Empire Building

What if the one thing that changes everything... is you? This week, we’re joined by Dr. Elaine Stageberg, co-founder of Black Swan Real Estate. From growing up in poverty to training as a psychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic to building a $400 million real estate portfolio—while raising five young kids—Elaine is living proof that you don’t have to choose between big business and a big life. We dive int...

Ever find yourself avoiding a hard conversation—hoping the issue will just disappear? We’ve been there. And we’ve learned the hard way that silence doesn’t solve problems; it feeds them. In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most important (and uncomfortable) skills in leadership: having tough conversations. We are pulling back the curtain on the real work it takes to lean into hard tal...

Sometimes leadership advice doesn’t go far enough into the real-life dynamics we face—especially as female leaders building diverse teams. That’s why in today’s episode, we’re diving into a conversation you don’t hear often: how to lead, coach, and collaborate with the men in your empire. We are talking from experience—real stories, real lessons. From literal interpretation of instructions to the...

Growth can be messy—and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it might be the best indicator that you’re leveling up. In this episode, we’re talking about topgrading—what it means, how it shows up in your life, and why it’s such a powerful mindset shift for empire builders. We often hear the term “topgrading” in the context of people or talent, but today we’re expanding that definition. What if topgrad...

What’s your earliest memory of money? Was it joyful? Stressful? Scarce? Secure? For many of us, our childhood experiences with money still shape how we think, feel, and lead today. In this episode, Seychelle and Sarah open up about their personal money stories—and how those stories have influenced their financial habits, leadership styles, and sense of security. We dive into why every leader needs...

What if the biggest key to unlocking your potential isn’t out in the world—it’s already inside you? This week, we had the rare pleasure of flipping the script with Jason Abrams—host of the Millionaire Real Estate Agent Podcast, real estate titan, and someone we’ve admired for a long time. He’s usually the one asking the questions, but today, Jason let us in on his story, his wisdom, and the deeply...

Finding the right person to lead your business isn’t just about making the right hire—it’s about understanding the true value you offer and being bold enough to share it. In this very special first-of-its-kind episode, Tiffany invited Sarah to coach her live on the show about a challenge she’s been struggling with for five years: how to attract the right leadership to her team. You’ll hear us dig...

What if I told you your emotional intelligence could be your biggest sales superpower? In this episode, we’re diving into exactly that. Emotional intelligence—or EQ—isn’t just about understanding others. It’s about using that understanding to make more sales, build stronger relationships, and grow a bigger, more sustainable empire. We’re breaking down three key ways EQ shows up in sales: reading t...

What does it take to build a career that aligns with your strengths, supports your personal life, and fuels your passion? In this episode, we continue our conversation with Anna Krueger, diving into how she strategically designed a career that gives her both financial success and the freedom to live on her terms. After years of navigating personal challenges—including being a full-time caretaker f...

What happens when life takes an unexpected turn and forces you to reinvent yourself? Anna Krueger knows firsthand how to pivot, persevere, and turn life’s challenges into a career of impact. From starting as a high school teacher in Baltimore to unexpectedly landing in sales—a field she swore she’d never touch—Anna’s journey is proof that sometimes the best opportunities come from the most unlikel...

Picture this: You’ve built a successful business, and now you’re wondering, “What’s next?” How do you take what you’ve learned and scale it into a thriving empire? If that’s where you are, today’s episode is for you. We’re breaking down the 10 steps to building and scaling multiple businesses—the simple (but not easy) way. From understanding your strengths as a leader to creating systems that run...

Ever felt like your team is a little... chaotic? You're not alone. Most teams struggle with dysfunction in one way or another, but the good news is, there’s a fix. In this episode, we dive into The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and break down what’s holding your team back—and how to turn things around. From trust issues to lack of accountability, we’re tackling the most commo...

What if you could reclaim an entire day of your week? Today, we’re breaking down how to take back your time, cut out unnecessary tasks, and create space for what truly matters—both in business and life. We’re sharing a powerful time-audit exercise to uncover where your time really goes, plus practical strategies like setting meeting limits, color coding your calendar, and learning the magic of say...

What happens when you mix Texas grit, a hot pink brand, and a relentless drive to succeed? You get Ryan Major. In this episode of Empire Building, Wendy Papazan sits down with Ryan to dive into her journey from growing up on a horse farm in Fredericksburg to building a real estate empire in Lindale, Texas. Ryan’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. She shares how the lessons she learned fr...

Growth isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a core value for us. But what happens when the growth stops? When you hit a plateau, when the numbers stall, when you start to wonder if you’re still the right leader for the job? We’ve been there. And we know how discouraging it can be. In today’s episode, we dive into the realities of stagnation and what to do when it feels like your empire isn’t growing. We...

Let’s talk about the money messages women are getting—and why they might be holding us back. In this episode, we dig into the unconscious gender biases baked into financial advice. From AI-generated suggestions to the ways society raises boys and girls differently, it’s clear that women are often encouraged to play it safe while men are told to take risks, invest boldly, and build empires. We beli...

Hearing “no” can feel discouraging, but as empire builders, we know it’s just part of the process. In this episode, we’re diving into how to reframe rejection, embrace the “not yet,” and turn it into an opportunity. Whether you’re building a business, scaling a team, or growing your impact, learning how to handle a “not yet” with confidence is a game-changer. We share how to shift your mindset, ce...

Are you thinking about buying a business but not sure where to start? In today’s episode, we’re joined by Bekki Lowrance, an expert business owner and buyer who has successfully transitioned from real estate to buying and scaling multiple businesses. Bekki shares the story of her journey—how she went from taking anything that came her way in real estate to becoming highly selective in her business...

Starting a business with friends and family—what could go wrong? Well, as it turns out, there are a lot of lessons to learn along the way. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the unique challenges and rewards of building a business with those you’re closest to. Since 2019, we’ve been lucky enough to work alongside some of our best friends on ventures like starting our company, Her Best Life, and...

Are you ready to turn your vision into action? Here's the deal: The second Friday in January is Quitter's Day—the day most people abandon their New Year's resolutions. Less than two weeks into the year, those big goals and optimistic plans often fall apart. Why does this happen? It's simple: people set the goal but skip the steps. Without executable strategies, even the best intent...

We all have to exit our businesses at some point. It’s good to know what options you have early on so you can feel confident that all your hard work will pay off when the time comes. In today’s episode, we discuss the five ways you can exit your owner-operator business: sell (or gift), referral, affiliate, train your replacement, or partnership. If you’ve been feeling burned out, looking to retire...

When you’re an Empire Builder, you tend to watch TV a little differently. In this episode, we discuss what leadership lessons we’ve noticed in the TV show “Ted Lasso.” We identify seven of them and break them down for you. From the “Believe” sign to “Be a goldfish,” join us on our deep dive into one of our favorite TV series. Resources: Learn more about Her Best Life Connect on Instagram: Seychell...

When Tiffany introduced herself on stage at the 2020 Mega Agent Camp, she described herself as “financially free.” That caught the attention of many folks, and rightfully so. What does it mean to be financially free? That’s what we get into in today’s episode. We discuss the difference between financial freedom and financial independence. We swap stories about how we were raised to understand mone...

Almost every business faces the same challenge: How do you convert live leads into successful sales? In real estate, we call these kinds of leads "sign calls." They're when someone calls you out of the blue to ask you a question about something you're selling. If you're prepared for these conversations, they can be absolute gold. We break down everything you need to know into t...

Feeling stuck about your gift-giving this year? In this episode, we give you specific gift ideas so you can sprint through that part of your to-do list without a sweat. Plus, we share tips on doubling up on marketing and gifts and on leveraging your credit card points. Big or small, affordable or pricier, for loved ones or colleagues, we’ve got you covered! Be sure to check the show notes for link...