Own It

In this mini-episode, we sit down with Ed Barreto, a trailblazing agent whose journey from selling timeshares to surpassing $1M in gross commission income is nothing short of inspiring.
What You'll Learn:

• How to build a sustainable business by hosting open houses
• How to build trust on social media (and with it, expand your sphere of influence)
• How to ensure you're not taking your success for granted

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Twitter @siderealestate

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley, the trailblazing founders of the NOH8 Campaign. What began as a grassroots response to California’s Proposition 8 has grown into a global movement advocating for equality, inclusion, and self-expression. Adam and Jeff share their journey from their first MySpace (remember MySpace?!) photo shoot to traveling to 23 countries — inspiring change across small towns and big cities alike. They reveal the challenges of building a nonprofit from scratch, the power of storytelling through art, and why their mission is more urgent than ever.

• The Power of Visibility: Learn why representation in media, art, and community spaces matters for driving inclusion.

• Grassroots Advocacy Tips: Get insights into starting a movement with little to no resources and scaling it globally.

• Why Allies Matter: Understand the role of allyship in achieving meaningful progress for the LBBTQ+ community. 

• Facing Today’s Challenges: Explore how NOH8 continues to adapt and stay relevant today.

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In this episode of Own It, we chat with Austin Allison, founder and CEO of Pacaso, a global co-ownership platform for vacation homes. Austin shares his remarkable journey — from buying his first home at 17 to founding the real estate tech startup Dotloop, which he sold to Zillow and, later, launching Pacaso. With a foundation rooted in hard work and resilience, Austin dives into the challenges of entrepreneurship, the power of passion-driven problem solving, and his mission to make vacation home ownership more accessible.

• Playing to Your Passions: How to build businesses around problems you’re deeply passionate about solving. 

• Surrounding Yourself with the Right People: The value of mentors, investors, and teammates who bring expertise and energy to the table.

• Why Resilience Wins: The importance of a relentless focus on the mission during tough times.

• Innovative Thinking: How Pacaso reimagined co-ownership with streamlined financing, scheduling, and management solutions.

• Living in the Moment: Inspired by the book Die With Zero, Austin stresses the importance of creating memories today instead of waiting for “someday.”

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Casey McLoed, Side’s Managing Broker of California and Employing Broker of Colorado, doesn’t just tackle challenges — he flips them into opportunities. At 22, he shattered expectations in a competitive industry, turning skepticism into trust with bold moves and unmatched expertise. Now, as a go-to problem-solver for agents and clients, Casey’s sharp contract knowledge and cool, confident approach make him a standout leader and a force to be reckoned with. Tune in to hear how Casey navigates high-pressure situations, drives innovation, and refuses to settle for the status quo.

What You’ll Learn About:

• Mastering the Art of Confidence: How Casey addressed age-related objections early in his career by proving his expertise upfront.

• Why Contracts Are Your Superpower: Why mastering the basics sets you apart in a competitive market.

• Staying Calm Under Pressure: Casey’s strategies for tackling tough problems with clarity and composure. 

• Leadership Done Right: Balancing compliance with creativity to inspire innovation and lead with impact.

• The Power of Advocacy: How Casey’s work with local and national real estate associations protects property rights and empowers agents.

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Twitter @siderealestate

Email us at [email protected]

Grant Muller — top-producing real estate agent, coach, and author of “Top of Heart” — has a story that’s anything but ordinary. By his late twenties, he hit millionaire status, only to lose it all to addiction and find himself homeless. In this episode, Grant gets real about his journey from rock-bottom to redefining success on his own terms. He shares his passion for helping others find meaning and authentic connections in their lives and work. Get ready for a deep dive into topics like grit, personal transformation, and what it really means to “own your future.”

What You’ll Learn About:

• Redefining Success: Discover why Grant believes success is about impact, not just income — and how adding value to others can change everything.
  
  
  
• Building Relationships: Get Grant’s insights on creating genuine connections that don’t just bring clients back, but also turn them into loyal advocates.

• Creating Abundance: Grant explains why abundance isn’t just a mindset; it’s the result of prioritizing authentic connections over empty wins.
  
  
  

Seeing “Home” as More Than a Sale: Grant shares why treating homes as personal sanctuaries sets you apart in real estate and leaves a lasting impact.

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Own It Website

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Twitter @siderealestate

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Own It, recorded live at WomanUP!, we sat down with Genie Irish, founder of Costa Modern Properties and incoming president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professional’s San Diego chapter. Genie is a fearless leader in real estate, pushing boundaries for Hispanic homeownership and empowering agents to break through cultural limits. She’s not just running a business — she’s lifting her community and redefining leadership. Get ready for a bold, unapologetic conversation about defying expectations, owning your truth, and leading with confidence.

What You’ll Learn About:

• Authenticity Wins: Genie opens up about her stereotype-smashing journey and how staying true to yourself, even in a world that often demands conformity, can lead to success.

• Leadership and Balance: From running a company to raising a family, Genie shares how she juggles it all while staying grounded in her values.

• Cultural Empowerment: Through NAHREP, Genie is advocating for Hispanic homeownership and inspiring more diverse leaders in real estate.

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Own It Website

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Twitter @siderealestate

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Own It, we sit down with Will Wiard, Side’s managing broker for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV). With over a decade of experience, Will shares his no-nonsense approach to navigating one of the country’s most complex real estate markets. From mastering contracts to thriving in high-stakes deals, Will offers valuable insights for agents looking to level-up their careers.

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Own It Youtube Channel

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Twitter @siderealestate

Email us at [email protected]

Matthew Marx isn’t just another tech founder — he’s a game-changer in the world of digital marketing. As the CEO and co-founder of Evocalize, Matthew is on a mission to tear down the barriers between small businesses and the kind of high-performance marketing only giants like Amazon used to pull off. With a background in engineering and a relentless drive to simplify the complex, he’s empowering real estate agents to automate their marketing and focus on what they do best: closing deals. 

What You’ll Learn About: 

• Simplified Marketing: Discover how Evocalize lets you focus on closing deals, not juggling marketing tasks.
• AI Efficiencies: Uncover how AI can speed up tasks and help you get more done.
• Thinking Long Term: Find out why always-on marketing beats one-off campaigns and keeps your pipeline full.
• Staying Compliant: Learn how Evocalize’s built-in compliance features protect you from legal pitfalls.
• The Human Side of AI: Understand why the human touch is still crucial to marketing, even in an AI-driven world.
• Cross-Industry Collaboration: Explore Matthew’s bold vision for seamless collaboration across industries.

evocalize.com

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Twitter @siderealestate

Email us at [email protected]

Amy Kong is a real estate powerhouse, tearing down walls and championing the overlooked and marginalized. As the co-founder of Trust Real Estate and former National President of AREAA, she’s been on the front lines advocating for immigrant rights and fair housing. An immigrant herself, Amy knows the struggle and has turned it into a relentless drive to ensure everyone gets a fair shot at homeownership. With no tolerance for BS and a passion for justice, she’s shaking up the industry, one deal at a time.

• Fighting Discrimination: Amy’s no-nonsense approach to combating the unfair treatment of non-native English speakers and the elderly in real estate.
• Building Trust: Why trust is everything in real estate, and how Amy’s company, Trust Real Estate, lives up to its name.
• Leading the Charge: How Amy’s bold leadership in AREAA is working to change unjust real estate laws.
• Empowering Agents: Tips to arm yourself with knowledge, uphold your value, and handle tough clients like pros.
• Giving Back: Amy’s take on why every realtor should volunteer in their community — and how it can make waves in the industry. 

Links

Trust Real Estate Website
AREAA Website
Amy's Instagram

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Facebook
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Twitter @siderealestate

Email us at [email protected]

Scott Dickinson is not your typical real estate broker — he’s a disruptor on a mission. Having traded his career in real estate law to become a top-producing broker, Scott brings a fierce blend of legal savvy and industry passion to the table. As the Managing Broker for Washington State at Side,  he’s all about breaking the mold, challenging outdated norms, and setting a higher standard for the entire industry.

• Reinventing Real Estate: Learn why Scott believes the industry needs to break free from outdated practices and embrace innovation.
• Building Relationships: Discover the importance of relationships in real estate and how they can lead to long-term success.
• Navigating Industry Changes: Understand the impact of recent changes in real estate regulations and how they could shape the future.
• Leadership in Action: Learn about Scott’s approach to leadership, focusing on community building and empowering agents.
• Overcoming Challenges: Hear Scott’s strategies for overcoming the jealousy and resistance that can come with rapid success in the industry.

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Own It Website

Own It Youtube Channel

Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter @siderealestate

Email us at [email protected]