The Real Estate Success Podcast

Lessons in Timing, Trust, and Tenacity: Katie Donahue’s Success Story

My guest on today’s podcast is Katie Donahue—a top producer in the Hampton Roads area and the recent recipient of a 2025 Top 3% Producer Award. Katie’s journey into real estate is anything but traditional. After a successful early career in nonprofit leadership and years as a stay-at-home mom navigating active duty military life with her husband, Katie found her way into real estate not through a master plan, but through curiosity, creativity, and courage. From turning her first home into a rental property to attending real estate classes at night with her dad while raising three kids, Katie’s story is rooted in grit and a lifelong love of learning. In this episode, we dive into the reality of building a business while raising a family, how she leveraged every opportunity—including a unique part-time marketing role within her real estat team—to enter real estate on her terms, and why deep care for people is at the heart of her success. Katie talks about the value of mentorship, the humility of lifelong learning, and how rejection and market downturns taught her to trust the timing and focus on the fundamentals. Whether you're a new agent juggling family life or a seasoned pro looking to redefine what success means, Katie’s story is full of wisdom, grit, and the kind of honesty that’s rare and refreshing. Connect with Katie: Katie Donahue [https://www.katiedonahuerealestate.com/] Instagram:  [https://www.instagram.com/kmodonahue/]@kmodonahue Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com [https://www.realestatesuccesspod.com] Get in touch with PeaceLink: * Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning [https://www.peacelinkfp.com/] * Instagram: @peacelinkfp [https://www.instagram.com/peacelinkfp/]

The Power of Peace: How Faith and Real Estate Help Serve Our Neighbors with Alison McCarthy

My guest on today’s episode is Allison McCarthy—an inspiring realtor in the Virginia Beach area whose journey into real estate was anything but ordinary. The youngest of 14 children, Allison grew up in a household where real estate was more than just a business—it was the tool her parents used to put every single one of their children through college. Even as a doctor and a nurse, her parents relied on rental properties to create financial stability, teaching her the power of real estate as a means to serve others and build legacy. In this conversation, we dive into how those early lessons shaped her mindset, how she stepped into real estate while raising young kids—right before a global pandemic—and how she’s built a business grounded in faith, authenticity, and the willingness to meet every challenge as an opportunity for growth. We talk about overcoming burnout, building a business with integrity, the importance of coaching, and how success for Allison isn’t defined by volume or awards, but by living with unshakable peace and serving her neighbors well. So whether you’re navigating tough market cycles or just looking for a dose of grounded inspiration, this episode is packed with wisdom. Connect with Alison: alisells757@gmail.com Instagram: @little_neck_real_estate [https://www.instagram.com/little_neck_real_estate/] https://alisonmccarthyrealestate.com/ [https://alisonmccarthyrealestate.com/] Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com [https://www.realestatesuccesspod.com] Get in touch with PeaceLink: * Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning [https://www.peacelinkfp.com/] * Instagram: @peacelinkfp [https://www.instagram.com/peacelinkfp/]

Trust, Tenacity, and 3 Kids Later: How Richmond Realtor Owen Thatcher Built a Referral-Only Business

Most real estate agents feel like they’re constantly chasing the next deal. There’s always another lead to follow up with, another deal to keep alive, another month to figure out. But there’s another way to build a business. One that’s rooted in trust, relationships, and doing the kind of work that naturally brings people back and sends others your way. In this episode of the Real Estate Success Podcast, I sit down with Richmond-based realtor Owen Thatcher to talk about what that actually looks like in real life. Owen didn’t step into real estate with a perfect plan or a safety net. He left a steady sales job while his wife was still in grad school and committed to figuring it out as he went. What followed was a season of learning, asking questions, and surrounding himself with people who were already doing it at a high level. Over time, that foundation turned into a business built almost entirely on referrals. We talk through how mentorship shaped his approach, where a lot of agents get it wrong when they try to rely on referrals too early, and what it takes to build something that’s sustainable over the long run. He also shares how his definition of success has changed over time, especially now as a husband and a dad of three. If you’re trying to build a real estate business that actually supports your life instead of taking it over, I think you’ll get a lot out of this one. And if this episode resonated, share it with another agent who’s in the middle of building something meaningful. Connect with Owen: Owen Thatcher Associate Broker, REALTOR® https://phrehomes.com/agent/owen-thatcher Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com [https://www.realestatesuccesspod.com] Get in touch with PeaceLink: * Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning [https://www.peacelinkfp.com/] * Instagram: @peacelinkfp [https://www.instagram.com/peacelinkfp/]

Social Media, Serhant, and Stepping Out: Perrin Duvall’s Year of Bold Moves

My guest on today’s podcast is Perrin Duvall, a dynamic force in the Virginia Beach real estate scene and a personal friend. Perrin’s journey is both heartfelt and strategic—beginning in full-time ministry, pivoting through a career change, and eventually building one of the most recognizable personal brands in our local market. In this episode, Perrin shares how she followed her instincts into real estate and soaked up everything she could to build a strong foundation early on. We talk about what it means to work on your business, not just in it, how social media became her most powerful tool, and the critical decision to step into solo entrepreneurship. (We mention Stephanie Clark's episode, which you can find here! [https://www.peacelinkfp.com/leading-with-faith-and-abundance-the-story-of-stephanie-clark-s-real-estate-success]) She opens up about the courage it took to hire her first team members, partner with Serhant, and build a brand rooted in authenticity, local love, and strategic risk-taking. You’ll also hear her thoughts on team building, overcoming comparison, and why she’s so passionate about mentoring the next generation of agents. Connect with Perrin: perrinduvall.com [https://perrinduvall.com/]@perrinduvallrealestate  [https://www.instagram.com/perrinduvallrealestate] Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com [https://www.realestatesuccesspod.com] Get in touch with PeaceLink: * Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning [https://www.peacelinkfp.com/] * Instagram: @peacelinkfp [https://www.instagram.com/peacelinkfp/]

Should You Do a Roth Conversion? What You Need to Know | What Works Wednesday with Cody Hawkins

In this episode of What Works Wednesday, Cody Hawkins from PeaceLink Financial Planning explains the ins and outs of Roth conversions, especially in light of the  2026 rule change allowing federal employees and military personnel to convert TSP funds internally. Whether you're considering switching your retirement accounts or planning for future tax efficiency, this episode covers key insights to help you make informed decisions. Key Topics: * What is a Roth conversion and how does it work? * The tax implications of converting pre-tax dollars to a Roth account * When it makes sense to do a Roth conversion (timing, income levels, tax brackets) * The new TSP rule effective 2026 allowing internal Roth conversions * Why taxes are not automatically withheld during conversions * Considerations for military and federal employees * The importance of planning and running the numbers before converting * Irreversible nature of Roth conversions and potential mistakes * Strategic timing: low-income years, career transitions, or before retirement * How Roth conversions can reduce required minimum distributions and create tax-free income Resources: * Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Changes [https://www.peacelinkfp.com/tsp-roth-rule-change-2026] * From Military to Real Estate: A Guide for Career Switchers [https://www.peacelinkfp.com/from-military-service-to-real-estate-a-practical-guide-for-career-switchers] Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com [https://www.realestatesuccesspod.com] Get in touch with PeaceLink: * Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning [https://www.peacelinkfp.com/] * Instagram: @peacelinkfp [https://www.instagram.com/peacelinkfp/]