The Real Estate Success Podcast

Leland Gross CFP®, EA

Welcome to the Real Estate Success Podcast, hosted by Leland Gross of PeaceLink Financial Planning. Here we unlock the secrets to thriving in the competitive world of real estate. If you are a REALTOR®, agent, or aspiring real estate entrepreneur, this podcast is your go-to resource for actionable insights and inspiration. Join us as we interview industry-leading realtors who share their journeys, strategies, and lessons learned on the path to success. Additionally, we dive deep into the financial keys to building and sustaining a profitable real estate business. From scaling your operations to mastering your finances, we cover the tools and techniques you need to excel. Subscribe now to level up your real estate career and join a community of ambitious professionals striving for success. Let's make your real estate dreams a reality!

  1. 2d ago

    From No Network to 50 Deals a Year: Lyndsay Jones’ Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

    My guest on today’s podcast is Lyndsay Jones, a Richmond-based real estate professional whose story is one of resilience, reinvention, and thousands of small steps toward building a life and career on her own terms. Lyndsay grew up near Manchester, England, in a community where opportunity was limited. In her early twenties, she took a chance and moved across the Atlantic to New York without a clear picture of where that decision would ultimately lead. Several years later, she moved again—this time to Richmond, Virginia—and eventually got her real estate license for a very practical reason: she and her then-husband were buying rentals and flipping homes, and it made financial sense to handle their own transactions. But what began as a practical decision quickly became a necessity. With two young kids, rental properties that weren’t producing the cash flow they expected, and more money going out than coming in, Lyndsay found herself staring at a real estate license and asking a simple question: How can I make this work? What followed was a crash course in entrepreneurship. Lyndsay and her husband rented a tiny office, shared a laptop, and spent money they didn’t really have buying online leads. For months, she showed up every day and made calls without seeing much return. Eventually, that persistence paid off, and Lyndsay went from having virtually no network in Richmond to closing around 30 transactions a year. But success brought a new challenge: burnout. In this episode, Lyndsay shares how she went from constantly chasing the next buyer to intentionally building a relationship-based business. We talk about the role coaching played in that transition, the importance of investing in yourself before you necessarily feel financially ready, and why building a database and genuine relationships ultimately transformed both her business and the way she experienced real estate. Lyndsay also opens up about another major reset in her life. After going through a divorce in 2016, she essentially started over financially—with no house, no rentals, and no savings. She shares how she rebuilt from the ground up, bought her own home, began investing again, and had to learn an entirely different skill from making money: how to actually keep it and turn it into long-term wealth. We also get into the lessons she learned from building a team and eventually realizing that the traditional path of “bigger is better” wasn’t actually right for her. Instead of forcing herself into someone else’s definition of success, Lyndsay built a highly productive solo business around her own strengths, priorities, and values. And maybe my favorite part of this conversation is how Lyndsay defines success today: peace of mind. Peace of mind in her finances, her family, and her business—and knowing that on any given day, whether she has 30% or 100% to give, she gave the best of what she had. Lyndsay’s story is a reminder that success rarely comes from one giant breakthrough. More often, it’s built through a thousand tiny steps—showing up, adapting, learning, investing in yourself, and having the courage to change direction when the path you’re on no longer fits the life you want to build. Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com Get in touch with PeaceLink: Website: PeaceLink Financial PlanningInstagram: @peacelinkfp

  2. Jun 19

    Military Structure to Entrepreneur Freedom in Real Estate with Matt Salway

    Matt Salway's journey to becoming one of Hampton Roads' top-producing real estate agents didn't start in real estate—it started in the United States Navy. In this episode of the Real Estate Success Podcast, Matt shares how he built a thriving real estate business while serving 14 years on active duty, raising a family, and balancing the demands of military life. What began as a side hustle quickly evolved into a business selling more than 100 homes per year. We discuss: • Building a real estate business while working full-time in the Navy • The mentors and relationships that accelerated his growth • How systems and processes helped him scale production • Why he ignores market noise and focuses on execution • The power of serving a niche and leveraging military relationships • Transitioning from military service to full-time entrepreneurship • The identity shift that comes with leaving a structured career • Balancing business success with family life and personal freedom Matt also opens up about the unexpected challenges of slowing down after years of operating at a high tempo and what success means to him today. Whether you're a Realtor, entrepreneur, veteran, or business owner, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on leadership, consistency, and building a life that aligns with your values. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with top-producing Realtors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Connect with Matt Salway: https://matthewsalway.ironvalleyrealestate.com/ https://www.instagram.com/milrealtor757/ Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com Get in touch with PeaceLink: Website: PeaceLink Financial PlanningInstagram: @peacelinkfp

  3. Jun 4

    Quiet Strength: Angie Clark on Building a Real Estate Career Without the Spotlight

    My guest on today’s podcast is Angie Clark, a powerhouse of quiet strength, resilience, and intentional leadership in the real estate world. Angie’s journey is anything but linear. From co-owning a restaurant in her early 20s to carving her own path in new construction and later resale, she’s walked through the fire, to build a business grounded in integrity and service. What began as a practical decision to get her real estate license evolved into a full-fledged calling. In our conversation, Angie shares what it was like navigating the crash of 2008 while both she and her husband were in the industry, how she built a thriving business without self-promotion, and the moment she realized that growing a brokerage and managing a team wasn’t the version of success she actually wanted. She speaks candidly about finding balance as a mom of two, stepping back from the hustle to realign with her values, and the surprising joy of returning to new construction in a leadership capacity on her own terms. Angie’s story is a reminder that success isn’t one-size-fits-all—and sometimes, the bravest move you can make is to slow down. Connect with Angie: angie@angieclarkteam.com https://angieclarkteam.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angieclarkrealestate757/ Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com Get in touch with PeaceLink: Website: PeaceLink Financial PlanningInstagram: @peacelinkfp

  4. May 7

    Lessons in Timing, Trust, and Tenacity: Katie Donahue’s Success Story

    My guest on today’s podcast is Katie Donahue—a top producer in the Hampton Roads area and the recent recipient of a 2025 Top 3% Producer Award. Katie’s journey into real estate is anything but traditional. After a successful early career in nonprofit leadership and years as a stay-at-home mom navigating active duty military life with her husband, Katie found her way into real estate not through a master plan, but through curiosity, creativity, and courage. From turning her first home into a rental property to attending real estate classes at night with her dad while raising three kids, Katie’s story is rooted in grit and a lifelong love of learning. In this episode, we dive into the reality of building a business while raising a family, how she leveraged every opportunity—including a unique part-time marketing role within her real estat team—to enter real estate on her terms, and why deep care for people is at the heart of her success. Katie talks about the value of mentorship, the humility of lifelong learning, and how rejection and market downturns taught her to trust the timing and focus on the fundamentals. Whether you're a new agent juggling family life or a seasoned pro looking to redefine what success means, Katie’s story is full of wisdom, grit, and the kind of honesty that’s rare and refreshing. Connect with Katie: Katie Donahue Instagram: @kmodonahue Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com Get in touch with PeaceLink: Website: PeaceLink Financial PlanningInstagram: @peacelinkfp

  5. Apr 23

    The Power of Peace: How Faith and Real Estate Help Serve Our Neighbors with Alison McCarthy

    My guest on today’s episode is Allison McCarthy—an inspiring realtor in the Virginia Beach area whose journey into real estate was anything but ordinary. The youngest of 14 children, Allison grew up in a household where real estate was more than just a business—it was the tool her parents used to put every single one of their children through college. Even as a doctor and a nurse, her parents relied on rental properties to create financial stability, teaching her the power of real estate as a means to serve others and build legacy. In this conversation, we dive into how those early lessons shaped her mindset, how she stepped into real estate while raising young kids—right before a global pandemic—and how she’s built a business grounded in faith, authenticity, and the willingness to meet every challenge as an opportunity for growth. We talk about overcoming burnout, building a business with integrity, the importance of coaching, and how success for Allison isn’t defined by volume or awards, but by living with unshakable peace and serving her neighbors well. So whether you’re navigating tough market cycles or just looking for a dose of grounded inspiration, this episode is packed with wisdom. Connect with Alison: alisells757@gmail.com Instagram: @little_neck_real_estate https://alisonmccarthyrealestate.com/ Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com Get in touch with PeaceLink: Website: PeaceLink Financial PlanningInstagram: @peacelinkfp

  6. Apr 3

    Trust, Tenacity, and 3 Kids Later: How Richmond Realtor Owen Thatcher Built a Referral-Only Business

    Most real estate agents feel like they’re constantly chasing the next deal. There’s always another lead to follow up with, another deal to keep alive, another month to figure out. But there’s another way to build a business. One that’s rooted in trust, relationships, and doing the kind of work that naturally brings people back and sends others your way. In this episode of the Real Estate Success Podcast, I sit down with Richmond-based realtor Owen Thatcher to talk about what that actually looks like in real life. Owen didn’t step into real estate with a perfect plan or a safety net. He left a steady sales job while his wife was still in grad school and committed to figuring it out as he went. What followed was a season of learning, asking questions, and surrounding himself with people who were already doing it at a high level. Over time, that foundation turned into a business built almost entirely on referrals. We talk through how mentorship shaped his approach, where a lot of agents get it wrong when they try to rely on referrals too early, and what it takes to build something that’s sustainable over the long run. He also shares how his definition of success has changed over time, especially now as a husband and a dad of three. If you’re trying to build a real estate business that actually supports your life instead of taking it over, I think you’ll get a lot out of this one. And if this episode resonated, share it with another agent who’s in the middle of building something meaningful. Connect with Owen: Owen Thatcher Associate Broker, REALTOR® https://phrehomes.com/agent/owen-thatcher Take the Financial Health Assessment at realestatesuccesspod.com Get in touch with PeaceLink: Website: PeaceLink Financial PlanningInstagram: @peacelinkfp

About

Welcome to the Real Estate Success Podcast, hosted by Leland Gross of PeaceLink Financial Planning. Here we unlock the secrets to thriving in the competitive world of real estate. If you are a REALTOR®, agent, or aspiring real estate entrepreneur, this podcast is your go-to resource for actionable insights and inspiration. Join us as we interview industry-leading realtors who share their journeys, strategies, and lessons learned on the path to success. Additionally, we dive deep into the financial keys to building and sustaining a profitable real estate business. From scaling your operations to mastering your finances, we cover the tools and techniques you need to excel. Subscribe now to level up your real estate career and join a community of ambitious professionals striving for success. Let's make your real estate dreams a reality!