What does it actually take to get your first real estate commission in Arizona?

In this episode of My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Arizona agent Dane Miller to break down his journey from getting licensed to generating real traction in today’s competitive market.

Dane shares the real, unfiltered version of starting out — the doubts, the first deal pressure, and the strategies that actually worked. From building relationships to creating consistency in his daily routine, this episode is packed with practical advice for new and aspiring real estate agents who want to stop overthinking and start producing.

If you’re trying to:
- Get your first client
- Close your first deal
- Build momentum in your first year
- Understand what actually works in today’s market
- This conversation will give you clarity and confidence.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 Why Dane got into real estate
02:10 Early struggles & mindset shifts
04:35 Landing the first real client
07:15 The first commission check moment
09:20 What he’d do differently starting over
12:40 Building consistency in a competitive market
15:05 Advice for brand-new agents
18:10 Arizona market insights
21:30 Final advice for future agents

🔑 Key Takeaways for New Agents

✔️ Your first deal comes from conversations, not luck
✔️ Consistency beats motivation
✔️ Confidence grows through action
✔️ Market knowledge builds trust fast
✔️ Momentum compounds in your first 12 months

📍 About Dane Miller (Arizona)
Real Estate Agent — Arizona
Focus: Residential buyers & sellers
Market: Phoenix metro & surrounding areas

🔗 Connect with Dane Miller

https://www.danemillerrealty.com/
https://www.facebook.com/danemillertherealtor/
https://www.instagram.com/danemillerxo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-miller-92661431/

🎙️ Want to Be Featured on My First Commission?

Are you a new or rookie real estate agent with a first-deal story worth sharing?
👉 Apply to be featured on the podcast and inspire the next generation of agents here: https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

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/