The Real Estate Success Podcast

Military Structure to Entrepreneur Freedom in Real Estate with Matt Salway

Matt Salway's journey to becoming one of Hampton Roads' top-producing real estate agents didn't start in real estate—it started in the United States Navy. In this episode of the Real Estate Success Podcast, Matt shares how he built a thriving real estate business while serving 14 years on active duty, raising a family, and balancing the demands of military life. What began as a side hustle quickly evolved into a business selling more than 100 homes per year. We discuss: • Building a real estate business while working full-time in the Navy • The mentors and relationships that accelerated his growth • How systems and processes helped him scale production • Why he ignores market noise and focuses on execution • The power of serving a niche and leveraging military relationships • Transitioning from military service to full-time entrepreneurship • The identity shift that comes with leaving a structured career • Balancing business success with family life and personal freedom Matt also opens up about the unexpected challenges of slowing down after years of operating at a high tempo and what success means to him today. Whether you're a Realtor, entrepreneur, veteran, or business owner, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on leadership, consistency, and building a life that aligns with your values. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with top-producing Realtors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Connect with Matt Salway: https://matthewsalway.ironvalleyrealestate.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXdhS1FIa1BIeXM4dGhXSV9ZR1hoeEZabWZnd3xBQ3Jtc0tsS25lOGNLRXpjRmk2cF8yY1Y3SThsdDE5N0ZJMmM5U1VtWjBITFJIdlE4VHRqdFlNQWIwaDE4TmpaYVJabjZyZGlJWERrLVhOTUJxa1ZJOF90UWZTYkVjTzA5XzBNVGlZLVZlRjQ2cHpWRV8wV3FJbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmatthewsalway.ironvalleyrealestate.com%2F&v=Y1b5iMLGm7k] https://www.instagram.com/milrealtor757/ 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/]

Quiet Strength: Angie Clark on Building a Real Estate Career Without the Spotlight

My guest on today’s podcast is Angie Clark, a powerhouse of quiet strength, resilience, and intentional leadership in the real estate world. Angie’s journey is anything but linear. From co-owning a restaurant in her early 20s to carving her own path in new construction and later resale, she’s walked through the fire, to build a business grounded in integrity and service. What began as a practical decision to get her real estate license evolved into a full-fledged calling. In our conversation, Angie shares what it was like navigating the crash of 2008 while both she and her husband were in the industry, how she built a thriving business without self-promotion, and the moment she realized that growing a brokerage and managing a team wasn’t the version of success she actually wanted. She speaks candidly about finding balance as a mom of two, stepping back from the hustle to realign with her values, and the surprising joy of returning to new construction in a leadership capacity on her own terms. Angie’s story is a reminder that success isn’t one-size-fits-all—and sometimes, the bravest move you can make is to slow down. Connect with Angie: angie@angieclarkteam.com https://angieclarkteam.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angieclarkrealestate757/ 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/]

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/]