Success Behind The Numbers

Richard Amato

Explore the strategies, challenges, and stories behind New York’s most successful business leaders in Success Behind the Numbers. Hosted by Rich Amato, the Operating Principal of 7 Keller Williams market centers with over 2,000 agents, this podcast brings you candid conversations with real estate agents, team leaders, KW leadership, and a variety of business owners. Discover what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams, scale businesses, and make a lasting impact. Whether you're in real estate or any field where growth matters, join us for insights that reveal the success behind the numbers. 

  1. 2d ago

    Small Issues That Create Big Problems in Real Estate Deals #73

    In Episode 73 of Success Behind The Numbers, we sit down with Scott Scolnick, Attorney at Scolnick Law, whose hands-on experience in both real estate and law has shaped a client-first approach centered around responsiveness, collaboration, and getting deals to the closing table. 🎙️🏙️ After spending years immersed in real estate transactions before law school, Scott entered the legal profession already understanding the pace, pressure, and complexity of the industry. Working alongside brokers, lenders, landlords, buyers, and sellers gave him a practical perspective that now shapes the way he approaches negotiations, client communication, and deal management.   In this episode, Scott shares insight into the evolving legal landscape of New York real estate, including landlord-tenant laws, commercial leasing, contract negotiations, and the growing importance of collaboration between attorneys and brokers. He explains why responsiveness is critical, how small delays can derail transactions, and why the best professionals focus on protecting clients while still finding ways to move deals forward. If you want insight into the legal and operational side of real estate, this conversation offers a practical look at what actually keeps deals moving in today’s market. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Meet Scott Scolnick 2:30 – Early Life & Long Island Roots 6:10 – Discovering Real Estate 10:00 – From Paralegal to Attorney 14:45 – Balancing Work & Law School 19:20 – Building Scolnick Law 24:15 – NYC Housing & Landlord-Tenant Law 29:00 – Commercial Lease Negotiations 33:40 – Why Communication Closes Deals 38:15 – The Importance of the Walkthrough 43:00 – Relationships Between Attorneys & Brokers 48:10 – The Future of NYC Real Estate Follow Rich: 📲 Instagram: @richamato_kwcore 📧 Facebook: Richard Amato Keller Williams Core Follow Scolnick Law: 📲 Instagram: @scolnicklaw 📧 Facebook: Scolnick Law | Kew Gardens NY 🌐 Website: www.scolnicklaw.com #SuccessBehindTheNumbers #RichAmato #CommercialRealEstate #NYCClosings #RealEstateTransactions #ClosingTable #BusinessRelationships

    58 min
  2. May 13

    The Reality of Real Estate: What You Learn After Hundreds of Closings #72

    In Episode 72 of Success Behind The Numbers, we sit down with Joseph DeVito, Real Estate Attorney and Founder of the DeVito Team, whose career has been shaped by a willingness to evolve, take risks, and build beyond a single lane in real estate. 🎙️⚖️ Starting his career in law, Joseph quickly distinguished himself by producing at a high level early on, only to find himself pushed out for outperforming expectations. That moment became a turning point, leading him to launch his own practice, scale his involvement in real estate transactions, and eventually expand into multiple areas of the industry.   In this episode, Joseph breaks down what he’s learned from handling hundreds of transactions, why understanding every part of the deal gives you an advantage, and how preparation and presentation directly impact results. He shares how he approaches listings, why details matter more than most agents realize, and how his background in law influences the way he advises clients throughout the process. If you want a deeper look at how experience, discipline, and adaptability come together to build a sustainable business in real estate, this episode delivers a grounded and practical perspective. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Meet Joseph DeVito 2:10 – Early Life & Education 5:45 – Entering Law & Early Career Challenges 10:15 – Starting His Own Practice 14:40 – Scaling Transactions & Closings 19:00 – Burnout & Shifting Focus 23:30 – Expanding Into Real Estate 28:10 – Listing Strategy & Preparation 32:45 – Understanding Buyer Psychology 37:20 – Market Trends & Cycles 42:00 – Advice for Growth Follow Rich: 📲 Instagram: @richamato_kwcore 📧 Facebook: Richard Amato Keller Williams Core Follow Joseph DeVito & The DeVito Team: 📲 Instagram: @josephdevitoesq 📧 Facebook: The DeVito Team of Keller Williams Realty of Greater Nassau 🌐 Website: www.thedevitoteam.com #SuccessBehindTheNumbers #RichAmato #RealEstateBusiness #RealEstateAttorney #ListingStrategy #MarketInsights #BusinessBuilder

    50 min
  3. May 6

    Why the Best Agents Don’t Chase Deals, They Build Relationships #71

    In Episode 71 of Success Behind The Numbers, we sit down with Angelo Gionis, Senior Vice President of Contour Mortgage, whose decades in the mortgage industry have shaped a philosophy centered on relationships, consistency, and long-term thinking. 🎙️📊 Angelo’s journey started far from mortgages, working in stock brokerage at a young age before transitioning into his family’s paint and hardware business, where he learned the value of relationships and understanding people beyond the transaction. It wasn’t until he began referring clients for financing that he discovered the mortgage industry, a move that ultimately defined his career.   In this episode, Angelo shares how his early experiences shaped his mindset around work ethic, why relationships matter more than transactions, and how taking initiative and seizing opportunities have opened doors throughout his career. He breaks down the importance of listening to clients, delivering a high level of service, and focusing on long-term value rather than short-term wins. If you’re looking to build a business rooted in trust, consistency, and real connection, this episode offers insight from someone who has spent years building success through people, not just production. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Meet Angelo Gionis 2:00 – Growing Up in Valley Stream 5:00 – From Stocks to Family Business 9:30 – Discovering the Mortgage Industry 13:45 – The Power of Work Ethic & Hustle 18:10 – Why Relationships Matter More Than Transactions 22:30 – The Importance of Listening to Clients 27:00 – Creating a High-Level Client Experience 31:20 – Seizing Opportunities in Business 36:10 – Building Long-Term Success 40:30 – Market Shifts & Industry Changes Follow Rich: 📲 Instagram: @richamato_kwcore 📧 Facebook: Richard Amato Keller Williams Core Follow Angelo Gionis: 📲 Instagram: @angelogionis 📧 Facebook: Angelo Gionis #SuccessBehindTheNumbers #RichAmato #MortgageLeadership #RealEstateFinance #RelationshipDriven #BusinessGrowth #SalesMindset

    48 min
  4. Apr 29

    Building a Business Through Life’s Hardest Moments #70

    In Episode 70 of Success Behind The Numbers, we sit down with Steven and Erica Gendel of The Gendel Group, Operating Partners at Keller Williams Livingston, to talk about what it really means to build a business and a life with intention. Known for their calm leadership and clarity in how they operate, Steven and Erica have built a real estate business rooted in strong communication and long-term thinking. Their approach to team building and operations has created consistency, structure, and sustainable growth. At the heart of it all is their son Joshua, a medically fragile child whose life, and the loss they experienced, continues to shape how they show up every day. They’ve chosen to live in a way that honors him, creating a life grounded in joy, humor, and connection. A powerful conversation on resilience, perspective, and what truly matters. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Meet Steven & Erica Gendel 2:30 – Building a Business as Partners 6:15 – Playing to Strengths & Defining Roles 10:40 – The Systems Behind Their Growth 15:20 – The Value of an Operating Partner 19:45 – Leadership & Accountability 24:30 – Scaling with Structure 29:10 – Advice for Agents Building Teams 33:45 – What They Would Do Differently Follow Rich: 📲 Instagram: @richamato_kwcore 📧 Facebook: Richard Amato Keller Williams Core Follow The Gendel Group: 🌐 Website: www.gendelgroup.kw.com 📧 Facebook: Gendel Homeselling Team at Keller Williams Suburban Realty #SuccessBehindTheNumbers #RichAmato #KWLivingston #RealEstateLeadership #TeamStructure #OperatingPartner #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateTeams #LeadershipDevelopment #ScalableBusiness

    45 min
  5. Apr 22

    Built From Scratch: What Actually Gets New Agents Off the Ground #69

    In Episode 69 of Success Behind The Numbers, we sit down with Nazmus Sakib, a rising agent from Keller Williams Greater Nassau whose journey from humble beginnings to building real momentum in real estate is driven by discipline, consistency, and a relentless commitment to growth. 🎙️🔑 After moving to New York from Bangladesh at a young age, Naz developed a strong work ethic, shaped by adversity and a desire to create more opportunities. From graduating early to working multiple jobs while finding his path, his story reflects the mindset required to succeed in a competitive industry. He eventually found real estate and quickly realized that success isn’t about getting licensed. It’s about building structure, skills, and habits that compound over time.   In this episode, he breaks down how he built his business from scratch: leveraging social media, conversations, and consistent follow-up to generate opportunities. He shares why staying top of mind is everything, how coaching and training accelerated his growth, and what it takes to deliver a client experience that naturally leads to referrals. If you’re looking to understand what it really takes to break into real estate today, and more importantly, how to stay in the game and grow, this episode offers a practical and honest look at building a business from zero, one relationship at a time. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: From Bangladesh to New York 2:30 – Early Life & Work Ethic 6:45 – Getting Into Real Estate 10:15 – The Challenge of Starting With No Structure 14:20 – Finding Coaching & Training 18:10 – Building a Database From Scratch 22:30 – Social Media & Lead Generation 26:40 – First Deals & Gaining Momentum 31:10 – The Power of Follow-Up 36:20 – Delivering a Strong Client Experience 41:00 – Working With Investors vs Retail Clients Follow Rich: 📲 Instagram: @richamato_kwcore 📧 Facebook: Richard Amato Keller Williams Core Follow Nazmus Sakib: 📲 Instagram: @realtywnaz 📧 Facebook: Nazmus Sakib Realtor | Garden City NY #SuccessBehindTheNumbers #KellerWilliams #RealEstateAgent #NewAgentSuccess #RealEstateCoaching #SalesMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateTraining

    51 min
  6. Apr 15

    The Truth About Breaking Into Real Estate & What It Actually Takes #68

    In Episode 68 of Success Behind The Numbers, we sit down with Yan Gladkov, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at Keller Williams NYC and member of The Rana Williams Team, whose journey into real estate is defined by adaptability, discipline, and a commitment to learning the business the right way. 🎙️📈 Originally from Uzbekistan, Tashkent, and raised through constant change, Yan developed a mindset centered around resilience and growth from an early age. After moving to New York City and navigating a completely new environment, he explored different career paths before finding his way into real estate, first as an investor, and eventually as a licensed agent. His path was anything but linear, but each step helped shape the foundation he relies on today. In this episode, Yan shares the realities of what it takes to break into real estate, why learning should come before earning, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate your growth. He shares how being coachable, staying consistent, and putting yourself in the right environment can create opportunities that compound over time. If you’re serious about building a real estate career and want to understand what it actually takes to get started and grow, this episode provides insight from someone who has built his foundation with intention and discipline. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Meet Yan Gladkov 2:15 – Growing Up in Uzbekistan, Tashkent & Moving to NYC 6:40 – Adapting to a New Environment 10:20 – Exploring Career Paths & Early Real Estate Experience 14:05 – Getting Licensed & Choosing the Right Brokerage 18:30 – The Importance of Training & Systems 22:10 – Joining a Top Real Estate Team 26:45 – The Power of Follow-Up & Consistency 30:20 – Advice for New Agents 34:00 – What Yan Would Tell His Younger Self Follow Rich: 📲 Instagram: @richamato_kwcore 📧 Facebook: Richard Amato Keller Williams Core Follow Yan Gladkov: 📲 Instagram: @yangladkov 📧 Facebook: Yan Gladkov at Keller Williams NYC | New York, NY #SuccessBehindTheNumbers #RichAmato #KWNYC #RanaWilliamsTeam #RealEstateCareers #AgentGrowth #Adaptability #WorkEthic #LearnBeforeYouEarn

    41 min
  7. Apr 8

    The Power of Ownership: Why Personal Experience Creates Better Agents #67

    In Episode 67 of Success Behind The Numbers, we sit down with Marianna Skelton, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at Keller Williams Realty Elite, Massapequa, whose sharp eye for branding, tech-driven mindset, and commitment to education have helped her build a thriving business rooted in compassion and strategy. 🎙️📬 Marianna spent a decade in digital marketing before entering real estate, where she led campaigns, analyzed consumer behavior, and fine-tuned promotional strategy. That experience shaped her real estate approach - from how she connects with clients to how she builds and grows a memorable brand in an industry where trust and communication are everything. In this episode, Marianna shares how she leveraged her marketing foundation to build her career, why owning a home as a real estate agent gave her an emotional advantage, and how continuous learning and collaboration have fueled her success at Keller Williams. Her story is a powerful reminder that authenticity, adaptability, and empathy are often the most valuable tools in your toolbox. From masterminds and mentorship to marketing strategies that actually connect, this conversation is filled with practical takeaways and heartfelt perspectives. Timestamps: 0:00 – Meet Marianna Skelton 2:00 – From Digital Marketing to Real Estate 6:30 – Lessons from 1-800-Flowers.com 9:00 – Buying Her First Home Changed Everything 9:10 – What Marketing Teaches You About Real Estate 13:45 – Becoming a Homeowner Changed Everything 17:20 – The Power of Education, Training & Masterminds 22:00 – What Sets The Skelton Team Apart 25:15 – Advice to Agents Ready to Scale 29:30 – What Marianna Would Tell Her Younger Self Follow Rich: 📲 Instagram: @richamato_kwcore 📧 Facebook: Richard Amato Keller Williams Core Follow Marianna: 📲 Instagram: @heartandsoldmarianna 📧 Facebook: Marianna Skelton Homes | Massapequa NY 🌐 Website: www.mariannaskelton.kw.com #SuccessBehindTheNumbers #RichAmato #WomenInRealEstate #MarketingToRealEstate #RealEstateLeadership #KWPointsNorth #BrandStrategy #ClientConnection #GrowthMindset

    50 min
  8. Apr 2

    The Expansion Mindset: How Top Agents Think Beyond Their Local Market #66

    In Episode 66 of Success Behind The Numbers, we sit down with Reginald Louissaint, international real estate salesperson with Keller Williams France Efficience and Keller Williams New York City, whose global perspective and cross-border expertise have helped clients navigate real estate opportunities across multiple countries. 🎙️🌍 Originally from New York, Reginald expanded his career internationally, earning a Master’s Degree in European Real Estate and building a business that spans both the U.S. and Europe. From France to Spain, Malaysia to Portugal, he has guided buyers through the complexities of purchasing property abroad, developing a deep understanding of how different markets operate and what it takes to succeed within them. In this episode, Reginald shares how he built a truly international real estate career, the key differences between U.S. and European markets, and why adaptability, education, and cultural awareness are essential when working across borders. His experience highlights how thinking beyond one market can open doors to new opportunities, both for agents and the clients they serve. If you’ve ever considered expanding your business internationally or want to better understand how global real estate works, this episode offers a unique perspective from someone actively operating in multiple markets. Timestamps: 0:00 – Meet Reginald Louissaint 1:55 – From New York to International Real Estate 5:10 – Earning a Master’s in European Real Estate 8:45 – Understanding Global Market Differences 12:30 – Working With Buyers Across Multiple Countries 17:20 – Challenges of Cross-Border Transactions 21:50 – Expanding Your Business Internationally 27:10 – What Reginald Would Tell His Younger Self Follow Rich: 📲 Instagram: @richamato_kwcore 📧 Facebook: Richard Amato Keller Williams Core Follow Reginald Louissaint: 📲 Instagram: @nyc_france_realestate 📧 Facebook: Reginald Louissaint 🌐 Website: www.connecteurproperties.com #SuccessBehindTheNumbers #RichAmato #GlobalRealEstate #InternationalAgent #KWFrance #KWNYC #CrossBorderBusiness #RealEstateGrowth #GlobalMarkets #AgentExpansion

    53 min

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Explore the strategies, challenges, and stories behind New York’s most successful business leaders in Success Behind the Numbers. Hosted by Rich Amato, the Operating Principal of 7 Keller Williams market centers with over 2,000 agents, this podcast brings you candid conversations with real estate agents, team leaders, KW leadership, and a variety of business owners. Discover what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams, scale businesses, and make a lasting impact. Whether you're in real estate or any field where growth matters, join us for insights that reveal the success behind the numbers. 

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