Off Market | Stories of The Top 1% in Real Estate

From Cell Phones to $60M in Sales: Mike Smallegan’s Journey to the Top 1%

This week on The Off Market Podcast, we sit down with Mike Smallegan, who went from selling 10 phones a month in a tiny Michigan town to leading one of the top 1% real estate teams in the country. Now running a powerhouse Keller Williams group that closed 265 transactions and $60M in volume last year, Mike shares how he built a thriving business from scratch with just $4,000, four kids, and no safety net. Mike breaks down: * How one $650K deal changed his entire career trajectory * The importance of servant leadership and putting your team first * How he turned a Facebook group into a 125,000-person referral engine * Why he hires to get time back, not just scale * His family’s story—including how a youth hockey foundation helped his blind son keep playing the game he loves Ready? Let’s dive in!

Dialing for Deals: : James Michener's Journey to 1,500 Home Sales & Top 1%

In this episode, James Michener pulls back the curtain on his unlikely real estate journey—from a master’s student dreading cold calls to brokering nearly 1,500 home sales and amassing a 32‑property portfolio (half of which are fully paid off). Inspired by his “guardian” father’s 24‑rental retirement strategy, James shares how six months of zero deals turned into 26 by year’s end, then 365, all by dialing relentlessly, house‑hacking duplexes for $400/mo, and reinvesting every dollar back into real estate. He also dives into the often‑invisible scaffolding that supports a high‑performing team: documenting systems, setting realistic expectations, and balancing individual goals with collective growth. Whether you’re launching your first transaction or scaling a multi‑agent operation, James’s hard‑won playbook—covering budgeting, risk‑management, and the art of recruiting rockstar assistants—offers practical tactics to build your own stress‑tested “real estate machine.” Tune in to learn how discipline, persistence, and smart leverage turned cold calls into a thriving, seven‑figure empire.

From FSBO Door‑Knocks to $125M in Sales: Joel Carson’s Solo Rise to Utah’s #1 Realtor

With over 30 years in the business and over $125 million in gross sales in 2023 alone, Joel Carson stands at the top of Utah’s real estate scene. After leaving an accounting career and teaming up (and eventually parting ways) with his father‑in‑law, he found his niche by relentlessly door‑knocking FSBOs—closing 106 transactions his first year and earning national recognition. In this episode, Joel shares how he systematically adds a new lead source each year mastering everything from bus‑side ads and pay‑per‑click to social media engagement and in‑house handyman services to build a one‑man operation that enables him to meet with every buyer and seller himself. He also dives into the power of consistency (yes, answer your phone!), local branding, and pivoting quickly when the market shifts. Whether you’re a new agent carving out your first niche or a veteran looking to scale without losing your personal touch, Joel’s playbook is packed with hard‑won lessons and practical tactics for long‑term success. Tune in to learn how he turned persistence into profit—one deal at a time.

From Surfing to $1B in Sales: How Allison Chapleau Became San Francisco’s Top Multi-Unit Agent

Imagine starting your career with almost nothing and ending up as one of the most respected commercial real estate agents in San Francisco. That’s the story of Allison Chapleau, who took an internship at Marcus & Millichap, worked for $400 a week, and learned the ropes by cold-calling and running errands. Her big break came when she co-listed a mortuary in Weed, California—earning an $80,000 commission that wiped out her debt and kick-started her career. In this episode, Allison shares how saying “yes” to every opportunity helped her build a thriving business and why forming relationships with other agents is essential to long-term success. She dives into the power of farming—consistently marketing to a targeted group—and how segmenting clients based on their time horizon has helped her stay top of mind when they’re ready to buy or sell. Whether you're a residential agent looking to break into commercial real estate or someone seeking inspiration from a self-made success story, this episode is packed with practical tips and motivation. Hit play and learn how Allison built a $1B career—one deal at a time!

From Doorknocking to $2B in Sales: How Amanda Howard Became Alabama’s #1 Luxury Realtor

Imagine moving to a brand-new city, knowing no one, and trying to break into real estate. That’s exactly what Amanda Howard did—by knocking on doors, hustling like crazy, and building a business from the ground up. Fast forward to today, she’s the #1 real estate team owner in Alabama, a TV show host, and a top 1% agent with over 8,000 clients served and $2 billion in sales. In this episode of The Off-Market Podcast, Amanda keeps it real about what it takes to make it in real estate. She shares how she turned a borrowed listing into her first deal, why hiring a coach was the best decision of her career, and the unconventional strategy that made her stand out in a crowded market. Plus, she talks about expanding into property management, title services, and even TV—all while staying true to her mission of serving clients at the highest level. If you’re a new agent trying to get your foot in the door (literally) or a seasoned pro looking for fresh inspiration, this episode is for you. Hit play and learn from one of the best in the game!