From nearly two decades in construction to closing 15 transactions in his first year, Evan Russell shares what it really takes to break into real estate and build momentum fast—without the “salesy” stuff.

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, Evan talks about:

• Why he pivoted careers (and what finally pushed him to go all-in)
• How he earned credibility as a brand-new agent (hint: it’s not scripts)
• His first deal—a small land transaction that turned into an early “guardrails” lesson
• Why joining a team helped early on (and what changed after year one)
• Marketing that works better than constant real estate posting: showing you’re human
• How he stays consistent with a simple daily rhythm (high-focus mornings, lighter afternoons)
• Setting boundaries with clients while still being available—and protecting family time
• The advice he’d give new agents about choosing a brokerage and finding the right people

If you’re a new agent (or thinking about getting licensed), this one is a straight-shooting look at the learning curve—and what “being real” can do for your business.

Watch, then drop a comment: What’s your biggest takeaway from Evan’s approach?

Subscribe for more rookie-agent wins, lessons, and real-world first commission stories.

Connect with Evan:
https://onereal.com/profile/evan-russell?backUrl=/search-agent?state_code%3DUS-VT
https://www.instagram.com/realevanrussell_vt/
https://www.facebook.com/p/Evan-Russell-Real-Estate-61568220151655/

What does it really take to win in your first year in real estate?

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Mike Paolucci (Columbus, Ohio)—a former hospital security officer and high school football coach who went all-in on real estate and closed ~23 transactions in his first year.

Mike breaks down how he built momentum fast (including cold calling while still taking pre-licensing classes), why mentorship and office culture mattered, and how he learned to manage the emotional ups and downs that come with commission-only income—and clients making one of the biggest decisions of their lives.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Mike balanced online licensing classes with daily prospecting
• Why he focused on sellers and deal-finding first (before shifting into buyers)
• How to build credibility when you’re brand new (“fake it ‘til you make it,” the right way)
• The emotional side of real estate (for you and your clients) and how to stay steady
• What to look for in a mentor—and why “hand-holding” can slow your growth
• Practical time management: how tracking time in 15-minute blocks improved efficiency
• A rookie mistake that became a major lesson in professionalism with other agents

If you’re newly licensed (or thinking about getting licensed), this one is packed with real talk and actionable takeaways.

Subscribe for more rookie success stories, early lessons, and strategies you can actually use.

Connect with Mike:
https://www.reafcorealestate.com/team/michael-paolucci
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-paolucci-1168812aa/
https://www.instagram.com/614realtor_mike/

What does it look like to start real estate in the middle of major life change—and still have a breakout first year?

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Angela Vega, a Realtor serving Phoenix and Scottsdale with My Home Group. Angela shares how her path into real estate began through running a family business that supported individuals with developmental disabilities—work that required buying and selling properties and sparked a real passion for the industry.

Angela opens up about the personal turning point that pushed her to go all-in, how she powered through an intense in-person licensing course, and the mindset shift that helped her ignore the “the market is terrible” noise. From joining a high-expectation team (and closing fast) to building a business fueled by referrals, open houses, and genuine community connection—Angela breaks down what actually moved the needle.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
How Angela went from running a family business to launching a real estate career
Why mindset and discipline mattered most during grief and major life transitions
What a high-performance team environment taught her (and when she went independent)
Her open house strategy (including door-knocking + neighborhood research)
How she built a business without relying heavily on paid marketing
How she found balance after an “all-in” first year
Why having the right broker + lender partners is everything as a new agent

How to Connect with Angela:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.vida.vega/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotluxhomes/reels/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidavega/

What does it really take to break into real estate when you’re new to the area, switching careers, and navigating big life changes at the same time?

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Labbe sits down with Michelle Cheng, a RE/MAX Journey agent in Rutherford County, Western North Carolina, to talk about her leap from healthcare into real estate—and what helped her start gaining momentum.

Michelle shares what the licensing process looked like in North Carolina (pre-licensing + post-licensing), how she built credibility as a newer agent, and why switching brokerages was a turning point for getting the support and guidance she needed. She also breaks down practical lead-gen that worked early on—sphere of influence, community involvement, open houses, and consistent social media—plus how she stayed positive through delays, uncertainty, and real-life curveballs (including becoming a new mom).

In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why Michelle left healthcare and chose real estate
What surprised her most about the first year (and what she wishes she knew sooner)
How open houses helped her build confidence + conversations
How she uses community involvement and social content to stay top-of-mind
A memorable “first showing” story (GPS + lockbox chaos…and a happy ending)
Real talk on time management as a working mom
Her 5-year goals: growth, additional licensing, designations, and giving back
If you enjoyed the episode, like, subscribe, and drop your biggest takeaway in the comments. Know a new agent with a big first win? Share your guest recommendation with the show.

How to Connect with Michelle:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556421461175
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle.cheng.realtor?igsh=Yjd4YXB5YmwyaXds
Website: https://www.remax.com/real-estate-agents/michelle-cheng-rutherfordton-nc/102329273

Victoria Mackay went from teaching Latin and Ancient Greek in London to launching a real estate career in New York City—and she did it with intention, strategy, and a whole lot of resilience.

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, Victoria shares how she made the leap to NYC, earned her license while still teaching overseas, and built credibility fast by joining the right team. We talk through what her first year really looked like (including the long wait from contract to closing), how she approaches first-time buyers with a “teacher mindset,” and why patience matters more than people think in the early days.

You’ll also hear some real-world deal stories—including bidding-war heartbreak, landmarked window surprises, and a closing-day situation that turned into total chaos (no keys… and the seller hadn’t moved out).

If you’re newly licensed (or thinking about getting licensed), this one is packed with practical perspective and rookie-tested lessons you can apply immediately.

In this episode, we cover:

• Making a career pivot and moving to NYC with a plan
• Getting licensed from abroad + finding the right brokerage/team
• Building credibility when you’re new to the market
• Why patience + pipeline-building are everything in year one
• Open houses by appointment (and what works in NYC)
• Navigating stressful deals and knowing when to ask for help
• Staying intentional with follow-up without being “salesy”
• Advice for new agents: “be a sponge” and keep learning

Drop a comment: What’s your biggest takeaway—or your biggest question as a new agent?

Social media profiles:

• LinkedIn: Victoria Mackay (Brown Harris Stevens)
• Instagram (listed on her LinkedIn profile): @victoria.a.mackay
• Brokerage profile: Brown Harris Stevens agent page

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Dawsen Harbison, an Oklahoma REALTOR® with Capital Real Estate and Asset Management Group, to talk about what it really takes to win early in real estate.

Dawsen shares how she transitioned from a decade in healthcare account management after major life changes—and why real estate became the path forward. She breaks down how she earned her license fast, landed her first closing within a couple months, and built momentum through networking, open houses, consistent follow-up, and getting visible in her community.

You’ll also hear Dawsen’s rookie-year lessons on:

Picking the right brokerage (and doing your due diligence)
Why savings + a support system matter in year one
How she markets herself as a new agent (and stands out)
Real-life stories from investment property walks that prove “anything can happen”
The habits and mindset shifts that helped her keep going when things got tough
If you’re newly licensed (or thinking about becoming an agent), this one is packed with practical advice and motivation to keep moving—even on the hard days.

Subscribe for more real conversations with new agents who are building real careers from the ground up.

Links & resources mentioned:
Website: Dawsen Harbison | dawsen.realtor
TikTok: Dawsen Harbison (@dawsen.rae)
Books: Atomic Habits, Ninja Selling, and “Let Them” theory (as referenced in the episode)
Contact / referrals
Have a great guest recommendation? Email: UnlockingRealEstate@ColibriRealEstate.com or fill out this form to apply: https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

What does it really take to break into real estate, find your footing, and land your first deal — even when the market is competitive and every transaction matters?

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, we sit down with Conor Hix, REALTOR® with Cutler Real Estate serving Columbus & Grove City, Ohio. Conor shares how he navigated the early ups and downs of launching his real estate career, built confidence working with buyers and sellers, and leaned into his strengths to grow his business.

You’ll learn:
✔️ How Conor prepared for, and ultimately closed, his first commission
✔️ Why perseverance and refining your process matters in the early months
✔️ How client communication and follow-through become major differentiators
✔️ Tips for new agents on gaining traction in local markets

This episode is packed with honest insight, real-world lessons, and actionable takeaways for rookie agents and anyone stepping into real estate for the first time.

Chapters:
00:00 — Welcome to Unlocking Real Estate
00:40 — Meet Conor Hix — Cutler Real Estate
02:00 — Real estate beginnings & motivation
04:30 — Getting licensed & learning the tools
07:00 — Landing the first client
09:30 — Client communication strategies
11:45 — Challenges in the early pipeline
14:00 — Momentum & building confidence
16:30 — Advice for new agents
18:00 — Where to connect with Conor

Connect with Conor Hix:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-hix-760206295/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conor.hix21/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conor.hix | https://www.facebook.com/taylorteamSOLD

✨ Want to be featured on My First Commission?

We’re always looking for inspiring rookie agents!
📧 Email us at UnlockingRealEstate@ColibriRealEstate.com or fill out this form (https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish) to apply.

What does it look like to enter real estate during a shifting market — while balancing work, family, and the pressure of securing your very first client?
Meet Lauren Morelli, whose determination, positivity, and people-first mindset helped her break into the industry and build real momentum early on.

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, Lauren shares how she:

Found her footing after getting licensed

Stayed committed through challenges and uncertainty

Leaned on mentorship, training, and relationships to build confidence

Landed her first client and learned the lessons that shaped her career

Approaches business today with authenticity and long-term vision

Her transparency, work ethic, and commitment to growth make this a must-listen for any aspiring or early-career agent.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Unlocking Real Estate
00:40 Meet Lauren Morelli
02:00 Life before real estate
03:30 Why she chose real estate as a career
05:00 Getting licensed & entering a shifting market
07:00 Finding her first client
09:30 Challenges, lessons & early wins
12:00 Building confidence through mentorship
14:00 Developing her business approach
16:00 Advice for new agents
18:00 Where to connect with Lauren

🔗 Connect with Lauren Morelli:
https://www.laurenmorelli.com
https://www.bhhs.com/california-properties-ca301/santa-monica/lauren-morelli
https://www.tiktok.com/ ⁨@laurenmorelli9186⁩ https://www.instagram.com/laurenmorelli
https://www.facebook.com/LaurenMorelliRE/

✨ Want to be featured on My First Commission?

We’re always looking for inspiring rookie agents!
📧 Email us at UnlockingRealEstate@ColibriRealEstate.com or fill out this form (https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish) to apply.