How Jessel Riccardini Built a Referral Based Real Estate Business Through Discipline and Authenticity
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Release Date: 04/15/2026
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
What makes a great Realtor? According to Jasmine Bell and Kirsten Connell of Hawaiʻi Home Group, it's not about selling homes—it's about helping clients make confident, informed financial decisions. In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with two of Oʻahu's top real estate professionals to discuss what it means to put clients first. From military relocations and negotiating incredible deals to helping homeowners maximize equity through strategic renovations, this conversation is packed with practical advice for buyers, sellers, investors, and...
info_outlineIn Search of Excellence, Island Style
In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Jade Medeiros, Client Relations Manager at The Broker, for a candid conversation about family, work, leadership, and what it takes to build a service-first mortgage business in Hawaiʻi. Jade shares what life looks like as a mother of four while balancing client relations, business development, events, CRM systems, and the day-to-day needs of a growing mortgage team. From football practices and family routines to helping run the Successful Homeowner series, holiday trolley events, webinars, and client...
info_outlineIn Search of Excellence, Island Style
Men’s Mental Health Crisis: Suicide, Depression & Military Mental Health With Mike Melso & Dr. Jenny In this powerful Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, the host is joined by retired U.S. Marine Corps service member Mike Melso and active-duty clinical psychologist Dr. Jenny to unpack the silent mental health crisis affecting men across military and civilian life. The conversation explores sobering statistics—one in eight men suffer from depression and men are four times more likely to die by suicide—and goes deeper into the...
info_outlineIn Search of Excellence, Island Style
In this inspiring episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, host Larry Gonzales sits down with Izaiah Dillion, a 24-year-old active duty Air Force member, to discuss his journey from a challenging upbringing in Stockton, California, to becoming a homeowner in Hawaii. Izaiah shares how he leveraged his VA home loan benefit to purchase a condo with minimal out-of-pocket costs, gaining instant equity and aligning his mortgage with his BAH. Izaiah recounts growing up without his father, getting into legal trouble as a teenager, and how the Air Force offered him structure, discipline, and...
info_outlineIn Search of Excellence, Island Style
In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry sits down with Kanani Ching, a longtime real estate professional and business transformation consultant, to talk about stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing change, and using artificial intelligence to help businesses work smarter without losing the human connection. Kanani shares how her journey from hospitality to real estate leadership eventually led her into the AI industry. She talks about discovering ChatGPT in 2022, recognizing its potential beyond simple writing tasks, and building a business focused on helping...
info_outlineIn Search of Excellence, Island Style
In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry sits down with Dearonne Bethea, CEO of Band of Brothers Investment Group, to talk about the journey from humble beginnings in Enfield, North Carolina, to building businesses, investing in real estate, and creating a family office structure with more than $200M in personally managed assets. Dearonne shares how a second chance through the U.S. Army changed the direction of his life. After joining the Army at 19, he found mentorship, discipline, and a new way of thinking about money. A pivotal lesson from his command sergeant major...
info_outlineIn 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,...
info_outlineIn 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...
info_outlineIn 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...
info_outlineIn 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...
info_outlineHow 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 working in finance to building a referral-based real estate business centered on relationships, responsiveness, and trust. She explains why staying connected to clients long after the transaction matters, and how authenticity has played a key role in her success, especially in a competitive market.
Jessel also opens up about her bodybuilding journey, the routines and structure that keep her grounded, and how fitness strengthens her mental clarity, confidence, and discipline in business. She shares practical advice for new agents, reflects on the importance of being visible and genuine, and closes the episode with a fun pushup challenge in the studio.
Guest list
Jessel Riccardini, REALTOR®
Real Estate
IG/FB: @jesselriccardini
License #: RS-80315
Timestamp Highlights
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:20 Meet Jessel Riccardini
03:05 Bodybuilding Origin Story
04:12 National Competition Journey
05:05 Nutrition & Discipline
06:42 Daily Routine Breakdown
11:22 Referral-Based Business Model
14:05 Humble Beginnings Story
18:25 Winning in a Tough Market
22:05 Market Preparation Strategy
27:25 Authentic Social Media Strategy
34:42 Let Them Theory Mindset
37:45 Advice for New Agents
40:42 Pushup Challenge Finale
Don't forget to subscribe to In Search of Excellence Island Style for more episodes on leadership, homeownership, and personal growth.
Let us know what you think of this episode in the comments below.
Share this episode with a friend who is interested in real estate, mortgages, or leadership!