In this episode of My First Commission on the Unlocking Real Estate podcast by Colibri Real Estate, we spotlight Heavenn Perez, a rising Realtor® with Century 21 Transcendent Realty in Medina, Ohio.

Heavenn’s journey proves that discipline, mentorship, and persistence can turn a dream into a thriving career. After working full-time in manufacturing for seven years, she made the leap into real estate—balancing 120 hours of coursework, a demanding job, and long commutes. Within her first year, she closed 10 transactions, quit her 9–5, and hasn’t looked back.

In this conversation, Heavenn shares:

How her grandfather’s brokerage inspired her from childhood

The strategies she used to pass her real estate coursework while working full time

Why choosing the right brokerage was a game-changer for her success

How she landed her first commission in just four months through disciplined lead generation

Why open houses, referrals, and social media video marketing became her biggest growth tools

The importance of mentorship, team culture, and constant follow-up in real estate

Whether you’re considering a career change or already starting out in real estate, Heavenn’s story will motivate you to stay consistent, invest in the right training, and build relationships that last.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Intro to My First Commission

01:16 – Meet Heavenn Perez: From Manufacturing to Real Estate

02:08 – Inspiration from Her Grandfather’s Brokerage

03:53 – Choosing Hondros & Balancing Online Classes with Full-Time Work

07:42 – Closing Her First Deal in Four Months

08:44 – Training, Scripts, and 18,000 Leads at Century 21

10:12 – First Client & Early Follow-Up Strategies

10:56 – Social Media Videos That Reached 50,000+ Views

12:30 – Family Deals, Referrals, and Building Her Sphere

12:51 – Why She Loves Open Houses

14:03 – Biggest First-Year Challenges While Working Two Jobs

16:55 – A Divorce Sale That Tested Her Skills

19:20 – Building Trust & Long-Term Client Relationships

20:46 – Funny First-Year Moments (Mismatched Socks at a Luxury Showing)

22:18 – Heavenn’s Top Tips for New Agents (Brokerage Choice Matters)

26:20 – Lightning Round: Books, Advice, and Future Goals

30:25 – Where to Connect with Heavenn Perez

31:07 – Final Thoughts & Inspiration for Aspiring Agents

🔗 Connect with Heavenn Perez

Facebook: Heavenn Perez

Instagram: @heavennperez_realtor

TikTok: @heavennperez_realtor

LinkedIn: Heavenn Perez

🚀 Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with a first commission story to tell? Apply to be featured on My First Commission and inspire other real estate professionals! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

#HeavennPerez #MyFirstCommission #RealEstatePodcast #UnlockingRealEstate #ColibriRealEstate #Century21 #NewAgentSuccess #RealEstateCareer

From Pro Baseball Dreams to Carolina Luxury Homes: Eric Schultz’s Rookie Real Estate Journey

In this episode of *My First Commission* from the *Unlocking Real Estate* podcast by Colibri Real Estate, we feature **Eric Schultz**, a Luxury Home Specialist with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty serving **North & South Carolina**.

Eric shares his unique path—from pursuing a professional baseball career to becoming a trusted Realtor® in the Carolinas—and how his competitive drive, work ethic, and relationship-building skills fueled his first big win in real estate.

You’ll hear how Eric:

* Transitioned from athletics and corporate sales into real estate
* Built trust with high-end clients in a new market
* Approached his **first deal** with persistence, strategic follow-up, and attention to detail
* Navigates the luxury space while keeping service and integrity at the forefront
* Balances family life with the demands of real estate success

Whether you’re an aspiring agent or a seasoned pro looking for inspiration, Eric’s story proves that with discipline, passion, and client focus, you can build a thriving career in any market.

* **00:00** – Meet Eric Schultz: From Pro Baseball to Real Estate
* **03:15** – The Career Shift: Why Real Estate?
* **06:50** – Breaking Into the Carolina Market
* **11:30** – First Commission: How It Happened
* **15:20** – Lessons from Luxury Transactions
* **19:00** – Balancing Business, Family & Personal Goals
* **22:40** – Advice for New Agents in Competitive Markets

* **Instagram:** [@eric\_schultz19](https://www.instagram.com/eric_schultz19/?hl=en)
* **Instagram:** [@ericschultzrealtor](https://www.instagram.com/ericschultzrealtor/)
* **Facebook:** [Eric Schultz Realtor](https://www.facebook.com/EricSchultzRealtor/)
* **BHHS Profile:** [Eric Schultz – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas](https://www.bhhs.com/carolinas-realty-nc301/charlotte/eric-schultz/cid-3053600)

Are you a new agent with a first commission story to tell? Apply now to be featured on *My First Commission* and inspire other real estate professionals! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

#EricSchultz #MyFirstCommission #CarolinasRealEstate #LuxuryHomes #BHHS #RealEstatePodcast #UnlockingRealEstate #ColibriRealEstate

In this episode of My First Commission on Unlocking Real Estate, we speak with Dan Merrill, a retired Air Force recruiter who retired at 43 and quickly pivoted to real estate with Coldwell Banker Premier Realty in Las Vegas. With unmatched discipline and military precision, Dan closed his very first transactions in under two months while setting a powerful foundation for his new career.

Key insights you'll hear:

• How military discipline and structured routines became his real estate superpower
• Why he focused on serving fellow military members—and how he built trust on base over coffee, not cold calls
• How he used Canva-designed postcards, social media, and client referrals to grow his business—without expensive ads
• The emotional impact of placing first-time homeowners in homes, especially those who believed homeownership was out of reach
• His real talk on real estate life outside 9–5: managing closings while on vacation and leaning on family and faith for balance

If you're curious how discipline, service ethic, and strategic hustle blend to create early success in real estate, Dan’s story is compelling proof.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 – Meet Dan: From Air Force to Realtor
• 01:20 – Licensing Challenges & Persistence
• 05:40 – First Closings in Just Weeks
• 08:00 – Military Niche: Building Trust on Base
• 12:00 – Grassroots Marketing: Social and Snail Mail
• 15:00 – First Buyer Wins & Emotional Milestones
• 20:00 – Balancing Work, Family & Real Estate Hustle
• 24:00 – Words of Wisdom: “Do the Right Things Right, Often”

Connect with Dan Merrill

• Instagram: @Dan Merrill Las Vegas Realtor
• Facebook: Dan Merrill
• Email: dan.merrill@cbvegas.com
• Phone: (805) 315-1898 – “Interested in real estate mentorship or home buying? Reach out anytime.”

Why Dan’s Story Inspires

Dan’s transition from military life to real estate shows that the right skills — discipline, empathy, and communication — can translate into success in any industry. He leaned into authenticity, niche marketing, and service-first mindset to outpace expectations in his very first year. If you're ready to redefine what’s possible in real estate at any stage of life, this episode is for you.

Ready to Share Your Story?

Do you have a powerful first-commission story? Apply now to be featured on My First Commission and inspire aspiring agents everywhere.

https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

#DanMerrill #MyFirstCommission #RealEstatePodcast #LasVegasRealtor #MilitaryToRealtor #NewAgentSuccess #ColdwellBanker #UnlockingRealEstate

Sources

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