Welcome to the Troy Talks Podcast episode #75!

In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Kelani Blackwell, a trailblazing consultant and advocate in the commercial real estate industry.

Kelani has made significant strides from her start in residential real estate to becoming a strong voice for diversity, equity, and inclusion in commercial spaces at CBRE.

Today, she will share her firsthand experiences of the challenges faced by minority brokers and the significant disparity in diversity within commercial real estate.

We'll delve into how she transitioned her career, her motivational journey in establishing the "Women in Real Estate" club on Clubhouse, and how this platform has supported over 70,000 women by fostering a sisterhood of professional growth and empowerment.

Kelani also highlights the potential for bringing commercial real estate opportunities to underserved communities and discusses her long-term vision, including the launch of an investment fund and the upcoming Wirecon conference in 2024.

Join us as Kelani shares invaluable insights and her unique perspective on transforming the landscape of commercial real estate while creating impactful community connections

Topics covered:

- Kelani's background in real estate beginning with her mother's influence as a realtor and loan officer.

- Transition from a corporate job to entering the real estate industry, starting in a small fix-and-flip operation, and evolving into a full-service boutique brokerage.

- Moving to a significant role at CBRE focusing on multifamily investment property sales.

**Challenges in Commercial Real Estate**

- Discussion on the transition from residential to commercial real estate including the differences in emotional engagement and the complexities of commercial deals.

- The broader scope of commercial real estate, including various asset classes and brokerage types.

- The challenge of diversity in commercial real estate, particularly the lack of minority brokers in producer roles versus support roles.

- The difficulties faced by minorities in building a sustainable income and book of business within commercial real estate.

**Creation and Impact of Women in Real Estate Club on Clubhouse**

Connect with Kelani Blackwell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelanib/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelanib?igsh=MWlrdHoyM3FpM3Jvdw==

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Afsha Butt, a woman of color in the male-dominated finance industry, shares her incredible journey on the Troy Talks podcast. From overcoming prejudice to forming partnerships and educating young professionals, Afsha's story will leave you inspired and wanting to learn more. But just when everything seems to be going well, a shocking turn of events leaves Afsha in a difficult situation. What will she do next? Don't miss this gripping episode.

My special guest is Afsha Butt

Afsha Butt is a trailblazing CEO and founder of Wealthverse, a financial technology company. With a distinguished record in the financial services sector, she is an award-winning consultant and wealth strategist. Afsha is passionate about empowering established professionals to unlock their untapped financial potential through intelligent money management and mindset development. As a woman of color in the finance industry, Afsha has overcome numerous challenges and has become a shining example of success. Her expertise and unbiased approach to investing have earned her recognition and respect in the industry. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Afsha is dedicated to helping women of color navigate the obstacles they may face and thrive in their finance careers.

I realized, I'm not just doing this to learn what they did. I'm also doing this to learn what I don't want to do and what I'm going to do differently. - Afsha Butt

In this episode, you will be able to:

Challenges Faced by Women in Finance
As a woman and a minority, Afsha Butt had to navigate a largely male-dominated financial industry. Nevertheless, despite the challenges and occasional prejudice she faced, her determination allowed her to overachieve and establish herself as an eminent financial advisor. Butt's story highlights the struggles women in finance face, but also the immense potential and resilience that can lead to success against all odds.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Connect with Afsha Butt: 

Website: Wealthverse.ca

Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afsha-butt/

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/afshaaofficial/?hl=en

Connect with Troy Holt here: 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:///www.troyholt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/troydholt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/TroyTalksMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063546310389⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you're feeling the frustration of constantly putting in extra hours, sacrificing your personal life, and still not getting the promotions or recognition you deserve, then you are not alone! Many professionals find themselves stuck in this cycle, wondering why their hard work isn't paying off.

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest is Helen Ofosu

Dr. Helen Ofosu is an expert in industrial and organizational psychology with over 20 years of experience in the field. As a career and executive coach, she specializes in assessing and developing leadership skills, as well as navigating workplace challenges such as bullying, harassment, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Dr. Helen Ofosu founded the I O Advisory Services in 2012, offering executive and career coaching, HR consulting, and speaking engagements. Her expertise in psychology and business allows her to provide practical insights and strategies for professionals seeking to enhance their career resilience and navigate workplace challenges.

With her upcoming book, "How to Be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work," Dr. Helen Ofosu continues to empower individuals to overcome obstacles and thrive in their professional lives.

Connect with Dr. Helen here: 

Website: https://theresilientcareer.com/

Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenofosu/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IOAdvisoryServices/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ioadvisory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drheleno_ca/

Connect with Troy Holt here: 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:///www.troyholt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troydholt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TroyTalksMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063546310389⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Have you ever heard these myths about Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for established businesses?

Myth 1: SBA loans are only for startups.

Myth 2: SBA loans are too complicated and time-consuming to apply for. Myth 3: SBA loans are only for certain types of businesses.

In this episode, our guest, Deb Curtis, will debunk these myths and share the truth about SBA loans for women and minority small business owners.

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest is Deb Curtis

Rising from humble beginnings, Deb Curtis is a beacon of inspiration to any budding entrepreneur.

She is the founder of Curtis Small Business Finance Solutions, where she provides specialized consultancy in business ownership bank finance transactions.

As a woman in a male-dominated sector, Deb made a commendable stride, becoming a trailblazer for countless women in corporate settings.

She wears her relentless grit alongside her professional acumen gracefully, indicating that professional success is not solely tied to academic degrees.

Connect with Deb here: 

Website: https://www.debcurtis.com

Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-curtis-190534b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debjojocurtis/

Connect with Troy Holt here: 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:///www.troyholt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troydholt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TroyTalksMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063546310389⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Like, subscribe, download, and give a review of the Troy Talks podcast.

Unveiling the Secrets: Tina Houchins on Increasing Homeownership in Underserved Communities

If you're feeling frustrated and helpless because your efforts to increase homeownership rates in underserved communities are falling short, then you are not alone! Despite your best intentions, offering traditional mortgage products and outreach programs may not be enough to bridge the homeownership gap. Instead, potential buyers from marginalized racial and ethnic groups face systemic barriers such as discriminatory lending practices, lack of affordable housing options, and limited access to resources and information.

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest is Tina Houchins

Today’s guest is Tina Houchins, an accomplished Air Force veteran who, after her retirement, engaged in nurturing financial literacy. Always being drawn to service, Tina turned her focus on financial education, recognizing it as a critical aspect of individual and community growth.

Tina now heads the Houchin Financial Group where she plays a pivotal role in creating mortgage strategies that synchronize with the specific circumstances of her clientele. Her broad experience and genuine aspiration to help have enabled her to navigate clients through the mortgage process effectively and efficiently.

Key Takeaways

Connect with Tina here:

Connect with Troy Holt here:

In the world of sales, whoever is talking is buying. Discover the power of active listening and emotional engagement with sales expert Joe Pallo. But what will happen when the main character finds themselves in a sales pitch where they can't get a word in? Stay tuned to find out.

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest is Joe Pallo

From financial services to agriculture, Joe Pallo's sales expertise has led him to the discovery of a unique universal truth that's seen him excel across industries. With over a million dollars in sales under his belt, Joe has proven that emotional engagement is as pivotal to sales success as logical reasoning. Yet, his most significant achievement is the coaching and mentoring he provides. His commitment to sharing his knowledge has enabled countless professionals to achieve success and top producer status.

Grab his new book: How To Sell Nothing: The Logical Way To Make The Emotional Sale $0.99 Kindle version https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC73N5X8

How To Sell Nothing appeared on 11 Amazon best seller lists, coming in at #1 in the categories of Small Business Sales & Selling, Sales Techniques, and Sales & Selling presentations. It also landed in the top 5 in Sales & Selling, Business Marketing & Sales, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, and Communication Skills. Imagine my surprise at seeing MY book be ranked #25 on the bestseller list under the top-level category of Business & Money!!

Connect with Joe here:

Connect with Troy Holt here:

On this episode of Troy Holt, we have a captivating interview with Johnathan K Drayton. Our discussion revolves around the power of God in controlling nature and orchestrating events for a greater purpose. We delve into biblical stories, such as Joseph's time in jail and Gideon's encounters with signs and guidance from God.

Tune in to hear about the importance of trust in the Lord during difficult circumstances and the role of processes in revealing God's involvement in the details.

Our conversation also touches on the concept of God's presence in times of trouble and the permanent security Christians have in their salvation. Join us as we explore the journey of building a relationship with God, the transformative power of following Christ, and the significance of faith.

We also dive into the complexities of understanding and interpreting scripture in the 21st century. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking episode filled with profound insights and perspectives on faith, trust, and the relevance of ancient texts.

Some of things that we discussed:

- God's control over nature and His ability to do extraordinary things

- Joseph and his brothers as an example of God's orchestration for a greater purpose

- Trusting in the Lord during difficult circumstances

- Recognizing God's involvement in the details through processes

- The story of Gideon as another example of God's signs and guidance

- God's presence in times of trouble

Connect with Johnathan:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buzzsprout.com/1793963

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetruthoftmis/

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/448140560551835/?ref=share

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Does this sound familiar? You've been told to post consistently on social media, engage with your audience, and network with potential clients in order to build relationships and drive business success. But despite your efforts, you're not seeing the results you desire. The pain of wasted time and energy, coupled with the frustration of not seeing your business grow, is all too real. It's time to break free from ineffective actions and discover the power of social media done right. Join us as we unveil the secrets of leveraging social proof, podcasting, Instagram, and LinkedIn to forge genuine connections, skyrocket your credibility, and propel your business to new heights.

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest is Katie Brinkley

Meet Katie Brinkley, the woman at the helm of Next Step Social Communications, a social media agency based in Littleton, Colorado. Rooted in her 17 years of experience, Katie has cultured a unique approach toward social media optimization. Katie's strength lies in teaching entrepreneurs within the home industry about the potential of social media as a catalyst for genuine interactions, increased leads, and heightened sales. Her innovative coaching style combined with a notable passion aids her in breathing life back into the stagnant practices of social media, creating natural, organic growth for her clients.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://katiebrinkley.com/

Linked: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/iamKatieBrinkley/

Connect with Troy Holt here:

Like, subscribe, download, and give a review of the Troy Talks podcast.

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by your employees' inability to deliver exceptional customer experiences, despite your efforts to improve, then you are not alone! Despite investing in customer service training, implementing new procedures, and providing incentives, your team may still be struggling to meet customer expectations. Instead of the desired result of improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, you may be experiencing decreased customer retention, negative online reviews, and missed opportunities for upselling. It's time to address this pain and find effective strategies to empower your employees for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest is Beverly Hathorn

We introduce Beverly Hathorn, a passionate customer satisfaction advocate with an impressive 25-year career trajectory in the corporate world. Starting out as a bank teller and later transitioning to more complex roles such as leading labour relations for an organization of 60,000 employees, Beverly's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Currently at the helm of Strategic HR Consultants, her unwavering commitment to creating high-functioning teams and facilitating outstanding customer experiences has remained core to her philosophy. As she continues to enhance productivity and collaboration, Beverly stays true to her vision — a customer-first culture.

Connect with Beverly here:

Website: ⁠⁠https://customermeasures.com/

Linked: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverlyhathorn/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategichrconsultants/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategiccustomercare/

Connect with Troy Holt here:

Like, subscribe, download, and give a review of the Troy Talks podcast.