On episode 16 of Raising the Bar, George sits down with Rebecca Russell from Place Kangaroo Point - the agent who went from bartending and selling cosmetic holidays, to becoming the number one attraction agent in Richlands with the highest average sale price and volume in the suburb.

Rebecca’s story is wild: starting in property management, building a rent roll from scratch, switching to sales, becoming a mum and still managing to out-perform an entire postcode through nothing but consistency, relationships and a seriously dialled in process.

We cover:

- The career rise: how Rebecca carved out a name in Richlands without being a local, her transition from property manager to agent to lead agent and her advice for anyone considering the same path.

- Winning in real estate as a new mum: Rebecca’s strategies, systems and practical tips for young mums who want to stay in the game without burning out.

- Work/life balance that actually works: routines, boundaries, non-negotiables and how she built a lifestyle that supports success, not stress.

Contact Rebecca: https://www.eplace.com.au/agent/rebecca-russell Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/ More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/ Check out our blogs: https://blog.empirelegal.com.au Website: https://empirelegal.com.au

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In episode 15 of Raising the Bar, George unpacks how Thomas Metos from Metos Electrical Contracting (MEC) shifted from wiring industrial sites (think Coca-Cola) to residential electrical, niched down into smoke alarms and built a reputation on relationships, and turned picking up the phone into a superpower ☎️

From a business degree to running MEC full-time, Thomas has become the go-to for smoke alarm compliance in Brisbane - and he’s backed by 300+ Google reviews with a 5-star average ⭐

We cover:

- Career & credibility: how a business grad became a residential electrician in Brisbane, the systems behind 300+ Google reviews (5 star average), relationship building that actually lasts, and practical cold-call tips that don’t feel gross 🤝

- Smoke alarms in QLD: current Queensland smoke alarm laws (photoelectric, interconnected, bedrooms/hallways/each level), what’s coming for owner-occupiers by 01 Jan 2027, compliance certificates for sales, typical lifespan and a rough budget guide🧯

- Work-life balance: the “health, wealth, relationships” framework, routines that keep you sharp and simple habits sole traders can copy to stay successful without burning out 💡

If you’re a Brisbane homeowner, sales agent or property professional, this is your playbook for Queensland smoke alarm compliance, residential electrical done right and reviews that compound over time 😎

Contact Thomas: https://www.facebook.com/p/Metos-Electrical-Contracting-100063083537467/

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/ 

More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/ 

Check out our blogs: https://blog.empirelegal.com.au 

Website: https://empirelegal.com.au

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In episode 14 of Raising the Bar, George sits down with high end attraction agent Aaron Woolard from Place New Farm 😎

From White Pages cold calls to making moves in New Farm, Aaron has built one of Brisbane’s most recognisable inner-city teams 🌇

We unpack how he went from solo operator to equity partner at Place New Farm and why simple systems done well beat shortcuts every time ⚙️

We cover:

- The journey: from early days in West End to owning a Place office. Aaron shares what it really takes to build longevity in real estate - the discipline, the hours and the mindset that keeps him showing up 💪

- The niche: how Aaron carved out dominance in Brisbane’s inner-city apartment market, turning consistency and service into serious market share 📈

- The team: what it takes to run a seven person EBU that transacts hundreds of properties each year and the systems, challenges and rewards of scaling while keeping culture front and centre 🤝

If you work in Brisbane real estate or want to, this is a masterclass in focus, process and playing the long game 🎯

Contact Aaron: https://www.eplace.com.au/agent/aaron-woolard
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://blog.empirelegal.com.au
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au

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On episode 13 of Raising the Bar, we sit down with Shane Lawson from North Coast Pool Inspections. From 24 years in the police force to the go to pool safety guy for Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Northern NSW, Shane joins us to talk pools, process and playing the long game 🏊

We cover:

- Pool compliance 101 (for sellers and buyers): no-climb zones, self-closing gates, CPR charts, window restrictions, timelines, and real-world costs, plus why getting a certificate or at least a quote before you list can save a deal 💧

- Referrals over billboards: how Shane built a prestige agent network by showing up fast, communicating clearly and delivering same day reports, with a VA and tight systems doing the heavy lifting 😎

- Breaking into the prestige market: from door knocking top agents to delivering seamless service, Shane shares how consistency, professionalism and strong communication turned one job into a network of high end referrers 🤝

This is a goodie, you won’t want to miss it! 🙌

Contact Shane: https://northcoastpoolinspections.com.au
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://blog.empirelegal.com.au
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au

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John Cassimatis: longevity, leadership and lessons from 25+ years in property

On episode 12 of Raising the Bar, we sit down with John Cassimatis from Belle Property Coorparoo and West End, a Brisbane real estate veteran with  25+ years in the QLD property game 🏡
 
From humble beginnings to leading two high performing offices with 30+ staff, John’s built his career the same way great deals get done: do the right thing, do it consistently and play the long game ✅
 
We cover:
Longevity without burnout: why reputation, consistency and values-based selling keep you in the Brisbane real estate market for decades, plus how coaching and goal-setting sharpen the edge 🔥

Systems that scale (incl. Form 2 done right): how Belle Coorparoo and West End invested in people and process to make Form 2 Seller’s Disclosure and admin genuinely smooth - collaborative ops, proactive planning and zero drama for vendors and buyers 😎

Culture, partners and area specialisation: choosing the right business partner, hiring for fit, “fewer, better people,” and the Belle model of becoming the area specialist to win trust and market share 🤝
 
John shows what trust, longevity and genuine leadership look like in the QLD property market 🎯

Contact John: https://www.belleproperty.com/west-end/john-cassimatis
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://blog.empirelegal.com.au
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au

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From spanners to sold signs: Alec McEwan’s fast rise in QLD Bayside real estate 🪧

In episode 11 of Raising the Bar, George sits down with Alec McEwan from McGrath Wynnum/Manly to unpack how a mechanic from Midas Tingalpa became a top-performing Bayside real estate agent in just four years 🚀 

We go over what actually moves the needle in the Queensland property market - from 4am letterbox drops to suburb records in Wynnum/Manly, and why trust still wins over tactics 🤝

We cover:
- Mindset and consistency “action, traction, attraction”: the 4am starts, 250 homes a day, and the shift from chase to attraction in Brisbane’s Bayside real estate 🧠

- Relationships over ego: being genuinely helpful, building long-term trust across all price points, and knowing when to say no so clients get a better result 📈

- Team, family and brand: working with McGrath, mentorship at home, smart video marketing, and the move from co-agent to no.1 performer in Manly while keeping deals simple and client-first 🤜🤛

If you care about doing real estate the right way, this one’s for you 🫵

Contact Alec: https://www.mcgrath.com.au/agents/alec-mcewan-a1V5g0000007kZJEAY
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://blog.empirelegal.com.au
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au

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From badge to brokerage: his top relationship and rapid growth hacks with Sachin Nair 👮👉🏦

In episode 10 of Raising the Bar, we sit down with Sachin Nair, co-founder of Fincode Loanmarket and former Queensland Police officer, to unpack how he went from child protection policing to building one of the fastest growing brokerages in the QLD property industry 💰

We cover:
- The brokerage journey: from side hustle data entry to leading a 12 person brokerage, and why trail income and doing things the right way matter 🚀

- Relationships over everything: how trust, EQ and showing up for people (without kickbacks) built a referral network and client base that lasts 🤝

- Building a team and culture: lessons in hiring, leadership, and keeping a brokerage fun, sustainable and people-focused 🎯

Sachin shows what resilience, community and growth look like in the QLD finance and property market 💪

Contact Sachin: https://broker.loanmarket.com.au/fincode/contact/
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://blog.empirelegal.com.au
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au

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Ethan Petrie from Ray White West End - From $100k to $2.4m: The Ethan Petrie Playbook.

This week on ep 09 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Ethan Petrie from Ray White West End.

Ethan’s one of Queensland’s youngest Chairman’s Elite real estate agents, ranking in the top 1% of the Ray White network. At just 26, he’s has sold more than 140 Brisbane properties in the past 12 months, averaging three sales per week.

We cover:
- Back to basics in QLD real estate: why consistent phone calls, follow-ups, and avoiding “commission breath” win long-term in the Brisbane property market.

- Volume done properly: how one of Brisbane’s top-performing attraction real estate agents scaled from writing ~$100k in commission a few years ago, to writing $2.4m+ today.

- Team and communication: how building an Effective Business Unit (EBU) allows Ethan’s team to handle high-volume property sales without dropping the ball on client communication.

Ethan's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethan.petrie.raywhite/
Contact Ethan: https://raywhitewestend.com.au/agents/ethan-petrie/138800
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://blog.empirelegal.com.au
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au

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In ep 08 of Raising the Bar, we sit down with Suzana Wade from Locate Property, a seasoned property manager who knows the ins and outs of the rental market. 

Suzana shares practical advice for tenants on what landlords really look for in applications and why being genuine and transparent can set you apart.

We also get candid about the real challenges property managers face every day - from managing burnout and tough tenant situations to juggling long days across town. Suzana reveals how caring for people and staying consistent has helped her maintain a rare five-star Google rating in a tough industry.

Whether you’re a landlord searching for a specialist property manager or a tenant wanting to make your application stand out, this episode offers honest, down-to-earth insights that cut through the noise.

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Our guest for ep 07 is Anthony Bartzis, founder of Southern Cross Building Inspections and a qualified architect, builder and property developer.

In this ep, we unpack what’s actually covered in a building and pest inspection, what gets missed and why first home buyers need to be asking more questions.

We talk about how long a building and pest inspection takes and what it includes, the big red flags buyers overlook and smart advice for first home buyers before making their first big move.

Whether you're buying your first home or your tenth, this is a must listen for anyone serious about property.

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