My guest on today’s podcast is Perrin Duvall, a dynamic force in the Virginia Beach real estate scene and a personal friend. Perrin’s journey is both heartfelt and strategic—beginning in full-time ministry, pivoting through a career change, and eventually building one of the most recognizable personal brands in our local market.

In this episode, Perrin shares how she followed her instincts into real estate and soaked up everything she could to build a strong foundation early on. We talk about what it means to work on your business, not just in it, how social media became her most powerful tool, and the critical decision to step into solo entrepreneurship. (We mention Stephanie Clark's episode, which you can find here!)

She opens up about the courage it took to hire her first team members, partner with Serhant, and build a brand rooted in authenticity, local love, and strategic risk-taking. You’ll also hear her thoughts on team building, overcoming comparison, and why she’s so passionate about mentoring the next generation of agents.

Connect with Perrin:

perrinduvall.com
@perrinduvallrealestate 

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

In this episode of What Works Wednesday, Cody Hawkins from PeaceLink Financial Planning explains the ins and outs of Roth conversions, especially in light of the  2026 rule change allowing federal employees and military personnel to convert TSP funds internally. Whether you're considering switching your retirement accounts or planning for future tax efficiency, this episode covers key insights to help you make informed decisions.

Key Topics:

• What is a Roth conversion and how does it work?
• The tax implications of converting pre-tax dollars to a Roth account
• When it makes sense to do a Roth conversion (timing, income levels, tax brackets)
• The new TSP rule effective 2026 allowing internal Roth conversions
• Why taxes are not automatically withheld during conversions
• Considerations for military and federal employees
• The importance of planning and running the numbers before converting
• Irreversible nature of Roth conversions and potential mistakes
• Strategic timing: low-income years, career transitions, or before retirement
• How Roth conversions can reduce required minimum distributions and create tax-free income

Resources:

• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Changes
• From Military to Real Estate: A Guide for Career Switchers

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

Welcome to the Real Estate Success Podcast, where we dive into the personal journeys behind professional success. My guest on today’s podcast is Garrett Maroon—a man whose story embodies faith, grit, and purpose. From a steady W-2 role to launching a referral-based real estate business that’s sold over 650 homes, Garrett didn’t step into entrepreneurship with a full game plan. He stepped in with borrowed belief—from his wife, his business partner, and mentors who saw something in him before he saw it in himself.

In this episode, Garrett opens up about the early leap into real estate. He shares what it means to go from being self-employed to becoming a true business owner, the pain of loss that shaped his mission, and how his faith fuels the 210 Collective, a national community for Christian real estate agents.

Whether you're an agent in your first year or a seasoned business owner wrestling with the weight of leadership, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and a bold reminder that your identity isn’t your title—it’s how you live out your calling.

Stick around through Garrett’s candid story of his worst first client, the lessons learned in dark rooms, and how he now defines success—not just in profit, but in presence at home. Let’s get into it.

Connect with Garrett:

📱 Instagram: @garrettmaroon

📞 Text Garrett directly: 804-878-2200

🌐 Learn more: thefaithfulagent.com

Keywords: Real estate, entrepreneurship, faith, business growth, mindset, success, referral business, leadership, financial strategy

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

Why do most financial goals fail by February? Because most people are chasing tactics instead of clarity.

In this episode of What Works Wednesday, the Certified Financial Planners at PeaceLink Financial Planning break down how to set financial goals that actually lead to progress — not frustration. They explain why goals like “max out a Roth IRA” or “pay off debt” aren’t real goals on their own, and how identifying your deeper why, building an actionable plan, and creating accountability are what truly drive success.

Whether you’re a realtor, self-employed professional, or simply trying to be more intentional with money in 2026, this episode will help you stop reacting to financial stress and start building a plan aligned with the life you actually want.

You’ll learn how to move from vague resolutions to practical systems that make saving, debt payoff, and long-term planning realistic and sustainable.

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

My guest on today’s podcast is Laura Blackwood, a dynamic real estate professional whose journey began on the east coast of Mexico and led her to build a thriving real estate career in Hampton Roads, Virginia. With roots in psychology and education, Laura unexpectedly found her calling in real estate through a college side job—and what began as a way to earn extra income turned into a lifelong passion and international business.

But when love and a global pandemic rerouted her path to the United States, Laura was faced with the daunting challenge of starting over in a completely new market. From navigating a new country’s licensing, banking, and real estate systems to unlearning everything she knew and relearning it from scratch—Laura shares how she rebuilt a business from zero with grace, grit, and gratitude.

You’ll hear how she turned a difficult, failed deal into a mission to serve the Hispanic community, the power of humility in high-stakes transitions, and how saying “yes” to the early hard work laid the foundation for long-term success.

If you’re looking for inspiration, tactical wisdom, and a reminder of why purpose matters in this business—this episode is for you. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Real Estate Success Podcast with Laura Blackwood.

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

Many real estate professionals are great at making money but still feel stressed about cash. Commissions come in, deals get funded, life keeps moving, but somehow it feels like there is never quite enough liquidity when it matters most.

In this episode of What Works Wednesday, Leland and Cody unpack the critical aspects of cash flow management for realtors: knowing how much cash to keep, where to keep it, and when to put it to work. They talk through the real risks of having too little cash, the often-overlooked risks of holding too much, and why relying on credit can quietly erode long-term stability. They discuss a practical framework for creating cash buffers in both your business and personal life, including how to think about emergency funds, seasonality in real estate income, and simple guardrails that help remove stress from everyday financial decisions. If you want to build real wealth without constantly feeling like you are juggling cash, this episode will help you lay a stronger foundation.

Keywords: cash flow, real estate, emergency fund, financial planning, investment risks, liquidity, wealth building, personal finance, realtor tips, cash management

Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Cash Flow Management for Realtors
05:22 The Importance of Emergency Funds
11:17 Balancing Cash Reserves and Investment Opportunities
16:01 Creating a Financial Plan for Realtors
19:50 RESP logo Audio Waves Outro.mp4

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

Today, we’re diving deep into a niche that’s booming—but more complex than it looks: short-term rentals. My guests on today’s podcast are two powerhouse professionals—Lisa Moison, a seasoned real estate agent with over 25 years of experience in short term rentals across Montana, Colorado, and now Virginia Beach, and Liz Copeland, a sharp and strategic lender at Cross Country Mortgage with a background in wealth management and non-QM lending.

Guests: Liz Copeland and Lisa Moison
https://www.instagram.com/lifeoflizcope/
lizcopelandteam.com
https://www.instagram.com/lisamoisonrealtor/

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

Welcome back to The Real Estate Success Podcast! Today’s episode is an unforgettable ride through grit, growth, and the relentless pursuit of purpose. My guest on today’s podcast is the one and only DJ Julian Rivera—entrepreneur, community leader, owner of Iron Valley Real Estate Norfolk, and a man whose fingerprints are on some of the most impactful ventures in Hampton Roads.

From spinning records at clubs in high school to managing national retail chains, launching his own entertainment business, and eventually becoming a top-producing Realtor and brokerage owner, Julian’s story is anything but linear. It's a story of redemption, reinvention, and relentless consistency. He shares openly about his early setbacks—including time in jail—and how those moments shaped the man he is today: a father of five, a local entertainment legend, and a powerhouse in real estate leadership.

What stands out most is Julian’s unapologetic authenticity. Whether he’s rocking an event or sitting at a listing table in jeans and Jordans, he’s showing up fully himself—and it’s exactly what sets him apart. This conversation is packed with gold: how he overcame limiting beliefs, built businesses from scratch, learned to bet on himself, and why he believes doing right by people always pays back tenfold.

If you're someone who’s chasing something bigger, wondering how to balance ambition with purpose, or need a dose of real-world wisdom from someone who’s walked the long road to success—this episode is for you.

Find Julian Rivera here.

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

LLCs vs. S-Corps: What Every Realtor Should Know
Financial planners Leland Gross and Cody Hawkins from PeaceLink Financial Planning break down the key differences between LLCs and S-Corps for real estate professionals. They clarify what each structure does, why liability protection matters, and when electing S-Corp status can improve tax efficiency.
If you’re earning commission income, the right setup can protect your business and save you thousands over time.

Key Points:
 • LLCs provide liability protection (every agent should have one)
 • An LLC is a legal structure, not a tax status
 • S-Corps can reduce self-employment tax when income is consistent
 • S-Corp status comes with administrative responsibilities and costs
 • Professional guidance helps avoid costly missteps

Take PeaceLink’s free 2-minute Financial Health Assessment to identify your best next move.

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp

My guest on today’s podcast is Jake Maines—a realtor whose path to success blends sharp marketing expertise with a passion for building genuine relationships. Before becoming a top-producing agent, Jake spent years mastering digital marketing—running Google ads, crafting SEO strategies, and learning the art of targeted outreach. But during COVID, his own real estate investing goals pushed him to get licensed, and what started as a side hustle quickly became his full-time calling.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Jake built his business without cold calls or high-pressure sales. Instead, he’s focused on two things: smart, strategic digital marketing and hosting one of the region’s most popular in-person networking events—Networking Happy Hour—now four years strong and attracting hundreds of professionals each month. We’ll also talk about his transition from salary to commission, how he’s adapted through shifting markets, the value of long-term relationship building, and his take on what real success really means.

Where to find Jake:

• Networking Happy Hour
• jakemainesrealtor.com

Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com

Get in touch with PeaceLink:

• Website: PeaceLink Financial Planning
• Instagram: @peacelinkfp