In this powerful episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens and Joel Perso break down what it truly means to make the leap from Agent to CEO. From Gary Vee’s prediction that real empires are being built right now to the uncomfortable truth about lifestyle businesses, they unpack the mindset, strategy, and habits required to not just survive—but thrive—in today’s shifting real estate market.

This conversation dives into the power of commitment, the danger of chasing “status” over freedom, and how building intentional systems can position you to withstand downturns and capitalize on opportunities. Whether you’re just starting out or leading a growing team, this is a no-fluff masterclass on business evolution, discipline, and creating the freedom you’re truly chasing.

Agent to CEO Mindset

• Why success starts with showing up and treating real estate like a job

• The difference between being interested, committed, and obsessed

• Why mindset always comes first when scaling

Building for Freedom, Not Status

• The difference between a lifestyle business and a scalable asset

• Why chasing freedom beats chasing status every time

• The three critical elements to escape production

Systems, AI & Working Yourself Out of a Job

• How to systematically replace yourself in every role with VAs, AI, and hires

• Why organic social media is the #1 priority for agents right now

• How to use AI as a thought partner—not a thought leader

The Perfect Day & The Freedom Number

• The “Perfect Day 2.0” exercise and how it shapes your goals

• How to calculate your freedom number and reverse-engineer to hit it

• Why intentionality and discipline are the ultimate competitive advantage

Leadership & Vision

• Why the #1 thing people look for in leaders is hope

• How to create clarity and inspire people to buy into your vision

• Why discipline equals freedom in both business and life

• Agent to CEO 2024 – Sept. 24–25 in Cleveland → AgentToCEOCE.com

• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

• The AI-Driven Leader by Jeff Wood

• StoryBrand by Donald Miller

• The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale

Becoming a CEO isn’t about working less—it’s about working smarter, building systems, and chasing freedom, not status. As John Kitchens reminds us:

“It’s never about the goal—it’s about how much pain you’re willing to withstand to get there.”

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with Joel Perso for a forward-looking conversation about the 2030 Real Estate Team. Together, they unpack the five business models available to real estate agents and team leaders, how to align those models with your vision and season of life, and what it really takes to build freedom, profitability, and sustainability into your business.

From the “ATM Cash Machine” model to traditional teams and hybrid mega-organizations, Joel and John break down the pros, cons, and exit strategies of each. They also preview how AI, fractional leadership, and new business structures will reshape what winning real estate teams look like in the years ahead.

Whether you’re an agent trying to scale, a team leader considering your next evolution, or simply curious about the future of the industry, this episode provides a roadmap for thinking bigger about your business model.

The Five Real Estate Business Models

• The ATM Model: high profit, low freedom—and why the only exit strategy is asset acquisition

• Leverage Models: adding licensed support to create time for a “plus one” revenue stream

• Traditional Teams: the in-production vs. out-of-production dilemma

• Team Ridge: scaling with headcount, leadership, and agent as your customer

• Hybrid Models: why mixing leads teams with traditional teams may define the next five years
  
  

Freedom vs. Profitability

• How each model fits on the freedom/profitability quadrant

• Why lifestyle creep can kill your exit strategy

• The mindset shifts required to move from one model to the next
  
  

Exit Strategies & Long-Term Growth

• How to avoid the trap of selling yourself until you retire

• Why joint ventures in mortgage, title, or home services open new doors

• The path to creating scalable, acquirable businesses in real estate
  
  

Vision & Alignment

• Choosing the right vehicle based on your strengths, season of life, and vision

• Why leadership—not just systems—determines scalability

• The importance of aligning goals with values and family support

• Agent to CEO 2025 (Cleveland) – AgentToCEOCE.com

• Business Model Canvas Framework

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” for building a real estate business. Each model—from solo ATM producers to large-scale teamridges—comes with tradeoffs in profit, freedom, and leadership requirements. The key is aligning your vision, strengths, and season of life with the right vehicle to get you where you want to go.

“These are business models. These are not ways to be an agent—these are ways to build a real estate business.” – Joel Perso

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this episode, John Kitchens, Jay Kinder, and Al Stasek sit down with the powerhouse herself, Veronica Figueroa, to talk about leadership, culture, and the future of transformational events in real estate. From her groundbreaking “Build at Sea” event to her women’s leadership mastermind “Be Still Sisterhood,” Veronica shares why vulnerability, faith, and authenticity matter more than ever in business and life.

The crew also dives into the upcoming Agent to CEO event in Cleveland, why intimate events are replacing mega-conferences, and how real leaders balance vision, core values, and community to build something that lasts.

This is a candid and inspiring conversation about leading with heart, creating culture that sticks, and amplifying your mission without losing yourself along the way.

Transformational Events That Last

• Why conferences must respect attendees’ most valuable asset: their time

• How Build at Sea combined AI, prayer, personal growth, and business strategy

• Why intimate events (50–100 people) create deeper, lasting impact compared to mega conferences

Leadership & Vulnerability

• Why Veronica believes “real estate is what we do, but we are humans first”

• How sharing personal struggles creates connection and trust

• Why true leadership starts with being open, honest, and authentic

Core Values & Culture

• The difference between people who “say” they’re aligned and those who embody it

• Why core values both attract and repel—and why that’s a good thing

• How smaller, tighter communities create unshakable culture

Team Building & Vision

• How Veronica scaled her team to #1 in Florida without being in the weeds

• Why clarity of vision and grooming leaders is more powerful than control

• The role of diversity in leadership styles, faith, and experience in building stronger teams

• Agent to CEO 2024 (Cleveland) – Limited seating, capped at 100 agents

• Moments of Impact – Book on designing events that transform lives

• The Perfect Day 2.0 Exercise – Vision & AI-powered personal transformation

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Community, training, and resources

Events, teams, and culture are only as strong as the leaders behind them. As Veronica Figueroa reminds us, leadership isn’t about being at the front of the stage—it’s about being in the back of the room, empowering others, and amplifying the mission with clarity and authenticity.

“Real estate is what we do, but we are humans first.” – Veronica Figueroa