Task Me Anything

Episode 10 Recruiting with Heart & Tech: Katie Cotton on Building the Future of Real Estate

In this energising episode, we sit down with Katie Cotton, a powerhouse in real estate recruitment and tech innovation. From her early days in roles ranging from Tupperware sales to law enforcement, Katie shares her unique path into real estate and how it led to founding Recruit RE — a purpose-built platform reshaping how agencies hire and grow their teams. Katie opens up about her leadership journey, her passion for people, and the creation of tools that empower both agents and businesses. With a refreshing take on VAs, tech development, and what makes a great real estate hire, this episode is packed with insight and personality — including hilarious icebreakers, heartfelt reflections, and one very unlucky cow named Dan. Whether you're an agency owner, recruiter, or agent looking to thrive in 2025 and beyond, Katie’s vision for smarter, values-driven recruitment will leave you inspired. 🧭 Episode Breakdown 00:00 – 02:00 | Intro & Icebreakers * Meet Katie Cotton, visionary behind Recruit RE * Horse-mothering adventures & wild Google searches (yes, cows have best friends… maybe?) * Fun questions: Napoleon in real estate? Duck-sized horses? 02:01 – 06:00 | Real Estate Career & Philosophy * Katie’s unconventional path into real estate * Why “earning your stripes” is outdated advice * Hiring for personality over skills — and why energy trumps experience * Real estate is teachable; passion isn't 06:01 – 10:00 | The Recruit RE Vision * Recruit Re explained: Think “SEEK for real estate” * Smart-matching tech, Career Passport, and CPD tracking * Built for the industry, by someone who understands it * A practical tool, not just another recruiter platform 10:01 – 14:00 | Tech Meets People: Building with VAs & Developers * Katie’s VA team and global dev squad * Communication struggles, joke misfires, and mutual trust * Lessons from managing app builds and understanding integrations * Why VAs don’t replace, but free up talent for higher-value work 14:01 – 18:00 | Future Plans & Closing Thoughts * What's live now on Recruit RE (Career Passport) * What’s launching next: employer/jobseeker functionality * The mission: empowerment, accessibility, and human connection * Where to find Recruit RE & why perfection isn’t the goal — progress is 🎧 Available Now – 18 minutes of fresh insights, laughs, and real estate wisdom. Visit recruitre.com.au to learn more and sign up for early access.

Episode 9: From Showgrounds to Sold Signs: Alexander Shean’s Real Estate Journey

On this episode of Task Me Anything, we’re joined by Alexander Shean, co-owner of Ray White Ascot and a standout figure in Brisbane real estate. From his early days working the traveling show circuit with his family to leading a high-performing real estate office, Alexander’s journey is anything but typical—and that’s exactly what makes it inspiring. Alexander opens up about the people skills he developed as a sideshow spruiker, how he transitioned into real estate, and the lessons he’s learned since stepping into business ownership. He also shares how virtual assistants (VAs) have streamlined his agency’s operations and created space for deeper client relationships, better data practices, and more productive teams. This candid conversation blends personal storytelling with practical takeaways—perfect for agents, business owners, or anyone navigating growth in a service-driven industry. 🗂️ Episode Breakdown 00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction & Icebreakers * Meet Alexander Shean: real estate principal, bungee jumper, and leader * Bungee vs. skydiving: which was scarier and why 02:01 – 06:00 | Life in the Showgrounds * Growing up in a multi-generation traveling show family * From dodgems to spruiking: learning crowd engagement early * How show life taught him sales, presence, and energy 06:01 – 09:00 | Starting in Real Estate * A career pivot from hospitality to real estate in Ascot * Following in his father’s footsteps * Loyalty to Ray White: culture, training, and opportunity 09:01 – 13:00 | Leadership & Business Ownership * Stepping into co-ownership in 2022 * The mindset shift from agent to team leader * Supporting a team of 40+ across sales and property management 13:01 – 16:00 | Unlocking Scale Through Virtual Assistants * Why previous VA experiences didn’t work—and what changed * Training, structure, and daily inclusion as keys to success * VA integration stories from both the sales and PM teams 16:01 – 19:00 | The Power of Data & Process * Creating ideal weeks for VAs and agents * Building databases for long-term growth * Using tools like NurtureCloud and leveraging AI to stay ahead 19:01 – 22:00 | Crystal Ball: Market Predictions & Olympic Buzz * The outlook for Brisbane’s blue-chip suburbs * Anticipated growth leading into the 2032 Olympics * The evolving real estate landscape in Hamilton, Ascot & Clayfield 📌 Key Takeaways * Communication skills are built in the trenches—sometimes on the carnival stage * Leadership is about shifting focus from personal success to team success * VAs can be transformative with the right onboarding and inclusion * Data, systems, and culture are foundational to scalable growth * Brisbane property is on a steady rise—with major movement expected pre-Olympics 🎧 Tune into this episode of Task Me Anything to discover how Alexander Shean is building a legacy in real estate, one system, one sale, and one team win at a time.

Episode 8: From Planner to People Powerhouse: How Candace Jarrett Built Her Recruitment Empire

🎧 Episode Synopsis: In this inspiring 16-minute episode, we meet Candace Jarrett, founder of niche recruitment firm Niche People, who shares her unconventional journey from town planning to building a thriving recruitment business—all while juggling life as a mother of three. With practical insights into entrepreneurship, the power of outsourcing, and the underestimated value of town planning, Candace gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how she scaled her business with the help of a virtual assistant and leaned into her network to become a leader in her field. 📌 Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – 02:30 | Quickfire Icebreakers Candace answers lighthearted questions—from her love of coffee and red wine to her late-night work habits and dream holidays. 02:31 – 05:00 | Career Origins Candace shares how a call from a recruiter and her strong industry network inspired her to leap into recruitment after a successful 20-year career in urban planning. 05:01 – 07:30 | Business Growth & The Role of a VA She discusses how hiring a virtual assistant transformed her operations, freeing up time for family and business growth. 07:31 – 10:00 | Life Balance & Outsourcing Wisdom Candace reflects on the importance of support systems, her past ventures, and lessons learned about not doing everything alone. 10:01 – 12:00 | Recruitment Realities She dives into the complexities of quality hiring, why headhunting matters, and how her VA, Dexter, contributes to sourcing top talent. 12:01 – 14:00 | Town Planning Advocacy Candace makes a case for town planning as a valuable and underappreciated career path—ideal for students exploring property-related industries. 14:01 – 16:00 | Final Advice & Closing Thoughts She offers powerful advice for small business owners: outsource smartly, value your time, and focus on what drives growth. 🎯 Why Listen: If you’re a business owner, aspiring recruiter, or curious about how to pivot careers successfully, Candace’s story will leave you motivated and equipped with actionable insights.

Episode 7: Ryan Murphy & the Power of Two: Scaling Real Estate with VAs

🎧 Episode Synopsis: In this high-energy and humor-filled episode of Task Me Anything, host Adam Duffus chats with Ryan Murphy—a rising real estate star from Logan—and his dynamic virtual assistant duo, Wendy and Alan, joining from the Philippines. Ryan pulls back the curtain on how leveraging not one, but two highly skilled VAs has elevated his business operations, allowing him to stay laser-focused on what he does best: selling homes and connecting with clients. Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at how VAs streamline prospecting, admin, and client communication, as well as gain insight into how Ryan's authenticity and structure have helped him become a trusted name in his market. With lively banter, fast-paced Q&A, and practical takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for agents ready to scale smart. 🗂️ Episode Breakdown: * 00:00 – 01:00 Introduction: Meet Ryan Murphy, the mullet-wearing real estate agent from Logan, and his VAs, Wendy and Alan. * 01:01 – 03:30 Quickfire questions & banter: Favorite pump-up tracks, dream VA task (spoiler: it's cooking), and off-the-clock hobbies. * 03:31 – 06:00 The VA Impact: Ryan explains how having two VAs allows him to delegate effectively, focus on high-impact tasks, and scale his listings pipeline. * 06:01 – 08:00 Workflow in Action: Wendy breaks down how structure and preparation set Ryan apart, and how clear delegation makes their teamwork seamless and productive. * 08:01 – 10:30 Cold Calling Confidence: Wendy shares what she loves about calling, her approach to gauging interest, and how this consistency fuels results. * 10:31 – 11:30 Secrets to Success: Ryan opens up about being authentic, building trust in the Logan market, and why being relatable beats being polished. * 11:31 – 12:00 Final laughs & golf rivalry: Wrapping up with a lighthearted exchange on golf, dreams of green jackets, and a cheeky twist on who’s giving advice to whom. 💡 Perfect For: Real estate agents, entrepreneurs, and business owners exploring how virtual assistants can drive real productivity, reduce operational strain, and support genuine growth.

Episode 6: From Reception to Real Estate Elite — Steph Marshall’s Journey with VA Power

In this inspiring episode of Task Me Anything, Adam Duffus welcomes real estate standout Steph Marshall from Harcourts Property Centre. Ranked in the top 1% of Harcourts agents internationally, Steph shares her journey from humble beginnings to building a powerhouse business supported by a dynamic virtual assistant team. Steph opens up about her personal challenges, her strategies for growth, and how smart delegation — particularly through VA support — has transformed her business and life. This conversation is packed with honest insights about real estate, resilience, and the power of playing to your strengths. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 — Introduction Adam introduces Steph Marshall, highlighting her remarkable achievements and her strategic use of VAs. 01:00 — Getting to Know Steph Quickfire questions reveal Steph’s guilty pleasures, work habits, favorite property features, and what she would outsource if she could. 03:00 — Steph’s Career Journey Steph shares her story of starting at reception, moving through various roles, her time in London, and how she ultimately built her confidence to succeed in real estate. 05:30 — Overcoming Challenges in Sales Steph discusses her initial reluctance toward prospecting and cold calling, and how persistence — and some creative outreach — landed her first listing. 07:00 — Recent Successes and Business Growth Reflecting on her record months, Steph talks about how consistent relationship-building and repeat business have driven her success. 08:30 — How VAs Have Changed Her Business Steph explains the crucial role her two VAs, Marco and Nora, play in maintaining a clean, powerful database and enabling her to focus on her strengths — without burning out. 10:30 — Looking Ahead Steph shares her plans to grow her team and her goal of becoming a $1.2 million agent, emphasizing consistent effort, focus, and energy management. 11:30 — Closing Thoughts Adam and Steph wrap up with mutual appreciation and excitement for what’s ahead in Steph’s career.