Be the Solution with Maria Quattrone

I sat down with my longtime friend (and friendly competitor) Chris Somers, CEO of The Somers Team. We’ve both been in this wild real estate world for 22 years, and today we went straight at it—adaptability, leadership, and getting deals to the finish line when the market isn’t giving anyone freebies. I opened with a line that anchors me: “The most successful people are those who accept and adapt to constant change.” That’s been our story—from the financial crisis to zero rates, inflation, and a tougher transaction environment. If you’re ready to control the controllables and lead, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways (from me)

• Adaptability is survival. Markets shift. Stay flexible, humble, and decisive—or get left behind.
• Plan for fallout. Termination rates are up. If you think you need 10 closings, plan for 13–14. Do more than you think you need.
• Teams accelerate growth. New agents have a much higher success rate on a team—skills, systems, and support matter.
• Control what you can. Double down on contact, follow-up, sales skills, and daily consistency.
• Lead in your market. We are community leaders—advocate for homeownership and sensible policy; protect property rights.
• Mindset first. Gratitude, boundaries, and listening are performance multipliers. Protect your time and your focus.
• Cycles turn. With rates easing and pent-up demand building, be the person who’s already prepared when activity lifts.

Standout Quotes

• From me (Maria): “It’s time to hunker down—blinders on. Add 30% to what you think you need, control the controllables, and let the results follow.”
• From Chris: “Small things done consistently over time lead to big results.”

Connect with Chris Somers

• Guest: Chris Somers, CEO — The Somers Team (Philadelphia)
• Connect: LinkedIn: Christopher Somers • Instagram/Facebook: The Somers Team
  (Share exact handles/links and I’ll insert them.)

We don’t wait for easy markets—we be the solution. Do the work, lead your people, and keep your mindset clean. Survive first, then thrive. I’m grateful you’re here with me on this journey—now let’s get to work.

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

In this dynamic episode of Be the Solution, host Maria Quattrone sits down with powerhouse real estate leader Kevelyn Guzman, a woman who's not only reshaped how brokerages operate—but how leaders lead.

As Regional Vice President at Coldwell Banker Warburg, Kevelyn has spent more than two decades building innovative, people-first solutions for New York City’s most competitive real estate environment. She played a pivotal role in the firm’s 2021 acquisition by Coldwell Banker and has since redefined agent support by treating agents as clients—championing their growth with technology, strategic positioning, and mentorship across generations.

Kevelyn’s leadership philosophy is rooted in empowerment, honesty, and impact. From launching the NYC chapter of What Moves Her, to being named a 2025 Inman Power Player, she has shown what it means to lead with heart and results. In this conversation, Kevelyn and Maria get real about what it takes to grow a business, empower teams, and stay relevant in an industry constantly in flux.

If you’re ready to future-proof your business and lead with purpose, this episode is your roadmap.

💡 Key Discussion Points:

• Why Q1 starts NOW: Planning forward like a true operator
• Smashing the traditional model: Agents are clients, not subordinates
• Leadership without ego: The power of listening and humility
• How to scale your personal brand—with boundaries and clarity
• Daily productivity tips: handwritten lists, calendar blocking, and weekly resets
• Real talk on AI tools: ChatGPT, CapCut, CRM automation
• Growing as a Latina in real estate: Representation, responsibility, and resilience
• Navigating multi-generational teams with grace and structure
• Setting boundaries as a leader—why saying “no” unlocks greater “yeses”

🗣️ Featured Quotes:

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

What happens when the name on the door stops feeling like success and starts feeling like a cage? Craig Lurch, a Philadelphia real estate veteran and son of a broker, tells the raw story of smashing his “snow globe”—leaving his own brokerage, confronting ego, and rebuilding a career around three simple funnels: change lives, make money, have fun. It wasn’t tidy. It cost real money, pride, and a few tears. But it delivered clarity, scale, and a daily rhythm that protects energy and multiplies impact.

We dig into practical frameworks that any pro can steal: 90-day planning with big rocks, outcome-based calendars that kill knee-jerk decisions, and the discipline of saying no so your best yes can find you. Craig makes a case for kindness as a competitive edge—random acts that change someone’s day and quietly compound your reputation. He lays out today’s market reality with no spin: tight inventory, buyer agency agreements with teeth, and why insisting on alignment is not arrogance, it’s stewardship. If you’ve ever battled pricing delusion, boundary pushers, or the threat of a one-star tantrum, you’ll find scripts and stances that keep you sane and effective.

There’s heart here too. Behavior never lies, mastery takes time, and fun isn’t optional; it’s fuel. We talk Philly grit, unscripted radio, Italy’s calming effect, and a pink flamingo legacy from Craig’s mother—a reminder to leave people better than you found them. If your “success” feels small for who you’ve become, consider this your nudge to shatter the glass, build a blue ocean, and work with more intention and joy.

If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a quick review—what’s one snow globe you’re ready to smash?

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

What if your clients didn’t need you in the room to feel fully served? We sit down with Guillermo Salas—born and raised in Philly, now raising four kids in Madrid—to unpack how he moved abroad, kept his real estate business thriving, and actually got closer to the life he wanted. The surprise isn’t that remote real estate works; it’s that leading with transparency and well-documented systems can grow your business while you live where you feel most alive.

Guillermo walks us through the pivotal lessons from COVID that shattered the myth of mandatory face time and opened the door to video-first service, no-attendance closings, and on-demand showing assistants. We explore the power of authenticity as a differentiator, the ego trap that keeps agents glued to tasks others can do, and the concrete SOPs that make “boots on the ground” reliable and repeatable. From time-zone routines that reserve afternoons for U.S. calls to morning rhythms built around family, we map a workday that respects both clients and life.

We also get practical about visas, first-week logistics, and why you shouldn’t move to your vacation. Spain won for language immersion, culture, and cost of living—but the family still pivoted from a sleepy coastal town to Madrid’s energy to match their actual needs. On the business side, Guillermo shares how global referrals, virtual brokerages, revenue share, and stock can stack durable wealth on top of deal income. We talk financial literacy for agents, lowering fixed costs, and turning expertise into products—courses, coaching, and playbooks—that travel anywhere.

If you’ve felt the pull to live abroad or simply design a saner, more option-rich version of your career, this conversation gives you the blueprint: systems over heroics, honesty over posturing, and multiple income streams over endless hustle. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review to tell us where you’d build your life if the “how” stopped holding you back.

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

Ever wonder what's really happening during those crucial hours of a home inspection? In our eye-opening conversation with returning guest Corwin Jackson, we pull back the curtain on this pivotal moment in the real estate transaction that can make or break a deal.

Corwin dismantles the common misconception that home inspectors are "deal killers," explaining their true purpose is to provide an objective assessment of a property's current condition. We explore why those aging roof systems, hidden foundation issues, and outdated HVAC equipment matter so much in negotiations, and why the typical visual, non-intrusive inspection has important limitations every buyer should understand.

The game-changing takeaway from our discussion centers on pre-listing inspections. For just about $450, sellers can transform their negotiating position by identifying issues before listing their property. This strategic approach prevents the dreaded scenario where a home sits on the market for weeks, goes under contract, fails inspection, and returns to market with a damaged reputation. As Corwin puts it, "It's penny-wise and pound-foolish" to skip this crucial step.

Beyond transaction strategy, we discuss how home inspections serve as valuable educational opportunities for new homeowners. From locating water shut-off valves to understanding maintenance schedules, this knowledge transfer helps buyers properly care for what is likely their largest investment.

Whether you're buying your first home or selling your fifth, this conversation will arm you with the insights needed to approach inspections strategically. Ready to be the solution in your next real estate transaction? Listen now and discover how proper home inspections can save you thousands and prevent headaches down the road.

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

What if the answer you've been searching for is simply putting in the work? That's the powerful message Robin Martin, leader of Premier Home Team at Keller Williams, shares in this compelling conversation about persistence, discipline, and accountability in real estate.

Drawing from his background as a college track coach, Robin reveals how he "brute-forced" his way to success in just six years through relentless activity. He transparently breaks down his journey from making 5,000 dials to get a single listing as a new agent to becoming dramatically more efficient through deliberate practice. The magic moment came when Robin realized success in real estate wasn't about luck or natural talent—it was mathematical and repeatable.

"Real estate is something you can work your way to success in, even when you don't have the talent yet, even when you don't have the resources, the database, the pipeline," Robin explains. This accessibility makes the profession uniquely fair—anyone willing to commit to consistent activity can build a thriving business. Maria and Robin agree that 20 meaningful conversations daily virtually guarantees a sustainable career, regardless of age or experience.

Beyond tactics, the conversation delves into the mindset shift required for lasting success. Robin shares how partnering with Place transformed his business by surrounding him with ambitious people who "rob you of your excuses," while Maria illustrates radical accountability through powerful everyday scenarios. The episode culminates in a profound reminder that your circumstances result from choices you've made—and only you have the power to change them.

Whether you're a seasoned agent or considering a career in real estate, this episode offers both practical wisdom and the motivation to take full ownership of your journey. Ready to be the solution to your own challenges? Listen now and discover how persistence and accountability can transform your business and life.

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

What if the question that annoyed you throughout childhood became the guiding principle for your success? For Michelle Berman-Mikel, founder of Beyond the Method, her father's persistent question after every swim meet—"Was that the best you could do today?"—transformed from a frustrating interrogation into the cornerstone of her business philosophy.

Michelle reveals how discipline and relentlessness became her defining traits, sharing candidly how these qualities enabled her to build a thriving business, secure major speaking engagements, and write her upcoming book. With refreshing honesty, she dismantles the myth that content virality leads to business success, explaining instead that "virality doesn't pay bills—appointments do." Her systematic approach to follow-up sets her apart in an industry where most give up far too soon.

What makes Michelle's methodology unique is her recognition that we must work with our authentic selves rather than against them. Her "value series" approach places content creators in environments where their passion naturally shines through, making videos more engaging and genuine. This philosophy extends to her personal journey as well—from the moment she spotted her future husband at the gym and knew instantly he was "the one" (despite never having spoken), to marrying him just two months after their first date, to navigating the heartbreaking loss of a child while writing her book.

The pivotal realization that she wasn't a social media expert but a prospecting expert transformed both her business and her understanding of her purpose. Now, as she prepares to launch her book on August 25th, Michelle's message resonates with anyone seeking sustainable success: identify what truly sets you apart, commit to consistent daily actions, and never stop following up on opportunities. Ready to transform your approach to business and life? Michelle's story shows how small, consistent choices ultimately create who we become.

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

The secret to lasting success in real estate isn't found in flashy marketing campaigns or viral social media strategies—it's built one meaningful relationship at a time. Broker Gina Romano reveals how this philosophy has fueled her 21-year career during a candid conversation with Maria Quattrone on the Be the Solution podcast.

"In relationships, the little things are the big things," quotes Gina, sharing how she's cultivated a business so rooted in authentic connections that she "would never have to take an online lead again" to maintain her success. Before becoming a powerhouse broker with two thriving offices in New Jersey, Gina honed her relationship skills selling Longaberger baskets as a direct sales representative. This experience taught her the value of handwritten notes, meaningful conversations, and genuine interest in clients' lives—skills she transferred directly to real estate.

What makes Gina's approach particularly refreshing is her willingness to blend traditional relationship-building techniques with modern strategies. While her brokerage attracts primarily young agents under 30, she teaches them "old school" fundamentals like neighborhood farming, personal calls, and face-to-face meetings alongside cutting-edge digital marketing. This marriage of approaches creates sustainable business practices that withstand market fluctuations and technological changes.

The conversation also explores how the industry has evolved, with teams effectively replacing the supportive function traditional brokerages once provided. Gina's "team-ridge" model offers the collaborative benefits of a team structure while maintaining individual agent identities—all built on the foundation of strong relationships between broker and agents through consistent one-on-one coaching.

Whether you're new to real estate or a seasoned professional, this episode offers a powerful reminder that our business thrives on human connection. As Gina wisely notes, "You can have every shiny toy and a million followers, but if they can't connect with you on a higher level, you might not get business." Ready to build your business through relationships rather than transactions? Listen now and discover how the "little things" truly become the big things in your real estate career.

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

What does it truly mean to live life by design? In this powerful conversation with returning guest Dan Zytowski, we explore the transformative philosophy that "life begins when you step outside your comfort zone." 

Dan shares his journey from being a self-described "depressed millionaire" flipping houses to creating a life centered on purpose, presence, and authentic relationships. His refreshing perspective challenges conventional thinking about success, encouraging listeners to stop waiting for some mythical future "golden years" and instead design their ideal life today.

The conversation takes unexpected turns as we explore the paralyzing effects of perfectionism, the power of imperfect action, and the liberation that comes from failing forward. Dan vulnerably shares his deepest fear - not of heights or public speaking - but of reaching the end of life and meeting "the person he could have been" had he taken more chances and lived more boldly.

We dive into practical strategies for reverse-engineering your dream life, starting with a simple but profound exercise: imagining what your calendar would look like if time and money weren't obstacles. From there, Dan explains how to work backwards, creating incremental steps that lead to extraordinary transformation.

Perhaps most valuable is Dan's insight that all business success ultimately comes down to just two things: building relationship capital and solving problems. When you master these elements through authentic connection rather than transactional thinking, you create sustainable success that aligns with your deepest values.

Whether you're a real estate professional looking to elevate your business or simply someone seeking more meaning and intentionality in your life, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical steps to begin your journey today. As Dan reminds us, the most important question might be: "Who do you need to become to create the life you truly desire?"

Take one insight from this episode and implement it today. Share your experience with us, as we'd love to hear how these ideas are transforming your approach to business and life.

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535

What would you attempt if you knew you couldn't fail? This question lies at the heart of entrepreneurship, where fear often becomes the invisible barrier between where we are and where we want to be.

Jay Doran, culture expert and founder of Culture Matters, takes us on a journey through the complex relationship between fear and organizational culture. "When I'm not sharing my vision out of fear, I'm not showing up as the best version of myself," Jay reveals, highlighting how personal limitations directly impact business outcomes. The conversation explores how fear can both motivate and paralyze, and how successful entrepreneurs learn to harness it productively.

The origin story of Culture Matters unfolds as Jay shares his transformation from an anxious, overwhelmed entrepreneur to a passionate advocate for value-driven organizations. After discovering a book about The Container Store's founding principles during a moment of anxiety, Jay implemented core values in his first business venture and witnessed remarkable changes in team behavior. This experience revealed his gift for teaching and set him on a path to help other businesses discover their cultural foundations.

As businesses grow, they face an interesting challenge: transitioning from fear-based motivation to value-driven culture. Jay and Maria discuss how defining vision, mission, and values creates a foundation that sustains motivation beyond fear. This process of making implicit values explicit gives organizations direction and purpose that transcends individual anxieties.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when Jay shares his experience interviewing Dr. Jordan Peterson, describing how preparation allowed him to balance fan excitement with professional responsibility. "To become a hero, you must meet your heroes," Jay observes, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in entrepreneurial journeys.

Whether you're just starting your business or leading an established organization, this conversation offers valuable insights on overcoming fear, building authentic culture, developing self-awareness, and nurturing the relationships that sustain entrepreneurial success. As Maria's podcast name suggests, the ultimate goal is to "Be the Solution" – for your customers, your team, and yourself.

Connect with Maria Quattrone:
Facebook: Maria Quattrone
LinkedIn: Maria Quattrone
YouTube: Maria Quattrone
Instagram: @maria_quattrone
TikTok: mariaquattronerealestate
Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535