The OT - Only Teams for Real Estate Podcast

Episode 96: Go Deep, Not Wide - The MORE Real Estate Team

Ricky and Shelby also pull back the curtain on their recruiting process, how they use Career Visioning to select the right agents, why culture always beats talent, and the leadership systems they use to retain top performers. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why "Go Deep, Not Wide" is the key to more referrals • The power of 101 database touches each year • How one small change increased their database business by 23% • Their step-by-step recruiting and hiring process • Why alignment matters more than talent • How leverage creates happier, more productive agents If you're looking to build a referral-driven business, create a stronger culture, and scale your team with proven systems, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Subscribe to The OT for weekly conversations with top real estate team leaders from across North America sharing the strategies, systems, and ideas that are helping them grow profitable businesses.

Episode 95: Built it Twice - Asivido Team

In this episode of The OT Only Teams Podcast, Daren Phillipy sits down with top-producing real estate team leader Amy Azevedo of Vancouver, Washington. Amy shares her incredible journey from losing nearly everything during the housing crash to building a team that has generated more than $105 million in sales volume and 161 transactions over the past 12 months. Amy dives into the systems, culture, accountability, client events, database marketing, recruiting strategies, and AI tools that have helped her scale a thriving real estate business. She discusses the importance of building strong relationships, creating a culture people don't want to leave, and how consistency—not perfection—has fueled her success on social media and in lead generation. You'll also hear Amy's lessons learned from failure, how she rebuilt damaged referral relationships, why she believes your database is pure gold, and the leadership principles she uses to keep her team productive and connected. If you're a real estate agent, team leader, or entrepreneur looking to grow your business, strengthen your culture, and build a more scalable operation, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can implement immediately. Topics Covered: • Building a $100M+ real estate team • Client appreciation events that drive referrals • Database marketing strategies • Recruiting and retaining top talent • Team culture and accountability • Using AI to revive dead leads • Leadership lessons from adversity • Scaling through systems and leverage Don't miss this inspiring conversation with one of the Pacific Northwest's top team leaders.

Episode 94: Want Better Agents? … Watch This - Close to Home Consultants

In this episode of The OT Only Teams for Real Estate Podcast, Daren Phillipy sits down with Sarah Close, Jamie Close, and Director of Operations Jordan from Close to Home Consultants in Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Their team has built a powerful real estate business closing 200+ transactions a year with only 10 agents — and they’ve done it by focusing on culture, accountability, systems, and attracting the right people. Sarah and Jamie share how they evolved from what they call “the blob” — a chaotic team structure with no real systems — into a highly organized, scalable business powered by strong leadership and operations. Jordan gives an inside look at how she helped build the operational backbone of the company and why creating systems, manuals, and accountability changed everything. You’ll learn: • How to build a culture agents actually want to be part of • The secret to attracting talented agents instead of trying to “fix” unmotivated ones • Why showing up as a leader matters more than rules • How their “90 Listings in 90 Days” challenge created massive momentum • The role accountability, social media, and team camaraderie play in growth • How to structure operations so the business can grow beyond the rainmaker One of the biggest takeaways from this episode comes from Jamie Close: “Why would a talented person want to partner with me?” If you’re building a real estate team, recruiting agents, or trying to create a scalable business with strong culture and systems, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and actionable ideas you can implement immediately. To connect with Close to Home Consultants or send referrals in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky markets, email: info@getclosetohome.com [info@getclosetohome.com] Join The OT live every Tuesday and access more team resources at onlyforteams.com

Episode 93: Built a Better Team - Saladino Sells Team

In this episode of The OT Only Teams Podcast, Daren Phillipy sits down with Chicago real estate team leader Mike Saladino of the Saladino Sells Team. Mike shares the real story behind building a profitable, scalable real estate team during one of the toughest markets in recent years. Mike opens up about his journey from Chicago police officer to top-producing real estate team leader, the mistakes he made while growing his business, and the systems he implemented to turn his team around. From bad splits and expensive lead generation to accountability, recruiting, and virtual systems, this episode is packed with practical strategies for team leaders and agents who want to grow smarter. You’ll hear how Mike: * Built a profitable real estate team in a shifting market * Stopped relying heavily on paid leads * Uses sphere of influence to drive business growth * Recruits and retains strong agents * Leverages virtual systems and admin support * Creates accountability and consistency inside his team * Uses coaching and masterminds to continue growing Mike also shares why he continues showing up every week to The OT Mastermind and how “iron sharpens iron” has helped him stay focused on growth and learning. If you’re a real estate agent, team leader, or broker looking to scale your business, improve profitability, and build better systems, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Join The OT Zoom Mastermind every Tuesday at 12 PM PST at onlyforteams.com

Episode 92: The CEO Every Team Needs - The Evelo Team

In this episode of The OT Only Teams Podcast, Daren Phillipy sits down with Stephanie & Derek Evelo and their CEO, Hannah Perkey, to break down how they built one of the most relationship-driven real estate teams in Indianapolis. The Evelo Team closed 165 units and over $56M in volume while creating a business centered around culture, systems, leadership, and long-term sustainability. You’ll hear: • How Hannah became the CEO that transformed the business • The systems they use to run a 73% referral-based business • Why part-time leverage has increased profitability • How they built an exit strategy without breaking the economic model • The client events that keep referrals flowing year after year • Why culture and values have helped retain agents for over a decade This episode is packed with practical team-building strategies, leadership lessons, database marketing ideas, and real conversations about what it takes to build a business that creates freedom instead of burnout. If you’re building a real estate team — or want to scale one the right way — this is an episode you do not want to miss.