Relationships Before Transactions: How Chris Whitley Built a Thriving Gulf Coast Business

Daniel Shamooil (Voro): How I Built a 1,300-Agent 100% Commission Brokerage

In this episode of Agent Brew Executive Sessions, Eric Zollinger sits down with Daniel Shamooil, broker-owner of Voro Real Estate, to break down how he built a 100% commission brokerage from scratch—and scaled it into a 1,300+ agent platform operating across multiple states. Daniel shares his origin story (starting in NYC rentals at 19), the hard lessons from losing his first brokerage during the recession, and the mindset shift that led him to launch Voro in 2012—at a time when most people thought a distributed, 100% model was “nuts.” They also dig into what’s changing right now: staying ahead of the tech curve without losing the human touch, how Daniel is using Claude/AI to accelerate workflows (even building site components), and what Voro’s rebrand + new website launch means for agents looking for more autonomy and upside. Topics include: * Why Daniel went 100% commission from day one * Scaling from NYC to a multi-state brokerage * The “human connection” advantage in a tech-heavy world * AI tools Daniel actually uses (ChatGPT → Claude) * Mindset, consistency, and thinking bigger in business Subscribe for more conversations with operators building real estate at the highest level.

Marion Miner of Serhant: From Munich to Manhattan

Building a Global Real Estate Brand One Relationship at a TimeFour languages. Three continents. One unstoppable broker. In this episode of Agent Brew, host Eric Zollinger sits down with Marion Miner, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at Serhant, to unpack one of the most fascinating and internationally woven careers in New York City real estate. From her roots as a translator-interpreter in Munich to placing European diplomats and investors in Manhattan's most coveted addresses, Marion is proof that knowing your niche — and owning it fully — is everything.What we cover:1. How Marion built her business from scratch in NYC with zero local connections — through sheer networking, language fluency, and showing up at every global event in the city2. Why diplomats, Swiss investors, and European buyers keep finding their way to Marion — and how a referral network that spans continents actually gets built3. Her current listings: a stunning Paris apartment, a landmark Berlin villa with Marlene Dietrich history, and a fresh Battery Park two-bed with Hudson River views4. Going from zero to sixty on social media — and landing her first TikTok buyer at The Plaza5. Why she loves AI tools (including Claude!) — and why she's clear that they assist you, not replace you6. The lost art of the phone call — and why tone in a text message is costing agents deals7. The real difference between selling single-family homes in California vs. the fast, layered, drama-filled world of New York City co-ops and condosThe advice that landed: ""Don't copy anybody. Don't say 'I want to be like so-and-so.' Just be yourself — and make that clear to the world.""And the quote she lives by (translated from German, passed down from her mother): ""Have sunshine in your heart — then even the darkest day has light.""Marion Miner didn't have an uncle in the business or a grandmother with a Rolodex. She had four languages, a translator's ear for people, and the discipline to build something real. This episode is for every agent who has ever started somewhere new and had to figure it out from zero.Agent Brew is produced by RLTYco. RLTYco gives real estate agents the tools, resources, and support to run their business like a business — from tax services and healthcare to capital advancement and beyond. Learn more at RLTYco.comSubscribe so you never miss an episode. New conversations dropping weekly.#AgentBrew #RLTYco #MarionMiner #Serhant #RyanSerhant #RealEstate #LuxuryRealEstate #InternationalRealEstate #NewYorkRealEstate #RealEstatePodcast #AgentLife #GlobalRealEstate #RealEstateBusiness"

Thomas Hollingsworth of Compass: Systems, Grit, and Building a Team That Thrives

He started by answering a random email about a rental in Washington Heights. Seven years later, he's leading a 10-agent team, running marathons in Paris, and building financial systems in Notion that most brokerages don't even know exist.In this episode of Agent Brew, host Eric Zollinger sits down with Thomas Hollingsworth — Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at Compass, Certified Negotiation Expert, and founder of the Thrive Team — for a conversation that goes deep on what it actually takes to build a real business in real estate, not just close deals.What we cover:How a childhood spent bussing tables and bartending built the customer service instincts that now drive one of NYC's most systems-oriented teamsWhy Notion is the operational backbone of the Thrive Team — and how it connects everything from listings to Google Drive to Slack in one placeThe AI problem nobody's talking about: buyers and sellers running their own comps through ChatGPT's free tier — and getting dangerously wrong answersThe year everything broke: a business partner departure, significant debt, 107 transactions, and how Thomas rebuilt from the inside out to come back strongerRunning marathons and doing Ironman triathlons — and why the first three miles are usually spent negotiating deals in his headBuilding a full financial model for his business using AI — including hourly rate, S-corp salary structure, and team contribution breakdownsWhy he's finally investing in a brand guide for the Thrive Team — and what new agents pushed him to see that he was missingThe long game: out of production in 10 years, running the team remotely from eight acres in West Reading, ConnecticutThe line that landed: "It's not luck. It's silent preparation."Thomas Hollingsworth has been in this business less than 10 years and has already lived more entrepreneurial pivots than most agents see in a career. This one is for every agent who wants to stop feeding the business and start running one.Agent Brew is produced by RLTYco. RLTYco provides real estate agents the tools, resources, and support to run their business like a CEO — from tax services and healthcare to capital advancement and beyond.Learn more at RLTYco.comSubscribe so you never miss an episode. New conversations dropping weekly.#AgentBrew #RLTYco #ThomasHollingsworth #ThriveTeam #Compass #RealEstate #RealEstatePodcast #NewYorkRealEstate #RealEstateTeam #AgentLife #RealEstateBusiness #Notion #AIinRealEstate

Relationships Before Transactions: How Chris Whitley Built a Thriving Gulf Coast Business

In this episode of Agent Brew, host Eric Zollinger sits down with Chris Whitley, our first agent from REMAX. He is an associate from REMAX on the Coast based on Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast. Chris specializes in beachfront condos and beach houses across the 25-mile stretch of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.Now in his third year of real estate, Chris shares his unconventional journey from working in his family's fencing business at 14, to knocking on doors for a pressure washing side hustle, to building a thriving real estate practice. He credits much of his success to mentor Ricky Carruth, whose coaching program he joined in March 2024 after attending an in-person workshop. (Ricky is a partner of RLTYco!)Chris talks about why relationships always come before transactions, why he stays focused on buying and selling rather than property management, and how a simple system of phone calls, weekly emails, weekly texts, and direct mail keeps his pipeline strong. He also opens up about the power of defining your "why" — a turning point that brought clarity and fuel to his daily work, with a goal of building a business that allows his wife to join him full-time.Tune in for honest insights on scaling, staying disciplined, working in-office for accountability, and why showing up beats almost everything else.Favorite quote: "It's not about the goal — it's about growing to become the person who can accomplish that goal."#AgentBrew #RealEstate #Remax #GulfCoast #RickyCarruth

From the Smallest Town in Wales to the Heart of New York City Real Estate: Luke Whittle

Luke spent 12 years traveling the world — snowboarding, working on boats, living season to season with no plan and no apologies. Then at 31, a friend handed him a listing and everything changed.In this episode of Agent Brew, host Eric Zollinger sits down with Luke Whittle, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at Howard Hanna NYC. Luke is one of the most genuine and charming people you will meet. (He also brought his 13-year-old emotional support dog, Lil Girl, who stole the show.)What we cover:*Growing up in the smallest town in Wales, chasing snow seasons across the globe, and landing in New York City at 31 with one contact and zero fear*Starting his career with a $1.7M listing at Two Rector — and immediately discovering what a board package was the hard way*The townhouse deal his dog helped him land — a widow neighbor, an overpriced listing, a competing agent who did nothing, and a final number that brought her to tears: $4.275M against her ask of $3.2M*How he built a 100% referral-based business from scratch in a city where he knew almost no one — and what that took*Why StreetEasy is his biggest frustration — and why he misses the days of real open houses where you could actually educate a buyer*The new collaboration he's teasing — a partnership with a fellow agent that nobody's tried quite this way before*Patagonia, Japan, Colorado, and why last year's sacrifice of not traveling was worth it — but only barelyThe quote he lives by: "Work hard, be nice."Simple. Undefeated.Luke Whittle didn't take the traditional path into real estate. He took every other path first — and it made him exactly the kind of agent his clients trust completely.Agent Brew is produced by RLTYco — giving real estate agents the tools, resources, and support to run their business in a one stop shop. Learn more at RLTYco.comSubscribe so you never miss an episode. New conversations dropping every Tuesday. #AgentBrew #RLTYco #LukeWhittle #HowardHannaNYC #RealEstate #NYCRealEstate #LuxuryRealEstate #RealEstatePodcast #AgentLife #RealEstateBusiness #NewYorkRealEstate