Episode 38 | The Blitz Break 🎙️

This week on The Blitz Break, Phil Rasmussen, Julie Shroyer, and Justin Ingolia sit down with Aaron Ralls, a top 25 real estate agent in the Greater Sacramento region, eXp Realty leader, and former corrections officer turned entrepreneur.

Aaron’s story is anything but typical. From spending over a decade in California prisons to being fired, fighting back, and rebuilding his life, he went on to launch one of the busiest barbershops in Sacramento County before ultimately going all-in on real estate. His journey is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and betting on yourself.

In this episode, we dive into:

🔥 Aaron’s transition from corrections to entrepreneurship to top-producing agent

✂️ Building Lucky’s Barbershop into a local powerhouse before pivoting to real estate

🤝 Why abundance beats competition, and how collaboration fuels growth

🏡 The strategies that helped him break into the top 25 (referrals, open houses, and zero paid leads)

📦 Creative tactics like sending branded moving boxes before listing appointments

💡 How to win deals through authenticity, flexibility, and client-first thinking

🚀 Advice for new agents: stop overthinking, take action, and sharpen your skills

📊 Industry insights on brokerage shifts and why top producers will continue to dominate

💨 A deep dive into cigar networking and Aaron’s growing business mixers at Cigar City Lounge

📱 Julie’s social media tip: short, solution-based videos that actually convert

This episode is packed with real-world strategies and a powerful reminder that success isn’t about guarding opportunities, it’s about creating more of them.

👉 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who’s ready to level up their business.

💬 Drop a comment: Are you operating from scarcity, or abundance?

Chapters

00:00:00 Intro & Guest Welcome

00:02:27 Aaron’s Career in Corrections

00:03:54 Opening Lucky’s Barbershop

00:07:14 Transitioning to Real Estate

00:08:26 Abundance Mindset & Collaboration

00:19:46 Top 25 & Commitment to Constant Learning

00:33:25 Listing Appointment Strategies & Moving Boxes

00:37:57 Lessons Learned & Advice for New Agents

00:55:32 Industry Consolidations & the EXP Model

01:01:57 Qualifying Partners & Guarding Your Time

01:09:45 Cigars, Community & Networking

01:15:33 Social Media Tip & Wrap-Up