Empire Building

When someone asks who you are, how quickly does your answer turn into what you do? As entrepreneurs, we invest so much time, energy, emotion, and financial risk into our businesses that the line between our work and our identity can quietly disappear.

In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when business ownership shifts from an assignment into an identity. We share the warning signs we’ve experienced ourselves, including tying our moods to sales, feeling personally rejected when an employee leaves, losing touch with our interests outside of work, and resisting the...

What season are you in, and does the way you're running your business actually honor it? 

In the final episode of our scaling series, we're talking about how to grow without dropping the glass balls in your life. Work is often a rubber ball: a lost client, delayed project, or missed opportunity can bounce back. Our health, family, friendships, faith, and mental well-being may not recover as easily when they're repeatedly neglected. 

We share a simple framework for planning around the seasons ahead instead of waiting until life forces us...

What does it really take to build a billion-dollar sales organization and still have a big life? In this special episode of Empire Building, Gary Keller steps in as host to interview one of the show’s own hosts, Sarah Reynolds. Together, they look back at Sarah’s journey from joining her mom in real estate at 21 to helping build EmpowerHome into an organization that has produced more than $1 billion in annual sales volume in each of the past three years. 

Sarah gets very practical about what made that growth possible. She talks about learning how to get b...

A slower market can feel heavy, especially when your team is tired, transactions are down, and every deal takes more skill, patience, and emotional energy than it used to. In this episode, we’re talking about how to lead through a weird real estate market without losing your people, your energy, or your mission.

We share what we’re seeing in Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, why shifting inventory and affordability are changing the way agents have to lead, and how to spot the signs that your team’s energy may be eroding. We talk about...

Are you building wealth in a way that actually fits the season of life you’re in? In this episode, we’re talking about money, risk, cash flow, and the questions that help us decide whether we’re still on the right path or ready for a new one.

Wendy and Seychelle share the lessons they’ve learned from starting with very little, investing in real estate, taking risks that worked, and taking a few that absolutely did not. We talk about the difference between building equity and building cash flow, how to know your unf...

Have you ever realized your business is growing, but your leadership structure is not? In this episode, we’re continuing our scaling series with Sarah Reynolds and Kymber Lovett-Menkiti to talk about one of the hardest shifts in business: moving from being the leader everyone depends on to building leaders who can carry the mission forward.

We get honest about the moments when we became the bottleneck, the pain of leading too many people directly, and the mistakes that come from promoting great performers before they are ready to lead. We talk about why ev...

After six years, more than 300 episodes, and over 1.1 million downloads, we are taking a moment to celebrate the journey and reflect on the leadership lessons we have learned from each other along the way.

In this episode, we talk about what makes each of us different as leaders, and why that difference matters. From Tiffany’s brave commitment to family-first leadership, to Kymber’s quiet strength and ability to build powerful rooms, to Sarah’s visionary belief and commitment, to Seychelle’s empathy and relentless problem-solving, to Wendy’s collaborative, selfless way of bringing people tog...

What if your business could grow without taking over every part of your life? In this episode, we’re joined by Heather Hope, founder of the Heather Hope Realty Group, business coach, real estate educator, wife, mom, investor, and former middle school teacher.

Heather shares how she moved from teaching to real estate, learned to build predictable business through numbers, and found her way into coaching, training, and leading a team. We talk about the emotional weight of client service, why boundaries matter when you’re an empath in business, and how delegation can help...

Difficult people are part of leadership, business, parenting, marriage, and life. And as much as we may want to avoid them, the truth is that building a big business and an even bigger life requires us to learn how to handle hard conversations without losing our peace.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to deal with difficult people with more clarity, curiosity, and emotional control. We share why avoidance rarely makes things better, how to examine your own DNA in the situation first, and why the “difficult person” may actually be a diffic...

If your sales feel inconsistent, the problem may not be your people. It may be your process. In this episode, we’re continuing our scaling series with the next three sales playbooks every leader needs to build a team that can grow without depending on one person to hold it all together.

We talk about creating a salesperson launch system, building a learning management system that keeps training consistent, and why recording everything can save your leaders from repeating the same conversations over and over again. We also dig into tracking the full conversion pi...

If scaling sales feels like adding more people, more leads, and more pressure, this episode is your reminder to slow down and build the system first. Because more volume without a repeatable process usually creates more chaos, not more freedom.

In this episode, we continue our scaling series with Sarah Reynolds and Kymber Lovett-Menkiti to talk about the first three playbooks for scaling sales across markets. We dig into why every client type needs its own defined conversion process, how documented conversations and dialogues create confidence for your team, and why follow-up systems are...

What does it really cost to build a big business? In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Bernard, leader of the EmpowerHome Team in Charlotte, for a candid conversation about growth, boundaries, motherhood, blended families, and building success without sacrificing the people who matter most.

Kristen shares what changed when she decided she would no longer build something professionally that cost her personally. We talk about the boundaries that protect her family time, from Tuesday night dinners to technology check-ins, and why those boundaries have not cost her momentum. They have helped her...

Ever feel like you are learning everything and still not moving forward? We get it. Between books, webinars, conferences, coaches, AI updates, market shifts, and the constant pressure to keep up, it is easy to mistake consuming information for making progress.

In this episode, we are unpacking four lean learning shifts inspired by Pat Flynn’s book Lean Learning: learn less and apply faster, use short sprints to create breakthroughs, create pressure on purpose, and reconnect to your why before you drift too far off course. We talk about the difference between just-in-time learning an...

Ever stare at the phone knowing the next call could grow your business, but still find every reason not to make it? We’ve been there, and in this episode, Wendy and Kymber revisit one of our most popular conversations: overcoming call reluctance.

We talk about what call reluctance really is, why it is not laziness or lack of motivation, and how fear, shame, embarrassment, anxiety, and rejection sensitivity can quietly stop salespeople before they ever get good. We also dig into why the phone still matters, especially in a world full of texts, DM...

Growth sounds exciting until your business starts dropping balls, confusing your team, and creating inconsistent client experiences. In this episode, we talk about the systems that actually support scale so your business can grow without burning you out or breaking behind the scenes.

We walk through what it means to stop building a business that only works when you are working and start building one that can run with clarity, consistency, and accountability. We share why every process needs a clear way of being done, how step-by-step actions and ownership remove chaos, and why...

What does it look like to build a big business, grow real wealth, and stay anchored through the messy middle? In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Vories to talk about the path she took from working as a cocktail waitress to building a thriving real estate business, flipping properties, and creating long-term cash flow.

Jennifer shares how she got started at Keller Williams, why speed of implementation changed everything for her, and what it looked like to move from hustle into systems, leverage, and ownership. We also talk about building wealth through...

Ever feel like your business is pulling from you faster than you can refill? In this episode, we are back with part two of our conversation on protecting your energy, and we are getting practical with five simple, non-negotiable steps that help leaders stay out of burnout and in alignment.

We talk about why white space is not wasted time but recovery time, how routines and systems reduce decision fatigue, and why boundaries lose power when we over explain them. We also share what it looks like to restart faster when you fall off...

Ever feel like you’re doing everything for everyone else and still ending the day depleted? We’ve been there. In this episode, we’re digging into the energy traps that quietly drain leaders before full burnout ever shows up.

We talk about why leadership starts on the inside, and why protecting your energy is not selfish, it’s strategic. We break down five common traps: over-scheduling your life, confusing productivity with effectiveness, falling off your commitments and refusing to restart, carrying emotional weight that isn’t yours, and waiting until burnout to finally pay attent...

Have you ever hired someone because you were overwhelmed, only to realize you hired for relief instead of growth?

In part two of our Scaling Series, we’re talking about the people side of scale—because the truth is, your business will only grow as far as your team can carry it. Hiring the wrong way doesn’t just slow you down, it multiplies your mistakes.

In this episode, we walk through five critical hiring shifts every scaling leader must make. We talk about the difference between hiring for “help me...

What if the thing holding you back isn’t your business… but doing life alone?

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, we sit down with Charlotte Johnson—top-producing real estate agent, entrepreneur, and one of the most resilient women we know. Her story is one you won’t forget. From a childhood marked by instability and trauma to building multiple successful careers, Charlotte shares what it really took to survive and ultimately thrive.

We talk about the hidden loneliness that can come with success, why strong leaders often struggle...

Ever feel like the long game is just…long? You're committed to your vision, but some days the grind can feel exhausting.

In this episode, Tiffany Fykes and Kymber Lovett-Menkiti continue the conversation about playing the long game and share seven practical tactics to help you keep going when motivation starts to fade. Instead of abandoning the vision you're building toward, we explore ways to re-energize your momentum and make the journey more sustainable. We talk about shrinking your time horizon to create quick wins, tracking the right metrics that you can actually control, an...

Ever feel like everyone around you is chasing the next quick win while you're trying to build something that lasts? In a world obsessed with viral moments and overnight success, it can feel like playing the long game is outdated or even impossible.

In this episode, we unpack why the long game is still the most powerful strategy for building a business, wealth, and a meaningful life. We define what “playing the long game” actually means and why it often feels boring, lonely, or even like you're going backward before the results show up. From...

Ever feel like you built a successful business… but somehow it still feels heavy? In this episode, we get real about cash flow, financial freedom, and why so many high-performing women feel trapped by businesses that look great on paper.

We break down the concept of the freedom number and how understanding your personal cash flow changes the way you lead, decide, and show up every day. We talk about the difference between waiting for retirement and creating financial freedom now, why predictable cash flow matters more than just net worth, and how diversified in...

Scaling sounds exciting. More revenue, more impact, more visibility. But what if growing too fast could actually break what you’ve already built?

In this kickoff to our Scaling Series, we slow it down before we speed it up. We share the five essential questions every leader must ask before expanding into new markets, hiring more people, or chasing bigger numbers. Because growth magnifies everything. It multiplies strong systems—and it multiplies chaos.

We walk through the hard-earned lessons behind these questions: Are you scaling systems or scaling stress? Why...

Ever wondered what it actually takes to get paid to speak? Maybe you’ve been asked to teach at your office or you feel the nudge to step onto bigger stages—but you’re not sure where to start. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how we built speaking careers from the ground up.

We talk about why speaking is a reps game (not a talent contest), how to “stair step” from your office whiteboard to other markets, and why you don’t need a polished slide deck to begin. We share practi...

Great people don’t leave great businesses by accident. In this conversation, we dig into what actually keeps strong relationships thriving over the long haul and where leaders unintentionally push good people out the door.

We talk candidly about what it really takes to go the distance with your team, starting with self-awareness as a leader and extending into hiring, compensation, onboarding, and retention. We break down why knowing your own strengths and gaps matters more than any personality assessment you hand to someone else, how slowing down the hiring process builds trust early, an...

All five Empire Building hosts are together for a rare and honest catch-up. We talk about the seasons we’re in right now—raising teenagers, navigating big family decisions, investing, growing businesses in tough markets, and redefining what success actually looks like.

We share what it’s been like to lead through uncertainty, why clarity changes everything, and how each of us is prioritizing health, family, and alignment alongside growth. You’ll hear stories of major business milestones, lessons from letting go of control, and reminders of why surrounding yourself with the right circle matters...

AI is already here, and the real difference is not who is using it, but who is using it with intention. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how we are actually using AI inside our businesses to create clarity, save time, and generate more opportunities without adding more work.

We walk through four practical prompts we use every week to sharpen our messaging, practice better conversations, eliminate decision fatigue, and communicate at scale with confidence. These are not theoretical ideas. They are simple, repeatable prompts that help us sound like our...

Money meetings don’t work when they’re reactive, emotional, or inconsistent. In this episode, we walk through the exact framework we use for monthly money meetings at home and in business, from updating your net worth to reviewing spending, planning ahead, and setting one clear financial priority.

We break down how these meetings neutralize the emotion around money, create alignment with your partner or team, and help you make proactive decisions instead of reactive ones. We talk through preparing for big upcoming expenses, handling unexpected income, setting intentional giving goals, and why manually enga...

Ever set big money goals and then wonder why nothing really changes? We’ve all been there. In this episode, we kick off a two-part series on the rhythm of accountability around money, and why consistent money meetings at home and in your business are the difference between hoping and actually building wealth.

We talk about why wealthy people don’t wing it, they track it, and how attention plus intention changes everything. From weekly budget check-ins and monthly net worth meetings at home, to cash flow reviews, P&Ls, and sales pipeline health in y...

If you’re in a season where it feels like one more thing might break you, this conversation is for you. We’re sitting down with Jay Papasan, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of The ONE Thing Company, for a candid look at what it means to lead when life doesn’t let up.

Jay shares what the last several years have really looked like behind the scenes, and how those experiences shaped a set of “lighthouses” he now uses to navigate tough storms. We talk about how high achievers spiral into self-criti...

Ever look up and realize the bar has quietly dropped—then wonder how you fix it without crushing morale? We’ve been there, and in this episode, we walk through a simple, repeatable reset that brings standards back with clarity, care, and real ownership.

We’re breaking down a five-step framework Sarah implemented in real time after noticing a massive performance gap across locations—same headcount, wildly different results. We talk about why the standard is only as high as the least-accountable person on the team, and why the first move is to own it as le...

Some lessons shape us long before we ever call ourselves leaders. In this episode, we revisit the unexpected teacher who influenced a generation of women from living rooms across America: Judge Judy. What started as a nostalgic moment for Seychelle turned into a powerful reflection on how this fierce, unapologetic woman modeled agency, negotiation, boundaries, and integrity in a world where women were only beginning to access financial and professional autonomy. 

Together, we unpack the eight life and leadership lessons Judge Judy embodied—from knowing your worth and negotiating from strength to demanding clarity, lea...

Ever had a moment where someone casually says something—and it completely cracks open what you believed was possible? That’s exactly where today’s episode begins. We’re talking about the surprising, perspective-shifting stories that helped each of us realize: “I didn’t know I could do that.”

We talk about the rules we thought we had to follow, the expectations we carried from childhood, and the “joy moments” that led us to start designing lives we truly wanted. From month-long family travel and year-long worldschooling, to taking sabbaticals, reclaiming weekends, planning multigenerational trips, starting hobbies now instead of “so...

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem to unlock opportunities effortlessly while others feel stuck on an island, this conversation is for you. Today we’re joined by USA Today bestselling author and high-value relationships expert Selena Soo to unpack the core framework behind her new book Rich Relationships, and the truth that one rich relationship is more valuable than a hundred casual connections. 

Selena walks us through the six circles of connection and why discernment is the foundation of building a thriving, supportive, aligned network. We explore how to identify the peopl...

If your listings are sitting—and the market feels slower than ever—you’re not alone. This week, we’re diving into a strategy that has helped Sarah’s team move hundreds of listings even in a real estate recession: the Online Broker’s Open. It’s a simple, scalable twist on an old-school tactic that gives sellers the feedback they need, restores trust, and gets homes sold.

We break down exactly how to host your first Online Broker’s Open, whether you’re a solo agent or part of a large team. You’ll learn how to gath...

The holidays sneak up on all of us—especially when you're running a business, a household, and everything in between. So this week, we're giving you a gift: our 2025 list of favorite things, live from all four co-hosts together again. From bougie indulgences to simple basics that make life easier, we're sharing the products, tools, and little luxuries that truly made a difference for us this year.

We walk through our must-haves across health, beauty, fashion, home, and family fun. You'll hear why weighted vests are having a moment, how hydrogen water bottles and Fu...

Ever find yourself running from one task to another---dropping off packages, managing carpools, juggling emails---and wondering, "When did I become my own assistant?" In this episode, Wendy Papasan and Kymber Lovett-Menkiti dive deep into the exact moment you know it's time to hire a personal assistant and how doing so can transform your business…and your life.

We explore what "buying back your time" really means, how to calculate your hourly rate so you can focus on the work that truly matters, and why hiring help isn't a luxury---it's leverage. You'll learn how to identify your signs of...

Does the fear of failing quietly run your business plan? In this episode, Kymber Lovett-Menkiti and Tiffany Fykes open up about perfectionism, risk, and the stories we tell ourselves when something doesn’t go as planned—and how to turn all of it into fuel. As we head into business planning season, we talk about the very real questions that keep many women playing small: What if the launch flops? What if the hire doesn’t work out? What if I invest…and lose?

We walk through powerful data on how women actually approach risk (sp...

What if your “happily ever after” had less to do with fairy tales and more to do with alignment? In this episode, Wendy Papasan and Seychelle Van Poole open up about one of the most powerful practices in their marriages and businesses—setting goals together. Whether you’re planning with your spouse, a life partner, or a business partner, this is your playbook for creating a shared vision that actually works.  

Wendy shares how she and Jay Papasan began their first goal-setting retreat about two decades ago when life felt chaotic, and how it became a r...