Leader's Path

In Gulf Shores, AL, real estate is a family affair. After years in the construction business, Tom started his real estate sales career and built a significant presence in the coastal area. When he and his wife, Toni Stanton, discovered EXIT Realty, the model fit their values, and over the years they have built an excellent brokerage.

When their son, Tommy, graduated from Troy University uncertain about his future and having no interest in the family business, he was asked to help with organizational projects. He found he fit after all and now plays major roles in the two offices: EXIT Realty Gulf Shores and EXIT Realty Orange Beach, an upscale community. Following in Dad's footsteps in local real estate leadership, Tommy is a board past president and state director.

This family triad is very successful. Listen as Tommy shares the company vision statement, and you'll feel their passion for people and excellence. Tom is so well known in his area he loves being greeted the phrase, "You're My REALTOR®!", which are sweetest three words any of us can hear.

We present the Stantons and know you will enjoy hearing from these professionals and great leaders; real salt of the earth people.

In the small Ohio town of Belpre, Ohio, is a lady with two charming offices on each side of the Ohio River. Charm galore and backed up by a mature engaged businesswoman, Marian DuVall, Broker/Owner of EXIT Riverbend Realty has built an enterprise to envy. I am always amazed at how our small market offices fare against all the large brands, and in Marian's case, she's scaring the big boys for sure.

At Broker/Owner training or Master Broker Summit, Marian is there soaking it all in and when she speaks we listen because her confidence and strength demand it. In this episode, Marian explains her approach to having strong administrative help, technology engagement and then being selective to hire the best folks in town. Her total focus is on being the real deal in caring service to clients, community and her team. Marian's is a big story from a small town.

During our conversation we hear how Diana Zaya spent her first year as a starving real estate agent working hard, marketing, networking, holding open houses, and answering the phone, all without a sale.  Her persistence led to multiple millions in sales by her third year in the business.

After taking some time away from the industry she came back to real estate on the affiliate side and worked in various roles.  Her latest role on the data analytics side gave her a sneak peek into what was missing once brokers had the data.  They did not know what to do with it or how to follow through and follow back within 3, 6, 12, or even 18 months.

So, after some frustration and months of planning, MaverickRE Consulting was created.  Diana took the leap and started her own company focused on helping brokers create and nurture systems and incentivize strategies for better agent recruitment and retention outcomes to grow their brokerages.  Hers is a true story of find the need and fill the need.  You will not want to miss this opportunity to hear the rest.

Dave Harris is a mature, true professional in both real estate and business. After four decades in real estate, he has been spending the last decade building EXIT Cape Realty with three locations on Cape Cod.

Historic quaint towns allow for small local offices that pack a punch in sales and market awareness. Check his website exitcaperealty.com to look at some beautiful properties.

Dave is a positive EXIT example in every way, totally emersed in everything EXIT Realty offers. He also owns a real estate licensing school and has developed solid onboarding and training systems that grow and keep superstars.

Dave is a fine man who makes us all look so good in a unique corner of the U.S..

John's not a young man, but when I answered a call from him, he was as enthusiastic as a little kid.  He was so excited he just had to share with me his news that after 40 years in real estate averaging hundreds of transactions a year, he had set a new personal best. 

John's first career was playing guitar in his band all over Upstate New York but when he found real estate there was no looking back.  Sounds like there are a few stories you may want to hear.

EXIT Realty Homeward Bound is a family affair. Based in Vestal, NY this is one of our most successful offices that truly make us proud.  Recently you heard a podcast episode featuring John's son, Robert Farrell, who is the company's general manager, sharing with us the successful formula he uses to lead in his marketplace and build strong individuals along the way.

Can you imagine closing an average of 181 deals yearly and making it look easy? John holds every production award EXIT Realty has and we had to make up one just for him.   So, what was the new personal best he was so excited to share?  Hear it for yourself as we chat with a true legend.

In all of the effective real estate offices I have seen, the company's vision and/or mission statement is posted or painted for all to read. Brian Lawton has built a two-office company, EXIT Realty HGM, based in Janesville, WI and his offices cover an area two hours north of Chicago that are small markets while they make a big name for themselves.

Brian, an educator, with a master's in educational leadership, brings his deep and mature knowledge into EXIT Realty and by design builds something special. He says, "I'm a dad, I build companies, take cold showers, give speeches, finish races, and help agents and investors live with intention."

So what is Brian's vision statement? Listen and you will find out, and here is a tip, it is in his company's name.

Julie Jenkins is the Broker/Owner of EXIT Realty Twin Bridges, Brokerage, in Sarnia, Ontario. She is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a difference in her hometown. She is a strong advocate for women in business and was one of the founding members of Women In Networking, Sarnia's longest running and largest women's business network.

Her track record for success as a leader in the community is widely recognized through the multiple nominations and awards she has received. She has racked up six nominations and two wins at the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards, as well as a nomination for an Ontario Premier’s Award. She was also awarded EXIT Realty Corp International's Canadian Broker of the Year in 2019 and was named "Humanitarian of the Year" in 2022.

In this episode we hear how Julie took advantage of an opportunity she wasn’t ready for but always wanted.  From there she has continued to grow herself, grow others, and grow the business.  Her passion for growth affects every decision she makes along the way.  Julie loves what she does and who she does it with, and it shows.  Her leadership elevates others, and they make an impact in the communities they serve.

Listen as three real estate podcasters discuss how and why they started their own local shows. For years, Corwyn Melette, Broker/Owner of EXIT Realty Lowcountry Group in Charleston, SC, hosted a local radio show which recently morphed into the EXIT Strategies podcast. Corwyn shares how his show has thousands of subscribers internationally, plus what he did to build it.  A year and a half ago, Dr. David Kafitz and the young superstar, George Schodowski, started their local podcast, The Cola Guys Real Estate Podcast. Their episodes focus on buying, selling, finance, and upkeep, plus local lifestyle and interesting topics.  Now Corwyn, David and George have joined forces and opened EXIT Realty New Horizons in Columbia SC.

In this episode of Leader’s Path, we discuss podcast mechanics, including equipment, editing, guest selection, and promotion - just enough for you to realize how fun and easy it would be for you to become a podcaster as well, and we will help you!

For Corwyn’s Mobile Business Card™, text CORWYN to 85377, for David’s, text DKREALTY to 85377, and for George’s, text CURIOUSABOUTGEORGE to 85377.

From running a successful real estate business, to managing brokerages with 750 agents, to stepping into an executive role, coach and consultant, Sherri Johnson always knew her heart was in leading others to achieve what they committed to do. Sharing her personal experiences along with those she has coached and mentored gives her the prospective to help shape and enhance the trajectory of others as long as they are willing to put in the work.

EXIT Realty has a Strategic Partner team that is totally amazing. Craig Nester, our Team Leader of Strategic Partner Relationships, is out in the industry sourcing the newest and best tools then bringing them to us fully vetted and willing to offer the best products at the best prices (plus they're willing to do special things for us). This is a MUST LISTEN to fully appreciate what Craig and EXIT Realty provides to truly sell more and attract more.