Are you building an authentic personal brand that influences real relationships, or are you chasing followers with smoke and mirrors that crumble when it's time to deliver in person?

In this powerful conversation, hosts Ed Averette and Terence Guess sit down with Solomon Hejirika, founder of Hejirika Law, to explore what it truly means to wield influence in real estate and business. The discussion challenges professionals who hide behind avatars and algorithms while neglecting the relationships that actually build lasting success. Solomon shares his journey from Baltimore to Charlotte, his experience at multiple law firms, and why he chose to break away from the cookie-cutter approach that turned families into numbers. The trio dives deep into authenticity versus image, the danger of relying solely on social media for business, and why going line-by-line through closing documents builds the kind of trust that generates referrals for life. This episode is a masterclass in understanding that real influence isn't measured in followers—it's measured in the lives you impact when you show up as your genuine self, provide expert service, and pay it forward to others climbing the same ladder you once scaled.

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and asked yourself: Am I building a business, or am I just being everyone's stepping stone?

Ed Averette and Terence Guess kick off 2026 with one of their most vulnerable conversations yet about the reinvention of the real estate professional. Terence gets brutally honest about his decision to stop convincing partners to work with him, sharing how spending four weeks educating clients only to watch them use another lender without a conversation takes a serious mental toll. The hosts explore the difference between relationships that pour into you versus those that drain you, emphasizing that time and influence are more valuable than money. Ed relates to the struggle, describing how loan officers become "sugar daddies" at events, showing up, sponsoring, serving as mascots, only to be ghosted when clients make decisions. They discuss the painful reality of text message dismissals versus phone call respect, and why genuine partnerships require more than just being on someone's flyer. The conversation shifts to 2026 market predictions, with insights on how rate drops are already "baked in" and what happens when the whole city comes out to buy homes. Ed reveals his commitment to getting back to having fun in real estate, comparing it to Cam Newton's dabbing days when joy translated to winning. Both hosts land on a powerful truth: what's meant for you will be for you, and in 2026, they're done chasing what isn't.

What happens when the most talented professionals in real estate unknowingly sabotage their success by confusing humility with self-deprecation—and why are six-figure earners consistently shocked when they discover their actual buying power?

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Terence Guess and Ed Averette tackle one of the most critical yet overlooked topics in real estate and life: knowing your worth. The hosts dive deep into the dangerous territory where humility becomes exploitation, exploring how real estate professionals who consistently deliver excellence often allow clients and competitors to diminish their value. Ed shares personal stories about helping clients achieve homeownership dreams at his own expense, while Terence challenges the notion that service requires self-sacrifice. The conversation evolves from professional boundaries—like never showing homes without pre-approvals—to the uncomfortable financial realities facing high-income earners who can't understand why their $200,000 household income doesn't translate to the buying power they expect. Through vulnerable personal anecdotes, including Ed's eye-opening encounter with a financial advisor and the infamous Ford Taurus incident that cost him an $850,000 deal, the hosts reveal why people resist confronting financial truth and how this resistance keeps them trapped in cycles of underperformance. This episode is essential listening for anyone ready to stop dimming their light, establish non-negotiable professional standards, and finally bridge the gap between perception and reality in their financial life.