Podcast
Empire Building
It’s no secret that business owners face a unique set of challenges, often juggling marriage, parenthood, and career aspirations. Empire Building brings together five influential women who are unapologetic in their goals to build big businesses and live big lives. Another common goal? Helping others do the same.
Tune in for authentic, unfiltered conversations with Wendy Papasan, Seychelle Van Poole, Sarah Reynolds, Kymber Lovett-Menkiti, and Tiffany Fykes, as they invite you to be a part of their journey.
- Careers chart
- #101
- Episodes
- 349
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 34 min
- On air since
- 2020
- Latest episode
- 1 day ago
Episodes
349 episodes, newest first
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34 min
348. Is AI Replacing You? Yes and No.
Show notes
Is AI coming for your job, your business, or the value you bring to your clients? We're having the conversation that more business owners need to be having. AI is changing the way we work, and while some tasks are becoming easier to automate, there are parts of leadership and business that still need a human touch.
In this episode, Seychelle and Kymber break down where AI is already making a difference, why women may be slower to adopt it, and how we can stop measuring our value by how much time we spend working. We share real examples of using AI to analyze business data, streamline operations, create presentations, and even manage projects at home. We also talk about why experience, judgment, trust, and relationships are becoming even more valuable as technology advances.
We're walking through a simple three-part framework to help you decide what to delegate to AI, what to elevate with AI, and what to protect as human-led work. Plus, we share practical ways we're using tools like Claude and Manus to save time and make better decisions.
The goal isn't to do more work. It's to get time back for the people, decisions, and opportunities that matter most. Let's use AI to build bigger businesses and even bigger lives.
Resources:
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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25 min
347. The Power of Pivoting: Reinvent Yourself and Keep Building
Show notes
What happens when the path you've worked so hard to build no longer looks like the one you want to follow? Sometimes the best thing we can do is pivot. In this episode, we're joined by Julia Lashay, real estate leader, author, and co-host of The Color of Money podcast, to talk about embracing change, creating opportunities, and finding the courage to keep building.
Julia takes us through her journey from leading real estate teams to becoming Keller Williams' first Head of Inclusion and Belonging, writing *The Color of Real Estate*, and eventually returning to Minnesota to lead two market centers. We talk about why you don't have to follow someone else's blueprint, how to make the most of unexpected opportunities, and why everything you've learned along the way can prepare you for what's next.
We also get into Julia's journey to the TEDx stage, including 62 rejections before finally getting a yes, and the coaching, persistence, and preparation it took to get there. Plus, Julia shares a fresh perspective on resilience: instead of trying to bounce back to who we used to be, what if we focused on who we're becoming?
Whether you're navigating a career change, chasing a big dream, or figuring out your next chapter, this conversation reminds us that every experience can become part of what we build next.
Resources:
• Read The Color of Real Estate by Julia Lashay
• Listen to The Color of Money podcast
• Follow Julia Lashay on Instagram: @iamjulialashay
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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36 min
346. Give Yourself Permission to Want More
Show notes
Ever feel like you're doing everything you're supposed to do, but you're still not happy? Between running businesses, raising families, and showing up for everyone else, it's easy to lose sight of what we actually want. In this episode, Seychelle Van Poole and Kymber Lovett-Menkiti are giving us permission to rethink the roles, responsibilities, and expectations we've been carrying.
We talk about how to recognize when you're living according to someone else's definition of success, why being good at something doesn't mean you have to keep doing it, and how to let go of the labels that no longer serve you. We also explore why wanting more doesn't have to mean working harder, and how trying new things can help you rediscover what brings you joy.
Then we get practical about making your best life a reality. From creating a "not-to-do" list and auditing your calendar to delegating responsibilities and setting boundaries, we share ways to start making room for what matters most. Plus, we walk through a permission slip exercise to help you get clear on what you want to stop, start, change, and become.
You don't have to wait for someday to build a life you love. Give yourself permission to start now!
Resources:
• Read The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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39 min
345. How to Keep Great People Growing With You (Part 2)
Show notes
How do you help great people grow without promoting them too soon, making promises you can't keep, or putting them in a role that's wrong for them?
This week, we're finishing our PATH framework for keeping talented people growing with you. We dig into T, Test the Future, and H, Hold the Standard. Instead of treating growth like a promotion ladder, we share how to give people a chance to experience the work, develop new skills, and demonstrate readiness before making a permanent move.
We also break down the four areas we look at before someone steps into a bigger role: current role results, future role capabilities, values and trust, and business readiness. You'll hear why being great at your current job doesn't automatically make you ready to lead, why tenure alone isn't enough, and why both the person and the business have to be ready before a promotion makes sense.
The goal isn't simply to give great people bigger titles. It's to give them clarity, coaching, honest opportunities to grow, and a path that works for them and the business.
Resources:
• Listen to Part 1 of our conversation on how to keep great people growing with you
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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42 min
344. How to Keep Great People Growing With You (Part 1)
Show notes
You have an amazing person on your team, you want to keep them, and suddenly you find yourself promising a future role before you know whether the business actually needs it. We've been there.
In this episode, we're kicking off our PATH framework for creating growth opportunities without prematurely promoting people into roles that aren't right for them or your business. We start with P: Picture the Business. Before attaching someone's name to a future role, we share six questions to help you get clear on where the business is actually going:
• What must be true of this business in one, three, or five years?
• What production, GCI, gross margin, and net profit would support the future?
• What functions will become bottlenecks as volume grows?
• Which seats will the organization genuinely need?
• Which work requires leadership, and which requires deeper expertise without managing people?
• Which roles can be funded now, and what only becomes viable after a defined economic trigger?Then we move into A: Align Ambitions. Instead of assuming your best people want your version of growth, we're sharing how to listen for what they really want. We talk about motivational interviews, separating career conversations from vision casting, and finding the "honest overlap" between three things: what the business needs, what the person wants, and what they're capable of.
Stay tuned for part two, where we'll break down T: Test the Future and H: Hold the Standard.
Resources:
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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37 min
343. Why Culture Is Your Strongest Business Strategy with Dana Gentry
Show notes
Culture isn't just the team lunches, celebrations, or giving back. It's what we tolerate, what we reward, how we treat each other, and the standards we protect every single day.
We're joined by Dana Gentry, longtime real estate leader and Keller Williams Senior Culture Advisor, to talk about what it really takes to build a culture that supports a big business. Dana shares the lessons she's carrying forward from mentors like Mo Anderson, including why leaders have to address bad culture instead of looking the other way, why productivity and profitability belong in the culture conversation, and how recognizing the right behaviors can change an entire team.
We also get personal about stepping into rooms where the pressure feels big. Dana shares how she's navigating a major leadership role by increasing her capacity, staying close to mentors, remaining coachable, focusing on the work that gives her energy, and remembering that she doesn't have to fill someone else's shoes. She gets to make her own.
If we're serious about building businesses that last, we have to intentionally build the culture that will carry us there.
Resources:
• Learn more about Dana's book, Restore: 90 Days of Intentional Living
• Interview with Mo Anderson: Part 1, Part 2
• Listen to Everything Life and Real Estate
• Follow Dana Gentry on Instagram: @danaggentry
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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20 min
342. The Next Stage of Scaling: From One Business to an Empire
Show notes
You’ve scaled one business. Now what? Building an empire isn’t about chasing every new opportunity that catches our attention. Before we add another business, we need a profitable foundation, the right opportunity, and the right people to grow it without putting everything we’ve already built at risk.
We’re wrapping up our scaling series with the next step: taking what works in business one and using it to build business two, three, and beyond. We break the process into four steps: use profit from the first business to fund what’s next, look for synergistic businesses that solve another problem for the same customer, identify the right “who” to lead the new venture, and incubate the new business with the systems and operational talent we already have.
We also talk about structuring partnerships around what each person actually brings to the table, including cash, expertise, influence, and time. Plus, we unpack why profit interest can sometimes make more sense than giving away equity and how Walt Disney’s interconnected businesses offer a powerful model for building an empire where each piece strengthens the others.
Once we know how to scale one business, we have a framework we can repeat. The goal is to build the empire that supports the big life we actually want.
Resources:
• See Walt Disney’s 1957 Corporate Strategy Chart
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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33 min
341. The Success Trap: When More Stops Making Your Life Better
Show notes
What happens when you finally achieve the success you worked so hard for, but your instinct is still to chase more? For high achievers, growth can become such a habit that we forget to ask whether the next milestone will actually make our lives better.
In this episode, we’re talking about the success trap and eight strategies for building a healthier relationship with ambition. We break down how to define what “enough” looks like across your money, business, and lifestyle, separate enough from expansion, decide in advance what counts as winning, and actually give yourself time to celebrate what you’ve built. We also talk about creating a second scoreboard for the parts of life that revenue can’t measure, including freedom, relationships, health, adventure, giving back, and peace of mind.
We also challenge ourselves to identify the “no” behind every new “yes,” practice staying instead of automatically expanding, and ask one powerful question before pursuing the next achievement. We’re not giving up ambition. We’re becoming much more selective about what deserves it.
If you know someone who keeps moving the goalpost the second they reach it, share this episode with them.
Resources:
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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26 min
340. How to Win the Pricing Conversation Before the CMA
Show notes
What if the pricing conversation was won before you ever opened the CMA? This week, we're bringing you inside Keller Williams Mega Camp, where Sarah Reynolds shares the six keys her team uses to help sellers make empowered decisions about one of their biggest assets.
After serving more than 12,000 families, Sarah has learned that telling sellers what to do isn't enough. We have to educate them. She breaks down how to uncover a seller's real why, reframe list price as a marketing strategy, help sellers think like buyers, and understand why active listings matter just as much as past sales. We also talk about how time on market can steal equity and how showings and offers give us the signals we need to listen to the market instead of arguing with it.
The goal is to make the CMA confirmation, not confrontation. When sellers understand the strategy before they see the numbers, we can stop battling over price and start working together toward what matters most to their family.
Take these six keys into your next seller conversation, educate first, and choose impact.
Resources:
• Read SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times by Gary Keller, Dave Jenks, and Jay Papasan
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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33 min
339. 6 Ways to Create Urgency In a Shifting Market
Show notes
When buyers and sellers are scared to make the wrong move, waiting can feel like the safest option. But in a shifting market, waiting isn't neutral. The market keeps moving, inventory changes, carrying costs add up, and opportunities can disappear.
In this episode, we're sharing six ways great agents create real urgency without relying on pressure or manipulation: create clarity, understand motivation, show the cost of waiting, take charge, ask great questions, and create momentum through action. We also talk about why fear often shows up as procrastination, how to uncover what a client really wants, and why strong leadership can give people the confidence to make informed decisions in an uncertain market.
If you lead buyers, sellers, or a sales team, this episode will help you create clarity, build trust, and guide people toward the next right step.
Resources:
• Check out Ringo
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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33 min
338. How to Set Standards That Protect Your Business
Show notes
The business you tolerate is the business you create. So are the expectations inside your company actually standards, or are they just preferences?
In this episode, we’re breaking down what makes a business standard real: it’s clearly defined, consistently communicated, regularly measured, and backed by accountability when the expectation isn’t met. We share examples from our own businesses across communication, customer experience, sales, team performance, culture, and financial operations, including response times, client updates, lead follow-up, weekly scorecards, spending limits, and even cell phones in meetings.
We also dig into the harder part: actually holding the standard. We talk about modeling expectations as leaders, building standards into systems and workflows, addressing missed commitments without making every conversation punitive, and figuring out whether a performance issue comes down to clarity, skill, capacity, or willingness. Standards should create consistency, not rigidity, and strong accountability can help your people achieve the goals they committed to in the first place.
Your culture is ultimately shaped by what you consistently reward, correct, and tolerate. Start with the standards that matter most, hold them well, and build from there.
Resources:
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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37 min
337. 7 Real Estate Negotiation Mistakes That Are Costing You Money
Show notes
What if the thing costing you your next commission check isn't the market, but the way you're negotiating?
In this episode, we're breaking down seven mistakes that can leave money on the table and keep good deals from coming together. We talk about why our job is to solve problems instead of predict the future, why the first buyer deserves more attention than most sellers realize, and how even a small counter can keep valuable momentum alive.
We also dig into the communication habits that separate professionals from everyone else. That means knowing when to put down the text thread and pick up the phone, negotiating the entire deal instead of fixating on price, and helping emotional clients slow down long enough to make informed decisions. And when a transaction hits a roadblock, we share why curiosity and creative problem-solving can uncover options that aren't always obvious, from seller concessions and rate buydowns to occupancy agreements and alternative terms.
If you want to put more deals together, create better outcomes for your clients, and keep more opportunities from slipping away, these are negotiation skills worth practicing.
Resources:
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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34 min
336. Is Your Business Your Identity?
Show notes
When someone asks who you are, how quickly does your answer turn into what you do? As entrepreneurs, we invest so much time, energy, emotion, and financial risk into our businesses that the line between our work and our identity can quietly disappear.
In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when business ownership shifts from an assignment into an identity. We share the warning signs we’ve experienced ourselves, including tying our moods to sales, feeling personally rejected when an employee leaves, losing touch with our interests outside of work, and resisting the delegation our businesses need to grow. We also explore the costs of identity fusion, from achievement addiction and defensiveness to burnout and creating a ceiling on the business.
Then, we walk through three exercises to help you reconnect with who you are beyond your titles, income, accomplishments, and family roles. You’ll learn how to identify the qualities that have always been part of you, imagine what would remain if the business disappeared, and use language that separates the role you serve from the person you are.
Your business was never meant to carry the weight of proving your worth. When your identity is secure, you can lead, rest, experiment, and grow from wisdom instead of fear.
Resources:
• Read Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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36 min
335. Scaling Through Seasons: Protecting What Matters While Growing Fast
Show notes
What season are you in, and does the way you're running your business actually honor it?
In the final episode of our scaling series, we're talking about how to grow without dropping the glass balls in your life. Work is often a rubber ball: a lost client, delayed project, or missed opportunity can bounce back. Our health, family, friendships, faith, and mental well-being may not recover as easily when they're repeatedly neglected.
We share a simple framework for planning around the seasons ahead instead of waiting until life forces us to react. We walk through how to identify the season your family, business, and health are entering, choose what cannot be neglected, and build the right support before a crisis arrives. We also discuss communicating temporary sacrifices to your family, creating margin, protecting recovery time, asking for help, and letting go of the pressure to keep every part of life perfectly balanced.
Your calendar tells the truth about what you're prioritizing. Our goal is to help you build a business that can grow through new babies, aging parents, health challenges, transitions, launches, and every season in between, while still supporting the bigger life you set out to create.
Resources:
• Read The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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49 min
334. Gary Keller Interviews Sarah Reynolds: The Leadership Playbook Behind a Billion-Dollar Team
Episode 334
Show notes
What does it really take to build a billion-dollar sales organization and still have a big life? In this special episode of Empire Building, Gary Keller steps in as host to interview one of the show’s own hosts, Sarah Reynolds. Together, they look back at Sarah’s journey from joining her mom in real estate at 21 to helping build EmpowerHome into an organization that has produced more than $1 billion in annual sales volume in each of the past three years.
Sarah gets very practical about what made that growth possible. She talks about learning how to get buyers and sellers to raise their hands, building strong lead generation and inside sales systems, following up for the long haul, and tracking the numbers closely enough to make the business predictable. She also breaks down the five pillars of trust and explains why agents have to know how to convert people who do not already know, like, and trust them.
But this conversation is about more than business growth. Sarah opens up about the years when everything felt like it depended on her, what changed when she stopped trying to carry every problem herself, and how protecting her health and family actually helped her people grow. You will hear a lot of honest lessons about leadership, delegation, focus, and why building a big business should never require giving up the life you are building it for.
Resources:
• Read The Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller, Dave Jenks, and Jay Papasan
• Learn more about EmpowerHome
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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30 min
333. How to Keep Your Team's Energy High When Deals Are Down
Show notes
A slower market can feel heavy, especially when your team is tired, transactions are down, and every deal takes more skill, patience, and emotional energy than it used to. In this episode, we’re talking about how to lead through a weird real estate market without losing your people, your energy, or your mission.
We share what we’re seeing in Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, why shifting inventory and affordability are changing the way agents have to lead, and how to spot the signs that your team’s energy may be eroding. We talk about the difference between pushing activity and reconnecting people to meaning, why one-on-one conversations matter more in a hard market, and how personal finances, retention conversations, role play, and small wins can help your people stay in the game.
This is a conversation for every leader who feels like they’re carrying a lot right now. Your skills are needed more in a hard market, and when you lead with clarity, care, and consistency, you can help your team build confidence again.
Resources:
• Read SHIFT by Gary Keller
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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26 min
332. Where Should You Be With Money? 5 Questions to Find Out
Show notes
Are you building wealth in a way that actually fits the season of life you’re in? In this episode, we’re talking about money, risk, cash flow, and the questions that help us decide whether we’re still on the right path or ready for a new one.
Wendy and Seychelle share the lessons they’ve learned from starting with very little, investing in real estate, taking risks that worked, and taking a few that absolutely did not. We talk about the difference between building equity and building cash flow, how to know your unfair advantage, why every investment comes with a hidden time tax, and why “enough” may look different in each chapter of life.
Whether you’re just beginning your wealth-building journey or reevaluating the strategy you already have, these five questions will help you get more intentional with your money, your time, and your next move. Build the wealth, protect what matters, and keep moving toward a bigger life.
Resources:
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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44 min
331. Scaling Leadership: From Being the Leader to Building Leaders
Show notes
Have you ever realized your business is growing, but your leadership structure is not? In this episode, we’re continuing our scaling series with Sarah Reynolds and Kymber Lovett-Menkiti to talk about one of the hardest shifts in business: moving from being the leader everyone depends on to building leaders who can carry the mission forward.
We get honest about the moments when we became the bottleneck, the pain of leading too many people directly, and the mistakes that come from promoting great performers before they are ready to lead. We talk about why every leader has a capacity limit, how your job changes as the company grows, and why leadership has to be taught intentionally instead of assumed.
We also dig into culture, hiring for heart, letting go of the need to be the hero, and what it really means to lead through multiplication instead of addition. If you’re trying to scale a business without burning out, this conversation will help you build the leaders who help you build the future.
Resources:
• Read Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
• Read Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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42 min
330. 6 Years of Empire Building: The Many Ways You Can Lead
Show notes
After six years, more than 300 episodes, and over 1.1 million downloads, we are taking a moment to celebrate the journey and reflect on the leadership lessons we have learned from each other along the way.
In this episode, we talk about what makes each of us different as leaders, and why that difference matters. From Tiffany’s brave commitment to family-first leadership, to Kymber’s quiet strength and ability to build powerful rooms, to Sarah’s visionary belief and commitment, to Seychelle’s empathy and relentless problem-solving, to Wendy’s collaborative, selfless way of bringing people together, this conversation is a reminder that leadership does not have to look one way.
We also share why authenticity and vulnerability have been non-negotiables for this podcast from the very beginning, how leadership grows when you lead more, and why the world needs more good leaders in families, teams, communities, businesses, and beyond. If you have ever wondered whether your leadership style is “right,” this episode is your permission to get curious, own your strengths, and keep growing.
Resources:
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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35 min
329. Stop Waiting for the Tap on the Shoulder with Heather Hope
Show notes
What if your business could grow without taking over every part of your life? In this episode, we’re joined by Heather Hope, founder of the Heather Hope Realty Group, business coach, real estate educator, wife, mom, investor, and former middle school teacher.
Heather shares how she moved from teaching to real estate, learned to build predictable business through numbers, and found her way into coaching, training, and leading a team. We talk about the emotional weight of client service, why boundaries matter when you’re an empath in business, and how delegation can help you protect the parts of life that bring you the most joy.
We also get into building multiple streams of income, bringing family into the business, teaching as lead generation, and giving yourself permission to get in the room before you feel fully “ready.” If you’ve ever wondered how to grow without losing your family time, your purpose, or your sense of fun, Heather’s story will give you both strategy and encouragement.
Resources:
• Learn more about Heather Hope Realty Group
• Follow Heather Hope on Instagram: @heatherhoperealty
• Check out Her Best Life: https://www.herbestlife.com/
• Learn more about Empire CircleConnect on Instagram:
• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykesProduced by NOVA
This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.
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