It's happened to all of us at some point—your cousin, college roommate, or neighbor posts that they just bought or sold a house… but you weren't the agent. Ouch. If you've ever wondered how to handle it when a friend or family member uses someone else, this replay of one of our most-loved episodes has the clarity and pep talk you need.

Originally aired as Episode 165, this candid conversation dives deep into the reality of *working with friends and family in real estate*. From professional boundaries to emotional resilience, we share our personal stories—rejections included—and offer tangible tips to protect your mindset and run a smooth business, even when things get awkward.

Whether you're new to the business or 10 years in, this episode will remind you: it's not personal, it's business. And you've got what it takes to stay professional, kind, and confident through it all.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

- How to professionally respond when loved ones don't choose you

- Tips for setting boundaries when working with people you know

- Scripts to request a referral (without begging)

- Why it's important to treat friends and family like real clients

- How to turn rejection into future opportunity

- The importance of systems to help you stay consistent with every client

- Real stories of rejection—and how we survived them

Key Quotes & Takeaways

• "You can't expect your friends and family to use you. But you can always act like a professional—so they'll think of you next time." – Katy

• "Don't take it personally. It's not you, it's them. Seriously." – Alissa

• "Treat your cousin just like you would any other client—systems, email templates, boundaries and all." – Katy

• "If your friends think you hate real estate, why would they send you a referral?" – Alissa

• "Just because you know them doesn't mean you skip the buyer consultation." – Katy

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Email Templates 101 — http://emailtemplates101.com

• Agent Systems 101 — http://agentsystems101.com

• Build Your Own Business 101 — https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob

• FREE Database Template — https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

• Membership Community — https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership

Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you're toasting, and why! Email it to [email protected].

Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one