In this episode of My First Commission from the Unlocking Real Estate podcast by Colibri Real Estate, we talk with Marc Cannella, a former Las Vegas doorman who reinvented his life at 60—jumping full-time into real estate and selling over $4.1 million in his very first year.

Marc spent nearly four decades welcoming guests at Vegas hotels, but when the hospitality world shifted, he took his people skills and local knowledge and applied them to real estate. Now a Rookie of the Year with Coldwell Banker Premier Realty, Marc is thriving—bringing unmatched energy, commitment, and humor to every transaction.

In this high-energy and inspiring episode, Marc shares:

• How he went from “opening doors” to closing deals at 60 years old
• Why hospitality skills were the perfect foundation for client success
• How consistency, hustle, and a genuine love for people helped him win trust
• What it means to serve clients with purpose, no matter your age or background
• The emotional story behind his very first commission—and why it still sticks with him

If you’re thinking it’s too late to switch careers or wondering how to stand out in real estate without a flashy online presence, Marc’s journey will change your mind.

🗂️ Episode Chapters

• 00:00 – Meet Marc Cannella: 40 Years in Hospitality
• 03:00 – Making the Leap: From Doorman to Realtor
• 06:30 – Rookie of the Year: How He Sold $4.1M
• 10:45 – Winning Clients Through Personality & Purpose
• 15:00 – First Deal Stories & Emotional Moments
• 20:00 – Advice for Late-Career Starters in Real Estate
• 24:15 – Mindset, Gratitude & The Long Game

🔗 Connect with Marc Cannella

• Instagram: @marccannellasellslasvegas
• Facebook: Cannella Fitness (also home to real estate updates)
• Zillow Profile: Marc Cannella – Coldwell Banker Premier Realty

🚀 Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with a unique first commission journey? Apply now to be featured on My First Commission and inspire the next generation of real estate pros!

#MarcCannella #MyFirstCommission #LasVegasRealEstate #RookieOfTheYear #CareerChangeSuccess #ColibriRealEstate #UnlockingRealEstate #ColdwellBankerPremier #RealEstatePodcast

In this episode of *My First Commission* on *Unlocking Real Estate* by Colibri Real Estate, we sit down with Carol Koutsourais, a lifelong Mahoning Valley resident and marketing-savvy Realtor® with **CENTURY 21 Lakeside Realty** in Youngstown, Ohio. With a background in interior design and marketing, Carol successfully transitioned into real estate, leveraging her creative strengths to stage homes, showcase listings effectively, and build deep-rooted client relationships.

Carol shares:

* How her marketing and design experience helped her navigate the industry and guide sellers to stand out in a competitive market
* The ways she uses staging insights and visual storytelling to create emotional connections that lead to faster sales and happier clients
* How local knowledge and a commitment to long-term relationships became her client retention edge in the Mahoning Valley

Whether you’re an agent—or an aspiring one—looking to elevate your launch with thoughtful presentation and personal connections, Carol’s journey offers a beautiful example of using professional background to amplify real estate results.

🎧 Episode Chapters

* **00:00 – Meet Carol Koutsourais**
* **02:45 – From Marketing & Design to Real Estate**
* **06:10 – How Staging Sets Listings Apart**
* **09:35 – Building Trust Through Visual Storytelling**
* **13:20 – Navigating the Youngstown Market**
* **16:45 – Connecting Clients Beyond the Sale**
* **20:00 – Advice for Agents with Creative Backgrounds**

🔗 Connect with Carol Koutsourais

* **LinkedIn** – Realtor at Century 21 Lakeside Realty in Youngstown, OH (500+ connections) https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-koutsourais-515b0881
* **Century 21 Profile** – Marketing‑minded agent providing staging advice and long-term client care in the Mahoning Valley https://www.century21.com/real-estate-agent/profile/carol-koutsourais-P80184052
* **Facebook (“Homes by Carol”)** – Local updates, listings, and community-focused real estate content https://www.facebook.com/p/Homes-by-Carol-at-Century-21-Lakeside-61560129238708/

🚀 Want to Share Your Story?

Do you have a first-deal journey worth sharing on *My First Commission*? Apply now to share your experience, inspire others, and be featured in the next episode! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

\#MyFirstCommission #CarolKoutsourais #MahoningValleyRealEstate #Century21Lakeside #StagingStrategy #YoungstownRealtor #CreativeAgentLaunch #UnlockingRealEstate

In this episode of My First Commission on Unlocking Real Estate, meet Kyle Russell, a former factory worker turned real estate powerhouse with RE/MAX Preferred in Toledo, Ohio. Tired of feeling stuck, Kyle made the bold leap into real estate—and quickly discovered that success in this industry starts with relationships, resilience, and relentless follow-up.

Kyle walks us through his first year, where he:

• Left his factory job to pursue real estate full-time
• Built credibility in a brand-new industry by attending trainings, shadowing mentors, and staying humble
• Used open houses and face-to-face networking to generate his first serious leads
• Learned the importance of financial planning, work-life balance, and staying proactive
• Harnessed social media as a tool for education and visibility—not just self-promotion

Whether you’re thinking about making a career shift or you're a brand-new agent looking for traction, Kyle’s story will inspire you to go all-in—and stay focused on the long game.

• 00:00 – Meet Kyle Russell: From Factory Work to Real Estate
• 03:03 – Making the Leap: Why Kyle Left His Job
• 05:44 – Real Estate Licensing & Early Learning Curves
• 08:42 – Building Confidence and Credibility
• 11:40 – Leveraging Open Houses for Early Success
• 14:30 – Using Social Media Intentionally
• 20:36 – Navigating Mindset Shifts and Weekend Hustle
• 42:11 – Mentorship, Networking, and Client Loyalty
• 49:52 – Balancing Family and Business in Year One

🔗 Connect with Kyle Russell

• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kdaddy19
• TikTok– https://www.tiktok.com/@kyleremax

🚀 Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with a powerful first-deal journey? We’d love to feature you on My First Commission. Apply now to inspire the next generation of real estate professionals! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

#MyFirstCommission #KyleRussell #ToledoRealEstate #REMAXPreferred #CareerChangeSuccess #RealEstatePodcast #OpenHouseStrategy #UnlockingRealEstate #ColibriRealEstate

In this episode of My First Commission, we sit down with Paul Haley, a Scottsdale-based agent with eXp Realty, who skipped college and launched his real estate career straight out of high school. At just 20 years old, Paul has already closed $8.8 million in sales in his first year—all by focusing on open houses instead of social media.

Paul shares how he challenged himself to do 100 open houses in 100 days in North Scottsdale, mastering market knowledge and building client relationships from the ground up. That consistency paid off—his first commission came from a visitor at an open house who trusted him enough to list a $3.5M property that had sat unsold for six months. Paul rebranded the listing, repositioned it with a unique marketing approach, and sold it in just three days.

Tune in to hear:

- How Paul built trust with luxury buyers at age 20
- His approach to learning one new thing every day
- Why open houses beat cold calls for his business model
- How he structures conversations to build value without pressure
- His long-term plan to pair open houses with content creation
- Paul’s story is a masterclass in hustle, humility, and how to build a business when all you have is grit and a good attitude.

🎧 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Paul Haley
02:30 – From High School to Real Estate Full-Time
06:00 – The 100 Open Houses in 100 Days Challenge
10:00 – His First Deal: A $3.5M Listing Win
15:00 – Lessons from Early Failures and Persistence
20:00 – Mentorship and Scaling Into Luxury
25:00 – Advice for New Agents Focused on Learning
30:00 – The Future: Branding, Video & Staying Consistent

🔗 Find Paul Haley Online
Instagram – @paul.haley (Real estate specialist in Scottsdale; faith, family, health–focused posts)

LinkedIn – Paul Haley, Real Estate Specialist at The Tackett Team / eXp Realty (5,700+ followers; sharing market updates & team achievements)

Facebook – Paul Haley, Real Estate Broker (Toronto page, but his Zillow & Tackett Team listings highlight his Scottsdale work)

Zillow Profile – Showcases 6 completed sales (transactions ranged from $436K–$2.85M) and specialty in Scottsdale & Paradise Valley

🚀 Want to Share Your Story?
Are you a motivated rookie agent with a unique tale of success? We want to feature your first commission journey on My First Commission! Apply now and inspire others.

#MyFirstCommission #PaulHaley #ScottsdaleRealEstate #RookieRealtor #eXpRealty #SocialMediaLeadGen #UnlockingRealEstate

📝 Description
In this episode of My First Commission from Unlocking Real Estate by Colibri Real Estate, we speak with Courtney Bullock, a Arizona native with a 25‑year finance career turned RE/MAX Cornerstone agent in Cave Creek/Phoenix. After transitioning into real estate in 2023, Courtney was named an RISMedia Rookie of the Year finalist and quickly turned her organization and people skills into a successful real estate practice.

She dives into:

What motivated her to leave a stable finance job and launch a new career

How she partnered with community and education to build trust during her pivot

Her first sales experiences, including land & luxury listings across Phoenix-area neighborhoods

The role follow‑through, checklists, and consistent client care have played in growing her referral base

Whether you’re shifting careers or starting fresh in real estate, Courtney’s story offers real, practical inspiration for making your first mark in the market.

🎧 Chapters
00:00 – Intro & Background

02:30 – Finance to Real Estate: The Catalyst Moment

06:00 – First Listings: Land & Luxury Homes

10:15 – Building Community Connections

13:45 – Process-Driven Follow‑Through & Marketing

17:00 – RISMedia Rookie of the Year Finalist

20:30 – Advice for New Agents & Next Goals

🔗 Connect with Courtney Bullock
Instagram (@courtneysellsarizona) – Realtor® at RE/MAX Cornerstone sharing lifestyle, listings & client highlights
Facebook (Courtney Bullock – RE/MAX Cornerstone) – Updates on local listings, client success stories & community events
LinkedIn (Courtney Bullock) – Finance-to-real estate transition, local market expertise & volunteerism

🚀 Want to Share Your Story?
Are you a new or transitioning real estate agent with a first‑commission story? We’d love to feature your journey. Apply now to be on My First Commission and inspire others!

In this episode of My First Commission from Unlocking Real Estate by Colibri Real Estate, we chat with Angela Trible, a Midwest transplant turned Realtor® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Mesa/Gilbert, Arizona. Angela shares her career pivot—from science-focused academics and logistics into real estate after relocating in 2022—and how her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and values-driven approach helped her break into the market and close her first home sales.

She dives into:
How faith, family, and a science background inform her client relationships

The challenges and rewards of moving to Arizona and starting fresh in real estate

Strategies for serving first-time buyers and investors with precision and care

Building long-term connections through trust, organization, and persistence

Angela’s story highlights how personal values and operational excellence can lead to early real estate success—and lasting client loyalty.

🎧 Chapters
00:00 – Meet Angela & Background

02:45 – The Move from Midwest to Mesa/AZ

06:30 – Transitioning from Logistics to Real Estate

10:20 – First Listings & Transaction Lessons

14:00 – Serving Buyers & Investors with Detail

18:15 – Building Trust Through Faith & Family Focus

22:00 – Advice for New Agents Starting Fresh

🔗 Connect with Angela Trible
Instagram – @angela_trible: Announcements about joining Berkshire Hathaway Arizona Properties and personal insights

Facebook – Angela Trible: Realtor® at BHHS Arizona Properties, faith-centric real estate posts

LinkedIn – Angela Trible: Midwest-born, science-minded Realtor® in Mesa/Gilbert; posts about work anniversary and real estate journey

🚀 Want to Share Your Story?
If you're a new agent with a meaningful journey to your first commission, we'd love to feature you! Apply now to be on My First Commission and inspire other rookies with your experiences.

#MyFirstCommission #AngelaTrible #MesaRealEstate #BHHSAZ #RookieRealtor #FirstDeal #ValuesDrivenBusiness #UnlockingRealEstate

🎧 Description:

In this week's My First Commission episode of Unlocking Real Estate, we sit down with Derek Tschilar, a rising star at Realty ONE Group in Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona. In just two years, Derek has already closed over $500,000 in commissions—building a robust business around residential and multifamily properties.

Derek shares how he carved his niche in the Phoenix market, leveraging his communication and marketing skills to move homes off-market and develop a loyal referral base. With experience in homes priced between $175K–$630K and totaling over $17 million in sales, he reveals his tactical approach to client acquisition and branding in a competitive market.

🗂️ Chapter Highlights:

**00:00 – Introduction & Background**
**02:30 – First Deal & Market Entry**
**06:15 – Creating Off‑Market Opportunities**
**09:40 – Marketing Strategies for Phoenix Buyers & Sellers**
**13:00 – Building a Multifamily Portfolio**
**16:45 – Managing Rapid Growth & Scaling Habits**
**20:10 – Advice for Ambitious Rookie Agents**
**23:00 – What’s Next: Long‑Term Vision in Real Estate**

🔗 Connect with Derek Tschilar:

Instagram: @derektschilar – Showcases his market activity from homes to community insights
instagram.com

LinkedIn: Derek Tschilar – 820+ followers; posts on motivation, market trends & agent mindset
linkedin.com

Twitter/X: @DerekTschilar – Promotes his Phoenix Area house search services and community involvement
podchaser.com
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twitter.com
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phoenixareahousesearch.com
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Facebook: Derek Tschilar – Residential & Commercial insights and off‑MLS listings
homes.com
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facebook.com
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Email & Mobile: (480) 432‑4849 · realestate@tschilarderek.com
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map.realtyonegroup.com
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🚀 Ready to apply?

Are you a driven rookie agent with a compelling story about your first commission? We want to feature your journey on *My First Commission*! Apply today to share your success and inspire other new agents.

\#g RealEstatePodcast #MyFirstCommission #DerekTschilar #PhoenixRealEstate #RookieSuccess #RealtyONEGroup #UnlockingRealEstate

In this episode of My First Commission, we highlight Paul Haley, a Scottsdale-based agent with eXp Realty who built a thriving luxury real estate business—without relying on social media to start. Paul shares how he leveraged open houses to break into multimillion-dollar listings, including a $3M sale that came from a simple follow-up and rapport-building lunch.

At just 21 years old, Paul walks us through:
- Why attending 4–5 open houses per week helped him enter the luxury space
- How he built trust with clients despite his age and experience level
- His signature open house method that prioritizes connection over hard sells
- The follow-up process that won him deals—like handwritten notes, personal texts, and customized MLS insights
- Why mastering contracts and client service came before branding and Instagram posts
- Paul proves you don’t need flashy ads or big budgets to succeed—just consistency, humility, and genuine human connection.

📌 Episode Chapters:
00:00 – Meet Paul Haley: Scottsdale Native with a Dream
02:15 – Getting Licensed & Overcoming Test Anxiety
06:30 – Why Open Houses Became His Key to Luxury
10:00 – The Haley Open House Formula
15:00 – $3M Sale Story: Rapport, Strategy & Timing
20:00 – Challenges of Being a Young Agent
26:00 – Long-Term Vision and Staying Grounded

🔗 Connect with Paul Haley:
Website: haley-housing.com
Instagram: @paul.haley
Email: paul@tackettteam.com

🎧 Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with an inspiring journey to your first commission? We'd love to feature you on the My First Commission series. Apply now to be a guest on the show! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish