In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark Dolan interviews Rachael Smith-Meadors, Broker Associate at RE/MAX Big Bear, on her journey from Kentucky to California, cutting her teeth in vacation rentals, spending a decade on a top team—then making the leap solo and thriving. Rachael breaks down the real drivers of growth: relentless follow-up, clear systems, creative social media, a disciplined morning routine, and coaching that fits your market (not generic one-size-fits-all “training”).

You’ll learn:

• How to transition from a team to independent producer without dropping the ball

• The exact early activities that created momentum: follow-up, old “dead” leads, listing checklists

• Why coaching > training (custom strategy beats canned scripts)

• The pillars approach to marketing: master a few channels, then add more

• Social media that stands out (borrow ideas across industries, don’t copy agents)

• Time-blocking and weekly planning to balance high production with family life

• Mindset for scary changes: plan tomorrow before you go to bed

Chapters (suggested):
0:00 Rachael’s backstory: KY → Big Bear
3:50 First deals, mentorship, and early lead gen
10:45 Ten years on a team—then the leap
18:20 Surprises of going solo (volume, systems, help)
24:40 Coaching vs. training: what actually works
28:50 Marketing pillars & creative content
33:40 Visibility, brand, and YouTube wins
36:30 Calendars, checklists, and family balance
41:50 What’s next: smart growth without losing quality

Connect with Rachael

• Website: buyinbigbearlake.com (and rachelsmith.remax.com)

• YouTube: Rachael Smith Real Estate — Living in Big Bear

• IG/FB/LinkedIn: Rachael Smith Real Estate

Connect with Mark / Time Tested Mastery

• Website: TimeTestedMastery.com

• Podcast: Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell

• Social: @TimeTestedMastery

If this helped you, share it with a new or rising agent who needs a no-fluff blueprint. Subscribe for weekly conversations on sales mastery, mindset, and transformation.

In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark sits down with Ali Grant-Shoemaker—Big Bear Lake broker and REMAX Big Bear standout—whose path ran from communications and media to top-tier resort real estate. Ali shares how a decade of mentorship (Tyler Wood Group), earning her broker’s license, and finally stepping out under her own brand led to her best year yet—powered by personalized marketing, consistent client care, and systems that scale.

You’ll learn:

• How mentorship, structure, and on-the-job reps accelerate mastery—especially early.

• Why unique positioning beats copycat marketing (think “purple cow”): be memorable or be invisible.

• The long game of retargeting ads and brand visibility (expect months, not weeks).

• Navigating the leap from team to solo: lead gen, support, and building your own playbook.

• Balancing production with family life through time-blocking and real boundaries.

• Setting meaningful targets (hello, REMAX Chairman’s Club) without losing your soul.

Connect with Ali:
Website: aligrantshoemaker.com
Facebook: “Ali Grant-Shoemaker Big Bear Real Estate”
Instagram: @bigbearrealestate

If this episode sparked an idea, share it with a new or rising agent who needs a real, time-tested blueprint—and subscribe for weekly training on sales mastery, mindset, and transformation.

In this episode of Time Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell, Mark Dolan challenges you with a question that could unlock your next breakthrough: Are you truly teachable—or just going through the motions?

Growth doesn’t come from praise, comfort, or leaning on past wins. It comes when we choose curiosity over defensiveness, accountability over excuses, and getting better over just feeling better.

Mark shares personal stories—including a turning point in his early career when a tough question forced him to rise higher—and gives you practical ways to measure and strengthen your own teachability. You’ll discover:

• The difference between incremental growth and explosive growth.

• Three powerful questions to test your teachability.

• Why discomfort is the birthplace of transformation.

• How to shift from “feeling good” to truly getting better.

If you’re ready to stop defending, start learning, and accelerate your growth, this episode will help you lean into the stretch that changes everything.

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