In today’s blog post, I sit down with Ryan P., a new real estate agent who’s just wrapped up his first year in the business. Despite a slow start, Ryan has found his stride and is now doing well. As the branch manager, I wanted to chat with him about the hurdles he faced early on, how he overcame them, and his optimism for the upcoming year. Here’s what Ryan had to say.

---

Jeanne Shields (Real Estate Manager):
Ryan, thanks so much for joining me today! You’ve been in the business for about a year now, and I’ve seen your growth firsthand. Can you start by sharing what your first year in real estate was like and what some of your biggest challenges were when you first started?

Ryan P. (Real Estate Agent):
Thank you for having me, Jeanne! It’s been an exciting, challenging, and rewarding year, but it definitely didn’t start out that way. When I first got my license, I had high hopes but quickly realized just how competitive the business can be. My biggest challenge was simply getting clients. I found that people weren’t just going to magically walk through my door. There’s a lot of hustle involved, and I had to learn how to really put myself out there.

At first, I didn’t have the confidence to approach people and network effectively. I felt like I was always second-guessing myself and unsure about how to start those initial conversations. A big part of that was just the fear of rejection, which is a tough thing to overcome when you’re new.

Jeanne Shields (Real Estate Manager):
I think a lot of new agents feel that way. It can be overwhelming in the beginning. How did you manage to overcome that initial hesitation and start building relationships?

Ryan P. (Real Estate Agent):
Well, it definitely didn’t happen overnight. A turning point for me came when I realized that real estate isn’t just about selling homes; it’s about building relationships. I started focusing less on trying to “sell” to people and more on genuinely getting to know them and offering my help.

One of the things that helped was networking. I joined local groups, attended events, and really made an effort to meet people in my community. I also started to engage more on social media and began posting about my career—sharing tips, listings, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my day-to-day work. That helped me stay visible and connect with potential clients, even when I wasn’t actively showing homes.

Jeanne Shields (Real Estate Manager):
That’s a great approach, Ryan! I’ve noticed your engagement on social media has really picked up, and it’s great to see how you’ve built a presence. Besides networking, were there any other strategies you used to get your business off the ground?

Ryan P. (Real Estate Agent):
Definitely. One of the big things, that actually you helped point out to me, was that I needed to start focusing on providing value to my clients and prospects. I started sharing market insights, creating educational content for first-time homebuyers, and offering free consultations. I made it a point to stay in touch with people, whether that meant following up after open houses or sending helpful resources like mortgage guides.

Over time, that effort started paying off. Clients began to trust me more because I wasn’t just focused on making a sale. I was focused on helping them make informed decisions. Once I started to get a few transactions under my belt, word-of-mouth referrals really kicked in, which was a game changer.

Jeanne Shields (Real Estate Manager):
That’s fantastic to hear, Ryan. It’s clear that once you shifted your focus and really embraced the relationship-building aspect of the business, things started to click. Looking back on your first year, what would you say was the most valuable lesson you’ve learned?

Ryan P. (Real Estate Agent):
The most valuable lesson for me has been learning how to embrace the process of growth and not rush it. In the beginning, I was frustrated by the slow pace. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough or that I wasn’t succeeding fast enough. But I’ve come to realize that success in real estate is a marathon, not a sprint.

There were definitely times when I doubted myself, but staying patient, continuing to learn, and not giving up really paid off. Now I’m in a much better place, and I know the momentum I’ve built will carry me into this next year.

Jeanne Shields (Real Estate Manager):
I couldn’t agree more. Real estate is a long-term game, and it’s so important to be patient with yourself. Now that you’ve gained some traction, what are your goals for the upcoming year? How do you plan to build on the success you’ve had so far?

Ryan P. (Real Estate Agent):
I’m feeling really optimistic about the year ahead. I know that with your guidance and all the tools that Howard Hanna Rand Realty offers, I will continue to thrive. My main goal is to continue growing my client base by focusing on relationship-building, both online and offline. I also want to become even more knowledgeable about the market and property trends so I can better serve my clients. I’m already seeing repeat business, so I want to build on that and expand my referral network.

Additionally, I’m aiming to be more involved in community events and really establish myself as a trusted local expert. I’m excited to keep pushing myself and seeing how far I can go. I’m confident that this year will be even better than the last!

Jeanne Shields (Real Estate Manager):
I love your enthusiasm, Ryan. Your growth over the past year has been impressive, and I have no doubt that you’ll continue to thrive in this industry. It’s been a wonderful thing to watch and be part of. Thanks again for sharing your journey and insights with us today. I’m excited to see where this next year takes you!

Ryan P. ( Real Estate Agent):
Thank you, Jeanne! I really appreciate your support, and I’m looking forward to everything ahead. I’m ready to hit the ground running in the new year!

---

Conclusion:

Ryan’s story is a great example of how perseverance, patience, and a commitment to providing value can help new agents overcome the initial struggles in real estate. Despite his slow start, Ryan has found his rhythm and is looking ahead to an even more successful year. If you’re just starting in real estate, take a page from Ryan’s book—build relationships, focus on learning and growing, and stay optimistic about the future. The journey is worth it!

If you want to talk more about how to accelerate your career, reach out to me! Jeanne.Shields@randrealty.com.