More Than A Sign: Recent Episodes
Falk Ruvin Gallagher Real Estate
Welcome to more than a sign where we talk to some of Milwaukee's most productive Realtors up and coming realtors and those that work alongside us. However, rather than being a platform for shameful self promotion, these are intimate discussions about the journey, the struggle, the fear, and ultimately, the personal growth along the way. At the end of the day, nobody really cares about what we do. All that anybody really cares about is who we are.
Our production is inextricably linked to how we handle the most simple questions that we are asked.
In this episode, Rick’s son, Nate, who is a music producer that produces our show, reminisces on four lessons he learned during the recording of the podcast thus far.
There will be winners and losers in this new environment. Exactly who might surprise you.
In today’s show we discuss what you’ll want to ask a team leader before you join a team.
This industry continues to become a “we” business and not a “me” business. Today we discuss the importance of delegation.
Today we discuss our message to clients. You don’t want to be that agent that is always shouting, “today is a great day to buy.” It’s rather disingenuous.
This week we take a contrarian look at one of the data points we use to measure ourselves.
Most people choose goals around how many homes they want to sell or the total dollar amount they want to sell. In my opinion, those are the wrong goals. This week’s episode looks at how to set goals.
Are you aware of the four letter word holding you back. This episode includes language not appropriate for clients.
If you want to be more successful in the business, love it. Today we discuss 10 things to love about our industry.
Generating serious business is certainly within your reach. Today we discuss the traits that some of my favorite local rainmakers possess.
Luck plays a role in our success. Today I touch on how luck plays a roll in choosing a partner, building a team and developing a robust client base.
Sometimes we are presented with opportunities that will change our lives. It’s important to take advantage of the moment.
We are armed with technology unthinkable even 10 years ago. Our team harnesses much of that. However, I was shocked when I stopped and studied where my business comes from and why.
We should have been at 1/3 of our annual goal March 31st and we will need to be at 2/3 of our goal by June 30th. This episode features the activities to focus on if you are falling short.
Why are some people killing it? Because they possess seven key traits and because they focus on their promise, voice and visibility. We will dig into all of these.
I love this business. If I couldn’t make ends meet, here is what I would do before I moved on.
Let’s face it. This career is a roller coaster. Today we explore the importance of how we speak to yourself.
If you haven’t failed, you haven’t tried hard enough. If you aren’t using that failure to learn and grow stronger, what is the point? Today we discuss the power of bouncing back from your failures and utilizing what you learned from them.
Surprisingly you can overcome a lot of shortcomings and still be successful. There’s only one thing you cannot be.
There are countless resources to learn what you need to DO to be a Realtor but not enough regarding what to BE. This week’s episode focuses on what we need to BE.
In this instalment of More Than A Sign, Richard Ruvin walks his through his compelling story, and how to apply lessons from his journey into yours.
Rick is joined in this episode by Maureen Stallé, a successful realtor who took a major risk by leaving a profitable firm to create her own, which she expanded to $35 million in sales. With the aid of friends and family, she established a thriving real estate company. Their family is close-knit and supportive of one another, both professionally and personally.
Maureen believes that sharing one's vision is key to having a supportive network. She urges people to create a clear, attainable vision for their lives to focus their efforts and better achieve goals. Maureen has always been driven and hardworking, but it wasn't until she joined Keller Williams that she learned how to segment her life into different categories and set realistic goals for each one.
Tune in to understand the necessity of sharing your vision with others to garner their support in realizing it, as well as how people matter more than places. Learn why you should surround yourself with individuals who will help you achieve your vision and how Maureen built a successful business by helping others in realizing their own life aspirations.
Episode Highlights
10:23 - Today, we call it transaction management where she literally tracks everything from accepted offer to close. You don't need to leave your house. Phone, computer, don't need to leave your house. She was like, "Sure, I'll do that." So, she and I grew a business from $8 million to roughly $35 million.
15:33 - We create the relationships with the agents. We attract the agents. We help train up new agents, experienced agents of all different levels. There's different levels of coaching and training that are available. That, to me, was what I was looking for. I thought, "Okay, it's not just waking up and selling another house tomorrow. It's actually making a difference in people's lives." This is amazing.
25:15 - No one ever taught me how to create a vision for my life and then a business that can support that vision. That concept would have helped me prioritize better.
Contact
Falk Ruvin Gallagher
Stallé Realty Group
In this episode Rick is joined by Taylor Moore. Taylor was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is an alumni of Marquette University High School and attended The University of South Dakota on a Division-1 football scholarship. Taylor has been involved in consultative sales since 2015 and transitioned from medical device sales to real estate. As a proud member of the Jennifer Landro Real Estate Team, Taylor will bring a competitive, consultative approach to help you with your real estate needs.
Taylor talks with Rick about his professional background in real estate. He really believes that real estate is all about developing relationships, and expanding networks. He also talks about how important it is to educate yourself in real estate and to get involved with different real estate investing groups. Tune in to this episode and learn more about our guest!
Episode Highlights:
03:16 - I really believe that real estate is all about, like you said, starting to develop relationships, expanding your network. And then with that you have the opportunity to help more people.
08:01 - I always knew that, if that was something that I can envision for myself, that I was worthy of that as well.
17:32 - It's such a transformational process to help folks get to the place that they want to be. But it was a transition for me, but I also had an opportunity, to rely on my medical device background, which was extremely helpful.
20:45 - Genuinely getting to make sure that I develop a relationship with people, and that I seek to know how they're doing that. I understand what's going on in their lives and just keep in touch.
35:02 - Helping folks get with a lender, that will help educate them, if we need to build credit, if we need to build savings, all of those different things. It is so important.
Contact
Falk Ruvin Gallagher
Taylor Moore
Rick is joined by Sarah and Tim Riordan who are a husband and wife real estate team that knows how to work together. They have found the perfect balancing of work and family time. They complement each other's skills to help their clients find their dream home. Together, they set out to accomplish ten million sales and approximately 25 homes being sold this year.
Learn more about the powerful team of two as they share their journey of how they got started knowing each other and then being able to help hundreds of people buy or sell a home. Find out how the two prove that real estate is more than just a business - it's about helping people achieve their dreams!
Highlights
01:56 We became pretty good friends and sophomore year, we started dating.
06:51 I took every transaction as a relationship. I was very fortunate, I still am, that I really always work with some sort of friend, mutual friend. We always have some sort of very strong existing relationship prior to the transaction.
10:59 I went to school for sales. I have a lot of sales classes and she never took a sales class but I think that’s why she’s so good at real estate. She doesn’t know how to sell but she knows how to educate people. She knows how to inform people and make sure they know their risks.
22:24 He knows all of my clients and it just kind of like clicked at one point where we were like, “You should be writing my offers, you should be doing all of this like backend work while I am out client-facing or vice versa.”
31:54 Nobody starts it with impeccable systems and procedures. You have to figure them out and they have to be, there’s no one size fits all. You grow into that measure as your business grows.
Contact
Falk Ruvin Gallagher
Sarah Riordan
Tim Riordan
Delegation is the key to successful management, and that's especially true in the real estate industry. As Managing Broker/Owner of Firefly Real Estate, Katie Sprague knows firsthand how important it is to delegate tasks and give her agents the freedom to work independently, by trusting her team and empowering them to make decisions. Katie has been able to build a successful business that provides excellent service to clients. At the same time, she remains involved in the day-to-day operations and is always available to provide support and guidance when needed. This hands-off approach has allowed Katie to focus on growth and expansion, and she is confident that her business will continue to thrive for years to come. Tune in to this episode and hear more stories from Katie such as her family background, business journey and much more. 10:04 - The three of us work really hard to be ourselves and reap the talents or areas that we each excel individually to be as strong of a managing team that we can be for our agents. 18:57 - I think delegation is so key in the balance discussion of trying to delegate tasks for us to be able to be present and be our best selves. And as I said before, live our best life because you just don't know how many more days you get. 25:26 - You might have 10 transactions going at once, but your client has one, and recognizing that you are the North Star in that one very major thing in their life should just make real estate agents feel very proud of what they do. 29:57 - The mentorship and collaboration that we see between the agents that we've hired over the years, and how we support each other, pull each other through hard times, have each other's back, you know, share our successes and our challenges. You know, that honest, business practice of wanting to help each other and build each other up is something that is so special. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://fireflyrealestate.net/team/katie-sprague/ (Katie Sprague)
There are many things to consider when entering the real estate market. One of the most important is finding your purpose in the industry. What do you want to accomplish? What are your goals? Rick Ruvin is joined by Charlie Hutchinson, a real estate veteran who leads a team of sales agents with Houseworks Collective. Charlie also shares his experience on how to know yourself, understand the market, and commit to excellence. If you're looking to enter or further develop your career in real estate, listen to learn more about Charlie and how his positive vibes and passion for work create successfully outcomes. Highlights: 02:07 - Realizing how much time and effort it takes to build something and the stress that it can bring. 03:28 - I remember getting into the shower one day thinking, I guess I'm gonna go try to be a professional volleyball player. 03:36 - In my head as a kid you don't know what options are out there, right? School does not prepare you for the millions of different jobs that are out there. 08:44 - At that point in my life, I was 24 and I didn't have a job before then that made me uncomfortable, right? And calling people that were in higher positions than I was and not having too much of a backbone. 11:58 - I had no prior knowledge, which is a beautiful right, to have no knowledge and to jump in the market and just be like, okay, I guess I'm supposed to sell homes now not knowing that the market wasn't great. It was the perfect time for me. Contact Falk Ruvin Gallagher Charlie Hutchinson Linkedin
There is no one path to real estate success. Rick is joined by Amanda Schroder who has taken a winding road to get where she is today. After years of being in different customer-facing jobs, she has learned the ropes of how to manage people and grow businesses. She brings this wealth of experience with her when she works with clients and her team today. Over the last year in 2021, Amanda and her team of two others sold 123 homes which is absolutely amazing. In this episode, learn more about Amanda's journey to becoming a real estate professional. Highlights 01:45 I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. So it was kind of inevitable. But I was probably about seven or eight. And I was a very creative kid and liked making things so I made jewelry and other things out of beads. And I started a company called Better Beads. 07:07 But every time I had a job, I got kind of stuck. I got bored. I wanted to do something more. I tried asking for more responsibilities or different positions, and I just couldn't get anywhere. 19:23 That year 2020, everybody knows was COVID. So we had a pause at the beginning of the year, but then it very quickly picked up. And we had 75 sales that year. So it's obvious that that was some help that I needed to make sure we're taking great care of people. 24:57 I had so much fun meeting new agents and having those conversations about them, their perspective on things. It also keeps me sharp, because if I'm teaching these things, I better be following them too. 29:52 We've built a structure where everybody gets that time off and can take vacations and be covered while they're gone. So that's made a huge difference. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-schroder-55935816 (Amanda Schroder)
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin welcomes Justin Ippoliti. Justin Ippoliti is a Shorewest agent, he has a team of 3 and sold 150 homes last year. He has sold in excess of a billion dollars throughout his entire career. Justin shares how he chose to start his journey in the real estate industry over a career in law. He also shares some tips on how to make more sales. In the latter part of the conversation, he talks about how prioritizing helps your mental health. Tune in to this episode and learn more about Justin Ippoliti. Highlights: 03:00 Actually I wanted to go into sports broadcasting to the point where I have an undergrad degree in broadcasting. 10:24 I was forced just to learn an incredible amount of patience and understanding and empathy and I need all that. 13:21 I started looking for supplemental opportunities and I was interested in real estate right away. 16:50 Real estate is so different. You know, people want to buy houses, people want to do this and you're kind of just guiding them to something that they want to do. And it was honestly, the easiest and most enjoyable sales. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-ippoliti-06176412/ (Justin Ippoliti)
Real estate can be a very lucrative career, but it takes more than just an understanding of the market to be successful. For many agents, having a law degree can give them the edge they need to close complex deals and navigate the legal system. This was certainly the case for Betsy and Lindsay, who work as successful real estate agents with law degrees. In this episode, they share their stories of how they got started in the business, their childhood and family background, and how their legal knowledge has helped them succeed. It's an inspiring story of how determination and hard work can pay off, no matter what field you're in. Episode Highlights: 03:23 - I grew up with a very entrepreneurial dad. And I definitely caught that entrepreneurial spirit. 04:30 - That was always my dream and my dream job and I think somewhere along the way, someone said that was a prestigious job. That was a good job and that's kind of what I went for in college and made it happen. 12:50 - I think the biggest skill for us two, is being able to explain it in plain English or like this is what this means and this is how it affects you, or like, here are the potential consequences and to be able to clearly communicate that to your clients. 20:52 - We were working with consumers, it's a lot of money, it needs to be fair, it needs to be honest and clear for them. But it's a highly regulated industry. So I think having that understanding as a lawyer helps as well. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) Betsy Williamson https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-williamson-aab2274b?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BoH1YWj3pSmqKD7lyoNVkGA%3D%3D (LinkedIn) Lindasy Fathallah https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-fathallah-51aab64a?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bcqpu3eMTSU%2BOH9lsp%2Bqr9Q%3D%3D (LinkedIn)
Most of us know that success doesn't come easily. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and, most importantly, positivity. Rick Ruvin is joined by John Molitor, who has been in the real estate industry for about 13 years. They talk about how John exudes positive energy and uses his expertise to ensure that his clients have a great and joyful experience. John also shares how he loves helping people and also with every aspect of real estate. Listen to learn more about John and how his positive vibes and passion for work create successful outcomes. Highlights 02:00 I don’t have too much to be sad about, I have a great wife, great family, and great parents and I have fun in what I do. This job is made for me. 08:45 Just helping people, that’s kind of kept me going and it’s fun, I get to drive all around the town. 10:23 I started doing sales about eight years ago, eight years of that running and going wild. 19:14 It’s so important that we don’t dwell on the setbacks. We don't dwell on the problems. It’s the problems and the way we address ‘em that’s resulting in repeat business. 22:11 We always say to people, “We’re not looking to sell your house, we’re looking to find your house.” Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) John Molitor https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=john%20molitor&origin=RICH_QUERY_SUGGESTION&position=0&searchId=d7cdcc44-9c8f-4275-a393-49c3a4c1eab5&sid=Zk%2C (LinkedIn)
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin interviewed Lisa Ashley. Lisa has been in the real estate business for about 12 years. Before she pursued her career in real estate she started off as a single mom with a huge dream to succeed. Being a single mother who is raising a child, providing the child’s everyday needs is tough so she managed to run a child care center to make money and later found success pursuing a career in real estate. Lisa shares her experiences and why she decided to enter the real estate industry. Tune in to this episode and hear more about Lisa and her road to success. Highlights: 03:00 I didn't grow up with the concept of, when you need money, you go ask your parents for something, because you want to buy something. 05:14 I had my daughter when I was 18 so that changed that plan for life. 06:15 Sometimes those things that at the time, we may feel as a trial or something like that really makes us stronger. 16:32 It was easy for me to answer the phone all day and work on the weekends and I was just willing to do whatever it took to end up being a successful agent. 20:10 I think the real estate business does more than just real estate.I think that in a small way, we impact other people's lives. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.lisaashleyhomes.com/ (Lisa Ashley Homes)
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin welcomes Jonathan Newby. Jonathan has been in the real estate business for 8 years. Through that 8 year period he’s developed a reputation of putting his client’s needs before his own. He prides himself on navigating the client’s emotional home buying and home selling journey, with comfort and ease. Jonathan knows neighborhoods. Whether it’s where to dine, get drinks, or the perfect place to take a walk, Jonathan prides himself on knowing the ins and outs and the hidden gems of the neighborhoods where his clients live and invest. Jonathan shares his background on nightclubs and why he decided to do a nightclub business. He also shares his journey in the industry. Tune in to this episode and hear more about Jonathan Newby. Highlights: 04:42 - Loneliness is like something that really hits me in the heart, the idea of someone being lonely, the idea of someone not having a circle to rely on or for accountability or for just anything is really tough. 11:10 - I just took that customer service standpoint, from the nightlife profession, and tried to just push it over to real estate. 20:02 - I don't take anything for granted. It's all about life. I'm very fortunate to be in the position that I'm in. I think I do work hard. But there are people who work a lot harder than I do. 35:36 - I learned later on in life. When I catch myself, people down south speak with analogies, and my father was big on that and I've always done so but I think that I'm using his analogies now. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-newby-b8768173/ (Jonathan Newby)
On this episode, Josh Ruvin interviewed his father Rick Ruvin. Rick is the lead partner of the Falk Ruvin Gallagher Team of Keller Williams Realty. Rick truly understands all facets of residential real estate. Clients place great value in his 25-year architectural, construction and development background. No other agent brings this wealth of expertise to the process. Sellers know he is able to cast their home in the best possible light. Buyers seek his counsel as he is adept at seeing untapped potential and exceptional opportunities. Rick has been a Realtor since 1996. Rick is passionate about helping others. As a result, Richard has been a camp counselor at many different camps for children with special needs—including a camp for children with cancer and another for children with severe burns. Tune in to this episode and hear more stories from Rick Ruvin. Highlights 02:16 - So I've learned that nobody's had it easy. I mean, it's really tough for everybody. Some people had careers before that didn't go the way they planned. Most other people have had major setbacks along the way. But failure is part of success. 07:08 - The only reason to build a team is because you derive your self esteem and your happiness from the success of others. I think a lot of people start teams because they want to make more money, or they want to have their signs all over town or whatever. But it ends up being like a high turnover business that way, and people aren't happy and you're not making money. And I think if you really are in it, to help others succeed, I really truly believe that everybody on our team does better, is happier, makes more than they would anywhere else and to me that's the greatest reward. 16:52 - I think I have more expertise than the typical agent, having been a contractor for all these years, owning an architectural firm, getting involved in the development of all different types of properties. Being a flipper, being an investor in properties, and then finally becoming a realtor. 29:58 - Number one, be yourself. The number one thing you know, it's the question I always asked you, what would I change about you? Nothing. What do I love about you? Everything. So you be yourself. People like to do business with genuine people. And don't try to be someone else. Contacts: https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher)
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin welcomes Scott Campbell. Scott has 40 years of experience in the industry. He has sold in excess of a billion dollars throughout his entire career. Scott shares why he has an outgoing personality and how he started his journey in the industry. He also shares some tips on how to give an awesome customer experience. In the latter part of the conversation, he shares why having a pet is important for your personal health. Tune in to this episode and learn more about Scott Campbell. Highlights 02:23 - Having that personality, I think it comes through in my upbringing and my parents. My mom is really outgoing and I saw what she did and I always liked it and people loved her. 07:46 - I think part of my career accelerated. I`m so social by one-on-one contact and that to me is, I think, so much better than social media. 12:45 - Our job is not done once we close and collect their check. We still try to help. That made a big difference with these people. 19:04 - There's so many people in our industry that have these really super egos, and they're not really all that successful. You know what I mean? I mean, they make a good living, but they don't make a big living like we do. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcampbellteam/ (Scott Campbell)
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin welcomes Peter Stefaniak. Peter has been a local real estate broker since 1985. He founded The Stefaniak Group in 2000. The business is family owned and operated. Hes providing excellent service and the ability to make business decisions on each individual transaction to best fit the customer’s needs.
Peter shares where he grew up, his professional background and how he started his company. Peter also shares inspiring advice for young professionals who are just starting out in real estate. Tune in to this episode to hear more about Peter as he shares actionable tips that will lead you to success.
Highlights
02:35 - I don't think we own professionalism. We don't own success. I think they're both rented and I just feel that the rent is due every day.
09:19 - I truly believe that you can't teach motivation, you can't teach people afterwards. If they don't have fire in the belly, they're probably just not going to make it in the competitive sales world.
16:13 - I still foresee myself running, working out, competing, staying physically fit. That's just my lifestyle, just my way of life. So, yeah, bottom line, I'm going to work till Im 80.
31:14 - For those young agents, you have to be persistent. There's a fine line between pushy and persistence. I'll be honest, I never found that line. They've got to control their business and don't let the business control them.
Contact
https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stefaniak-427b7a8/ (Peter Stefania)k
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin welcomes Judy Huebner, a top producer at Realty Executives in 2013, #1 selling agent at Realty Executives in 2012, award winner year after year, even during a down market. Bringing integrity, expertise and exceptional negotiating skills to all of her clients, she also has sales and entrepreneurial experience for more than 30 years Judy shares where she grew up and her childhood memories. In the latter part of the episode Judy talks about her expertise and how she became so successful in her career. Tune in to this episode and hear more interesting stories from Judy. Highlights: 04:55 - I found out very soon that I was not going to be able to flip them, the market had really tanked, so I unfortunately became a landlord instead. And it was a nice cash flow for many years. 12:57 - I would get all these leads by emails or phone calls. Zillow has changed a lot through the years and it continues to change. But it was overwhelming. 18:00 - Teams I think are really, really important. I think it's very hard for a solo agent. I've met with agents that had no support. When I first came on board, I remember I was doing all this work. And I thought, what am I going to do when it starts happening? 24:17 - You don't act like we are competitors. You are recruiting friends, whoever is on the other side, that's where you are, you’re gaining friends. I think it's just awesome. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyhuebner/ (Judy Huebner)
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin invites to the show Mark Henry, owner of Integrated Home Inspections. He`s a business development leader with a consistent history of success in fast-paced, service-oriented businesses. He’s worn many different hats: developed an in-house marketing and sales materials program, created and maintained an operations and compliance manual for a new broker dealer, and building and selling new home construction and remodels. Mark shares about his educational background and his industry experience. In the latter part of the conversation Mark talks about how he got into home inspection. Tune in to this episode and hear more interesting stories from Mark Henry. Highlight 08:55 – You tend to overdo it, you know, and even specs, I was always kind of an idealist, when it came to that, like, I would want to build a spec the way I want to live in it. And that's the way we approached it. 13:10 - Well, you did what you had to do. I had three kids, and I still had some custom work coming in. With the models, that did generate some business. I had to cut everybody immediately. 17:49 - I mean, if you do the math, you're 110 hours a week, 110 plus, and I had that going for a couple years, almost straight until I'd say about March last year. It started with dropping inspections and I think that hit kind of right away. 30:22 - I want them to know that I am not perfect, but I'm always trying to learn and get better. I'd love to be able to even meet with those contractors that come out and learn more. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-henry-430a7034/ (Mark Henry)
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin welcomes Pedro Hardy, an active Real Estate Agent in Milwaukee, WI with the brokerage Hardy Realty. Pedro represents single family homes around $187K. He is a very effective listing agent selling homes in Wisconsin. Pedro shares his tough childhood memories from the inner city of Milwaukee and talks about how he managed to become a successful realtor today. He also reveals issues he’s faced regarding racism and how he overcame those challenges. Tune in to this episode and hear more inspiring stories from Pedro Hardy. Highlight: 10:06 - The world is not fair and you could cry about it, or you could do something about it. And my uncle, coach Matthew, Scott West, they kind of said it, but coach Miller was the first one to like, enforce it. And he never gave me any slack. 17:47 - I saw my challenge of my own spear. And I saw where I wanted to become. And now I made the 36-touch work for both sides. And how I did that was okay, who do I want to become? I am hanging around those people, right. Hanging around those types of people, but I'm not going to neglect my spear, because my spear is going to help promote who I am. 21:28 - When someone of color speaks of color, people check if they don't want to hear it. Here's another crazy person talking about how the world is unfair or here's another person making an excuse why they don't have this because they're black or white, or you can, whatever the case is. 33:18 - I remember as a staffing account manager, going to people's accounts, companies in Hartland, Hartford, where he said, don't bring no monkeys here and I'm like what did you just tell me in a professional setting, not to bring any monkeys here? Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://thehardyteam.kw.com/about-me (Pedro Hardy)
On this podcast, host Rick Ruvin invites Milwaukee realtors to have intimate discussions about the journey, the struggle, the fear, and ultimately the personal growth along the way. Today's guest is Katie Falk, Partner at Falk, Ruvin, Gallagher team. She has been in the industry for an amazing 45 years and has sold well over a thousand homes. Katie Falk, a realtor, a golfer, a mother of four – and much more! Discouraged by her family to pursue a career in golf, she took a different approach to raise her children. She talks about what she has learned over the years, and she gives some good tips on how to succeed and excel in everything you do. It is like the game of golf. You lose more than you win, you have no one to blame but yourself if you lose, and the only way you are going to succeed is not how many times you are pushed down, it is how many times you get back up and keep walking. Highlights: 02:26 – When I was little, I wanted to be a missionary. 04:02 – It is very good to get nervous because you get the juices rolling; you’re at the higher point of anticipation, awareness, and focus. 07:47 – It was not a planned venture. I had a wonderful cousin who was selling real estate. 13:44 – You have to learn to be flexible and pliable. When one avenue doesn’t work, you have to take another. 15:10 – If you want to be a good, competitive player, you have to practice and take lessons, and you have to practice hard. 22:08 – More tips on how to succeed in this business. Contact https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://katie.thefrgteam.com/ (Katie Falk)
Today's guest is Deon Price. Deon is an agent with Acts Housing. Over the last five years, Deon has helped more than a hundred clients purchase a home. Deon talks about his journey in the real estate industry, he also shares his client’s stories and how grateful they are. Highlights 05:34 – I would say, if there's one thing I could remember about me and my siblings is that we were always the underdogs, no one thought that we would succeed. 06:28 – My relationship with Jesus Christ first of all, I would say that first and foremost but I was thinking about this on the way here, is that we are all products of someone praying for us. 08:13 – What helps adjust your attitude is that you find yourself in a lot of situations where you come out shaking up and wondering how I got this situation alive. 14:11 – I always encourage people, especially first-time buyers, to go to the neighborhood morning, noon, and night to see what the neighborhood looks like. 14:30 – Look at this as not your forever home, life is like a ladder, your first house is the step to your next house, because what`s going to happen over the years is that your needs are going to change. Contacts: https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://actshousing.org/about/team/deon-price-acts-housing-realtor/ (Deon Price)
Host Rick Ruvin invites Milwaukee realtors to have intimate discussions about the journey, the struggle, the fear, and ultimately the personal growth along the way. Today's guest is Sarah Oberbrunner. Sarah has 17 years of experience in the Real Estate industry, she has learned that educating customers about buying and selling processes and supporting them is the key to helping them accomplish their goals. Sarah talks about the 1st quarter of her real estate career and where she is currently at. She also shares her childhood experiences about serving and helping less fortunate kids. Tune in to this episode and hear more stories about Sarah Oberbrunner. Highlights 04:44 – Growing up we didn’t have a lot financially it was a very humble beginning but what I can say is that I had two loving parents who taught me a lot of important lessons that I don’t think money can buy. 09:24 – The one thing he said to me was if you look back 5 years from now would you regret not saying yes to an opportunity if it came to you. 12:30 – You would just have to really try to get them on the phone and start a conversation to lead to a home purchase so it’s a lot of cold calling. 16:03 – If there was an opportunity that came up for me to do something, if it didn’t make me money, I wouldn’t do it. So it was hard for me to say yes to go out to eat, go on a vacation, go out to a movie, because I just wanted to work. 19:13 – I think that we live life forward but we understand it backward so for me I understand why it all happened and it feels better now. Contacts: https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://sarahoberbrunner.com/ (Sarah Oberbrunner)
On this podcast, host Rick Ruvin invites Milwaukee realtors to have intimate discussions about the journey, the struggle, the fear, and ultimately the personal growth along the way. Today's guest is Paul Handle. Paul is a licensed broker with over 20 years experience as a real estate investor in Southeastern Wisconsin. Paul’s hands-on knowledge of construction and renovation, and his deep transactional experience throughout the region, makes him uniquely qualified to provide a high level of service to our valued clients.
In this episode, Paul talks about his experiences in real estate and how he handles prospect buyers and sellers. He also shares his personal background and how he became a successful realtor. Tune in to this episode and hear more stories about success from Paul Handle.
Highlight
02:51 – In my mind it has to be this way. We are ultimately here to work together to make this happen for our clients, whether the buyer or the seller, I mean everyone is moving towards the same goal.
07:56 – I got into real estate young. It was 1992 when I got my real estate license and I started working and I wanted to go to the best place.
13:43 – The failure piece of it is complicated. Im a very pragmatic person and Im very resilient. I was able to see it for what it was. I was very lucky to meet with some gentlemen who were older than myself in business.
18:08 – The thread that you`re talking about, people who have had challenges is being a little more interesting, you can tell who they are, you can talk to someone for just a moment to understand who they are.
Contacts:
https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher)
https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/associate/180-a-83348-98533705/paul-handle (Paul Handle)
On this podcast, host Rick Ruvin invites Milwaukee realtors to have intimate discussions about the journey, the struggle, the fear, and ultimately the personal growth along the way. Today's guest is Shar Borg. Shar has a team of nine people. Her clients range from $40,000 to $4 million homes, and everybody is treated like a VIP. Shar talks about how her faith and God’s grace made her be the person she is. As a wife, a former WISN 12 News reporter, and a working mom of four, Shar knows that real estate is not just about business. It is never just about the house. It is about family. It is about community. And it is about serving people who are making the transition. Highlights: 03:45 – My life was sort of based around the news. And I thought, when I grow up, I’m going to do that. 09:27 – I was a reporter, I loved my job and I was really good at it. But then we started our family. 11:12 – I’ll never forget the day that I got the actual job offer to go back to TV. I told my husband that we should take our daughter to the children’s hospital just to make sure. At that point, life changed forever. 15:32 – I feel like I became such a great agent in those hard times because necessity is the mother of invention, as is said. 19:00 – Back in 2014, I prayed. I really wanted to work with the Bucks – to make Milwaukee their home. 22:58 – People think that things are just sort of handed to you. But anybody who has accomplished anything knows that nothing is just handed to you. 35:52 – Final tip - Know why you’ve gotten to this business. It is never just about the house. If you are not thinking about what is happening in the lives of people you have a privilege to serve, you are definitely in the wrong business. Contacts: https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.compass.com/agents/shar-borg/ (Shar Borg)
On this podcast, host Rick Ruvin invites Milwaukee realtors and people aligned to their business to have intimate discussions about the journey, the struggle, the fear, and ultimately the personal growth along the way. Today's guest is Jodi Kurtz of Alme Design Co., the leading Home Staging and Design Company in Wisconsin. Jodi talks about her path from a small farming community in North Dakota to a successful businesswoman, a wife, a mom and a friend. Today she considers herself extremely lucky. She loves teaching and woodworking and enjoys spending time with her children. According to her, it is a lot of hard work, but you just have to put in the time and keep working. You learn from every mistake, and if you want something badly enough, and you work towards it, you can achieve it. Highlights: 04:50 – It was very stifling for me, and I knew that I needed to be in a bigger community that was more accepting of who I was. 07:08 – I was hit by a drunk driver, and that was for me one of those pivotal moments to stop and look back and reevaluate. 09:51 – Carrie and I met over 20 years ago when I was a volunteer trainer. 11:30 – From the very beginning, that has been such a big focus for us to be able to spend time with the kids and have that work-life balance. 18:45 – I am a very hands-on parent. I love being able to experience the world through my kids' eyes. 21:14 – On top of our staging, we also do interior design for clients. 27:10 – I love seeing what the challenge will be, and figuring out new ways to grow business. We’re constantly thinking of new ideas, new businesses to start. Contacts: https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://almedesignco.com/ (Alme Design Co). https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-kurtz-96760b15 (Jodi Kurtz )
On this podcast, host Rick Ruvin invites Milwaukee realtors to have intimate discussions about the journey, the struggle, the fear, and ultimately the personal growth along the way. Today's guest is Molly Gallagher. Partner at Falk Ruvin Gallagher real estate team, Molly has been in the industry for more than half a dozen years. In this episode, Molly talks about her journey and how she ended up being so positive and gracious. Molly had an unusually challenging childhood. Her father was an alcoholic, her mom died of cancer when she was 17. Together with her brother Patrick and overseen by their aunt and uncles, she managed to keep their family together. Molly is a business person who always has time for people on their team, customers, and whatever anybody needs. Highlights: 03:10 – On the outside, I grew up in Shorewood, Wisconsin. I’m the oldest of five kids. 06:38 – About a week into school I got the notice that my tuition hadn’t been paid. So I got three jobs. 09:40 – I always pictured how my life is going to be later, and I think I just kept on the path. 12:56 – The more fun you have, the more fun you’ll have 15:20 - I always want people to feel better after they’ve been with me, not worse. 18:25 – I have four kids, my husband has four kids, so together we have eight. 21:11 – I love when people come together and kind of gather. There is an intimacy that comes in letting down when you’re snacking and together, and I think that I always want to try to create that, subconsciously. Contacts: https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://molly.thefrgteam.com/ (Molly Gallagher)
On this podcast, Rick Ruvin interviews his friend, Chris Corley. Chris is a real estate broker and founder of Corley Real Estate. In 2021, Chris sold an excessive $18M with his properties as an independent agent with some support around him. They talk about Chris’ background, transitioning from retail to real estate, treating people, working with BreakWater, what his team looks like, his relationship with his dog, and much more. Chris talks about migrating from Canada to the US, working in retail, his mentor and father figure, unexpected ventures in real estate, losing someone special, and the love of his life. Highlights: 09:14 I figured if my reputation and history in retail, if something fails, I can always come back to it. I can go work anywhere in the retail aspect so I decided to take a chance. 12:02 He’s one of those people that just doesn't have a filter. He’ll tell you exactly what he thinks. 14:27 I think it’s the little things I learned through being in retail, sales and a good manager. Be a good listener, honesty is your best policy, whether it’s good news or bad news, just be honest. It helps create a level of trust. 15:51 I think that’s what makes me a little bit different, my history working in retail and being so customer service oriented. 21:05 March 2020 was a crazy time in the world. On top of everything else trying to figure out what was going on. It’s a very good example, you never know what’s going on with somebody, in their head. It was tough. Contacts: https://www.thefrgteam.com/ (Falk Ruvin Gallagher) https://www.corleyrealestate.com/ (Chris Corley)
Welcome to more than a sign where we talk to some of Milwaukee's most productive Realtors up and coming realtors and those that work alongside us. However, rather than being a platform for shameful self promotion, these are intimate discussions about the journey, the struggle, the fear, and ultimately, the personal growth along the way. At the end of the day, nobody really cares about what we do. All that anybody really cares about is who we are. Please subscribe, wherever you get your podcast.