianna feel that pressure of not wanting anyone see you breakdown? It's an internal battle of trying to be transparent, open, honest and real while trying to stay guarded.
  • ​It isn't that she is cold hearted or can't feel, it is that who Brianna shows that vulnerability too, are a few select people. It is something that Brianna feels doesn't hinder or help her business. It forces her to rise in situations where some people maybe cannot. 
  • ​Brianna was calling clients the next morning bright and early. People wondered why she was working, but in her mind, she didn't know what else she should be doing. There aren't many women out there that have that moment in their lives that they have to deal with tragedy and feel they have to shut the doors. Carla doesn't function that way and never has; her backbone became powerful years before so when this happened, she was prepared. There are assignments we are given in life, and you have to ask yourself how you will handle this assignment. 
  • ​It's an assignment you will either pass or fail, but you can't ignore the assignment, you have to carry on. Society tends to put added pressure on us as women because you should be soft, and emotional; not have any grit or tenacity. Don't have the wherewithal to get through bad things. You have to realize that you are a hell of a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. You can endure so much then you can comprehend. 
  • ​Society dictates that we should be sad, cry and get emotional when something terrible happens. For so many years Carla watched the tone of her voice and how she handled herself. She would wear a different mask to hide from whoever she was talking too. Carla has been called, and the truth is she is powerful. She suppressed for years her desire to be powerful; it made her thick-skinned and more anxious to release who she was. 
Come Play With the Cool Kids
  • ​Carla’s Dad told her not to let life pass her by; one day she could be laying in a bed sick, thinking about all of the things she should have done or said. He was a business owner for 50 plus years; he went through a lot. Carla learned so much from this great man about business and in life. When Carla decided to be herself, to speak her truth, she came at it hard; because it had been pent up for so long. 
  • ​Where does Brianna want to take her business now? What can your clients expect from you ? Brianna feels that there are parallels in what Carla said. Mortality forces you to deal with things in a certain way even if you don't want to deal with them. For her, she doesn't know how much time she has but she does know that she has today and she can make small changes every day. She wants her business to be as big as it can be while helping as many people as she can. Brianna’s clients can expect exactly what they have always gotten from her, continuing to build phenomenal relationships, meeting cool people along the way. 
  • ​Where can people find Brianna? Brianna has a great Facebook and a phenomenal funny Mom who is high on life. You can find her on Instagram @homesforsalebri, and she is on Facebook. 
  • ​What are Brianna’s hobbies? She loves to dance, read, hike and she loves to be with her babies. Her husband is a firefighter, and they try to have a date night every two weeks, trying something different each week. They are really about experiences, and she challenges her husband. What has Brianna do differently or plan to do differently than she did five years ago when she started? Moving forward she wants to solidify a foundation for growth so she can build her team; in a way that she could walk away from in 5 to 7 years and know that it is a well-oiled machine. That is what she is trying to implement now. What would Brianna tell any agents that are wanting a change because they feel stuck? What would you tell those agents in regards to the value that A.Z. & Associates could offer them? The support, encouragement, and knowledge is invaluable. It's a one-stop shop. So many people can benefit because they lead by example at A.Z. & Associates. Leadership is not an easy thing, and a lot of people want to do it, but not many can. 
  • ​Carla loves to surround herself with amazing women that are challenging to her. It is always about what's next; never sitting comfortably. There is a purpose and a reason why Carla does what she does because it is essential to speak up for each other and the next generation. Carla gives a voice to a generation that was told to sit and look pretty, don't be smart and don't talk too much. 
  • ​What was the one thing when Brianna walked through the doors at A.Z. & Associates that made her realize the agency was different? It took Brianna about two years that she and A.Z. were in communication about meeting. She finally said the hell with and came in. The level of genuine care in this brokerage that they have for Brianna and her business was unmatched. No one ever sat down with her and asked her what her plan was. Success looks so different to all of us, so to put everybody under an umbrella of a standard of success, may not work for everybody. 
  • ​A.Z. & Associates are there to help you propel forward which causes you to elevate. When you are surrounded by greatness, you want to be great and play with the cool kids. Carla’s schedule is booked for the month on this podcast because the Women in Real Estate of Badass Agents love to share.
Carmella Yeo
Carmella Yeo
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Having the support of the people around you is so important; especially for Women in Real Estate. Carmella Yeo has always been the caregiver in her family, wanting to take care of everyone and everything herself. She has learned that it is okay to put the trivial tasks off until later to create lasting memories with her family. Having those around her know that she is looking for a deeper connection has made her business successful and has created a giant circle of community for her. It's not a sin to ask for help when you need it, and there is no such thing as perfect balance. When you realize that the opportunities will open up for you, your family and your business.
Women in Real Estate: Carmella Yeo
  • ​Carla has a special guest with her today that has been in Real Estate for over six years, Carmella Yeo. We all have stories of how we got started, and for Carla is didn't start from where she is today. Carla has a ten-year-old and a 14-year-old, and when she first started in Real Estate, it was one of the hardest times in her life. She got her license to spend more time with her kids, help out her husband and have some play money. 
  • ​Carla was thinking it would be easy and making a deal or two here and there would be okay. The way it started though was her working for the company, and she owned the company. That is how she was showing up. At the time she had a toddler and a newborn and didn't feel she had the time to put into the business more than 40%. Her husband could never really depend on her to be all in. Carla was an owner, but she wasn't showing up as one. In her mind she was part-time; no big deal.
  • ​After a few years she wanted more, the kids were getting older, and she wondered where she was going with it. She was all over the place and didn't know what she wanted. It felt good to be uncomfortable because she knew she wanted more than to be a part-time agent. In that story, Carla thinks that she and Carmella have a lot in common. Carmella feels the same; they are both powerful women who know what they want. Carla’s story speaks to Carmella, and she can relate. 
  • ​For Carmella, her kids are first and foremost, and she deals with the Mommy guilt when she tries to put everything into her business. Carmella got into Real Estate after she was a stay-at-home Mom for nine years. She was determined that it was her time and she was going to go and kick some ass. A year into it she got pregnant who is four now. The first year was fine; she was showing houses at nine months pregnant and closing deals from the hospital bed. As her baby became more demanding, it became difficult for Carmella to juggle both; she didn't want to inconvenience anyone. 
  • ​Carla can remember when she opened her UPS store, and with her first baby it was easy; she took her everywhere with her. Looking back now though she isn't sure she was ever all in on her UPS store. She always felt the guilt of leaving her baby at home with her Mother-in-law who raised her first child while she was opening the UPS store. She wasn't showing up as an owner but as an employee.
  • ​If Carla could go back, she would know that guilt is normal, but to see the success of our businesses we need to understand that we can't do it all. Carla is a career woman and wanted to work, but also feeling the guilt of being a Mom and not knowing how she wanted to show up. How is Carmella juggling things now as an agent? Carmella was trying to show up for everybody, be Superwoman for everyone and would have nothing left for herself at the end of the day. She was drowning.
Corn Hole and Caring
  • ​If Carla could go back, she would know that guilt is normal, but to see the success of our businesses we need to understand that we can't do it all. Carla is a career woman and wanted to work, but also feeling the guilt of being a Mom and not knowing how she wanted to show up. How is Carmella juggling things now as an agent? Carmella was trying to show up for everybody, be Superwoman for everyone and would have nothing left for herself at the end of the day. She was drowning.
  • ​Carmella didn't want to inconvenience her husband or her mother in law, because she cares. There is a difference in caring for everyone and trying to do everything for everyone; she had to look for the difference and learn to ask for help. When she was a stay at home Mom for nine years, everything was great. When she started her career, everything at home stayed the same except she was also expected to bring in an income on top of everything. That led to a conversation with her husband.
  • ​Carmella met her husband when she was 16, and they have been married for 16 years. It was hard on her husband the first year she went to work because he wasn't use to the independence she was discovering. The first check she got she will never forget; it was money she made. Carla remembers running the UPS store during the holidays; long days. A.Z would always call her and ask when she would be home, he was worried about her being alone and the long hours. She was trying to show up as a business owner, and he was in a way babying her. Carla felt he wanted her home because he was hungry or he needed the laundry done. He wanted her to rise but was pulling her back in a sense. 
  • ​It was up to Carla to truly show up and know that it had nothing to do with A.Z. He was challenging her by telling her they needed a business meeting and he didn't want to hear whether or not she had a babysitter. Yes, or No; let me schedule you like an actual business owner. Did Carmella get that from her husband? Absolutely. She would tell her husband what she needed to get done at work, and he would protest about her sitting in a house alone doing Open Houses. There was resistance, but he supported her 100%. They had to find a system that works for them now. We need to show our husbands that we are committed for them to show up for us. 
  • ​What can Carmella's clients expect from her? She cares about her clients, and it is a personal experience and never about her making a check. They are a priority, and she will get a check at the end to provide for her family. Carmella and her husband have made a habit of having dinner with her clients because they become her friends. 
  • ​Where can you find Carmella? On Facebook, she has a personal page and an Instagram also. Her clients feel so connected to her because she puts all of her out on her Facebook page for everyone to see. What makes Carmella different than any other agent out there? Her communication with her clients and the multiple other people involved in a transaction set her a part. If she isn't communicating effectively with the people who work with her, a deal can go south very quickly. She makes it intentional to have the process easy and not stressful. 
  • ​What does Carmella do when she isn't doing Real Estate? She likes to dance in her living room with her family. There are a lot of people in her circle and a lot of people who she cares about in her community. Carmella doesn't like to scratch the surface with people; she wants to connect on a deeper level with everyone she knows. While trying to connect with people, they are hiking, play corn hole; this is with everyone, including her clients. Carmella loves adventure and to get out and see what is out there; she loves a change of scenery. 
RV’s and Coyote Calling
  • ​Carmella has a great connection with all of her clients. She and her husband both have demanding jobs, and they knew they always wanted to camp, so they bought an RV. Tent camping didn't work for them because their daughter crying brought all the coyotes to their campsite.They knew that when their children looked back at their childhood the memories, they would make camping would be the stories that they would share. 
  • ​That's what makes Carmella a great agent; she realizes that when you purchase a home that is where the memories will be made. Creating memories is huge. When Carmella goes and opens that door to a home for a client her heart is all in it. She knows the environment the family wants to be in and can tell them that it is a good fit for them. Carmella and her family have lived in the same home for 11 years. They have no intentions of leaving because it serves their family well. They are just looking to create memories outside of their home. 
  • ​How does Carmella juggle it all? Her daughter is into Horseback riding, her son does soccer, and her little one does dance. How does she manage everything? Carla has all kinds of help, even food service. For now, it is about Carmella being okay with the realization there is no perfect balance. She was chasing that for a long time. Some days she gives more to her business and some days she gives more to her family, and she has to be okay with that. If you have that inner peace, you will manage, and she asks for help now. She has a great tribe of friends that help with picking up the kids. Her husband and her mother-in-law also help her when she needs it. 
  • ​Don't try to pretend you can do it all; ask for help. There are a lot of women who don't have that help, they don't have family nearby, and daycare is not an option. Carmella remembers wanting to give more to her business, but she wasn't sure her husband would be okay with the expense of daycare. She couldn't expect her circle to watch her kid full-time; that isn't fair. 
  • ​There was a time Carla can remember when her second child wasn't born yet; always depending on her Mom or her in-laws. She had a set schedule, would pack her daughter up and knock on her Mother in laws door who wouldn't answer. She felt like she couldn't depend on anyone. It wasn't their fault; she needed to be more structured. 
  • ​A.Z. told Carla that their daughter needed an excellent daycare where she will be watched and taken care of. You know they will be there. Carla can remember feeling that pressure and guilt when that conversation came up. They ended picking a great daycare, and she developed an awesome personality by playing with other kids. Not everyone has that opportunity; they can't afford daycare or have family nearby. There is nothing wrong with taking your kid to work and involve them if you don't have anyone to watch them. They get an understanding of Mommy working; Mommy is on the phone or with a client. 
  • ​We feel like we have no way out, we are trapped and therefore think there is no other solution but not to work at all. In reality, we can make it all happen, and if your client has a problem with your child being at work with you, you probably don't want to work with them. The decision for Carmella to do daycare was a conversation she had with Carla; for Carmella, she needed to be fully present at work, so her baby had to be in someone else's care. She knew that investment would be worth it. 
  • ​What would Carmella do differently from when she first became an agent? Not to seek everyone else's approval; she was so worried about what everyone would think. That all needs to go to the wayside; make the decisions that you know are best for you and your business. As women, we tend to overthink everything. What does Carmella see at A.Z. & Associates that has brought her value? Carmella has been at the brokerage for five years, and she loves it. They bring so much to the table, and she is getting all of the support, the fire, and she values their opinion and how they run their business. She appreciates the way that Carla and A.Z. value each other and their children, their health and their mindset. You can't get that at another agency. It is essential to be an environment where you are supported in all aspects of life, not just business. 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Having the support of the people around you is so important; especially for Women in Real Estate. Carmella Yeo has always been the caregiver in her family, wanting to take care of everyone and everything herself. She has learned that it is okay to put the trivial tasks off until later to create lasting memories with her family. Having those around her know that she is looking for a deeper connection has made her business successful and has created a giant circle of community for her. It's not a sin to ask for help when you need it, and there is no such thing as perfect balance. When you realize that the opportunities will open up for you, your family and your business.
Women in Real Estate: Carmella Yeo
  • ​Carla has a special guest with her today that has been in Real Estate for over six years, Carmella Yeo. We all have stories of how we got started, and for Carla is didn't start from where she is today. Carla has a ten-year-old and a 14-year-old, and when she first started in Real Estate, it was one of the hardest times in her life. She got her license to spend more time with her kids, help out her husband and have some play money. 
  • ​Carla was thinking it would be easy and making a deal or two here and there would be okay. The way it started though was her working for the company, and she owned the company. That is how she was showing up. At the time she had a toddler and a newborn and didn't feel she had the time to put into the business more than 40%. Her husband could never really depend on her to be all in. Carla was an owner, but she wasn't showing up as one. In her mind she was part-time; no big deal.
  • ​After a few years she wanted more, the kids were getting older, and she wondered where she was going with it. She was all over the place and didn't know what she wanted. It felt good to be uncomfortable because she knew she wanted more than to be a part-time agent. In that story, Carla thinks that she and Carmella have a lot in common. Carmella feels the same; they are both powerful women who know what they want. Carla’s story speaks to Carmella, and she can relate. 
  • ​For Carmella, her kids are first and foremost, and she deals with the Mommy guilt when she tries to put everything into her business. Carmella got into Real Estate after she was a stay-at-home Mom for nine years. She was determined that it was her time and she was going to go and kick some ass. A year into it she got pregnant who is four now. The first year was fine; she was showing houses at nine months pregnant and closing deals from the hospital bed. As her baby became more demanding, it became difficult for Carmella to juggle both; she didn't want to inconvenience anyone. 
  • ​Carla can remember when she opened her UPS store, and with her first baby it was easy; she took her everywhere with her. Looking back now though she isn't sure she was ever all in on her UPS store. She always felt the guilt of leaving her baby at home with her Mother-in-law who raised her first child while she was opening the UPS store. She wasn't showing up as an owner but as an employee.
  • ​If Carla could go back, she would know that guilt is normal, but to see the success of our businesses we need to understand that we can't do it all. Carla is a career woman and wanted to work, but also feeling the guilt of being a Mom and not knowing how she wanted to show up. How is Carmella juggling things now as an agent? Carmella was trying to show up for everybody, be Superwoman for everyone and would have nothing left for herself at the end of the day. She was drowning.
Corn Hole and Caring
  • ​If Carla could go back, she would know that guilt is normal, but to see the success of our businesses we need to understand that we can't do it all. Carla is a career woman and wanted to work, but also feeling the guilt of being a Mom and not knowing how she wanted to show up. How is Carmella juggling things now as an agent? Carmella was trying to show up for everybody, be Superwoman for everyone and would have nothing left for herself at the end of the day. She was drowning.
  • ​Carmella didn't want to inconvenience her husband or her mother in law, because she cares. There is a difference in caring for everyone and trying to do everything for everyone; she had to look for the difference and learn to ask for help. When she was a stay at home Mom for nine years, everything was great. When she started her career, everything at home stayed the same except she was also expected to bring in an income on top of everything. That led to a conversation with her husband.
  • ​Carmella met her husband when she was 16, and they have been married for 16 years. It was hard on her husband the first year she went to work because he wasn't use to the independence she was discovering. The first check she got she will never forget; it was money she made. Carla remembers running the UPS store during the holidays; long days. A.Z would always call her and ask when she would be home, he was worried about her being alone and the long hours. She was trying to show up as a business owner, and he was in a way babying her. Carla felt he wanted her home because he was hungry or he needed the laundry done. He wanted her to rise but was pulling her back in a sense. 
  • ​It was up to Carla to truly show up and know that it had nothing to do with A.Z. He was challenging her by telling her they needed a business meeting and he didn't want to hear whether or not she had a babysitter. Yes, or No; let me schedule you like an actual business owner. Did Carmella get that from her husband? Absolutely. She would tell her husband what she needed to get done at work, and he would protest about her sitting in a house alone doing Open Houses. There was resistance, but he supported her 100%. They had to find a system that works for them now. We need to show our husbands that we are committed for them to show up for us. 
  • ​What can Carmella's clients expect from her? She cares about her clients, and it is a personal experience and never about her making a check. They are a priority, and she will get a check at the end to provide for her family. Carmella and her husband have made a habit of having dinner with her clients because they become her friends. 
  • ​Where can you find Carmella? On Facebook, she has a personal page and an Instagram also. Her clients feel so connected to her because she puts all of her out on her Facebook page for everyone to see. What makes Carmella different than any other agent out there? Her communication with her clients and the multiple other people involved in a transaction set her a part. If she isn't communicating effectively with the people who work with her, a deal can go south very quickly. She makes it intentional to have the process easy and not stressful. 
  • ​What does Carmella do when she isn't doing Real Estate? She likes to dance in her living room with her family. There are a lot of people in her circle and a lot of people who she cares about in her community. Carmella doesn't like to scratch the surface with people; she wants to connect on a deeper level with everyone she knows. While trying to connect with people, they are hiking, play corn hole; this is with everyone, including her clients. Carmella loves adventure and to get out and see what is out there; she loves a change of scenery. 
RV’s and Coyote Calling
  • ​Carmella has a great connection with all of her clients. She and her husband both have demanding jobs, and they knew they always wanted to camp, so they bought an RV. Tent camping didn't work for them because their daughter crying brought all the coyotes to their campsite.They knew that when their children looked back at their childhood the memories, they would make camping would be the stories that they would share. 
  • ​That's what makes Carmella a great agent; she realizes that when you purchase a home that is where the memories will be made. Creating memories is huge. When Carmella goes and opens that door to a home for a client her heart is all in it. She knows the environment the family wants to be in and can tell them that it is a good fit for them. Carmella and her family have lived in the same home for 11 years. They have no intentions of leaving because it serves their family well. They are just looking to create memories outside of their home. 
  • ​How does Carmella juggle it all? Her daughter is into Horseback riding, her son does soccer, and her little one does dance. How does she manage everything? Carla has all kinds of help, even food service. For now, it is about Carmella being okay with the realization there is no perfect balance. She was chasing that for a long time. Some days she gives more to her business and some days she gives more to her family, and she has to be okay with that. If you have that inner peace, you will manage, and she asks for help now. She has a great tribe of friends that help with picking up the kids. Her husband and her mother-in-law also help her when she needs it. 
  • ​Don't try to pretend you can do it all; ask for help. There are a lot of women who don't have that help, they don't have family nearby, and daycare is not an option. Carmella remembers wanting to give more to her business, but she wasn't sure her husband would be okay with the expense of daycare. She couldn't expect her circle to watch her kid full-time; that isn't fair. 
  • ​There was a time Carla can remember when her second child wasn't born yet; always depending on her Mom or her in-laws. She had a set schedule, would pack her daughter up and knock on her Mother in laws door who wouldn't answer. She felt like she couldn't depend on anyone. It wasn't their fault; she needed to be more structured. 
  • ​A.Z. told Carla that their daughter needed an excellent daycare where she will be watched and taken care of. You know they will be there. Carla can remember feeling that pressure and guilt when that conversation came up. They ended picking a great daycare, and she developed an awesome personality by playing with other kids. Not everyone has that opportunity; they can't afford daycare or have family nearby. There is nothing wrong with taking your kid to work and involve them if you don't have anyone to watch them. They get an understanding of Mommy working; Mommy is on the phone or with a client. 
  • ​We feel like we have no way out, we are trapped and therefore think there is no other solution but not to work at all. In reality, we can make it all happen, and if your client has a problem with your child being at work with you, you probably don't want to work with them. The decision for Carmella to do daycare was a conversation she had with Carla; for Carmella, she needed to be fully present at work, so her baby had to be in someone else's care. She knew that investment would be worth it. 
  • ​What would Carmella do differently from when she first became an agent? Not to seek everyone else's approval; she was so worried about what everyone would think. That all needs to go to the wayside; make the decisions that you know are best for you and your business. As women, we tend to overthink everything. What does Carmella see at A.Z. & Associates that has brought her value? Carmella has been at the brokerage for five years, and she loves it. They bring so much to the table, and she is getting all of the support, the fire, and she values their opinion and how they run their business. She appreciates the way that Carla and A.Z. value each other and their children, their health and their mindset. You can't get that at another agency. It is essential to be an environment where you are supported in all aspects of life, not just business. 
Brigette Alvarez
Brigette Alvarez
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Being driven is tough and staying driven can be even harder. For Brigette Alvarez, her motivation is to be successful and independent, not only for her but for her son also. You can't spend your time lost in the guilt of being a single Mom, and not being a stay-at-home single Mom. Being the best you can be, looks different for all women, especially when you have the taste and drive to be successful. Stop having a mindset of scarcity and go after what it is you want from your life. You don't need to wait for the perfect time or situation; you need to make every situation the perfect time for you. 
Women in Real Estate: Brigette Alvarez
  • ​Carla loves today because she is joined by a beautiful woman, and she has known her for quite some time. What is so beautiful about her, are her eyes. Carla remembers her first purchase, her first home. She was 22 years old, and she can remember going to dinner with friends to discuss this first purchase. At the time A.Z. was her boyfriend, and they were going to buy the home together. 
  • ​As they are sitting at dinner and Carla is talking about how excited she is, it was a new build, and they had not broken ground yet; her friend says, that sometime she can't even afford to buy shampoo because they own a home. It went from a high to a low. Her friend went on and on about the negative; if you miss a mortgage payment they will take your home; they hadn't even broken ground yet!
  • ​She and her husband were happy to share all of the ugliness that can happen after buying a home. Has Brigette ever had that moment? She recently purchased a house last year, but it wasn't her first purchase. Brigette purchased a home back in 2011, but it wasn't for her; it was for her parents. She had two jobs and was going to school, and she wanted to do this for her parents. Brigette didn't know how to purchase a home; she had never bought one before. She was able to qualify for the home making 14 dollars an hour; however, it was not a smooth transaction.
  • ​Brigette didn't understand the process at all. That is why Carla wanted to talk about her first purchase because Brigette was so young like Carla was buying their first homes, and so many things went wrong within that. Carla can remember being part of the wrong environment of friends thinking they would get great advice and it being nothing but negative. What were some of the things that went wrong for Brigette? She didn't understand anything, not even what exactly the down payment was. She didn't realize what closing costs were, how much it would cost. Brigette went in the house would be free and easy and then she was suddenly told she needed seven grand and she didn't even relay that to her Dad. 
  • ​Her Dad started selling a lot of his tools to get the money, and it was hard. She was never informed of needing that money and two weeks before closing they had to come up with the money. The lender was horrible and the date they were supposed to close he was on vacation and didn't tell Brigette he was going on vacation; he didn't have anyone handling his clients. In the end, she got a perfect home for her parents, and it has come up in equity a lot since 2011. 
  • ​Brigette’s second home she just purchased went smooth, she was her agent and knew everything about the process. What is something a home buyer should look for in an agent and lender? Brigette always tells her buyers that they can choose their lender; however, when they do choose their lender, it isn't a good transaction. She still gives her clients an option of the three lenders she has worked with. She knows how they work, and she doesn't get a kickback from it, but she gets excellent service, and that is what she needs to close her deals.
Game Changer: Daycare
  • ​Brigette's passion through the process is huge because she has already been through it. Because she went through all of that and had those experiences, she knows what she should give to her clients. First time home buyers don't understand a lot of what is happening, and they have a million questions; Brigette tells them to text and call her as much as they want because she knows how that feels. 
  • ​Where can people find Brigette? She wants people to check her out on her social media, specifically, Instagram as she is on there more than Facebook. The reason she wants them to go to her Instagram page is that there are so many agents out there; it's hard to choose. On her page, they can see what she does every day. 
  • ​Brigette likes to give her home buyers a special gift, to further make it a unique experience; she wants to show that on her Instagram. Her three-year-old son likes to help her put the gifts together which gives them special time with each other. How does Brigette find that balance with her son? It isn't easy, and she can't do all things at once. Her house isn't well organized, as a single Mom she can't do everything at once, and it's not perfect, but she is working on it. The number one thing that helped her grow her business was having her son in daycare. You can't live off of Real Estate doing it part-time. You have to commit to it full-time, and it is okay to ask for help without feeling guilty as a Mom. 
  • ​A.Z. called her when she was having a bad day, and asked how she was doing. She told him that it is horrible; she wasn't used to not being on the go. He told her to get a daycare; she felt so guilty and was fearful of what could happen to her son in daycare. The next day she went around and found a daycare that she was comfortable with, regardless of the cost. 
  • ​Carla went through the same experience, trying to run her business from home and having a baby to care for. In the process, she felt she was lost. When children grow and are gone, you get even more lost, because so much of your identity was input into raising them and you never took the time to focus on yourself. It can be disempowering. Brigette experienced that because she was used to working and going to school and always moving. Suddenly she was at home with her son trying to run a business, and she had no goals.
  • ​It's no disrespect to stay at home Moms; it's so hard. Brigette didn't feel she had it in her to do it. You deal with the guilt of not being at home. Having an office designated for business makes such a difference also. It's all about giving your all to your clients. You never know what life is going to hit you with so you need to know how to provide for yourself; Brigette found that out last year and has been providing for her and her son.
Clipping Coupons Won’t Get You the Pool
  • ​What are some of the hobbies that Brigette has? She feels all of her energy goes into her work and her son; she doesn't have time for hobbies, and she loves it. Brigette tries to do some things for herself, but she does a lot for her son because he is in daycare Monday through Friday and he is her hobby. She is all in as a Mommy. 
  • ​When Brigette was purchasing a home for herself what did she look for? Brigette wanted everything she wanted and wasn't willing to settle. When you suddenly become a single Mom you get a scarcity mindset, you need to save your money for an emergency. She didn't do that when she went home shopping. Brigette feels that the moment you start cutting back on things, that is when you start working less. She felt that if she wanted to purchase the house she wanted, the location, the pool; she just needed to make more money, not cut costs. 
  • ​What would Brigette tell the single Moms that are nervous about making their first purchase? There is nothing to be afraid about; you have to live somewhere whether you are paying rent or making a mortgage payment. If you're going to decide to buy, do it quickly, move forward. Don't wait; there is no perfect time for anything in life. 
  • ​What made Brigette become an agent? It wasn't intentional, and she always wanted to be in marketing. She lost her job at a bank, was working at a restaurant and she found a job on Craigslist to be a receptionist at a Real Estate Firm. One of her jobs there was to cut the checks for the agents, and she was blown away. A lot of people say they go into Real Estate to help people; of course, she loves helping people, but Brigette got into Real Estate to be successful and stable also. 
  • ​Was there ever a time when Brigette thought twice about becoming an agent? Brigette had some hard times in the beginning, and she did have some second thoughts. It's hard, and a lot of people don't survive in it. A lot of people can't deal with working for weeks and months at a time and getting nothing in return right away. She wanted to do this, so she kept going; she saw herself having a successful business, and she made it happen. 
  • ​What makes Brigette different from any other agent out there? Her clients get all of her, all of her time and all of her attention. She is a full-time agent, and no other distractions are keeping Brigette from showing homes. To be successful, you have to give all of yourself, especially in Real Estate. Women who are in Real Estate feel that they have to stand up for themselves in a certain way because there are so many men in this field. Some men tend to disrespect women by questioning their knowledge in Real Estate. 
  • ​To stand up for yourself without being overly aggressive; what exactly does that mean? Carla to get to the point she is now, there were times when she wasn't aggressive, but people thought she was over the top aggressive. Over the years there were so many that tried to overpower Carla and stomp on her, she doesn't feel aggressive, she feels powerful and knows what she wants. 
  • ​What does that mean to Brigette being a woman in Real Estate? She does her own thing and is confident in what she is doing. You may not win them all, but Brigette feels that she has the confidence in knowing what she can give her clients; that is the most important thing to her. Don't let what other people say, or to distract you from doing you.
Motivation is Key
  • ​ What makes Brigette different is that a lot of what she shows on social media is live. She shares the good and the bad. That is why she gets a lot of her clients through Instagram because they see what she is doing and how she handles her business. 
  • ​You can find Brigette at www.brigettealvarezsellsaz.com also on her social media @brigettealvarezrealtor, on her Facebook or by phone at 623-478-9356. Follow her and if you like what you see and you think Brigette can help you with the biggest purchase of your life she is available.
  • ​What would Brigette tell people who want to make that change or just got out of school, about A.Z. & Associates? It's not all about the technology that so many companies offer. She feels that every agent needs motivation from your brokerage because you are 100% commission. As agents you need daily motivation to get clients, to grow our businesses. That is what Brigette likes about A.Z. & Associates is there is that constant motivation. Brigette has been a licensed agent for four years, and she has been in the industry for eight years. What would she have done differently in the first few years? She had her son so soon after getting her license; she still feels that she is just starting. 
  • ​Brigette has watched A.Z. & Associates from the beginning and has seen their growth; that is one of the reasons she chose this brokerage. She knew immediately when she got her license she was coming to A.Z. & Associates because she knew what they could do for her business. Brigette wanted to be surrounded by the right people, and they were at A.Z. & Associates.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Being driven is tough and staying driven can be even harder. For Brigette Alvarez, her motivation is to be successful and independent, not only for her but for her son also. You can't spend your time lost in the guilt of being a single Mom, and not being a stay-at-home single Mom. Being the best you can be, looks different for all women, especially when you have the taste and drive to be successful. Stop having a mindset of scarcity and go after what it is you want from your life. You don't need to wait for the perfect time or situation; you need to make every situation the perfect time for you. 
Women in Real Estate: Brigette Alvarez
  • ​Carla loves today because she is joined by a beautiful woman, and she has known her for quite some time. What is so beautiful about her, are her eyes. Carla remembers her first purchase, her first home. She was 22 years old, and she can remember going to dinner with friends to discuss this first purchase. At the time A.Z. was her boyfriend, and they were going to buy the home together. 
  • ​As they are sitting at dinner and Carla is talking about how excited she is, it was a new build, and they had not broken ground yet; her friend says, that sometime she can't even afford to buy shampoo because they own a home. It went from a high to a low. Her friend went on and on about the negative; if you miss a mortgage payment they will take your home; they hadn't even broken ground yet!
  • ​She and her husband were happy to share all of the ugliness that can happen after buying a home. Has Brigette ever had that moment? She recently purchased a house last year, but it wasn't her first purchase. Brigette purchased a home back in 2011, but it wasn't for her; it was for her parents. She had two jobs and was going to school, and she wanted to do this for her parents. Brigette didn't know how to purchase a home; she had never bought one before. She was able to qualify for the home making 14 dollars an hour; however, it was not a smooth transaction.
  • ​Brigette didn't understand the process at all. That is why Carla wanted to talk about her first purchase because Brigette was so young like Carla was buying their first homes, and so many things went wrong within that. Carla can remember being part of the wrong environment of friends thinking they would get great advice and it being nothing but negative. What were some of the things that went wrong for Brigette? She didn't understand anything, not even what exactly the down payment was. She didn't realize what closing costs were, how much it would cost. Brigette went in the house would be free and easy and then she was suddenly told she needed seven grand and she didn't even relay that to her Dad. 
  • ​Her Dad started selling a lot of his tools to get the money, and it was hard. She was never informed of needing that money and two weeks before closing they had to come up with the money. The lender was horrible and the date they were supposed to close he was on vacation and didn't tell Brigette he was going on vacation; he didn't have anyone handling his clients. In the end, she got a perfect home for her parents, and it has come up in equity a lot since 2011. 
  • ​Brigette’s second home she just purchased went smooth, she was her agent and knew everything about the process. What is something a home buyer should look for in an agent and lender? Brigette always tells her buyers that they can choose their lender; however, when they do choose their lender, it isn't a good transaction. She still gives her clients an option of the three lenders she has worked with. She knows how they work, and she doesn't get a kickback from it, but she gets excellent service, and that is what she needs to close her deals.
Game Changer: Daycare
  • ​Brigette's passion through the process is huge because she has already been through it. Because she went through all of that and had those experiences, she knows what she should give to her clients. First time home buyers don't understand a lot of what is happening, and they have a million questions; Brigette tells them to text and call her as much as they want because she knows how that feels. 
  • ​Where can people find Brigette? She wants people to check her out on her social media, specifically, Instagram as she is on there more than Facebook. The reason she wants them to go to her Instagram page is that there are so many agents out there; it's hard to choose. On her page, they can see what she does every day. 
  • ​Brigette likes to give her home buyers a special gift, to further make it a unique experience; she wants to show that on her Instagram. Her three-year-old son likes to help her put the gifts together which gives them special time with each other. How does Brigette find that balance with her son? It isn't easy, and she can't do all things at once. Her house isn't well organized, as a single Mom she can't do everything at once, and it's not perfect, but she is working on it. The number one thing that helped her grow her business was having her son in daycare. You can't live off of Real Estate doing it part-time. You have to commit to it full-time, and it is okay to ask for help without feeling guilty as a Mom. 
  • ​A.Z. called her when she was having a bad day, and asked how she was doing. She told him that it is horrible; she wasn't used to not being on the go. He told her to get a daycare; she felt so guilty and was fearful of what could happen to her son in daycare. The next day she went around and found a daycare that she was comfortable with, regardless of the cost. 
  • ​Carla went through the same experience, trying to run her business from home and having a baby to care for. In the process, she felt she was lost. When children grow and are gone, you get even more lost, because so much of your identity was input into raising them and you never took the time to focus on yourself. It can be disempowering. Brigette experienced that because she was used to working and going to school and always moving. Suddenly she was at home with her son trying to run a business, and she had no goals.
  • ​It's no disrespect to stay at home Moms; it's so hard. Brigette didn't feel she had it in her to do it. You deal with the guilt of not being at home. Having an office designated for business makes such a difference also. It's all about giving your all to your clients. You never know what life is going to hit you with so you need to know how to provide for yourself; Brigette found that out last year and has been providing for her and her son.
Clipping Coupons Won’t Get You the Pool
  • ​What are some of the hobbies that Brigette has? She feels all of her energy goes into her work and her son; she doesn't have time for hobbies, and she loves it. Brigette tries to do some things for herself, but she does a lot for her son because he is in daycare Monday through Friday and he is her hobby. She is all in as a Mommy. 
  • ​When Brigette was purchasing a home for herself what did she look for? Brigette wanted everything she wanted and wasn't willing to settle. When you suddenly become a single Mom you get a scarcity mindset, you need to save your money for an emergency. She didn't do that when she went home shopping. Brigette feels that the moment you start cutting back on things, that is when you start working less. She felt that if she wanted to purchase the house she wanted, the location, the pool; she just needed to make more money, not cut costs. 
  • ​What would Brigette tell the single Moms that are nervous about making their first purchase? There is nothing to be afraid about; you have to live somewhere whether you are paying rent or making a mortgage payment. If you're going to decide to buy, do it quickly, move forward. Don't wait; there is no perfect time for anything in life. 
  • ​What made Brigette become an agent? It wasn't intentional, and she always wanted to be in marketing. She lost her job at a bank, was working at a restaurant and she found a job on Craigslist to be a receptionist at a Real Estate Firm. One of her jobs there was to cut the checks for the agents, and she was blown away. A lot of people say they go into Real Estate to help people; of course, she loves helping people, but Brigette got into Real Estate to be successful and stable also. 
  • ​Was there ever a time when Brigette thought twice about becoming an agent? Brigette had some hard times in the beginning, and she did have some second thoughts. It's hard, and a lot of people don't survive in it. A lot of people can't deal with working for weeks and months at a time and getting nothing in return right away. She wanted to do this, so she kept going; she saw herself having a successful business, and she made it happen. 
  • ​What makes Brigette different from any other agent out there? Her clients get all of her, all of her time and all of her attention. She is a full-time agent, and no other distractions are keeping Brigette from showing homes. To be successful, you have to give all of yourself, especially in Real Estate. Women who are in Real Estate feel that they have to stand up for themselves in a certain way because there are so many men in this field. Some men tend to disrespect women by questioning their knowledge in Real Estate. 
  • ​To stand up for yourself without being overly aggressive; what exactly does that mean? Carla to get to the point she is now, there were times when she wasn't aggressive, but people thought she was over the top aggressive. Over the years there were so many that tried to overpower Carla and stomp on her, she doesn't feel aggressive, she feels powerful and knows what she wants. 
  • ​What does that mean to Brigette being a woman in Real Estate? She does her own thing and is confident in what she is doing. You may not win them all, but Brigette feels that she has the confidence in knowing what she can give her clients; that is the most important thing to her. Don't let what other people say, or to distract you from doing you.
Motivation is Key
  • ​ What makes Brigette different is that a lot of what she shows on social media is live. She shares the good and the bad. That is why she gets a lot of her clients through Instagram because they see what she is doing and how she handles her business. 
  • ​You can find Brigette at www.brigettealvarezsellsaz.com also on her social media @brigettealvarezrealtor, on her Facebook or by phone at 623-478-9356. Follow her and if you like what you see and you think Brigette can help you with the biggest purchase of your life she is available.
  • ​What would Brigette tell people who want to make that change or just got out of school, about A.Z. & Associates? It's not all about the technology that so many companies offer. She feels that every agent needs motivation from your brokerage because you are 100% commission. As agents you need daily motivation to get clients, to grow our businesses. That is what Brigette likes about A.Z. & Associates is there is that constant motivation. Brigette has been a licensed agent for four years, and she has been in the industry for eight years. What would she have done differently in the first few years? She had her son so soon after getting her license; she still feels that she is just starting. 
  • ​Brigette has watched A.Z. & Associates from the beginning and has seen their growth; that is one of the reasons she chose this brokerage. She knew immediately when she got her license she was coming to A.Z. & Associates because she knew what they could do for her business. Brigette wanted to be surrounded by the right people, and they were at A.Z. & Associates.
Betty Bautista
Betty Bautista
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
When Betty Bautista left her corporate job of 10 years, she felt capped out and needed more. Starting her Real Estate business was her jumping in point; she was doing it all; Mom, wife, and breadwinner. It wasn't until Betty came to A.Z. & Associates that she was able to realize her full potential by letting go of her grip on everything to put herself first. Now she is blowing up and can't wait to see what is next for her. The possibilities are BOUNDLESS!
Women in Real Estate: Betty Bautista
  • ​Carla remembers a few years back when she worked for an Orthodontist, great guy. She was in a sales position, and would always ask him what was next in her field. One day she asked him, and he said this was it. She was given the opportunity to open a franchise and being the risk taker that she is she left her job and went for it. She remembers him wishing her Good Luck; in the way of you are going to fail so good luck. Carla knew he didn't think she would succeed, but she didn't let it stop her from trying. Although it did fail, she was never sorry that she tried, because she took the risk.
  • ​Another risk taker is joining her in the Studio today; a Bad Ass Woman In Real Estate, Betty Bautista. Betty has been in Real Estate for 12 years, what made her choose this field? Betty was working in a corporation for ten years and climbed the ladder rapidly. When she mad it into management she was excited to have made it that far. During her review with her boss, she also asked what was next for her, and he told her she was topped out in her position and her pay scale; he had no idea what would be next for her. 
  • ​That was an eye opener for Betty, and it triggered something for her. She didn't want to be capped out in a corporation, so she started to look around in other fields. She took the exam to become a Police Officer, and her father wasn't behind her in that decision, so she kept looking. Betty discovered Real Estate through her brother in law, so she took her Real Estate Exam. Her three boys were very young then, and she was married. Her boys are now 25, 21 and 18 and she has two granddaughters. 
  • ​Going to school when her boys were toddlers was tough. She would have to go to work then come home and cook, clean and do the wife thing all while trying to incorporate school. Betty was the breadwinner. How did that make that feel? Was it empowering? Did it threaten her husband? It was difficult for Betty because her husband started to isolate, but she didn't know any different, she was always the Head of Household. She wanted to make it easy for everyone, which is what she always tended to do. 
  • ​Betty's boys grew up watching a Powerhouse; which is incredible. She remembers that one day one of her boys came home and was asked who he admired, and he answered his Mom; she works hard and has long pretty hair. Betty knew that they were watching her and always appreciated what she had done for the family. That is empowering and pays off. How in the process of all of that did Betty take care of herself? She didn't. She was always on the go and wanted to make sure everyone and everything was taken care of; she left herself for the end. 
You're Not a Savior, You're a Leader
  • ​Now she is living alone with her two sons, and it is different. They still see her do her thing, but they know that first thing in the morning Betty goes for a run, has her coffee, meditates and reads. When did Betty find out in her life that was important? At what point in her life did she decide that taking care of herself had to become far more critical than anything else? When she started the coaching program at A.Z. & Associates, and it was tough to have someone look in your face and tell you that you aren't a savior. You're not a savior; you're a leader. 
  • ​For her to give people the best of Betty, she had to take care of herself first. She realized that if she wasn't good, then what did she have to offer everyone else. It is so much better and easier now that she gets up and takes care of herself first. Betty prepares herself mentally every morning; she gets up and gives God a thank you for another day and allowing her to do things at a higher level. 
  • ​What was the transition time from knowing that there was more of her to give to the time she came to A.Z. & Associates? Betty was introduced to A.Z. & Associates through her son who had been following them for a while. It's crazy how children can empower their parents; he encouraged her to check it out. Her team of 4 came into the brokerage and said that they were a team and all worked equally. A.Z. told them there has to be an alpha. You all cannot be omegas. 
  • ​It was a hard transition, but it was the best decision for her and it didn't take long. It felt right from the beginning; they decided immediately that it was the right decision for them. What made the transition hard? Betty knew that coming to A.Z. & Associates, that it was a different level that you can feel the moment you walk into the brokerage. She knew that they would be EXPECTED to perform. They don't just call themselves agents; they are out there selling and closing. Betty knew she would have to rise. 
  • ​Bettys business is blowing up; she has hired staff members. Betty posted on social media a few days before that she was sick and was looking for a remedy. Carla called her and told her to enjoy being sick, take a step back and relax. She was now at a point in her life where if she needed too, she could stay in bed for a week. Betty was trying to find a remedy and Carla told her she needed to let it pass and enjoy it; she has the staff to run her day-to-day. How does it feel for Betty to be in that position? It was hard for Betty to let go and not do everything on her own. She now has two assistants, and they make her life so much easier, taking care of the things she is unable to so she can spend the time on her clients she needs too.
Being A Better Betty
  • ​As women, we want to do it all and being in Real Estate; whether you are just starting or have been in the game for a while, you still go up and down with asking for help. You have had staff off and on, leaving you feeling that you don't have enough work or they don't know what they are doing. A lot of women think it is easier to do everything themselves; tapping into every single department. Carla tells women to keep it consistent when having staff come on board. Regardless of whether times are good or bad, keep it steady. 
  • ​When times are bad you try to process what your next move is; when times are good, you need the staff. If you want to be successful you need to hire the staff; you cannot do it all. Carla knows that people think they don't have enough, or make enough; you need to find a way. What gave Betty that mindset of needing staff? What triggered her was that she knew she could only do so much in a day. Being able to hire someone to do the paperwork, or follow up, time-consuming tasks; she was limiting herself without staff, with the staff it allows her to help more families. 
  • ​Betty feels she is more connected to her clients because she doesn't have to run back to the office to make sure she complies with all of her paperwork. What can Betty's clients expect from her now? They get all of her, and it is a more enjoyable Betty. She can utilize her staff, and she can be 100% present. What would Betty tell the agents that have been in the industry for quite some time now and how to get where she is now? They are okay with how things are running and not getting to the next step, how do they grow it? Betty has always been consistent in what she has done in Real Estate until she decided to remove that cap. She stopped limiting herself and hired that first person; it held her accountable and lit a fire under her. 
  • ​You can only do so much on your own; stop limiting yourself. Betty wishes she would have hired on a staff sooner, but it wasn't until she removed the blindfold and that cap that she was able to grow. Betty is doing great and never let anything stop her. Was there a time in her career that she ever thought whether or not Real Estate was for her? For her. She was cruising along for a while and not rising to what she was capable of; staying in her comfort zone and just doing. It wasn't until she became intentional and showed up like a business owner, every single day. 
  • ​Showing up as a business owner is where a lot of people are lacking. You are a business owner, not just an agent and you have to represent your business with pride and confidence. You aren't just cruising along working for a company; you are an owner and need to show up. What would Betty tell the agents out there that want to make a change? It is good to get out of your comfort zone, and Betty would say to them if she could do things all over again, she would start with finding a company that is going to mentor you. Not someone to show you how to write a contract but actually, teach you. Betty has never had anyone tell her to stay in bed and enjoy being sick. You have to join a brokerage that grows with you and doesn't limit you, that cares. 
  • ​People tell Betty that she changed when she went to A.Z. & Associates and she is good with that. When people don't change they become stagnant. Carla lost many friends when Carla Araujo started to rise. She talks to them now through social media, and they have nothing in common. The Carla that was in the relationship with them before was the Carla that wasn't Carla. The woman that Carla is today, a lot of people cannot accept. 
  • ​It isn't only about being taught Real Estate at A.Z. & Associates; Betty has grown in so many other ways; mentally, emotionally and she actually can now show up. She has become a better version of herself from the things she has learned from Carla and A.Z. Don't expect to be babied coming to this brokerage, but expect to rise and grow. They aren't going to hold your hand and lead the way; they will be walking beside you leading through example. If you are interested in learning more about or joining A.Z. & Associates, go to www.badassagents.com and register or give us a call. You can fill out an application, and they will contact you also. 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
When Betty Bautista left her corporate job of 10 years, she felt capped out and needed more. Starting her Real Estate business was her jumping in point; she was doing it all; Mom, wife, and breadwinner. It wasn't until Betty came to A.Z. & Associates that she was able to realize her full potential by letting go of her grip on everything to put herself first. Now she is blowing up and can't wait to see what is next for her. The possibilities are BOUNDLESS!
Women in Real Estate: Betty Bautista
  • ​Carla remembers a few years back when she worked for an Orthodontist, great guy. She was in a sales position, and would always ask him what was next in her field. One day she asked him, and he said this was it. She was given the opportunity to open a franchise and being the risk taker that she is she left her job and went for it. She remembers him wishing her Good Luck; in the way of you are going to fail so good luck. Carla knew he didn't think she would succeed, but she didn't let it stop her from trying. Although it did fail, she was never sorry that she tried, because she took the risk.
  • ​Another risk taker is joining her in the Studio today; a Bad Ass Woman In Real Estate, Betty Bautista. Betty has been in Real Estate for 12 years, what made her choose this field? Betty was working in a corporation for ten years and climbed the ladder rapidly. When she mad it into management she was excited to have made it that far. During her review with her boss, she also asked what was next for her, and he told her she was topped out in her position and her pay scale; he had no idea what would be next for her. 
  • ​That was an eye opener for Betty, and it triggered something for her. She didn't want to be capped out in a corporation, so she started to look around in other fields. She took the exam to become a Police Officer, and her father wasn't behind her in that decision, so she kept looking. Betty discovered Real Estate through her brother in law, so she took her Real Estate Exam. Her three boys were very young then, and she was married. Her boys are now 25, 21 and 18 and she has two granddaughters. 
  • ​Going to school when her boys were toddlers was tough. She would have to go to work then come home and cook, clean and do the wife thing all while trying to incorporate school. Betty was the breadwinner. How did that make that feel? Was it empowering? Did it threaten her husband? It was difficult for Betty because her husband started to isolate, but she didn't know any different, she was always the Head of Household. She wanted to make it easy for everyone, which is what she always tended to do. 
  • ​Betty's boys grew up watching a Powerhouse; which is incredible. She remembers that one day one of her boys came home and was asked who he admired, and he answered his Mom; she works hard and has long pretty hair. Betty knew that they were watching her and always appreciated what she had done for the family. That is empowering and pays off. How in the process of all of that did Betty take care of herself? She didn't. She was always on the go and wanted to make sure everyone and everything was taken care of; she left herself for the end. 
You're Not a Savior, You're a Leader
  • ​Now she is living alone with her two sons, and it is different. They still see her do her thing, but they know that first thing in the morning Betty goes for a run, has her coffee, meditates and reads. When did Betty find out in her life that was important? At what point in her life did she decide that taking care of herself had to become far more critical than anything else? When she started the coaching program at A.Z. & Associates, and it was tough to have someone look in your face and tell you that you aren't a savior. You're not a savior; you're a leader. 
  • ​For her to give people the best of Betty, she had to take care of herself first. She realized that if she wasn't good, then what did she have to offer everyone else. It is so much better and easier now that she gets up and takes care of herself first. Betty prepares herself mentally every morning; she gets up and gives God a thank you for another day and allowing her to do things at a higher level. 
  • ​What was the transition time from knowing that there was more of her to give to the time she came to A.Z. & Associates? Betty was introduced to A.Z. & Associates through her son who had been following them for a while. It's crazy how children can empower their parents; he encouraged her to check it out. Her team of 4 came into the brokerage and said that they were a team and all worked equally. A.Z. told them there has to be an alpha. You all cannot be omegas. 
  • ​It was a hard transition, but it was the best decision for her and it didn't take long. It felt right from the beginning; they decided immediately that it was the right decision for them. What made the transition hard? Betty knew that coming to A.Z. & Associates, that it was a different level that you can feel the moment you walk into the brokerage. She knew that they would be EXPECTED to perform. They don't just call themselves agents; they are out there selling and closing. Betty knew she would have to rise. 
  • ​Bettys business is blowing up; she has hired staff members. Betty posted on social media a few days before that she was sick and was looking for a remedy. Carla called her and told her to enjoy being sick, take a step back and relax. She was now at a point in her life where if she needed too, she could stay in bed for a week. Betty was trying to find a remedy and Carla told her she needed to let it pass and enjoy it; she has the staff to run her day-to-day. How does it feel for Betty to be in that position? It was hard for Betty to let go and not do everything on her own. She now has two assistants, and they make her life so much easier, taking care of the things she is unable to so she can spend the time on her clients she needs too.
Being A Better Betty
  • ​As women, we want to do it all and being in Real Estate; whether you are just starting or have been in the game for a while, you still go up and down with asking for help. You have had staff off and on, leaving you feeling that you don't have enough work or they don't know what they are doing. A lot of women think it is easier to do everything themselves; tapping into every single department. Carla tells women to keep it consistent when having staff come on board. Regardless of whether times are good or bad, keep it steady. 
  • ​When times are bad you try to process what your next move is; when times are good, you need the staff. If you want to be successful you need to hire the staff; you cannot do it all. Carla knows that people think they don't have enough, or make enough; you need to find a way. What gave Betty that mindset of needing staff? What triggered her was that she knew she could only do so much in a day. Being able to hire someone to do the paperwork, or follow up, time-consuming tasks; she was limiting herself without staff, with the staff it allows her to help more families. 
  • ​Betty feels she is more connected to her clients because she doesn't have to run back to the office to make sure she complies with all of her paperwork. What can Betty's clients expect from her now? They get all of her, and it is a more enjoyable Betty. She can utilize her staff, and she can be 100% present. What would Betty tell the agents that have been in the industry for quite some time now and how to get where she is now? They are okay with how things are running and not getting to the next step, how do they grow it? Betty has always been consistent in what she has done in Real Estate until she decided to remove that cap. She stopped limiting herself and hired that first person; it held her accountable and lit a fire under her. 
  • ​You can only do so much on your own; stop limiting yourself. Betty wishes she would have hired on a staff sooner, but it wasn't until she removed the blindfold and that cap that she was able to grow. Betty is doing great and never let anything stop her. Was there a time in her career that she ever thought whether or not Real Estate was for her? For her. She was cruising along for a while and not rising to what she was capable of; staying in her comfort zone and just doing. It wasn't until she became intentional and showed up like a business owner, every single day. 
  • ​Showing up as a business owner is where a lot of people are lacking. You are a business owner, not just an agent and you have to represent your business with pride and confidence. You aren't just cruising along working for a company; you are an owner and need to show up. What would Betty tell the agents out there that want to make a change? It is good to get out of your comfort zone, and Betty would say to them if she could do things all over again, she would start with finding a company that is going to mentor you. Not someone to show you how to write a contract but actually, teach you. Betty has never had anyone tell her to stay in bed and enjoy being sick. You have to join a brokerage that grows with you and doesn't limit you, that cares. 
  • ​People tell Betty that she changed when she went to A.Z. & Associates and she is good with that. When people don't change they become stagnant. Carla lost many friends when Carla Araujo started to rise. She talks to them now through social media, and they have nothing in common. The Carla that was in the relationship with them before was the Carla that wasn't Carla. The woman that Carla is today, a lot of people cannot accept. 
  • ​It isn't only about being taught Real Estate at A.Z. & Associates; Betty has grown in so many other ways; mentally, emotionally and she actually can now show up. She has become a better version of herself from the things she has learned from Carla and A.Z. Don't expect to be babied coming to this brokerage, but expect to rise and grow. They aren't going to hold your hand and lead the way; they will be walking beside you leading through example. If you are interested in learning more about or joining A.Z. & Associates, go to www.badassagents.com and register or give us a call. You can fill out an application, and they will contact you also. 
Caroline Kovacs
Caroline Kovacs
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
What happens when a workaholic attitude meets with the heart of a Mom? Carla Araujo and Caroline Kovacs. The women share many similarities with the journey they have made from Mom to successful Business Owner. Caroline has always been the breadwinner in her family, driven to success through finding a balance that worked for her and her family. Now single she is empowered by the experiences and training she has received at A.Z. & Associates. It was the missing piece for her to cause her business to blow up and come back to who she was all along. 
Women in Real Estate: Caroline Kovacs
  • ​Carla is very excited to welcome Caroline Kovacs into her studio today. Carla remembers when she was starting and working all of the time. Carla went home super exhausted she wanted to be left alone and not hear a noise. She went into her kitchen, and there is protein powder everyone, salt and dishes. Her kids are home on spring break and all Carla can see is a big mess. She went to her room, took a deep breath and reminded herself to be grateful in the moment because it wouldn't be long before her 14 year old would be off to college. The mess is a blessing; it's noisy and alive. We get so overwhelmed by being entrepreneurs, and especially being women because it never ends for us. 
  • ​Carla went back into the kitchen, and she could remember when A.Z. traveled a lot for Real Estate, and she would be hustling all day then have to come home and deal with the house. She didn't have a lot of time to spend with her kids. One day she came in and looked in the sink at all of the dishes and thought this is ridiculous. She thought it would make her feel good to throw away every single dish into the garbage. She grabbed the trash can and just started to toss pans and glasses, and it was worth it. Carla felt such a release, and her kitchen was clean. It made her feel good.
  • ​Caroline has been an agent for 16 years. Did she ever have a moment where she wondered if Real Estate was for her? Caroline feels that she is constantly asking herself that. Something happens and makes you think it was the greatest thing ever and you know it's the direction you want to go. Not interested in Real Estate, Caroline got into it on a fluke. She got her license passing her exam the first time. Before that, she was a graphic artist and has been able to incorporate that into her Real Estate Business.
  • ​How does she deal with the rejections in Real Estate? It is all just part of it, being able not to take it personally when someone tells you no; you talk to so many people that someone is going to say yes. What was her motivation behind choosing Real Estate? Caroline answered a news article for an agent because they said they would pay for her license; so she went that direction. She didn't end up working with them but instead went into new home sales.
  • ​How did Caroline handle being a new business owner and a Mom? It wasn't easy, but you have to prioritize and learn to balance your schedule. Time with her kids was important, and her youngest was only a year old. She was working a full day, and her kids were in daycare full time. When you first get into Real Estate, you have energy, and nothing can stop you. Carla experienced that as a new business owner and new Mom. When you are a workaholic, you have that energy and want to do it all. But what comes up must come down. In Real Estate there are a lot of single Moms, working Moms and aren't taking years off to stay home with their babies, but want to kill it in business. What was that like for Caroline deciding to work and balance everything else on her plate? There was a real challenge with her now ex-husband because he didn't know how to deal with her being the breadwinner of the family. Caroline wishes that certain things would have happened in her relationship that did not; it was a challenge, and it didn't survive.
You Can't Go Back
  • ​You look back at things in your life and wish that things could have been different in certain areas, but the reality is that you don't want to go back; there is no guarantee that the other person would have changed or acted differently. It just wasn't meant to be. When Carla was in the position of working for A.Z., she looked at it and decided to take control of herself and her happiness. 
  • ​She went full in because somewhere along the line she got lost; her insecurities were on him, and hers were on him. The decided that Carla would do Carla and A.Z. would do A.Z., and when they find their purpose and the other person was still part of that picture, then it was meant to be. 
  • ​Carla knew that everything in her life would fall apart if she allowed herself to fall apart. When did Caroline regain confidence in the fact that she is the breadwinner? Was there a point going through her divorce is she questioned whether she could do it alone? There were a lot of years for Caroline where she was numb and just floating around; more like a robot than a person. She had to come back into her. Over the last two years she has had significant life changes but where her life changed was when she joined A.Z. & Associates. 
  • ​Caroline found her voice, and she came back to who she was before but better. She is still finding herself, but she stepped into who she needed to be. When Carla first met Caroline she recalls how lost she was; something was missing. She walked into Carla’s gym to get an assessment of her strengths and to see what her mindset was. 
  • ​Carla had Caroline do some shoulder presses, encouraged her, told her how amazing she was, and Caroline began to cry. She told Carla that she had lost her power and her strength. Carla assured her that it had nothing to do with her strength; it isn't about getting into shape; it's about becoming empowered.
Better Call Carla
  • ​Caroline's business is blowing up now. It can't be all about business and kids though. What does Caroline do for herself? What are her hobbies? What does she do for her health? She likes to hike, and she feels it brings her closer to herself, and closer to God. Her love of rocks and stones brings her in alignment with mother Earth. How does that correlate to her business? Caroline feels that it keeps her focused; you have to have self-care. For many years she neglected to take care of herself; being a mother, you take care of everybody else and forget about yourself. There comes the point where you are ready to fall apart because there is nothing there.
  • ​Women in Real Estate, this podcast is important because people need to hear the woman's side, their point of view, of how they see themselves. We all have a different story and moments where we want to give up, throw in the towel, looking at ourselves in the mirror and see that we are aging and exhausted. You wonder how you got so far back. We all have that moment, and it becomes harder. A lot of women find themselves suddenly divorced and single.

  • ​If a woman is in the process of becoming divorced and feels lost, some have kids, and some don't, what would Caroline tell these women who want to move forward? What are the steps to take to see what the next step is? To see if they can qualify for a home on their own? You need to find out what price point you will be in. The best way to do that is to first talk to a lender. Find yourself an awesome Real Estate agent, such as Caroline, and she will put you in touch with her lender who will tell you where you are at and if you need to work on some things. 
  • ​You need to take a step forward and look at what your goals are. What would Caroline tell those agents that have their license what their next step is? What should they look for as a new agent? Caroline knew what she was looking for when she came to A.Z. & Associates and a lot of agents out there don't. They are new, and they don't know what their experiences are going to be. What would Caroline have done differently if she could go back to when she first got licensed? Coming into Real Estate, you don't know until you do it. You can have all the training in the world, but until you get out and talk to people, you don't know how it is. Every transaction is different, and nothing you can read in a book will explain it. Every person is a new experience, and that is something you need good training. If Caroline were to do something different in the beginning, she would have picked a different company to go through. 
  • ​Coming to A.Z. & Associates caused Caroline to reevaluate some of the things she had learned from experience, but it enhanced everything she had. What would Caroline say is the greatest value she saw coming into A.Z. & Associates? Did she immediately come from new home sales to this brokerage? Caroline was searching for something specific; she was looking for the environment, the comradery, knowing that there is enough business for everyone. You don't have to be cutthroat or stab anyone in the back or treat anyone with disrespect. You can help people without taking anything away from yourself; when you give you get. 
  • ​What advice would Caroline give to an agent looking to make a move? One of the things that Caroline did was interview a few places, and she had a friend who was already at A.Z. & Associates; she hasn't talked to her about it. When Caroline told her friend what she was looking for she told her she needed to be at A.Z. & Associates and she came right away. Caroline wished that she had reached out to her long before, saving her so much time. Save yourself a lot of heartaches, a lot of stress and not knowing if you have chosen the right place and just come and talk to Carla. Carla is a real person, and you don't have to be afraid of her. 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
What happens when a workaholic attitude meets with the heart of a Mom? Carla Araujo and Caroline Kovacs. The women share many similarities with the journey they have made from Mom to successful Business Owner. Caroline has always been the breadwinner in her family, driven to success through finding a balance that worked for her and her family. Now single she is empowered by the experiences and training she has received at A.Z. & Associates. It was the missing piece for her to cause her business to blow up and come back to who she was all along. 
Women in Real Estate: Caroline Kovacs
  • ​Carla is very excited to welcome Caroline Kovacs into her studio today. Carla remembers when she was starting and working all of the time. Carla went home super exhausted she wanted to be left alone and not hear a noise. She went into her kitchen, and there is protein powder everyone, salt and dishes. Her kids are home on spring break and all Carla can see is a big mess. She went to her room, took a deep breath and reminded herself to be grateful in the moment because it wouldn't be long before her 14 year old would be off to college. The mess is a blessing; it's noisy and alive. We get so overwhelmed by being entrepreneurs, and especially being women because it never ends for us. 
  • ​Carla went back into the kitchen, and she could remember when A.Z. traveled a lot for Real Estate, and she would be hustling all day then have to come home and deal with the house. She didn't have a lot of time to spend with her kids. One day she came in and looked in the sink at all of the dishes and thought this is ridiculous. She thought it would make her feel good to throw away every single dish into the garbage. She grabbed the trash can and just started to toss pans and glasses, and it was worth it. Carla felt such a release, and her kitchen was clean. It made her feel good.
  • ​Caroline has been an agent for 16 years. Did she ever have a moment where she wondered if Real Estate was for her? Caroline feels that she is constantly asking herself that. Something happens and makes you think it was the greatest thing ever and you know it's the direction you want to go. Not interested in Real Estate, Caroline got into it on a fluke. She got her license passing her exam the first time. Before that, she was a graphic artist and has been able to incorporate that into her Real Estate Business.
  • ​How does she deal with the rejections in Real Estate? It is all just part of it, being able not to take it personally when someone tells you no; you talk to so many people that someone is going to say yes. What was her motivation behind choosing Real Estate? Caroline answered a news article for an agent because they said they would pay for her license; so she went that direction. She didn't end up working with them but instead went into new home sales.
  • ​How did Caroline handle being a new business owner and a Mom? It wasn't easy, but you have to prioritize and learn to balance your schedule. Time with her kids was important, and her youngest was only a year old. She was working a full day, and her kids were in daycare full time. When you first get into Real Estate, you have energy, and nothing can stop you. Carla experienced that as a new business owner and new Mom. When you are a workaholic, you have that energy and want to do it all. But what comes up must come down. In Real Estate there are a lot of single Moms, working Moms and aren't taking years off to stay home with their babies, but want to kill it in business. What was that like for Caroline deciding to work and balance everything else on her plate? There was a real challenge with her now ex-husband because he didn't know how to deal with her being the breadwinner of the family. Caroline wishes that certain things would have happened in her relationship that did not; it was a challenge, and it didn't survive.
You Can't Go Back
  • ​You look back at things in your life and wish that things could have been different in certain areas, but the reality is that you don't want to go back; there is no guarantee that the other person would have changed or acted differently. It just wasn't meant to be. When Carla was in the position of working for A.Z., she looked at it and decided to take control of herself and her happiness. 
  • ​She went full in because somewhere along the line she got lost; her insecurities were on him, and hers were on him. The decided that Carla would do Carla and A.Z. would do A.Z., and when they find their purpose and the other person was still part of that picture, then it was meant to be. 
  • ​Carla knew that everything in her life would fall apart if she allowed herself to fall apart. When did Caroline regain confidence in the fact that she is the breadwinner? Was there a point going through her divorce is she questioned whether she could do it alone? There were a lot of years for Caroline where she was numb and just floating around; more like a robot than a person. She had to come back into her. Over the last two years she has had significant life changes but where her life changed was when she joined A.Z. & Associates. 
  • ​Caroline found her voice, and she came back to who she was before but better. She is still finding herself, but she stepped into who she needed to be. When Carla first met Caroline she recalls how lost she was; something was missing. She walked into Carla’s gym to get an assessment of her strengths and to see what her mindset was. 
  • ​Carla had Caroline do some shoulder presses, encouraged her, told her how amazing she was, and Caroline began to cry. She told Carla that she had lost her power and her strength. Carla assured her that it had nothing to do with her strength; it isn't about getting into shape; it's about becoming empowered.
Better Call Carla
  • ​Caroline's business is blowing up now. It can't be all about business and kids though. What does Caroline do for herself? What are her hobbies? What does she do for her health? She likes to hike, and she feels it brings her closer to herself, and closer to God. Her love of rocks and stones brings her in alignment with mother Earth. How does that correlate to her business? Caroline feels that it keeps her focused; you have to have self-care. For many years she neglected to take care of herself; being a mother, you take care of everybody else and forget about yourself. There comes the point where you are ready to fall apart because there is nothing there.
  • ​Women in Real Estate, this podcast is important because people need to hear the woman's side, their point of view, of how they see themselves. We all have a different story and moments where we want to give up, throw in the towel, looking at ourselves in the mirror and see that we are aging and exhausted. You wonder how you got so far back. We all have that moment, and it becomes harder. A lot of women find themselves suddenly divorced and single.

  • ​If a woman is in the process of becoming divorced and feels lost, some have kids, and some don't, what would Caroline tell these women who want to move forward? What are the steps to take to see what the next step is? To see if they can qualify for a home on their own? You need to find out what price point you will be in. The best way to do that is to first talk to a lender. Find yourself an awesome Real Estate agent, such as Caroline, and she will put you in touch with her lender who will tell you where you are at and if you need to work on some things. 
  • ​You need to take a step forward and look at what your goals are. What would Caroline tell those agents that have their license what their next step is? What should they look for as a new agent? Caroline knew what she was looking for when she came to A.Z. & Associates and a lot of agents out there don't. They are new, and they don't know what their experiences are going to be. What would Caroline have done differently if she could go back to when she first got licensed? Coming into Real Estate, you don't know until you do it. You can have all the training in the world, but until you get out and talk to people, you don't know how it is. Every transaction is different, and nothing you can read in a book will explain it. Every person is a new experience, and that is something you need good training. If Caroline were to do something different in the beginning, she would have picked a different company to go through. 
  • ​Coming to A.Z. & Associates caused Caroline to reevaluate some of the things she had learned from experience, but it enhanced everything she had. What would Caroline say is the greatest value she saw coming into A.Z. & Associates? Did she immediately come from new home sales to this brokerage? Caroline was searching for something specific; she was looking for the environment, the comradery, knowing that there is enough business for everyone. You don't have to be cutthroat or stab anyone in the back or treat anyone with disrespect. You can help people without taking anything away from yourself; when you give you get. 
  • ​What advice would Caroline give to an agent looking to make a move? One of the things that Caroline did was interview a few places, and she had a friend who was already at A.Z. & Associates; she hasn't talked to her about it. When Caroline told her friend what she was looking for she told her she needed to be at A.Z. & Associates and she came right away. Caroline wished that she had reached out to her long before, saving her so much time. Save yourself a lot of heartaches, a lot of stress and not knowing if you have chosen the right place and just come and talk to Carla. Carla is a real person, and you don't have to be afraid of her. 
Bobbi Herman
Bobbi Herman
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Not all Bad Ass Agents are created equal, and in this case, the Women of A.Z. & Associates are no exception. Carla is using this forum to highlight Women in Business that happen to be Bad Asses in Real Estate. It took Bobbi Herman nearly 15 years of being a part-time agent and full-time stay at home Mom to realize that she needed to start focusing on growing her business, which in turn raised her confidence level to increase her income. Joining A.Z. & Associates was the best decision she ever made for her business and her growth. The accountability, support, training, and positivity took her to Kick-Ass Agent level. Her only regret is not starting earlier, and tapping into that power sooner. What are you waiting for? Start NOW!
Bad Ass Women in Real Estate: Bobbi Herman
  • ​Carla is joined in the studio today with Bad Ass Agent, Bobbi Herman. This podcast takeover by the pair is all about, “ Women in Real Estate.” Carla has been in business with A.Z. for many years, and yesterday they had an intense meeting. A.Z. tends to be strong in his opinions; it's his way, and that is the only way. Carla is an Alpha female that tries to jump in, and they were bumping heads.
  • ​They had a lot of great ideas and ended the day playing volleyball with their kids. Carla shared with A.Z. how he had made her feel earlier, and that she didn't appreciate him not valuing her opinion. He told her that wasn't his intention at all. Carla didn't realize how upset she was until she grabbed the volleyball to play; she was smacking the ball hard until her daughter asked what was wrong with her. 
  • ​A.Z. told Carla that he had a lot to work on; that is all she needed to hear. Bobbi has been married for 22 years which is a lot of work. Bobbi left her last job to jump into Real Estate so that she could spend more time with her kids. How did staying at home, interacting with your husband more, and running a business with two kids work? Bobbi always wanted to be home with her kids but found out quickly that being a stay-at-home Mom, was not for her. She liked the social interaction at work. Her husband suggested Real Estate as an option for her because she could create her work schedule. 
  • ​When Carla was at home, she had a ton of paperwork, a lot of things to do, but she would still have to do laundry, take care of the kids; distractions. How did Bobbi put all of her energy into her business without feeling the guilt of having to put those distractions aside? It was difficult for her, she wasn't in full-time Real Estate at first, and her daughter was very involved in dance. When she finally decided to go full time she had to realize that things were going to have to put aside. The dishes would have to wait, the laundry was on hold, and now that her kids are older, she has the availability to do what she wants to do for her. 
  • ​It happens to all of when we become business owners; we want to create something big, but something is always stopping us. The more we grow, the more we put on our plate and the more responsibility we take on.; the more of the headache and the more things come our way to stop us. Especially for women. Some are married, some are single, we are trying to build something great, but we always will have that guilt from being Mommies. We want to leave our 9 to 5 job and become agents because we think we will have more time with the kids. We don't realize that when we do that we are now stay-at-home Moms 90 % of the time and Business owners 10%. That's okay, but eventually, your kids grow up, and you are stuck with now what? What made a difference for Bobbi from when she first decided to stay home and start in Real Estate 15 years ago, until five years ago when her business finally started to take off? She was more focused on her business and less on the kids. They were older and more, and she didn't have to be around as much. Ultimately it was her wanting to provide for her family. 
  • ​If you have that mindset of starting in your business when your kids are young, and you feel a bit guilty for not focusing enough on the kids; what if you had hired a nanny, a housekeeper, how does that change where you would be today? Bobbi feels if she had hired some help she would be way better off today. Starting with A.Z. & Associates a year ago, one of the first things she was told was to get an assistant. She dragged her feet and now that she has an assistant she is producing more with her, and focus more on her business. 
  • ​A lot of women who are beginning to create something greater, you are becoming agents, business owners you are putting so much into your family, and that is fine. Eventually, your children will get older, and all of this time that you could have put into your business, you are now starting from scratch. Start now to understand the process and know you can't do it alone. If you want to be the Mommy that brings in a deal or two a month, then that is great. This podcast is for the women who are stuck between the guilt of wanting to be a business owner but also wanting to be a Mommy. YOU have to know what you want and get a plan.
  • ​There will be financial setbacks, but the rewards and benefits will be so much greater when you invest in your business. The whole purpose of creating something big is spending more time with your family; love your self more. When you put more into your business, you will enjoy your family that much more. There is no shame in being a workaholic. Carla can remember though when she would hide in the lie of loving being home and taking care of everything; she loves working and creating every day. 
Eye Bags and Cross Fit
  • ​As women, we put so much of our time into our families and work we forget about us. What are some of Bobbi’s hobbies? One of her favorite things to do is Cross-fit. She has been doing it for five years, and it is how she met A.Z. Cross-fit is for everybody, not just elite athletes. Real Estate can eat you alive, you come out of the gate on this high, and after about two years you are on edge not knowing where your next transaction is coming from. As women, we look in the mirror and realize we put on a little weight, have bags under our eyes; your confidence level declines
  • ​In Real Estate you are a salesperson, and if you don't take care of yourself, you will burn out. In the process of Bobbi building her business in the last five years, has something happened that stopped her in her tracks? Bobbi had very low self-esteem for several years; she started drinking a little more than she should have. That made her business suffer big time. What drew her there? She feels she wasn't making enough money in Real Estate, feeling bad that she wasn't providing for her family, putting the burden more on her husband. She wasn't doing anything for herself, only her family and it brought her to a place of unhappiness.
  • ​Luckily she has a good marriage; it's been tough, but she could talk to him about how she was feeling. Once she began to make money, it helped her confidence and made her relationships with her husband and kids better. Women, in general, we tear each other apart and tear ourselves down. When one woman lacks confidence in a room, it becomes poison. Carla was that woman, who drank all the time, ran around like a mad woman and was insecure. It went from the madness of having so much work, and not making any money; being overwhelmed with thoughts of regrets. 
  • ​Carla can remember turning to a bottle, and it felt so good; taking her to a place of not giving a shit. What goes up must come down, and if the right people don't surround you, you will stay down. We can't celebrate the success of others if we can't celebrate our own. If you can't be confident and love who you are, you can't comfort other women. Bobbi was there also, and she will never go back. What would Bobbi say to those that are stuck in their business and are looking to make a move to A.Z. & Associates? When Bobbi started with A.Z. & Associates, she was very intimidated by A.Z. and Carla. She is probably the loudest of all of her friends and the first time she met Carla was at her interview. Carla came in and asked her, yes, or no are you in or are you out? Bobbi signed up, and it was the best decision she had ever made. 
Kicking Ass and Accountability
  • ​If you are new to the business and you come straight to A.Z. & Associates, you may not appreciate it as much as someone who has worked for other brokerages. Everyone at A.Z. & Associates helps each other; it is a positive environment with no negativity. The sales meeting, events, and coaching; no one could begin to understand how good it is until they are here. A.Z. and Carla made it clear that it was up to Bobbi to decide what to do. They could do everything they do for their agents, but it is up to the individual to decide to work hard. Bobbi has, and it has paid off big time for her. 
  • ​A.Z. and Carla share so much of themselves to build people up in their own business. Carla knew right away that Bobbi wanted it for herself as much as she wanted it for her. She knew there was a fire in Bobbi, and they are so grateful to be part of her growth. What is the greatest value that Bobbi received at A.Z. & Associates? Accountability. They hold them accountable, and they ask what her numbers are and no other brokerage does that. She likes that she doesn't get away with that, and there is an interest in what she is doing. Women we doubt ourselves all of the time, and when Bobbi walks into the office, there is no doubt. She is going to kick ass every day, making money, and helping her clients get or sell their home. 
  • ​What would Bobbi tell the new agents out there who are starting their business? First off come to A.Z. & Associates, secondly, make sure that you have your systems and in place. Make sure to take care of the clients that refer you and take care of you, because those are the people who will bring you, people, you want to work with. Make sure you check all of your brokerages because they are not all the same. Get the proper training, not just real estate classes, but training that will help you in the real world. You need to prospect, and that starts with your family and friends, former co-workers, neighbors. Open houses are where you are going to get a lot of leads also. Carla can remember her first few Open Houses and not being confident in what to say. She was nervous and didn't know how to start the conversation with a prospective client. The classes are needed to teach you the contracts and the ins and outs of Real Estate, but the confidence and energy you bring to the table is an essential element. 
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Not all Bad Ass Agents are created equal, and in this case, the Women of A.Z. & Associates are no exception. Carla is using this forum to highlight Women in Business that happen to be Bad Asses in Real Estate. It took Bobbi Herman nearly 15 years of being a part-time agent and full-time stay at home Mom to realize that she needed to start focusing on growing her business, which in turn raised her confidence level to increase her income. Joining A.Z. & Associates was the best decision she ever made for her business and her growth. The accountability, support, training, and positivity took her to Kick-Ass Agent level. Her only regret is not starting earlier, and tapping into that power sooner. What are you waiting for? Start NOW!
Bad Ass Women in Real Estate: Bobbi Herman
  • ​Carla is joined in the studio today with Bad Ass Agent, Bobbi Herman. This podcast takeover by the pair is all about, “ Women in Real Estate.” Carla has been in business with A.Z. for many years, and yesterday they had an intense meeting. A.Z. tends to be strong in his opinions; it's his way, and that is the only way. Carla is an Alpha female that tries to jump in, and they were bumping heads.
  • ​They had a lot of great ideas and ended the day playing volleyball with their kids. Carla shared with A.Z. how he had made her feel earlier, and that she didn't appreciate him not valuing her opinion. He told her that wasn't his intention at all. Carla didn't realize how upset she was until she grabbed the volleyball to play; she was smacking the ball hard until her daughter asked what was wrong with her. 
  • ​A.Z. told Carla that he had a lot to work on; that is all she needed to hear. Bobbi has been married for 22 years which is a lot of work. Bobbi left her last job to jump into Real Estate so that she could spend more time with her kids. How did staying at home, interacting with your husband more, and running a business with two kids work? Bobbi always wanted to be home with her kids but found out quickly that being a stay-at-home Mom, was not for her. She liked the social interaction at work. Her husband suggested Real Estate as an option for her because she could create her work schedule. 
  • ​When Carla was at home, she had a ton of paperwork, a lot of things to do, but she would still have to do laundry, take care of the kids; distractions. How did Bobbi put all of her energy into her business without feeling the guilt of having to put those distractions aside? It was difficult for her, she wasn't in full-time Real Estate at first, and her daughter was very involved in dance. When she finally decided to go full time she had to realize that things were going to have to put aside. The dishes would have to wait, the laundry was on hold, and now that her kids are older, she has the availability to do what she wants to do for her. 
  • ​It happens to all of when we become business owners; we want to create something big, but something is always stopping us. The more we grow, the more we put on our plate and the more responsibility we take on.; the more of the headache and the more things come our way to stop us. Especially for women. Some are married, some are single, we are trying to build something great, but we always will have that guilt from being Mommies. We want to leave our 9 to 5 job and become agents because we think we will have more time with the kids. We don't realize that when we do that we are now stay-at-home Moms 90 % of the time and Business owners 10%. That's okay, but eventually, your kids grow up, and you are stuck with now what? What made a difference for Bobbi from when she first decided to stay home and start in Real Estate 15 years ago, until five years ago when her business finally started to take off? She was more focused on her business and less on the kids. They were older and more, and she didn't have to be around as much. Ultimately it was her wanting to provide for her family. 
  • ​If you have that mindset of starting in your business when your kids are young, and you feel a bit guilty for not focusing enough on the kids; what if you had hired a nanny, a housekeeper, how does that change where you would be today? Bobbi feels if she had hired some help she would be way better off today. Starting with A.Z. & Associates a year ago, one of the first things she was told was to get an assistant. She dragged her feet and now that she has an assistant she is producing more with her, and focus more on her business. 
  • ​A lot of women who are beginning to create something greater, you are becoming agents, business owners you are putting so much into your family, and that is fine. Eventually, your children will get older, and all of this time that you could have put into your business, you are now starting from scratch. Start now to understand the process and know you can't do it alone. If you want to be the Mommy that brings in a deal or two a month, then that is great. This podcast is for the women who are stuck between the guilt of wanting to be a business owner but also wanting to be a Mommy. YOU have to know what you want and get a plan.
  • ​There will be financial setbacks, but the rewards and benefits will be so much greater when you invest in your business. The whole purpose of creating something big is spending more time with your family; love your self more. When you put more into your business, you will enjoy your family that much more. There is no shame in being a workaholic. Carla can remember though when she would hide in the lie of loving being home and taking care of everything; she loves working and creating every day. 
Eye Bags and Cross Fit
  • ​As women, we put so much of our time into our families and work we forget about us. What are some of Bobbi’s hobbies? One of her favorite things to do is Cross-fit. She has been doing it for five years, and it is how she met A.Z. Cross-fit is for everybody, not just elite athletes. Real Estate can eat you alive, you come out of the gate on this high, and after about two years you are on edge not knowing where your next transaction is coming from. As women, we look in the mirror and realize we put on a little weight, have bags under our eyes; your confidence level declines
  • ​In Real Estate you are a salesperson, and if you don't take care of yourself, you will burn out. In the process of Bobbi building her business in the last five years, has something happened that stopped her in her tracks? Bobbi had very low self-esteem for several years; she started drinking a little more than she should have. That made her business suffer big time. What drew her there? She feels she wasn't making enough money in Real Estate, feeling bad that she wasn't providing for her family, putting the burden more on her husband. She wasn't doing anything for herself, only her family and it brought her to a place of unhappiness.
  • ​Luckily she has a good marriage; it's been tough, but she could talk to him about how she was feeling. Once she began to make money, it helped her confidence and made her relationships with her husband and kids better. Women, in general, we tear each other apart and tear ourselves down. When one woman lacks confidence in a room, it becomes poison. Carla was that woman, who drank all the time, ran around like a mad woman and was insecure. It went from the madness of having so much work, and not making any money; being overwhelmed with thoughts of regrets. 
  • ​Carla can remember turning to a bottle, and it felt so good; taking her to a place of not giving a shit. What goes up must come down, and if the right people don't surround you, you will stay down. We can't celebrate the success of others if we can't celebrate our own. If you can't be confident and love who you are, you can't comfort other women. Bobbi was there also, and she will never go back. What would Bobbi say to those that are stuck in their business and are looking to make a move to A.Z. & Associates? When Bobbi started with A.Z. & Associates, she was very intimidated by A.Z. and Carla. She is probably the loudest of all of her friends and the first time she met Carla was at her interview. Carla came in and asked her, yes, or no are you in or are you out? Bobbi signed up, and it was the best decision she had ever made. 
Kicking Ass and Accountability
  • ​If you are new to the business and you come straight to A.Z. & Associates, you may not appreciate it as much as someone who has worked for other brokerages. Everyone at A.Z. & Associates helps each other; it is a positive environment with no negativity. The sales meeting, events, and coaching; no one could begin to understand how good it is until they are here. A.Z. and Carla made it clear that it was up to Bobbi to decide what to do. They could do everything they do for their agents, but it is up to the individual to decide to work hard. Bobbi has, and it has paid off big time for her. 
  • ​A.Z. and Carla share so much of themselves to build people up in their own business. Carla knew right away that Bobbi wanted it for herself as much as she wanted it for her. She knew there was a fire in Bobbi, and they are so grateful to be part of her growth. What is the greatest value that Bobbi received at A.Z. & Associates? Accountability. They hold them accountable, and they ask what her numbers are and no other brokerage does that. She likes that she doesn't get away with that, and there is an interest in what she is doing. Women we doubt ourselves all of the time, and when Bobbi walks into the office, there is no doubt. She is going to kick ass every day, making money, and helping her clients get or sell their home. 
  • ​What would Bobbi tell the new agents out there who are starting their business? First off come to A.Z. & Associates, secondly, make sure that you have your systems and in place. Make sure to take care of the clients that refer you and take care of you, because those are the people who will bring you, people, you want to work with. Make sure you check all of your brokerages because they are not all the same. Get the proper training, not just real estate classes, but training that will help you in the real world. You need to prospect, and that starts with your family and friends, former co-workers, neighbors. Open houses are where you are going to get a lot of leads also. Carla can remember her first few Open Houses and not being confident in what to say. She was nervous and didn't know how to start the conversation with a prospective client. The classes are needed to teach you the contracts and the ins and outs of Real Estate, but the confidence and energy you bring to the table is an essential element. 
A.Z. & Associates Real Estate Group - 2019