Unlocking Real Estate: Colibri Real Estate Podcast

What does it actually take to get your first real estate commission in Arizona? In this episode of My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Arizona agent Dane Miller to break down his journey from getting licensed to generating real traction in today’s competitive market. Dane shares the real, unfiltered version of starting out — the doubts, the first deal pressure, and the strategies th...

From nearly two decades in construction to closing 15 transactions in his first year , Evan Russell shares what it really takes to break into real estate and build momentum fast—without the “salesy” stuff. In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission , Evan talks about: Why he pivoted careers (and what finally pushed him to go all-in) How he earned credibility as a brand-new agent...

What does it really take to win in your first year in real estate? In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission , host Tina Lapp sits down with Mike Paolucci (Columbus, Ohio)—a former hospital security officer and high school football coach who went all-in on real estate and closed ~23 transactions in his first year . Mike breaks down how he built momentum fast (including cold cal...

What does it look like to start real estate in the middle of major life change—and still have a breakout first year? In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Angela Vega, a Realtor serving Phoenix and Scottsdale with My Home Group. Angela shares how her path into real estate began through running a family business that supported individuals with...

What does it really take to break into real estate when you’re new to the area, switching careers, and navigating big life changes at the same time? In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Labbe sits down with Michelle Cheng, a RE/MAX Journey agent in Rutherford County, Western North Carolina, to talk about her leap from healthcare into real estate—and what helped...

Victoria Mackay went from teaching Latin and Ancient Greek in London to launching a real estate career in New York City—and she did it with intention, strategy, and a whole lot of resilience. In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission , Victoria shares how she made the leap to NYC, earned her license while still teaching overseas, and built credibility fast by joining the right...

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Dawsen Harbison, an Oklahoma REALTOR® with Capital Real Estate and Asset Management Group, to talk about what it really takes to win early in real estate. Dawsen shares how she transitioned from a decade in healthcare account management after major life changes—and why real estate became the path forward....

What does it really take to break into real estate, find your footing, and land your first deal — even when the market is competitive and every transaction matters? In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, we sit down with Conor Hix, REALTOR® with Cutler Real Estate serving Columbus & Grove City, Ohio. Conor shares how he navigated the early ups and downs of launching his...

What does it look like to enter real estate during a shifting market — while balancing work, family, and the pressure of securing your very first client? Meet Lauren Morelli, whose determination, positivity, and people-first mindset helped her break into the industry and build real momentum early on. In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, Lauren shares how she: Found her fo...

What do radio production and real estate have in common? According to John Hodorovych, everything. In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, John shares how he left a 13-year career in radio during the Great Resignation and rebuilt his professional life from the ground up as a Realtor® with Keller Williams Metropolitan in New Jersey. John walks us through: Why leaving corporat...

What does it look like to go from a sudden corporate layoff… to becoming one of the fastest-rising agents in Washington? Meet Tanya Palacios, a former recruiter and competitive bodybuilder who entered real estate after a major career shakeup — and went on to close 13 transactions in her first year and 20 in her second. She’s already a Rising Star Award winner and serves on the Associate Leadership...

Forest Lake–based agent Carson Erickson went from juggling bartending, city work, and coaching lacrosse to passing his exam on the first try and closing a wildly complex first deal. He breaks down how he built momentum fast with open houses, consistent social content (yes, “Waterfront Wednesdays” ice dips), and ruthless time-blocking—then leveled up to mentoring new agents. What you’ll learn: How...

What happens when a former property manager from England moves to the U.S., struggles through his early real estate days, and ultimately builds one of the top-producing global networks at eXp Realty? You get the incredible story of Barry Pulver — a journey fueled by resilience, timing, reinvention, and a whole lot of heart. In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Liam s...

In this episode of *Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission*, we dive into the story of Braden Lopez-Biggs—a real estate pro who took bold steps into the Arizona market and has built his business on authenticity, community, and grit. Braden shares: * How he found his niche and became the go-to in his region * The mindset, tools, and habits that helped him land his first deals and grow from ther...

How does a corporate finance professional reinvent herself to become a **multi-state Realtor®** closing over **$7 million in sales** across **Illinois, Indiana, and Georgia**? Meet **Yolanda Jeffries**, a 2025 **RISMedia Rookie of the Year finalist** whose leap from corporate life to real estate success proves it’s never too late to chase your purpose — and win big doing it. In this episode of *Un...

Lindsay Smith went from new agent to leading a 500‑agent Keller Williams market center doing $1.45B in volume—fast. In this episode, she breaks down the exact moves that built her business (and later her leadership style): saying yes to the right coffee, authentic follow-up that isn’t “just checking in,” turning local knowledge into conversion, and building a leadership team that complements your...

How does a master’s-prepared nurse become one of Arizona’s top-producing agents in just three years — while raising two young kids and balancing a firefighter husband’s 24-hour shifts? Meet Crystal Novak, a 2025 RISMedia Rookie of the Year finalist with 22 transactions and $22 million in volume under her belt — all while proving that you can build a thriving real estate business and stay present a...

How does a martial artist and former construction worker go from *fixing drywall* to managing *$11 million in real estate sales* in less than two years? In this episode of *Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission*, host **Tina Lapp** sits down with **Bryan Coco**, a 2025 **RISMedia Rookie of the Year finalist** from Long Island, New York. Bryan’s story is anything but typical — from his early d...

How does a former Winnebago sales executive pivot into real estate and close nearly 40 transactions in her first year ? 🚀 Meet Jennifer Mink , a small-town Nevada agent with a big entrepreneurial drive who proves it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission , Jen shares how she: Left corporate America to chase freedom and purpose Leverage...

How does a former nurse and stay-at-home mom go from zero experience to 10 transactions in her very first year—and become a finalist for the 2025 RISMedia Rookie of the Year award? Meet Julie Peteritas, a Berkshire Hathaway Realtor® from Lancaster, PA, whose inspiring leap into real estate shows what’s possible with hard work, creativity, and perseverance. In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate:...

What does it take to bounce back from five failed real estate exams, reinvent your career during the pandemic, and grow into a thriving Michigan agent? In this episode of *Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission*, we meet **Amber Boone**, a social media marketing pro turned full-time Realtor® with Thrive Realty in Troy, Michigan. Amber’s story is all about resilience, authenticity, and building...

How do you go from graduating college during COVID, working in mortgages, and feeling “too young” for real estate—to becoming one of the **Top 25 Rookies of the Year**? In this episode of *Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission*, we sit down with **Caroline Coladonato** of RE/MAX Ready in Pennsylvania. Caroline opens up about her journey from the mortgage world to real estate, how she built co...

What does it take to go from running a sewing business to building a thriving career in real estate? In this episode of *Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission*, we sit down with **Tayissa Gabreski**, a former artist and business owner who completely reinvented her career in her 40s—and quickly found success as a Keller Williams agent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Tayissa shares: * How she balan...

In this episode of My First Commission on the Unlocking Real Estate podcast by Colibri Real Estate, we talk to Christina Goodpaster, a Richmond-area REALTOR® and team lead at Providence Hill Real Estate. Drawing from her background in fashion and product development, Christina shares how she transformed her creative know-how and community connections into a thriving real estate career—closing deal...

In this episode of My First Commission on the Unlocking Real Estate podcast by Colibri Real Estate, we spotlight Heavenn Perez, a rising Realtor® with Century 21 Transcendent Realty in Medina, Ohio. Heavenn’s journey proves that discipline, mentorship, and persistence can turn a dream into a thriving career. After working full-time in manufacturing for seven years, she made the leap into real esta...