How does a master’s-prepared nurse become one of Arizona’s top-producing agents in just three years — while raising two young kids and balancing a firefighter husband’s 24-hour shifts?

Meet Crystal Novak, a 2025 RISMedia Rookie of the Year finalist with 22 transactions and $22 million in volume under her belt — all while proving that you can build a thriving real estate business and stay present as a mom.

In this inspiring episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Crystal to unpack how she:
✨ Transitioned from nursing and entrepreneurship to full-time real estate
🏘️ Built her business from scratch through relationships and authenticity
💬 Used voice messages, social media, and education-first marketing to stand out
👩‍👧‍👦 Balanced motherhood, marriage, and 3-4 deals a month
🔥 Created a referral-based business by simply being herself

Crystal’s story is proof that you don’t need to follow a cookie-cutter path — just passion, persistence, and purpose.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:55 Meet Crystal Novak — nurse, mom, and Arizona Realtor
02:00 Life before real estate: 13 years in nursing & launching a boutique
04:00 Discovering entrepreneurship and real estate investing
05:00 Overcoming fear of leaving a “secure” career
08:00 COVID pivot: taking the leap into real estate
09:30 Balancing kids, studies, and business during licensing
11:00 Getting her first deal — her own home!
12:30 How teaching prepared her for educating clients
13:30 Building credibility and finding her first clients
14:00 The “list of 50” strategy that launched her business
16:00 Authentic marketing: voice messages & social media
17:30 How Crystal used new-build promotions to help buyers
18:00 Finding mentorship & the power of a great team
19:45 Balancing motherhood and business growth
20:40 Hiring a coach and finding work-life harmony
22:50 22 transactions & $11M in volume — how she did it
24:15 Setting boundaries and protecting family time
27:00 Evolving from buyers to listings & investing in video
29:00 The power of personal touches: handwritten cards & small gifts
31:00 How her boutique background built her social media brand
33:30 Why authenticity drives referrals
35:00 Helping clients build wealth through real estate
36:30 Partnering with her husband to grow their business
37:25 Crystal’s tips for new agents: be authentic & add value
39:05 Lightning Round: book recs, lessons learned, and more
44:54 Where to connect with Crystal

🔗 Connect with Crystal Novak:

📸 Instagram: @CrystalNovak_PhoenixRealtor
📘 Facebook: Crystal Novak Realtor
🏡 Brokerage: Real Broker AZ

✨ Want to be featured on My First Commission?

We’re always looking for inspiring rookie agents!
📧 Email us at UnlockingRealEstate@ColibriRealEstate.com or fill out this form (https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish) to apply.