In this episode of the Be The Solution Podcast, Maria interviews Britt McLaughlin, founder of She Moves Philly, who went from tech operations to building a thriving real estate business known for systems, excellence, and grit. Britt shares how she started from zero, built her brand through rentals, and eventually managed the lease-up of a 250-unit portfolio generating millions of dollars in revenue 

Her journey is one of discipline, personal growth, systems thinking, and the truth about what it really takes to succeed in real estate today.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. From Tech to Real Estate—Systems Were the Bridge

Before real estate, Britt was Director of Ops for a SaaS company, where she mastered systems, automation, and customer experience—skills that transferred directly into building a scalable real estate business. 

2. “Trial by Fire” Lease-Up That Changed Everything

Britt’s early break came from handling 350 leads per week and leasing 250 units—forcing her to build automation, follow-up systems, and showing processes at lightning speed. “Tenants will call 20–30 places… whoever answers the phone gets the showing.” 

3. Real Estate Success Takes Actual WORK

She says the industry’s real problem is simple:

“People don’t want to do the work.”
 Hard markets separate hobbyists from professionals. Consistency, follow-up, and daily action matter far more than Instagram glamour. 

4. Her Business Cadence Today

Britt follows a structure built on human connection:

• 30 touch points/week to past clients & database
• 3 listing appointments/week
• 1–2 buyer consults/week
• Daily meetings with her admin
• 1–2 networking events/week
  This cadence keeps her pipeline healthy—even in tough markets. 

5. The Market Reality (and What’s Coming)

• Affordability challenges
• Liquidity issues
• Fewer first-time buyers (down from 32% to 21%)
• Sellers out of touch with today’s pricing
• Inventory with heavy deferred maintenance
   Britt expects 2026 to require adaptability, realism, and strong financial discipline. 
  
  

6. Work-Life “Balance” Is a Myth—It’s Time Allocation

Britt says it plainly:

“You’re trading time for money.”
 In the beginning she worked 7 days/week, bartended at night, and built her real estate business from pure grit. Now she trades time for what matters—her daughter, her lifestyle—and organizes her business accordingly. 

7. Success Comes From Growth & Discomfort

If you're not uncomfortable, you're not growing. The industry rewards the agents willing to push through the discomfort, stay consistent, and build systems. 

MEMORABLE QUOTES

Maria’s Best Quote:

“You are not your business. Not every year is going to be fantastic.”

Britt’s Best Quot

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Website: MQrealesate.com
Office number: 215- 607-3535