Breaking into commercial real estate isn’t easy—especially if you have zero connections. But@RaphaelCollazo did just that, leveraging content creation, networking, and personal branding to build a thriving career in CRE.

In this episode of Commercially Speaking, Bo and Timmy Barron sit down with Rafael to discuss his journey from software consultant to commercial real estate expert, the challenges of starting from scratch, and how he launched his own brokerage. Plus, Rafael shares the game-changing strategy that helped him create instant credibility and win business before he even closed his first deal.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Why most new brokers fail in their first 2 years & how to avoid itHow Rafael used books, podcasts, and meetups to build authority in CREThe truth about making money in commercial real estate (spoiler: it’s not quick)How to qualify prospects so you don’t waste time on bad dealsThe power of canvassing and real-world networking to land clientsWhy personal branding is more important than ever for brokers & investors🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube!

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

📚 Millennial Playbook Series by Rafael Collazo:https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B076P3D7CP

🎙️ Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/7nBAnFfe0IUJEQ0WpzNlrz?si=695dd9a06ffa4c60

🏢 Summit Commercial Group:https://sumcg.com/

GET YOUR VIRTUAL EA TOADY:https://www.superpowershq.com/commerciallyspeaking

The Massimo Group: SIGNIFICANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY HIGHER COMMISSIONS ARE WITHIN YOUR REACH:https://www.massimo-group.com

Site To Do Business: BUILT TO DELIVER COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INSIGHT:https://www.stdb.com/

OUR NEWSLETTER:https://subscribe.wgbarron.com/?utm_source=newsletter_share

⏰Time Code⏰00:00:00 - Start00:02:07 - Intro00:06:00 - Born in Italy00:07:06 - Pasta Pasta Pasta00:09:04 - From Tupperware to Software00:09:46 - So They Just Dropped You In Louisville?00:10:02 - Began writing books to scratch the entrepreneurial itch00:11:19 - Real Estate Meetup00:12:56 - Breaking Into The Close Guarded CRE Industry00:15:42 - Imposter Syndrome00:16:59 - Expectation vs Reality of a CRE Broker00:19:42 - Why Does It Take That Long To Start Making That CRE Money?00:21:39 - Where do you Get The Deal Flow?00:23:36 - Dig The Well Before You’re Thirsty00:24:59 - Learning Curve of Vetting People00:29:02 - The Boy Who Cried Listing00:30:34 - Find the People Who NEED to sell not WANT to Sell.00:32:01 - Canvassing00:33:46 - Consider Who You’re Talking to00:35:10 - Own Who You Are.00:36:11 - What kind of investing have you done since being in the industry?00:38:40 - Saving time with ChapGPT00:39:40 - The Difference In Mindset Of Brokering vs Investing In A Deal00:41:14 - Buying A Property Step by Step00:44:51 - What is a Phase 1 and Why Bo Thinks You should Always Get One.00:49:04 - How Often Should You Do The Phase 2 If it’s called for?00:52:56 - Breaking Down The $40k Soft Cost00:56:58 - Explaining to Timmy What a Joint Venture Structure is00:58:44 - How To Open Up Your Own Brokerage Company01:03:06 - Starting A CRE Podcast (Commercial Real Estate 101)01:07:28 - Generating Deals On LinkedIN

📒Show Notes📒

🎉SIGNUP FOR THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER FOR CURATED CONTENT ON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TRENDS, THRIVING IN BUSINESS AND MORE:https://subscribe.wgbarron.com/?utm_source=newsletter_share

Bo is a CCIM Instructor and the owner and operator of Barron Commercial Group servicing Western KY and it's surrounding markets.For all CRE inquiries visithttp://www.barroncommercial.com

Timmy is an actor, comedian, writer and host: @timmybarronhttps://youtu.be/ICoIAHSZvgA

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