Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

I had a blessed childhood and am really lucky. I had two parents who were supportive and loved me to death. They allowed me to explore myself and express my true personality. They also let me fail. I took the risk to start my first business because I knew I had them to fall back on. They instilled a very strong work ethic in me. Towards the end of college, which they graciously helped me out with, I had 3 semesters until they would stop helping me with college costs. I decided to cram credit hours so I could graduate on that schedule. I wound up taking 23 credit hours each of my last 3 semesters, while running my own business, while working an internship, while working at a restaurant, while playing in a semi-professional band. I wound up graduating with honors in only 7 total semesters of college. This was an unintended lesson that time is only an obstacle if you are not motivated.

What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?

Take even more risks when you are young. Be more confident. Stop worrying about what other people think. Just do it!

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

Have a perfect plan before you try it. I am a big believer in planning, but at some point, you just have to do it. You can adapt and create your plan as you go. I also hear people talk about delegating and hiring way too early in my industry. You have to do the dirty work in the beginning. If you do not experience and understand it, you cannot hire and train someone to do it properly. However, when you reach that point, do not wait to start recruiting the right talent. But be careful, hiring right is more important than hiring in general.

Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?

My first business failed in 2009/2010. I was recently married, finally had a car payment, and felt the fear of failure for the first time. I was unsure of how to proceed and felt trapped. I decided to be productive and get my real estate license. It was originally a goal to be a part-time agent to supplement some income while I tried to restart my failed business. I ultimately fell in love with real estate and decided to make it my full-time venture. The lesson is to always stay in motion. If I let myself get down on my laurels for too long, who knows where I would have wound up. Instead, I just tried to stay in motion and found my true calling. Within a year in the real estate business, with no experience, I was in the top 5% of real estate agents in the nation and now am in the top .5%.

What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?

I never give up. I am always looking for solutions to my clients’ problems. I am able to use this to create life long relationships.

What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?

In the last few years, I have focused on delegating more. I felt my business had hit a wall and I could not produce anymore. I was working 14 hour days 7 days a week. My family life was suffering. So I started delegating. I even delegated driving so I could focus on work while in the car. This allowed me the freedom to get home earlier and be more present. It grew my business, enhanced the customer experience, and benefited my home life.

What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?

I really do not consider my personal life and work-life as separate entities. They are one life that works in harmony. It’s a slippery slope, so one must be careful. I view my clients as friends and my friends as clients. This means that when I am having dinner with friends, I am being productive in my business, and when I am working with clients, I am enjoying my time with friends. This sets up the “profitable life” mentality that I have written about.

Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?

I like to create my own mottos to live life and operate my business within. “No may be the right answer but its the last answer we will find” is one of my favorites. It essentially means, we will not quit until we have exhausted all options. I believe this is the reason I am able to produce at the next level. “The perfect transaction does not brood a referral”. This means that when the process goes so smooth and you do not bring your client into the fight, they do not appreciate what you have done for them. There is a fine balance of involving them without stressing them that creates a relationship that lasts an eternity.