Success in real estate doesn’t come easy. It’s a journey filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments that test your resilience. Every top agent has had to push past obstacles, adapt, and grow to make it in this industry.

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrea Blum on an episode of my podcast. Andrea is a top 1% agent in Toronto, a real estate coach, speaker, and entrepreneur. She shared her incredible story of perseverance, strategy, and success—one that I know will resonate with so many in the real estate world.

Watch the full podcast episode here.

Today, I’m walking you through the biggest takeaways from our conversation!

Early Career Challenges and First Listings: How Andrea Got Started in Real Estate

Andrea’s path into real estate wasn’t planned. She was looking for a job that offered flexibility—one that allowed her to be there for her child while also building a sustainable career. A simple Google search led her to real estate, and from that moment, she was determined to make it work.

However, getting started wasn’t easy. The real estate licensing process in Canada was tough. It required her to navigate strict regulations and complex coursework.

On top of that, English wasn’t her first language, and she had to overcome dyslexia, making the learning process even more challenging. She borrowed money to pay for her courses and worked tirelessly to pass the necessary exams.

She quickly realized that the industry was more complex than she expected. The math involved in real estate transactions caught her off guard. Like many, she assumed selling homes wouldn’t require much number crunching, but she soon learned otherwise.

Once licensed, she struggled to land her first clients. Traditional methods, like the sphere of influence, open houses, and lease work weren’t helping, especially as a new immigrant with no established network. That’s when she discovered prospecting techniques, like door knocking and cold calling.

With no car and no budget for advertising, she focused entirely on listing properties instead of working with buyers. This turned out to be a game-changer. Her persistence paid off, and in her first year of prospecting, she secured 14 listings, proving that direct outreach works when done consistently!

Andrea’s Insights on Becoming a Real Estate Trailblazer

Andrea's journey in real estate is a masterclass in resilience and strategy. She faced tough challenges but found ways to turn setbacks into stepping stones. Here’s how she carved her path to success.

Overcoming Challenges and Mindset

When faced with obstacles, Andrea didn’t make excuses—she found solutions. She attributes her success to necessity, especially as a single parent. She had no option but to succeed.

She never let rejection discourage her. Instead, she saw every interaction as a chance to build relationships, not just with potential clients, but with other industry professionals, like other agents,  mortgage brokers, and lawyers. These connections helped her grow her business faster.

One of her biggest hurdles? The brutal Canadian winters. Door knocking in freezing temperatures wasn’t easy, but she pushed through because she knew it would lead to results.

Leadership and Team Building

Andrea didn’t just build a business: she built teams. But like many agents, she faced challenges when transitioning into a leadership role.

Her first attempt at building a team involved hiring a past client, but she lacked leadership skills at the time. The team failed quickly.

Later, she grew a 12-member team, but over time, she realized managing people wasn’t what she wanted to focus on.

She eventually dissolved the team due to operational challenges.

Shifting to a Revenue Share Model

After considering purchasing a brokerage, Andrea took a step back and re-evaluated. She realized that the traditional brokerage model didn’t offer the freedom she wanted. Instead, she transitioned to a revenue share model, allowing agents to build their own brands while still benefiting from her guidance.

This shift not only improved agent retention but also created a fair and supportive environment where everyone had equal opportunities for success.

Team Structure Today

Andrea now runs a small but highly effective team of five agents. She focuses on mentorship and revenue sharing rather than traditional team structures.

Her priority is sustainable business growth, ensuring that every team member has the tools and support to thrive.

Importance of Leverage in Real Estate

One of Andrea’s key lessons is the importance of leverage. She firmly believes that real estate agents should focus only on money-making activities and delegate everything else.

Some of the most common leverage mistakes she sees include:

• Hiring an assistant first instead of an Inside Sales Agent (ISA) to handle lead generation.
• Bringing in a buyer’s agent too early instead of hiring a showing assistant to free up time.

She also stresses that agents should build their business based on market conditions. In high-turnover markets, transaction coordinators might be the best first hire.

In high-price, low-turnover markets, lead generation is more critical.

Favorite Lead Sources

Andrea still believes in the power of geographic farming to generate consistent seller leads. While social media is valuable, she focuses on long-term strategies that create sustainable business growth.

Key Advice for Agents and Team Leaders

One of Andrea’s biggest pieces of advice?

Master emotional regulation!

Real estate is full of highs and lows, and being able to control your emotions and stay focused is one of the most critical skills an agent can develop.

She also emphasizes that growth comes with temporary losses. Expanding your business means making tough decisions, letting go of old habits, and creating room for new opportunities.

From my perspective, you should also grow and strengthen your network. One of the ways I do it is through real estate podcasting. It allows me to connect with industry leaders, learn new strategies, and provide valuable insights to my audience.

Follow Leads and Leverage for More Insights from Real Estate Leaders!

Andrea’s journey is proof that persistence, strategic thinking, and resilience lead to success in real estate. Her story is inspiring, but more importantly, it’s actionable.

If you want to hear more powerful insights from top real estate professionals, like Andrea, tune in to Leads and Leverage: Real Estate Team Leader’s Lounge. Each episode features industry leaders sharing strategies that can help you grow your business.

And, if you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest in Central Florida real estate, I’d love to help. Reach out to me today and let’s make your goals a reality!