Coffee & Closings

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Tristan Scott, owner of Carolina Butcher Shop, Meat Provisions, and Pizza Provisions, to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, family, and what it takes to build successful businesses from the ground up. Tristan shares his journey from leaving high school at 17, serving in the Army, and eventually building multiple businesses acros...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Steven Squires, co-founder of Umstead & Oak Real Estate Partners, to discuss his decade-long journey in real estate, the lessons he's learned along the way, and the importance of staying grounded through every season of life. Steven shares stories from his first year in the business, the mentors who shaped his career, and why...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Cam Lewis to discuss his journey from Asheville to mortgage lending, real estate investing, and entrepreneurship. Cam shares how an internship during college sparked his passion for real estate, leading him into wholesaling, fix-and-flips, and eventually the lending business.  The conversation dives into launching NC State's Real...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Lakendria Williams to discuss her journey from property management in Alabama to building a successful real estate career in the Triangle. Lakendria shares how a move to North Carolina, raising three children, and an unexpected opportunity in real estate led her to a profession she never originally planned to pursue.  The conversation...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Justin Daniel to discuss his journey from studying political science at NC State to becoming one of the fastest-growing agents in the Triangle. Justin shares how an internship with a top-producing agent led him into real estate, why he chose the industry over law school, and how building systems, consistency, and strong client relatio...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Julian Douglas, founder of JD Real Estate Media, to talk about how he built a real estate photography and media business from the ground up. Julian shares his journey from barber school to buying his first drone, learning photography through YouTube, and starting with nothing more than an iPhone and a vision to create something bigger...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Allie Parker of Sotheby’s International Realty to talk about building a thriving real estate business through relationships, systems, and genuinely caring for clients. Allie shares her journey from designing clothes for Belk to becoming one of the top-producing agents in the Triangle, closing over $50 million in volume last year while...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Anthony Medeiros to talk about his journey from growing up in a military family to building a career in real estate and entrepreneurship in the Triangle. Anthony shares how studying entrepreneurship at NC State shaped his mindset, why joining the right team changed his business, and how focusing on relationships over transactions has...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Devin Curlings to talk about her journey from making just $12,000 in her first year in real estate to building a thriving business. Devin shares how taking risks, betting on herself, and joining the right team completely changed the trajectory of her career. They dive into the realities of starting in new construction, overcoming self...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Neda Navab, President of Compass, for a powerful conversation on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of real estate. Neda shares her inspiring story, from being raised by an immigrant mother who built a real estate career from the ground up, to becoming one of the most respected leaders in the industry. They dive into what tr...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Danielle Hurst to talk about her journey from PR and hospitality into real estate, and what her first year in the business has really looked like. Danielle shares how she built early momentum, leaned into her sphere, and learned what actually works, from open houses to social media and networking. The conversation dives into team cult...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Alley Buscemi to talk about her journey from New York City—working in fashion, production, and corporate sales—to building a fast-growing real estate business in Raleigh. Alley shares how she went from knowing no one in the area to scaling her business toward $40M+ in volume, all through personal branding, social media, and intentiona...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Lisa Quin, Broker-in-Charge at Compass Cary, to talk about her journey from hotel management to building a long, successful career in real estate. Lisa shares how she sold 50 homes in her first year, navigated market downturns like the 2008 crash, and built a business centered around relationships, consistency, and strong ethics. The...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Mike Rice to talk about a lifetime spent around real estate. Mike shares how growing up in a real estate family eventually led him into the business, his early days in mortgages, and what it was like navigating the 2008 housing crash. The conversation dives into the realities of the industry, from starting and running a mortgage compa...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Ryan McKinstrie to talk about his journey into real estate and what it takes to grow in the business. The conversation dives into building strong relationships with clients, navigating the ups and downs of the market, and why surrounding yourself with the right people matters. They also talk about fatherhood, the importance of family,...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Jade Gluckin to talk about getting licensed at 20 years old, failing forward, and building a real estate career as a young single mom. Jade shares the mindset shifts that helped her succeed as an independent agent, why authenticity attracts the right clients, and how she’s balancing business, marriage, and a blended family. They also...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Jon Currin, founder of Currin Outdoor Living, to talk about the journey from landscape architecture student to building a thriving design-build company rooted in faith, family, and purpose. Jon shares how mentorship, perseverance, and trusting God shaped both his business and his leadership, along with lessons on team building, naviga...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Jacob De Leon to talk about his journey from manual-labor jobs and CrossFit coaching to generating real estate clients within weeks of getting licensed. Jacob shares how community, discipline, and consistent action helped him build early momentum, along with lessons on social media, realistic transaction goals, and serving people well...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Alejandra Cedeno, a new construction sales agent with D.R. Horton, to talk about finding your lane in real estate and playing the long game. Alejandra shares her journey from Rutgers University and moving south from New Jersey, working in traditional brokerage and as a real estate legal assistant, to ultimately finding her stride in n...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Daniel Gluckin, founder of the Gluckin Group, to talk about building a real estate brand by being yourself. Daniel shares his journey from DJ to REALTOR®, how “The Running Realtor” helped him stand out on social media, and why consistency and creativity matter more than perfection. They dive deep into content creation, team leadership...

In this solo episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan Lines sits down with the mic to reflect on why the podcast started, what it’s become, and where it’s headed next. He shares his personal journey in real estate, lessons learned from 24 incredible guests, and why relationships—not transactions—are the foundation of a great business and a meaningful life. Ethan opens up about fatherhood, faith, g...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Mike and Shelly, the husband-and-wife founders of Peak City Coffee, to hear the story behind one of the Triangle’s most beloved specialty roasters. They share how a backyard hobby turned into a full-scale roasting business, the leap of faith to go all-in, and why sourcing specialty-grade beans and telling a story through coffee matter...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Sharon Gupton, longtime REALTOR® and current President of the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®. Sharon shares her decades-long journey through real estate, property management, sports marketing, and leadership, along with why communication, education, and ethics are what truly separate great agents from average ones. They div...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Ryan Patty, a Raleigh-area REALTOR® who brings an incredible journey from the Pittsburgh Steelers sideline to the world of real estate. Ryan shares how his background in sports, recruiting, and operations shaped his discipline, mindset, and ability to build strong client relationships. The two dive into what makes a great agent great—...

In this episode of Coffee & Closings , Ethan sits down with Cory Sherman, a Durham-area REALTOR® with Keller Williams, to dive into the skills that truly matter in today’s market. Cory shares his journey from the beer and wine industry into real estate, closing over $75 million as a solo agent, and developing a powerful negotiation framework in partnership with leadership coach Dr. Sam Bear. T...