Kevin Riggi: He Left a 17-Year Career to Bet Everything on Real Estate

Jake Clark: Why Commercial Real Estate Rewards Specialists and Punishes Generalists

Commercial real estate is not a business where generalists win. In this episode, Andrew Becker sits down with Jake Clark, commercial real estate advisor at SVN Accel, to break down why specialization, relationship building, and long-term consistency matter more than quick wins. Jake shares how he transitioned from private equity into brokerage, why multifamily remains his focus, and what new agents misunderstand about building traction in commercial real estate. In this episode: • Why specialists outperform generalists in commercial real estate • How Jake built a multifamily niche in the Nashville market • Why relationship-driven brokerage wins over transactional selling • The prospecting habits that create long-term deal flow About Our Guest: Jake is a commercial real estate advisor and multifamily investment specialist focused on helping clients navigate opportunities across Middle Tennessee’s evolving property market. After earning a Finance degree from the University of Dayton where he also competed as a collegiate hockey player, he moved to Nashville and quickly launched a career that combined commercial real estate private equity with brokerage. Early on, he played a role in sourcing and closing nearly $50 million in acquisitions before transitioning full-time into brokerage in 2023. Today, Jake specializes in multifamily real estate, mixed-use properties, and off-market investment opportunities, with more than $21 million closed in his first two years of brokerage and over $25 million in total deal volume since making the transition. Known for his market expertise in Franklin and Middle Tennessee, he approaches every client relationship with authenticity, discipline, and a long-term mindset shaped by faith, fitness, and a commitment to continuous growth both personally and professionally.

Daniel Gandee: Why Most Real Estate Teams Never Scale Past 100 Deals

Most real estate teams never fail because of sales. They fail because they never build systems that can scale. In this episode, Andrew Becker sits down with Daniel Gandee, co-founder and principal broker of the Operative Group, to break down the marketing systems, lead tracking processes, and operational discipline behind one of Oregon’s top-performing real estate teams. In this episode: • Why most real estate teams stall before reaching 100 deals • How Daniel tracks lead sources, conversions, and agent productivity • Why marketing matters more than sales for long-term growth • The team structure that helped scale to 200 projected transactions About Our Guest: Dan is a team leader, principal broker, and real estate investor with more than 15 years of experience across brokerage operations, IDX website technology, online lead generation, and design/build construction. As the leader of a Top 10 real estate team in Oregon, he has built a reputation for helping agents scale through social media marketing, YouTube for real estate, and modern digital lead generation strategies. Today, he leads a 20+ agent real estate team in Eugene, Oregon that produces more than $50 million in annual transactions. Known for combining real estate sales expertise with scalable marketing systems, Dan has coached hundreds of agents across the U.S. on growing their businesses and building stronger online visibility. He is a 3X “ELITE” Agent with Real Brokerage, was ranked the #6 Large Real Estate Team in Oregon by RealTrends and The Wall Street Journal, and has sold more than $100 million in investment property as a featured agent with BiggerPockets. He also serves as Board President of the Lane County Rental Owners Association.

The SEO Strategy That Made Derek Carlson a Top 1% Realtor

Before paid ads took over real estate marketing, Derek Carlson built one of the most effective SEO-driven lead generation systems in Southwest Florida. In this episode, Andrew Becker sits down with the founder of MVP Realty and Realty ONE Group MVP to discuss how niche neighborhood content created predictable lead flow, how Derek scaled a top brokerage through training and recruiting, and why adversity forced him to completely reinvent his business and life. In this episode: • How Derek leveraged long-tail SEO before most agents understood it • Why inbound internet leads changed the trajectory of his career • How recruiting and agent training fueled brokerage growth • The mindset shift that followed health scares and industry lawsuits About Our Guest: Derek Carlson is the CEO and Broker of Realty ONE Group MVP and a nationally recognized leader in the real estate industry. Over the past decade, he has helped build and scale multiple real estate companies supporting more than 1,300 Realtors and facilitating over 50,000 closed properties totaling more than $16 billion in sales volume. Under his leadership, Realty ONE Group MVP earned a national ranking of #86 out of more than 106,000 real estate offices, further establishing Derek as a respected voice in real estate leadership, business growth, and agent development. Beyond production and performance, Derek is deeply focused on mindset, vision, and purpose — helping entrepreneurs and real estate professionals unlock their full potential both personally and professionally. His experiences navigating business adversity, health challenges, and personal reinvention now fuel the message behind his upcoming book, “Unlock Your MVP.” A Lifetime Achievement Recipient and RISMedia ICON Award winner, Derek continues to inspire others to build businesses that create lasting income, impact, and fulfillment.

Jerome Hairston: How This Veteran Built an AI Relationship Engine for Real Estate

Jerome Hairston didn’t get into real estate to chase transactions. He built systems to create better relationships, faster analysis, and smarter decisions. In this episode, Andrew Becker sits down with the CEO of Harrison Investment Properties to break down how AI is changing real estate operations, why most investors are using it wrong, and how Jerome built a relationship-driven AI engine to support deal analysis, lead management, and long-term growth. In this episode: • How Jerome built an AI-powered relationship engine for real estate • Why AI should support operators instead of replacing people • How automated deal analysis is saving hours every week • Why authenticity still matters in an AI-driven business world About Our Guest: Jerome Hairston is a veteran project manager, military engineer, and real estate strategist with more than 20 years of experience leading construction, infrastructure, and investment-focused projects. As the founder of Hairston Premier Ventures, LLC, doing business as Hairston Investment Properties, Jerome specializes in investor advisory, project oversight, and structured real estate solutions designed to help clients make smarter long-term decisions. His background in military leadership and engineering has shaped a disciplined, systems-based approach focused on execution, quality control, and operational efficiency. Throughout his career, Jerome has built a reputation for combining strategic thinking with a relationship-driven mindset. He brings practical insight into real estate investing, business operations, and wealth-building strategies while helping clients and partners navigate complex opportunities with clarity and confidence. His perspective on leadership, structure, and sustainable growth offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, investors, and operators looking to build businesses with purpose and long-term impact.

Joan Brothers: Why High-End Real Estate Is Really a Global Relationship Business

High-end real estate is rarely just about one property or one market. In this episode, Andrew Becker sits down with Joan Brothers, CEO, licensed broker, and owner of Manhattan Boutique Real Estate, to discuss how Manhattan real estate connects with global advisory, trusted local partnerships, and long-term client relationships. In this episode: • Why New York City attracts global real estate clients • How Joan advises clients across Manhattan and international markets • Why trusted local partners matter in global transactions • What high-end clients expect from a boutique real estate advisor About Our Guest: Joan Brothers is the Founder and CEO of Manhattan Boutique Real Estate (MBRE), a women-owned global real estate advisory firm headquartered in New York with a growing presence across the U.S., London, and the MENA region. With more than 25 years of experience, Joan is known for helping clients navigate complex real estate decisions across international markets, economic cycles, and cultural landscapes. Her work spans individuals, family offices, corporations, and government-linked clients seeking strategic guidance with a discreet, high-touch boutique approach. Under Joan’s leadership, Manhattan Boutique Real Estate has earned recognition including the Best of Manhattan Award and participation in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. She is also a co-author of the #1 Amazon Best Seller Women in Business – Leading the Way, highlighting leadership, entrepreneurship, and women in business. Beyond real estate, Joan actively supports international collaboration and development initiatives, including work connected to the United Nations hospitality and advisory community.