#783: The New Rules of Real Estate - How Agents Are Winning in Today's Market with Tony Cruz

#787: How Smart Investors Structure No-Money-Down Real Estate Deals with Tammy Pack

Episode Overview In this episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast Experience, John sits down with Tammy Pack for a powerful conversation on real estate investing, creative financing, and why agents need to stop just watching opportunities pass them by. Tammy shares how she went from trial lawyer to boutique owner, vacation rental operator, brokerage owner, investor, and real estate leader in Fredericksburg, Texas. Her message is simple: Agents have access to opportunities most people never see. The problem? Most agents don't know how to structure the deal. This episode breaks down how creative financing, private lending, seller carrybacks, market knowledge, and confidence can help agents buy more real estate, help more clients, and build long-term wealth. Key Topics Covered Why Creative Financing Matters Tammy explains why the biggest thing stopping most buyers and agents from investing is not the price or the rate. It's the down payment. She breaks down how agents can use creative structures to solve that problem and open up more opportunities. The Agent Advantage in Investing John and Tammy discuss how agents have insider access to deals, market shifts, seller motivation, and opportunity. But access is only valuable when you know what to do with it. Buying Real Estate with Little to No Money Down Tammy shares real examples of how she bought investment properties using: Private lenders Seller carryback financing 80/20 structures 100% financing Strong relationships Proven market knowledge The Buckhorn Cabin Story Tammy walks through how she bought a Fredericksburg cabin, turned it into a high-performing vacation rental, refinanced it, pulled cash out, and later sold it for over $1 million. The lesson: Know your numbers. Know your market. Know when to hold and when to sell. Why Reputation Is Everything Tammy explains how years of doing what she said she would do created trust with her private lender. At some point, investors are not just betting on the property. They are betting on you. Risk Tolerance and Smart Investing Tammy makes a powerful distinction between reckless risk and smart, calculated risk. Her rule: Stay inside what you understand deeply. She focuses on properties in proven, blue-chip locations where demand is clear and long-term value is strong. How Agents Can Build Confidence Tammy and John unpack why agents must know their market better than anyone else. Confidence comes from: Studying the numbers Understanding demand Knowing rental income Learning deal structure Practicing the language Getting reps Selling Yourself as the Expert Tammy shares sales lessons from retail, real estate, and investing. Her message: Stop projecting insecurity. Clients often ask surface-level questions just to make conversation. Your job is to guide the conversation with confidence. Lessons from Sales Tammy shares powerful examples about how sales is really about creating confidence and experience. Whether it is quilts, boots, diamonds, or real estate—the principle is the same: Know your product. Answer with confidence. Move the client forward. Building Wealth in Big Chunks One of Tammy's biggest lessons from her mother: You don't build serious wealth by nickel-and-diming your way there. You build it through smart real estate moves, long-term ownership, and strategic exits. Resources & Mentions Tammy Pack's book: Stop Waiting to Die BiggerPockets Rich Dad Poor Dad Carlton Sheets: No Money Down Tax Smart Real Estate Investing Podcast Tammy Pack on Instagram: @tammypacktalks Tammy Pack on TikTok Final Takeaway Real estate agents are sitting on opportunity every single day. The question is whether you know how to recognize it, structure it, and act on it. Creative financing is not magic. It is skill. It is confidence. It is relationships. It is knowing your market so well that when the right deal shows up, you can move. As Tammy reminds us: "You've got to know when the deal is so good that you better go find a way to buy it." Connect with Us: 7 Figure Audit: 7figurecall.com Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

#786: Why Community Is the New Competitive Advantage in Real Estate with Tricia Turner

Episode Overview In this episode of the Agent to CEO Podcast, John Kitchens sits down with longtime real estate leader Tricia Turner for a raw conversation about what it really takes to survive and win in today's market. With 23 years in the business, hundreds of homes sold, a team in Houston, brokerage experience, staging, events, and community building, Tricia brings a no-fluff perspective on where the industry is headed and why many agents are struggling. This episode dives into the market shift, agent skill gaps, brokerage consolidation, community-driven leadership, and the hard truth most team leaders avoid talking about: Profitability. If you're an agent, team leader, or broker trying to navigate this new real estate landscape, this conversation is a wake-up call. Key Topics Covered The Market Shift That Exposed Everything Tricia shares how the 2022 shift completely changed the game after the COVID boom. Topics include: Why 2023 and 2024 were two of the hardest years in her career How listings stopped moving Why many teams didn't cut expenses fast enough How a strong market can hide weak systems Why the Industry Needed a Reset John and Tricia unpack why the real estate industry is going through a major shakeout. They discuss: Agent bloat Low-production agents damaging consumer trust Why the market is forcing weak businesses to restructure The reality that consumers often feel they know more than their agents The Rise of New Brokerage Models Tricia breaks down the shift from traditional brokerage models to cloud-based, revenue-share, stock-based companies. They discuss: eXp Real Realty of America Compass and Anywhere Why ownership and compensation drive behavior Why agents are looking for more than a split Why Community Matters More Than Ever Tricia shares why agents are craving leadership, training, and real community right now. Her belief: Agents don't just need a brokerage. They need a place where someone actually helps them win. This led to her building the Rise and Thrive Community, a Monday-through-Friday training environment focused on real estate, AI, listings, market stats, and what agents need to say right now. The Skill Gap Crushing Agents Tricia calls out the biggest problem in the industry: Too many agents are untrained, unskilled, and unwilling to do the work. They discuss: Why agents chase lunches instead of leads The danger of following influencers with no real production history Why agents must sharpen listing skills, confidence, and market knowledge Why reps matter more than theory Who Agents Should Actually Listen To John and Tricia talk about the importance of paying attention to the right people. The message is simple: Don't follow people because they market well. Follow people who have actually done the work. Tricia's Decision-Making Filter Tricia shares how clarity around her future has shaped her decisions. Her North Star: Financial freedom Legacy for her family Building a company and community that creates opportunity Leading people the right way The Hot Seat: Profitability Tricia gets real about her biggest current bottleneck: Profitability. She opens up about the tension between wanting to give agents everything and needing the company to remain financially healthy. The hard truth: If the company isn't profitable, the mission cannot scale. Resources & Mentions Rise and Thrive Community → JoinRiseAndThrive.com Realty of America Kitchen Table Mastermind John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach Final Takeaway This market is exposing everything. Weak skills. Weak systems. Weak leadership. Weak financial models. But for the agents and leaders willing to get clear, get trained, build community, and focus on profitability, there is massive opportunity ahead. As Tricia says: "Get crystal clear on what you really want your life to look like." Connect with Us: 7 Figure Audit: 7figurecall.com Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

#785: Blueprint for Wealth: Navigating the World of Real Estate Investing with Jordan Wildman

Episode Overview In this episode of the Expert Mentors Live, John Kitchens sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Jordan Wildman to break down what it really takes to build long-term wealth through real estate investing. This conversation goes far beyond flipping houses or chasing commissions. Jordan shares the mindset, strategies, and systems behind using real estate as a true wealth-building vehicle—not just a job. From identifying opportunities and building investor relationships to understanding leverage, cash flow, and long-term asset acquisition, this episode is packed with practical insights for agents and entrepreneurs who want to stop thinking transaction-to-transaction and start building real financial freedom. If you've ever wondered how to transition from earning income to building wealth, this episode delivers the blueprint. Key Topics Covered Why Most Agents Stay Stuck Financially Jordan and John unpack why so many agents make great money—but never actually build wealth. The biggest issue? Most agents stay trapped chasing the next commission instead of building assets that create long-term freedom. Topics include: Income vs. wealth Transactional thinking vs. ownership thinking Why cash flow changes everything The danger of lifestyle inflation Real Estate as the Ultimate Wealth Vehicle Jordan explains why real estate remains one of the greatest paths to wealth creation: Leverage Appreciation Tax advantages Cash flow Equity growth And why agents have a massive insider advantage when it comes to identifying opportunities before the public ever sees them. "When you understand opportunities and know how to find deals, the game changes completely." The Investor Mindset Shift One of the biggest themes of the episode: 👉 Stop thinking like a salesperson and start thinking like an investor. Jordan shares: How investors evaluate opportunities differently Why emotional decisions kill deals The importance of buying based on numbers—not hype How clarity creates confidence in investing Building Relationships That Unlock Opportunities Jordan discusses how relationships are often more valuable than capital. The conversation dives into: Partnering with experienced investors Leveraging other people's money Building trust through consistency Creating win-win partnerships "If you can find the opportunity, the money will find you." The Power of Strategic Thinking John and Jordan emphasize the importance of having a long-term strategy instead of reacting emotionally to the market. Topics include: Reverse engineering your financial goals Knowing your buy box Understanding risk tolerance Creating a clear acquisition plan Flips vs. Buy-and-Hold Investing Jordan breaks down the differences between: Flipping properties for active income Buy-and-hold investing for long-term wealth And why many investors eventually shift toward: Cash flow Appreciation Asset stability Less operational complexity Why Most People Never Get Started Jordan shares the real reasons people stay stuck: Fear Analysis paralysis Lack of clarity Waiting for "perfect timing" The truth: Most successful investors learned by taking action before they felt fully ready. Leveraging Your Real Estate Business to Build Assets One of the most powerful concepts in the episode: Your real estate business should become the engine that funds your investments. Instead of spending every commission check: Use active income to acquire assets Build recurring income streams Create long-term stability outside production The Long-Term Wealth Formula Jordan shares the importance of: Patience Discipline Consistency Strategic acquisition Because wealth isn't built in one deal. It's built through: Repetition Smart decision-making Long-term ownership Compounding growth Advice for Agents Wanting to Start Investing Jordan's practical advice for agents: Start small Learn your market deeply Build relationships with investors Focus on opportunities, not perfection Stay disciplined with your money The key: You don't need to know everything to get started—you just need to start. Resources & Mentions Real Estate Investment Strategies Buy-and-Hold Investing Flipping Properties Wealth Building Through Real Estate John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach Seven Figure Strategy Call → SevenFigureCall.com Final Takeaway Real estate commissions can create income. But ownership creates freedom. The agents and entrepreneurs who win long-term are the ones who stop thinking transaction-to-transaction and start building assets that work for them. Because eventually: The goal isn't just to make money. It's to build wealth that creates options, freedom, and legacy. "Your business should fund your freedom—not trap you inside the grind." Connect with Us: 7 Figure Audit: 7figurecall.com Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

#784: How to Build a Brand People Can't Stop Talking About with Damien and Jessica Zouaoui

Episode Overview In this episode of the Agent to CEO Podcast, John Kitchens sits down with entrepreneurs Damien and Jessica Zouaoui, founders of Oakwell Beer Spa, to unpack one of the most creative and experience-driven business models in hospitality today. What started as two corporate professionals living in New York City turned into a 14-month trip around the world searching for the perfect business idea. That journey eventually led them to a concept almost nobody in America had seen before: 👉 A luxury beer spa experience combining wellness, hospitality, craft beer, and human connection. But this conversation goes far beyond spas and hospitality. Damien and Jessica break down the real lessons behind building a scalable business: Why unreasonable hospitality is the future How customer experience creates word-of-mouth growth What it takes to scale brick-and-mortar businesses Why systems and SOPs matter How married couples can successfully build together The power of creating emotional connection inside your brand This episode is a masterclass in building a business people don't just buy from—but remember forever. Key Topics Covered Leaving Corporate America to Chase a Bigger Vision Damien and Jessica share how they walked away from successful corporate careers in New York City to pursue entrepreneurship. After getting married just nine months after meeting, they made a bold decision: Quit their jobs Sell everything they owned Pack two backpacks Travel the world until they found the right business idea Their mission: Find a concept with: Longevity Scalability Strong market timing Emotional connection "We weren't coming home until we found the perfect business idea." Discovering the Beer Spa Concept The breakthrough happened while traveling through Europe. Jessica immediately saw the opportunity: Beer + wellness + hospitality = a massive untapped opportunity in America. Damien initially approached it more cautiously, analyzing: Market fit Cultural adaptation Pricing models Geographic viability Scalability potential Together, they combined intuition + strategy to create the Oakwell concept. Why Hospitality Is Their Competitive Advantage Oakwell Beer Spa isn't just about beer baths. It's about how people feel the moment they walk through the door. From personalized greetings to scent marketing, curated music, private spa suites, and handwritten details, every part of the experience was intentionally designed to create emotional connection. Their philosophy: 👉 Hospitality is not transactional. 👉 Hospitality is emotional. "The first three seconds matter most." What "Unreasonable Hospitality" Really Means Damien and Jessica share how they modeled much of their customer experience after luxury brands like: Ritz-Carlton Four Seasons High-end boutique hospitality brands Examples include: Greeting guests by name Escorting guests instead of pointing directions Personalized guest notes and preferences "My pleasure" instead of "No worries" Anticipating needs before guests ask Their belief: The little details create the lasting memories. The Oakwell Beer Spa Experience The Oakwell experience includes: A luxury taproom with local craft beer and wine Private spa suites Beer-infused hydrotherapy tubs Infrared saunas Rain showers Beer-infused skincare products Zero gravity massage experiences Room service inside spa suites The goal: Create a social wellness experience unlike anything else in America. Why Emotional Connection Creates Loyalty One of the most powerful insights from the episode: People don't return because of the product alone. They return because of: How they felt The personal connection The attention to detail The emotional memory attached to the experience Oakwell's members often describe it as: Their favorite date night A relationship reset A place to reconnect and unplug Building Systems That Scale Damien and Jessica explain how they intentionally built Oakwell from day one to scale. They focused heavily on: SOPs Training manuals Service standards Operational systems Replicable customer experiences This allowed them to eventually remove themselves from daily operations and focus on: Expansion Product development Franchising opportunities Long-term strategy "We started with the end in mind." Scaling Brick-and-Mortar Businesses Is Different Unlike digital businesses, physical businesses come with unique challenges: Staffing Real estate Build-outs Training consistency Customer experience management Team culture Damien explains why maintaining standards while scaling is one of the biggest ongoing bottlenecks in hospitality businesses. The Importance of Talent & Culture One of the strongest themes in the conversation: Your team is your business. Oakwell invests heavily into: Employee training Service standards Culture development Hiring intentionally Long-term team retention Because in hospitality: 👉 The team creates the experience. Advice for Real Estate Agents & Service Businesses Damien and Jessica share how real estate agents can apply hospitality principles immediately: Make every interaction personal Take detailed client notes Anticipate client needs Be proactive in communication Focus on emotional experience—not transactions Their message: People remember how you made them feel more than what you sold them. Running a Business as a Married Couple The couple also opens up about what it's really like building a business together. Their keys: Stay in your lane Define responsibilities clearly Respect each other's expertise Never show friction publicly Protect professionalism at all times Jessica handles: Operations HR Finance Compliance Damien leads: Marketing Sales Technology Brand strategy Together, they operate with clear ownership and aligned vision. Resources & Mentions Oakwell Beer Spa → Oakwell.com Oakwell Cosmetics Ritz-Carlton Service Standards Four Seasons Hospitality Principles John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach Kitchen Table Mastermind Final Takeaway In a world where AI, automation, and convenience are everywhere… Human experience becomes the advantage. The businesses that win moving forward won't just offer better products. They'll create: Better emotions Better memories Better hospitality Better connection Because people may forget the transaction… But they never forget how you made them feel. "Hospitality is not transactional. It's emotional." – Damien Zouaoui Connect with Us: 7 Figure Audit: 7figurecall.com Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

#783: The New Rules of Real Estate - How Agents Are Winning in Today's Market with Tony Cruz

Episode Overview In this episode of Expert Mentors Live, John Kitchens sits down with real estate operator and AI strategist Tony Cruz to unpack the new realities of today's market—and why the agents who adapt fastest are the ones winning right now. From shifting buyer behavior and difficult pricing conversations to AI-powered follow-up systems and voice automation, Tony breaks down the exact strategies agents need to stay relevant, scalable, and profitable in a rapidly changing industry. This conversation dives into: Why many agents are struggling in today's market The massive "skill void" happening inside real estate How AI is transforming lead conversion and follow-up Why most CRMs are silently killing opportunities The rise of Voice AI and webinar marketing How simple automations can dramatically increase conversions If you're trying to grow your business without drowning in busy work, this episode delivers practical strategies you can implement immediately. Key Topics Covered What's Actually Different About Today's Market Tony explains why today's market requires agents to become stronger communicators—not just marketers. Today's buyers and sellers are: More cautious More payment-sensitive More informed More skeptical Which means agents must stop "talking at" clients and start having more consultative conversations. "The name of the game right now is who owns the buyers." Why Agents Are Struggling According to Tony, the biggest issue isn't the market itself—it's the lack of skill development. Many agents struggle because they've never learned: Negotiation Expectation setting Lead conversion Objection handling Relationship-based communication He also points to a lack of leadership and training inside many brokerages. The Luxury Listing Strategy That Builds Trust Tony shares how he's using third-party appraisals on luxury listings to create: Credibility Realistic seller expectations Easier pricing conversations Stronger positioning Instead of telling sellers what they want to hear, he focuses on building trust through data and transparency. The Follow-Up Problem Most Agents Don't Realize They Have One of the biggest breakthroughs Tony shares is how AI exposed major flaws inside his own CRM follow-up systems. After auditing his automations using Claude AI, he realized: His messaging lacked rapport His follow-up was too generic His sequences weren't aligned with the client avatar Once rewritten, engagement and responses increased significantly. "You're not building rapport—you're talking at them." The "Did You Get My Email?" Strategy Tony reveals one of the simplest—and highest ROI—follow-up tactics agents can implement immediately. After sending an important email, send a text the next day: "Hey, did you get my email yesterday?" This simple system dramatically improves: Open rates Replies Engagement Appointment conversions Why Most Agents Waste Money on Leads Tony explains why running ads without proper systems is a recipe for failure. Before agents spend money on: Zillow Realtor.com Facebook ads Google PPC They must first fix: Their follow-up Their CRM Their automations Their conversion systems "You're pouring water into a sinking ship." Webinar Marketing: The Most Underrated Lead Source One of Tony's favorite strategies right now: 👉 Buyer and seller webinars. Why webinars work: Extremely low lead costs Scalable communication Instant authority positioning Highly targeted audiences Instead of one-on-one conversations all day, webinars allow agents to educate and convert multiple prospects at once. AI: What Most Agents Are Getting Wrong Tony believes most agents use AI poorly because they: Accept weak outputs too quickly Ask vague questions Lack business clarity Don't refine prompts deeply enough His framework: Ask AI for the solution Ask "What's missing?" Refine repeatedly Push for deeper outputs Why Tony Is Moving from ChatGPT to Claude Tony explains why Claude has become his preferred AI platform: Better reasoning Stronger conversational outputs Less hallucination Better business analysis Voice AI: The Biggest Opportunity in Real Estate Tony calls Voice AI one of the most disruptive technologies in the industry right now. Why? Because it solves one of the biggest agent bottlenecks: 👉 Consistent follow-up. Voice AI can: Make outbound calls Handle objections Book appointments Transfer hot leads live And unlike human ISAs: It never gets tired Never forgets follow-up Never misses scripts "Voice AI replaces the most painful task agents don't want to do." The Fastest Way to Generate Leads This Week Tony's challenge to agents: Go into local Facebook groups and simply ask: "Who's planning to move in the next 60 days?" This creates instant engagement, conversations, and opportunities without spending money. His reminder: "It's not a lack of resources. It's a lack of resourcefulness." The CLIMBR Community Tony also shares details about the CLIMBR Community, built alongside: Veronica Figueroa Kendall Bonner Jake Randolph The mission: Help agents grow through: AI training Systems Automation Real-world implementation Brand-independent education Resources & Mentions Climber Community Go High Level CRM Claude AI Voice AI Systems Webinar Lead Generation Strategy John Kitchens Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach Seven Figure Strategy Call → SevenFigureCall.com Final Takeaway The agents winning today aren't just working harder. They're: Building smarter systems Communicating better Automating consistently Leveraging AI effectively Creating scalable follow-up Because in today's market: Skill matters again. Relationships matter again. And systems matter more than ever. "Systems scale. Human error doesn't." – Tony Cruz Connect with Us: 7 Figure Audit: 7figurecall.com Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥