Chris Wirsing on the Power of Relationships, Reputation, and Real Producers
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Chris Wirsing on the Power of Relationships, Reputation, and Real Producers In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, host Larry Gonzales sits down with Chris Wirsing, Publisher of Honolulu Real Producers, for a conversation about what truly separates top performers in Hawaii real estate. Chris shares his journey from Chicago to Hawaii, his local family roots, and the path that eventually led him to build Honolulu Real Producers on the island. From there, Larry and Chris dive into the habits and standards that define excellence: adaptability, discipline, relationship-building,...
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The Truth About Growth, Standards, and Success with Tony Robbins’ Trainer Mandi Rose
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
The Truth About Growth, Standards, and Success, With Tony Robbins’ Trainer Mandi Rose In this episode of In Search of Excellence Island Style, the host sits down with Mandi Rose, a Tony Robbins Professional Trainer & Keynote Speaker, after she leads an in-person training in Hawaii for The Broker Mortgage Experts and Century 21 Island Homes. The conversation opens with the power of live training, why in-person energy creates stronger breakthroughs, and how Mandi helps people shift from simply learning information to actually taking action. Mandi shares her journey from radio and...
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Erica Lehmkuhl and Sarah “Eli” David: From Military Leadership to Real Estate Success
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Erica Lehmkuhl and Sarah “Eli” David: From Military Leadership to Real Estate Success In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry sits down with Erica Lehmkuhl, Owner of Seaside Realty, and Sarah “Eli” David, Mortgage Loan Officer at The Broker, for a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, and transitioning from military service into real estate and lending. Erica and Eli share their journeys from the military into the civilian world, offering a real look at what it means to lead in high-pressure environments, earn respect in male-dominated...
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How Kalama Kim Built One of Hawaii’s Most Respected Real Estate Companies
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
How Kalama Kim Built One of Hawaii’s Most Respected Real Estate Companies In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry sits down with Kalama Kim, President of Hawaii Modern Realty, to talk about leadership, local values, and the evolving future of Hawaii real estate. Kalama shares his journey from growing up on the Windward side and attending Kamehameha Schools, to playing collegiate tennis at USF, working in banking, and eventually becoming one of Hawaii’s most respected real estate leaders. The conversation dives deep into the lessons sports, discipline, and...
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What Great Service, Strong Teams, and Smart Solar Planning Really Look Like with Sarah “Eli” David, Michael Melso, and Matt Householder
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
What Great Service, Strong Teams, and Smart Solar Planning Really Look Like with Sarah “Eli” David, Michael Melso, and Matt Householder In this episode of In Search of Excellence Island Style, Larry Gonzales and the team unpack what excellence really looks like behind the scenes. The conversation centers on the daily disciplines that drive long-term success, from family routines and personal habits to controlling your mornings, managing your pipeline, and staying consistent even when plans change. They explore how family serves as the foundational team, and how habits like workouts,...
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How Jessel Riccardini Built a Referral Based Real Estate Business Through Discipline and Authenticity
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
How Jessel Riccardini Built a Referral Based Real Estate Business Through Discipline and Authenticity In this episode of In Search of Excellence – Island Style, Larry sits down with Jessel Riccardini, a Hawaii REALTOR®, to talk about the mindset, discipline, and consistency that have shaped both her real estate career and her personal growth. From her roots in the Philippines to building a life in Hawaii, Jessel shares how her journey has been defined by resilience, hard work, and a deep commitment to serving others. The conversation explores how Jessel transitioned from...
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What Great Service Really Looks Like with Erin Evans
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
What Great Service Really Looks Like with Erin Evans In this second episode of In Search of Excellence Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Erin Evans, Broker/Owner of Century 21 Island Homes, for a conversation about real estate, leadership, service, and what it takes to build a business rooted in people. The episode begins with Erin sharing how she got into real estate and how she and her husband Ron built their business together. From there, the conversation moves into military life, moving to Hawaiʻi, building a strong team, and why training and mentorship matter so much in this...
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Meet the Broker Team
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Veterans in Lending, Real Estate Wealth, and the Eight Tenets of Excellence In the launch episode of In Search of Excellence Island Style, Larry Gonzales introduces the Broker Mortgage Experts team and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the people helping make homeownership possible. The episode features mortgage brokers Sarah “Eli” David, Micheal Melso, and Daniel Sepulveda, and is positioned for first-time homebuyers, Realtors, investors, the local Hawaii community, and military/VA buyers. The conversation opens by tackling one of the most common mortgage myths, that buyers need...
info_outlineVeterans in Lending, Real Estate Wealth, and the Eight Tenets of Excellence
In the launch episode of In Search of Excellence Island Style, Larry Gonzales introduces the Broker Mortgage Experts team and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the people helping make homeownership possible. The episode features mortgage brokers Sarah “Eli” David, Micheal Melso, and Daniel Sepulveda, and is positioned for first-time homebuyers, Realtors, investors, the local Hawaii community, and military/VA buyers.
The conversation opens by tackling one of the most common mortgage myths, that buyers need 20% down to purchase a home. From there, the team shares personal stories about service, leadership, homeownership, and how real estate can become a long-term wealth-building tool. Dan talks about the moment he realized saving alone would not create wealth, while Eli shares how her family used VA benefits to buy homes at nearly every duty station. Mike explains how lower-down-payment programs can make homeownership more realistic for buyers.
The episode also introduces the show’s “eight tenets” of excellence, including moving with mana, serving with aloha, building ohana, standing for something, staying lean, staying in your zone, freedom with accountability, and rising through adversity. It closes with practical reflections on resilience, routines, discipline, leadership books, and the advice that shaped each guest most.
Guests
- Sarah “Eli” David — Mortgage Broker, IG: @elidavid_2074
- Micheal Melso — Mortgage Broker, IG/FB: @mikethebrokerusmc
- Daniel Sepulveda — Mortgage Broker, IG: @_dansepulveda
Timestamp Highlights
00:00 Down Payment Myth
00:47 Podcast Welcome
01:33 Excellence Origins
02:46 Meet Mike Melso
04:48 Mortgage Misconceptions
05:46 Meet Dan Sepulveda
06:41 Wealth Through Equity
09:50 Meet Eli David
12:25 Sponsor Break
13:11 Why Loan Officers
13:58 Move With Mana
16:14 Serve With Aloha
20:02 Build Ohana
22:40 Stand For Something
26:38 Keep It Lean
31:04 Stay In Your Zone
34:47 Freedom Accountability
35:11 Freedom With Structure
36:33 Discipline Equals Freedom
37:19 Rise Through Adversity
40:44 Forged By Hard Times
42:55 Teaching Kids Resilience
43:46 Five Minute Rule
46:08 Which Tenet Matters Most
49:58 Sponsor Break
50:30 Guess Our Ages Game
52:54 Morning Routine Habits
57:55 Early Wakeup Discipline
01:00:11 Favorite Leadership Books
01:03:57 Best Advice Received
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