Jamie Hallman: "Consider It Closed" Professional TC's
Real Estate Excellence
What if the key to scaling your real estate business isn’t selling more homes, but learning how to delegate smarter? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Jamie Hallman, founder of Consider It Closed and a powerhouse in the world of transaction coordination. Jamie shares her fascinating journey from working as a registered dietitian to traveling the world on a mission trip, and ultimately discovering her passion and skillset were perfectly aligned with real estate coordination. She opens up about how her solutions-driven mindset, love for...
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Lauren Duke: CoreOps Collective
Real Estate Excellence
Are you running a business or just duct taping one together? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Lauren Duke. Lauren is the founder and CEO of Core Ops Collective, to unpack how she went from military spouse and hairdresser to running operations for one of the nation’s top real estate teams—closing over 3000 transactions and opening 21 expansion locations. Lauren explains why so many agents get stuck wearing every hat, how culture can’t just be “family,” and the difference between surviving and scaling. She dives into her signature SCALE...
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Shannon Messina: It's How Much You Care | Top St Johns Cty Realtor
Real Estate Excellence
Are you truly listening to clients or just waiting to ask your next question? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Shannon Messina. Shannon brings a kinetic blend of New York grit and Florida community savvy. In this conversation she unpacks how fitness and training shaped her sales engine, why relationships beat cold prospecting, and how themed open houses with real vibes convert neighbors into buyers. She shares the move that reset her life, rebuilt her career, and led to record sales in St Johns Golf. Shannon fought through nine months of impaired...
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Jim Cronin: ReadTomato.com Real Estate Website Expert
Real Estate Excellence
Are you building a website that answers your ideal client’s real questions or a brochure that only talks about you? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Real Estate Tomato founder Jim Cronin. Jim breaks down how agents win online today by pairing deeply targeted websites with consistently updated, authority rich content. Long tail questions drive discovery, and AI overviews now pull heavily from blog articles and market snapshots written by true local experts. If your site speaks directly to a defined persona and proves expertise with specifics,...
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Ethan Gregory: REO Specialist | Top Jacksonville Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What does it really take to thrive as a real estate professional when the market collapses and short sales dominate? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Jacksonville native and seasoned agent Ethan Gregory, who has averaged 50+ transactions annually for over two decades. Ethan shares how he entered the industry after graduating from the University of Florida, beginning with flipping homes before the 2007–2008 crash shifted him into the world of short sales and REO properties. His adaptability, discipline, and problem-solving approach helped him...
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Kati Spaniak: "Sell Your Home with Kati Spaniak" YouTube Star
Real Estate Excellence
If rejection is the price of success, how many “no’s” are you willing to endure before you get your breakthrough “yes”? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with powerhouse agent, author, and YouTube influencer Kati Spaniak. From her beginnings in photography and graphic design to building a half-billion-dollar sales career, Kati shares the pivotal moments that shaped her journey—navigating 9/11’s economic crash, re-entering real estate post-divorce, and scaling to become one of the top agents in her market. Her story reveals the...
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Eden Jordan: Top Clay County Florida Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What does it really take to thrive in real estate for nearly three decades through every market shift imaginable? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Clay County real estate icon Eden Jordan. With 27 years of experience, over 800 families served, and countless agents mentored, Eden shares a candid look at the grit, adaptability, and strategic thinking needed to not only survive but thrive in the industry’s constant cycles. From the early days of handwritten contracts to the rise of social media marketing, Eden’s story blends hard-earned...
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Michele Tremblay: Signature Open Houses | Top Ponte Vedra Beach Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What happens when a Broadway-bound performer turns her stage presence into real estate success? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits Michele Tremblay. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from center stage to top-producing real estate agent in Northeast Florida. With a rich background in performance, voiceover, and hospitality, Michele brings a rare blend of empathy, creativity, and grit to her clients—earning accolades such as a 2024 Five Star Rising Star award and ranking #55 out of nearly 12,000 agents by the Jacksonville Business Journal. Tracy...
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Delaney Henderson: It Takes Grit / Top Jacksonville Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What if the hardest transaction you face becomes the one that teaches you the most? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with top-producing agent Delaney Henderson to uncover the mindset, grit, and strategies that catapulted her from a burned-out paralegal in DC to one of Northeast Florida’s most respected and relatable real estate mentors. Delaney doesn’t sugarcoat the truth—she opens up about industry misconceptions, failed transactions, emotional burnouts, and the quiet resilience required to succeed in a chaotic market. Delaney shares the...
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Julianne Grant-Johnson: Team Builder and Top Agent JAX/Pensacola
Real Estate Excellence
What if your biggest limitation became the launchpad for your real estate empire? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Julianne Grant-Johnson, a top-producing real estate agent in Northeast Florida, for her second appearance on the show. This time, they dive deep into the business side of her success, exploring how she built the Grant Johnson Group while on pregnancy bedrest, leveraged her military ties to dominate the VA market, and now leads a thriving, multi-location real estate team. Julianne gets real about the challenges of growing a...
info_outlineIs your brokerage truly giving you freedom, flexibility, and financial growth?
In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes dives into the dynamic world of REAL Brokerage with guests Gigi Urbanski and Mike Rolewicz. Together, they explore how REAL is disrupting the traditional brokerage model by focusing on scalable support, tech-driven efficiency, and multiple income streams. From streamlined operations to a thriving agent community, REAL positions itself not as a destination, but a vehicle to entrepreneurial success.
The conversation uncovers how REAL's powerful tech stack, AI tools like Leo Copilot, and agent-driven training platforms are empowering agents at all levels. Whether you're a new agent looking for structure or a seasoned professional craving freedom and ownership, REAL's transparent model offers simplicity, equity, and genuine collaboration that inspires agents to not only succeed but to build wealth with purpose.
Ready to break away from the ordinary?
Highlights:
00:00 – 04:17 Introduction and REAL’s Positioning
- REAL as a platform versus destination
- Movement-based culture and branding
- Sneaker culture and dress code
- ChatGPT used for show prep
- REAL’s buzz compared to LPT
04:17 – 10:50 Tech Stack and Broker Efficiency
- App-based tools and transaction management
- Broker support through Leo and real-time calls
- Transparent commission preview and compliance AI
- Wallet integration and Visa payouts
- REAL's scalability in tech and communication
10:50 – 19:54 Community, Culture and Plug-in Potential
- Education via peer-contributed modules
- Local masterminds and “come as you are” vibe
- Relevant agents as trainers
- Personal stories of switching from other brokerages
- Adapting to solo, team, or boutique styles
19:54 – 35:21 Business Tools, Financial Planning and ROI
- Capping, post-cap structure, and stock incentives
- Integrated budgeting with accountability calls
- REAL-built one-page business plans
- Tools for boutique or indie brokers
- Ease of use and agent empowerment
35:21 – 44:14 Revenue Streams and Support Systems
- Breakdown of split models and fees
- REAL Academy and Elite Agent program
- Referral ecosystem and organic recruiting
- Agent wins and mentorship stories
- Collaboration without hard pitching
44:14 – 01:14:26 Leadership, Masterminds, and Events
- Coffee meetings and spontaneous conversions
- Mastermind access (Women of Real, Social Media Leaders)
- Eric Hatch’s free coaching sessions
- RealX events and open-door policy
- Cross-brokerage collaboration and local engagement
- Conclusion
Quotes:
"REAL is not the destination—it's the vehicle." – Mike Rolewicz
"We're going to be doing this with or without you—it’d just be cool if you were with us." – Mike Rolewicz
"You're with REAL, you don’t have to wear heels anymore." – Gigi Urbanski
"Agents aren’t looking for another meeting, they’re looking for a community." – Gigi Urbanski
To contact Angela “Gigi” Urbanski and Mike Rolewicz, learn more about their business, and make them a part of your network, make sure to follow them on Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Connect with Angela “Gigi” Urbanski!
Website: https://angelaurbanski.exprealty.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigiofjax/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiGiofJAXHomeSquad/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdor_3bwxhJ3HQ8dEU7iYag
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigiyourhomegirl/
Connect with Mike Rolewicz!
Website: https://www.904homeguide.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/904homeguide/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/904homeguide/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mikerolewicz904homeguide
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rolewicz-b37135b
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
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