Charleston's Leading Producers Podcast

Jake

Real conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents and business leaders in the Charleston area. Hosted by Jake Cummings, this podcast goes beyond the surface-level advice. We dive into the real strategies, messy trial-and-error moments, and breakthrough insights that separate top producers from everyone else. Each episode breaks down what's actually working in today's market - from building a business that fits you to navigating shifts most agents aren't paying attention to. If you're a real estate professional looking to thrive, not just survive, this is for you. New episodes drop weekly.

Episodes

  1. 6D AGO

    From $25 Million Government Contracts to Owning Valor & Vine: Why Discipline Beats Talent | Lauren Davis

    Send us a text Lauren Davis (@ldavisrealtor) is a United States Air Force Academy graduate who served as a lieutenant in Iraq negotiating multi-million dollar government contracts. She closed 32 deals her first full year in real estate, scaled to over $19 million in volume in 2025, and just launched her own brokerage – Valor & Vine Realty. In this conversation, Lauren reveals: How negotiating $25 million government contracts made her fearless in real estate negotiationsWhy she refused to use a transaction coordinator her first two years (and why new agents shouldn't either)The discipline and structure that separates top producers from everyone elseThis is real talk from an agent who started from complete scratch in a new market, sacrificed time to build momentum, and proved that military-level discipline applied to real estate creates unstoppable results. Follow CLP: @charlestonsleadingproducers   Email Lauren for more info about Valor & Vine Realty: lmdavisrealestate@gmail.com Timestamps: 00:00 From Military Contracts to Real Estate 03:45 How Discipline and Structure Drive Production 06:20 Closing 32 Deals Year One From Scratch 09:15 The Hardest Truth About Real Estate Success 14:30 Negotiating Government Contracts vs Real Estate Deals 18:10 Why New Agents Shouldn't Use Transaction Coordinators 22:35 Facebook Over Instagram: Where Real Business Comes From 26:50 The Offers That Sting (And Why They Still Happen) 31:15 Balancing Three Kids and Top Production 35:40 Launching Valor & Vine Realty in 2026 About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing the work and getting the results.

    26 min
  2. One Underutilized Strategy that Built Their $15M Business in 2025 | Courtney Kretly & Alicia Smith

    12/22/2025

    One Underutilized Strategy that Built Their $15M Business in 2025 | Courtney Kretly & Alicia Smith

    Send us a text Courtney Kretly (@courtneykretly) started her real estate career in 2021 and built a thriving YouTube-first business targeting buyers relocating to Charleston. Alicia Smith (@aliciasmithsc) joined her as a team partner in 2025, bringing a marketing director background from Summerville's Chamber of Commerce. Together they've created a powerhouse in @athomewithcourtneyandalicia. In this conversation, Courtney and Alicia reveal: why YouTube's long-form content converts better than any other platform they've testedhow their 55+ community comparison video exploded and built their entire relocation businesswhy they prioritize free marketing channels and value-driven content over paid lead sourcesThis is real talk from a team that refuses to cold call, built trust through content, and proves that grinding smart beats grinding hard - especially when you're balancing motherhood and top production. Follow CLP: @charlestonsleadingproducers Follow Jake: @jakecummings_homeloans Timestamps: 00:00 Why Courtney Chose YouTube as Her Primary Platform 03:15 The Power of Long-Form Video for Client Connection 06:42 How One 55+ Comparison Video Built Their Business 09:28 Meeting Through Nexton and Building a Team 12:05 The Value of Networking Groups Done Right 16:20 Underutilized Free Marketing Tools Realtors Ignore 20:35 Grinding Now Pays Off Three Months From Now 24:18 Balancing Motherhood and Top Production 27:45 Why Client-First Always Wins About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume.

    32 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Why Listening Matters More Than Talking | Mary Patterson

    Send us a text Mary Patterson (@marypattersoncharleston) spent 20 years building a nutrition and wellness business before transitioning to real estate. She intentionally chose a slower build - overlapping careers for two years while learning the fundamentals. Now she's a top producer at 32 South and stepping into a team lead role. In this conversation, Mary reveals: how reading body language and client psychology drives her successwhy she stayed on a team instead of going out on her own despite having her broker's licensehow digital marketing is evolving her listings strategyThis is real talk from an agent who knows the power of listening, understands that synergy beats solo production, and treats real estate like the teaching profession it actually is. Follow CLP: @charlestonsleadingproducers Follow Jake: @jakecummings_homeloans 00:00 Introduction to Mary Patterson's Journey 03:03 Relocation and Its Impact on Real Estate 05:58 Understanding Client Psychology in Real Estate 08:40 Transitioning from Nutrition to Real Estate 11:14 Building a Real Estate Business 13:58 The Importance of Team Synergy 16:45 Navigating the Real Estate Market 19:16 The Role of Education in Client Relationships 22:05 Advice for New Agents 24:51 Leveraging Digital Marketing 27:14 Becoming a Team Lead at 32 South 28:56 Final Thoughts and Contact Information About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume.

    32 min

  4. 12/02/2025

    You Can Do Hard Things | Kerri Fotta

    Send us a text Kerri Fotta's first visits to Charleston were to follow her daughter's surgeon from New York to MUSC. What started as a medical journey led to a move to our community and a top 1% producing real estate career in just three and a half years. She recently launched her own brokerage, The Firm, on King Street. In this conversation, Kerri reveals: how she built a client base from zero sphere of influencewhy 95% of her business is now referral-based and how she cultivates those relationshipsher philosophy on collaboration over competition and treating clients like familyThis is real talk from a top producer about turning personal challenges into professional fuel and doing real estate differently. Follow Kerri on Instagram here: @kerrisellscharleston And The Firm here: @thefirmrealestatecompany About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume. Follow CLP: @charlestonsleadingproducers Follow Jake: @jakecummings_homeloans

    34 min

  5. 11/25/2025

    Surviving the Crash and Thriving for 20 Years | Brian Beatty

    Send us a text Brian Beatty started working in Charleston real estate at 21 years old in 2006. He survived the 2008 crash, has closed over 1,500 transactions and built multiple real estate businesses while maintaining his position as a top 1% producer since 2009. In this conversation, Brian reveals: his philosophy on deep market knowledgewhy he'd rather market his clients listings than himself (and why it generates more business)his strategy for hyper-targeted listing marketing that actually finds qualified buyersThis is real talk from a top producer about what actually works in today's market. About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume.

    34 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    'You'll Never Succeed Part-Time' - Proving Them Wrong with 50+ Deals in 2025 | JaVonna Alexander

    Send us a text JaVonna Alexander is a top producing agent in Charleston. She's closing over 50 deals this year while working as a full-time federal employee and raising her daughter. In this conversation, JaVonna reveals: Why people doubted her early on, and how she's proving them wrongSystems of how to stay-in-touch with your most important clientsHow her educator mindset turns confused bystanders into closed dealsThis is real talk from a top producer about what actually works in today's market. About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume.

    29 min

  7. 11/16/2025

    From Chaos to Calm: Mindset, Stillness, and Sustainable Success | Julissa Edwards

    Send us a text Julissa Edwards is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and mindset coach specializing in helping high-performing entrepreneurs manage stress and build sustainable success. In this conversation, Julissa reveals: Why accepting your emotions (instead of fighting them) is the key to moving forwardHow stillness and mindfulness create the mental capacity to scale your businessThe difference between scarcity energy and abundance energy—and why it matters for your bottom lineThis is real talk about the mental game of entrepreneurship and why your mindset is just as important as your market knowledge. Get in touch with Julissa here: Instagram: @julissa.edwards_counseling Email: julissaedwardscounseling@gmail.com About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume.

    34 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    How to Run an INSPIRED Business | Val Weber

    Send us a text Val Weber is a top producing agent in Charleston. Her CEO mindset and following on Instagram @thecharlestonhome has driven her to become a leading producer in our market. In this conversation, Val reveals: How she moved from traditional sales techniques to becoming a modern-day entrepreneurThe power of Instagram and how it fits with your sphere of influenceHow her solo CEO retreats are foundational to her business developmentThis is real talk from a top producer about what actually works in today's market. About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume.

    27 min

  9. 11/04/2025

    How Passion Drove $120M in Sales | Mikki Ramey

    Send us a text Mikki Ramey is the producing broker in charge of Healthy Realty. She ranks in the top 1% of sales for Charleston area agents while running her 20+ member team. She's grown her social media to over 10,000 followers and recently spoke in front of a crowd of 7,000 agents at the Tom Ferry Real Estate Summit. In this conversation, Mikki reveals: How finding your passion is key to thriving in our industryWhat your first steps should be if you're considering your own investment purchasesThe biggest mistake she sees agents making right nowThis is real talk from a top producer about what actually works in today's market. About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume.

    29 min

  10. 10/27/2025

    From 1 Zillow Lead to $25M | Amber Dollarhite

    Send us a text Amber Dollarhite is on track for over $25M this year with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Palmetto. But her path to becoming one of Charleston's top producers started with a terrible first-time homebuying experience that changed everything. In this conversation, Amber reveals: How one Zillow lead turned into a $20M+ business volumeWhy 100% effort in relationships isn't negotiable (and what that actually looks like)The biggest mistakes Charleston agents are making right now that cost them dealsHow she balances being a travel baseball mom with high productionThis is real talk from a top producer about what actually works in today's Charleston market. About Charleston's Leading Producers: Weekly conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents in Charleston. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies from agents doing 10, 15, even 20+ million in volume. Hosted by Jake Cummings, Premier Nationwide Lending.

    22 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Real conversations with the highest-producing real estate agents and business leaders in the Charleston area. Hosted by Jake Cummings, this podcast goes beyond the surface-level advice. We dive into the real strategies, messy trial-and-error moments, and breakthrough insights that separate top producers from everyone else. Each episode breaks down what's actually working in today's market - from building a business that fits you to navigating shifts most agents aren't paying attention to. If you're a real estate professional looking to thrive, not just survive, this is for you. New episodes drop weekly.

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