We all start somewhere, usually uncertain and unproven, but determined to build a future that we see in our minds long before the world sees it along with us. That’s what real estate is. That’s what life is. It is a journey of faith, perseverance and taking action even when the path is not clear.
My story is no different.
My parents immigrated to the US from Poland, chasing opportunity with no English, no roadmap and no guarantees, just sacrifice, a fierce work ethic and the dream that life could be better. They worked long hours and sometimes had multiple jobs, doing what was necessary.
While they worked, my grandmother raised me, and I first spoke Polish, and did not learn English until I was six. I was shy, quiet and always observant, far from the child you would expect to one day lead to one of the fastest growing real estate brands.
But a quiet beginning can produce a loud destiny.
The spark that turned into faith
As a teenager, my mother gave me Anthony Robbins books on tape. I listened every day while driving to school and work, and it planted the seeds of faith, confidence, and possibility. I didn’t get any trust from the outside world. Instead, I discovered what was already inside me. And the fire began to grow.
New career
I moved from California to Las Vegas, not knowing anyone, but determined to be one of the city’s most successful real estate professionals. I had no real community or network of friends and certainly no pointers. But I had a vision of the future and my parents’ willingness to work hard for it.
I failed the real estate exam four times. It turned out that the fifth time was a charm, and that moment changed me forever. It has taught me that failure is not the opposite of success. It’s just one step in the journey. And know that if I can fail four times and still win big, you can do it too.
The shift
My first real estate agency gave me zero training, no leads, no support, no direction, and no motivation. I switched to another brokerage and it was the same story. Yet I was still hungry and worked hard without giving up.
In the next step of my journey, I discovered Brian Buffini and a referral-based approach based on relationships, service, handwritten notes, phone calls and visits. It was the perfect approach for me because it was based on human connections and relationships.
I fully committed to this approach and the following year I sold 111 homes.
It was an interesting time in my life with a young family and a baby on the way. I had to essentially rebuild our lives from scratch, but with an algorithm – success equals action plus belief – to make it happen.
The power behind my journey
Two women formed the core of who I am and continue to do so today. My mother exemplified sacrifice, resilience, and work ethic, and these characteristics became the essence of who I am. My wife, Luba, remains my all-in partner every season, sharing my dreams, every jump and every step along the way.
Then there were two mentors who influenced my professional life. Tony Robbins provided the early transformation in my career, and Brian Buffini gave me the systems and roadmap to execute it.
Yet there was another ingredient that only I could inject: I had to show up consistently and always, always bet on myself.
Building a global brand
What started with handwritten notes and open houses has now grown into something beyond what that shy child could have ever imagined. Realty ONE Group International continues to open locations across the US and has expanded its global footprint to nearly 30 countries in just over three years of working to find strategic partners around the world.
To every new agent, every dreamer, every immigrant family, every shy child, every person who failed before succeeding, this message is for you:
If I can do it, you can too
You don’t need a perfect start. You just need to believe in yourself, have courage, show consistency and act on your wild dreams, one conversation, one relationship and one step at a time.
Live in the future.
Act with courage.
And dream wildly!
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