"The greatest growth happens when you surround yourself with people who challenge you to become more, not just in business, but as a leader and a human being." — John Cheplak

I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to truly 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘶𝘱. Not only in business, but in every aspect of my life - especially when I'm surrounded by some of the brightest minds in my field. Over the next few days, I will be at a retreat, masterminding with more than 80 remarkable women in real estate. There is something transformative about being in the 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 room with the 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 people. It’s a reminder that who you surround yourself with absolutely matters. This is where the magic happens!

In the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the privilege of learning from two absolute game-changers in real estate: Jon Cheplak and Eric Thompson. Both in small group sessions, both imparting knowledge you simply cannot get from a book or a webinar. Cheplak’s insight into leadership and growth is unbelievably profound - he doesn’t simply tell you what to do; he invites you to rethink how you see yourself and your business. Eric Thompson, through Ninja Selling, has an impeccable way of weaving simplicity with strategy, making complex systems feel like second nature. When I look at where I am today and the opportunities I’ve had, it all ties back to one thing: aligning myself with the right business partner, the right brokerage, and the right coaching network.

The truth is, it’s easy to get stuck in the grind, to focus on the day-to-day and forget the bigger picture. However, when you invest in yourself and take time to 𝘣𝘦 in the rooms where greatness is being discussed, you start to see the ripple effect it has on your life and the people around you. These experiences are priceless, and they arm me with tools to offer the very best to our clients - not only throughout a transaction, but in the continued value I bring to their lives.

What’s often missed in conversations about success is the continuous cycle of learning and teaching. The most successful people I know are not the ones who simply excel on their own - they are the ones who pull others up alongside them. It’s this beautiful cycle of learning, sharing, and paying it forward that elevates the whole group. When you surround yourself with people who are committed to growth – people who 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to work, learn, and level up - you realize success is never a solo act. It’s a collective experience.

That’s my greatest take-away from these sessions. Investing my time in becoming the best version of myself doesn’t only serve me - it serves my clients, my family, and my community. When I look around, I see that the ones who are truly making waves are those who continuously evolve, challenge themselves, and lift others up along the way. That’s where real growth happens, and that’s how we elevate the masses.

This is what makes our work so fulfilling - not the wins, but the way we win 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.