Jess Lenouvel

Are you considering a big-ticket investment to grow your real estate business…but you’re unsure if it will have the payoff you’re hoping for?

In this blog post, I’m going to reveal my secrets for how I make an ROI on every single investment I make in my business.

Because yes – maximizing your return on investment is your responsibility.
When you take personal responsibility for your investments, you reap the greatest rewards.

I’ll show you how you can extract value out of EVERY experience when you have the right approach. 

Ready to make your money back? Keep reading to learn how! 

My $300K Bet on Myself

Years ago, when I was just starting to build what would become The Listings Lab, I made a huge bet on myself. I invested $300,000 (pretty much my entire savings at the time!) to spend 6 months working with a well-known business coach in Los Angeles. 

I moved all the way down there (from Toronto) just to get close to him. And…he pretty much ended up flaking on me. 

We only met a few times in a parking lot next to Erewhon during that whole 6 month period – for about 15-20 minutes at a time.

From the outside looking in, it may have looked like I made a terrible mistake. 

But I was determined to make that investment pay off, no matter what. 

Even though our meetings were brief, I prepared meticulously for each one. I would spend hours beforehand brainstorming questions, researching, and getting crystal clear on what I needed to learn from him to take my business to the next level.

In those 15-minute meetings, I came armed with the most pointed, strategic questions I could ask. I squeezed every drop of insight I could out of those conversations.

And while I may have been expecting more time and energy from the coach I’d invested hundreds of thousands into, I still managed to get what I needed from him to exponentially grow my business.

It wasn’t JUST because I made it my personal mission to extract as much value as possible out of our short sessions. It was also because of the powerful network I acquired. 

Through my coach, I got connected with some of the most brilliant minds in business and marketing. I met people who became invaluable mentors, partners, and friends. And those relationships have continued to pay dividends, year after year.

So while the one-on-one coaching was minimal, by being proactive and strategic, I was able to turn that $300K investment into the foundation for a 7-figure business. Those couple afternoons with him, and more importantly, the incredible network of people I met through him during that time, ended up being worth every penny and more.

The ideas, relationships, and opportunities that came out of that investment catapulted The Listings Lab to over 7 figures in revenue in our very first year. And the business has only continued to grow exponentially each year since.

The Power of In-Person Events

The power of investing in the right coaching and relationships has been a game-changer for me time and time again. It’s a lesson I’ve seen play out not just in that first $300K investment, but in the many events and masterminds I’ve attended since.

Last year, I flew to Croatia for a high-level event with a group of 8 and 9-figure entrepreneurs. It was a significant investment, and to be honest, the event itself was a bit of a letdown…it ended up being more about partying than actual business breakthroughs. 

But even so, that trip was 100% worth it for the two powerful conversations I had with fellow attendees. 

One was with a friend who asked me a single question over breakfast that completely transformed my approach to my business. The other was with a mega-successful entrepreneur who challenged my thinking about keeping 100% ownership of my company.

Those two talks alone made the whole investment worthwhile.

The lesson?

When you’re considering attending an event, don’t just focus on the speakers or agenda. Think about the caliber of people who will be in the room and the kinds of impactful conversations you might have. Some of my biggest breakthroughs have come from casual chats during breaks or over meals, rather than the speaker content. 

The right question from the right person at the right time can honestly change everything.

Ready to get in the right room so you can level up your network and business? Learn more about our events for real estate agents here. 

The Expensive Cost of Inaction

Now, did everything about my Croatia trip or that $300K coaching investment pan out exactly as I expected? Of course not. 

There were moments of frustration and disappointment when things didn’t go as I’d hoped.

But taking those leaps are what allowed me to build the business of my dreams at such a rapid rate. And in hindsight, I can confidently say I’d make those same decisions 100 times over.

Too many agents focus on the immediate, obvious return on investment (ROI) of the investments you make in your business. But you have to pay attention to another, often-overlooked business metric – COI, which stands for cost of inaction. 

Consider the case of not taking that leap. In my case, the cost of inaction, of not investing in those events and coaching, would have been remaining stuck. It would have meant I’d never made the quantum leaps I did that have allowed me to impact exponentially more agents.

While not every investment panned out *exactly* as I had hoped, I’m so grateful to myself for deciding to take action. 

So when you’re weighing a potential investment, whether it’s joining a coaching program, attending an event, or implementing a new marketing strategy – ask yourself, what’s the cost of not doing this? What will it cost you in 5 years if you don’t take action? 

When you consider it through that lens, the right decision often becomes much clearer.

Implementation is Key

Of course, none of this matters if you don’t do the work and fully implement what you learn.

I see so many agents jump from coach to coach or course to course and then claim “nothing works”, but when I look closer, they aren’t following through and doing the hard work to put the pieces in place.

The truth is, you can’t just dip your toe in and expect incredible results. You have to commit to the process and see it through to the end. It’s not about doing things halfway and hoping for the best – it’s about going all in and consistently taking massive action until you achieve your desired outcome.

When I invest in my growth, I fully immerse myself in the process. I show up fully, do the work, and keep pushing forward even when things get tough. I know that the only way to truly maximize my return on investment is to see things through to completion, no matter what.

Because at the end of the day, I know the cost of inaction is always higher than the cost of betting on myself.

The 3 Skills for Explosive Growth

Want to know the three skills that have been the most impactful for both myself and the agents I’ve mentored on the path to building a 7-figure real estate business? These are the three things that, when mastered and applied consistently, can lead to explosive growth in your business.

The 3 skills I credit with much of my success are:

Speedy Implementation

In business, money loves speed. The faster you can test ideas and get them out into the world, the faster you can get data, make adjustments, and ultimately arrive at the strategies that will unlock explosive growth. 

I’ve wasted so much time in my career waiting for things to be “perfect” before taking action – now I focus on just getting it done and refining as I go. Imperfect action beats perfect inaction every time!

Asking Great Questions

One of my all-time favorite quotes is “The quality of your life is directly proportional to the quality of questions you ask.” 

I keep this top of mind in every interaction with coaches, mentors, and masterminds. It’s so easy to waste time on surface-level how-to questions that you could easily Google. 

To really maximize your return on investment when it comes to coaching and events, you’ve got to dig deeper and ask the questions that will create quantum leaps in your thinking and strategy. 

I’ll spend hours prepping questions before an important call because I know that the right question at the right time can completely change the trajectory of my business.

Coachability

I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about what being “coachable” really means. 

It’s not about being a pushover or blindly doing whatever your coach says. 

True coachability is about putting your ego aside and being open to try new ways of thinking and operating. It’s staying open to feedback – even (and especially) when it makes you uncomfortable. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.

I purposefully seek out coaches and mentors who I know will call me out when I’m getting in my own way. The people who care about you the most are the ones who are willing to tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.

If you can cultivate these 3 skills, and start looking at every opportunity through the lens of “what’s the cost of inaction here?”, I fully believe you can 10x your income and impact as an agent. The potential in this business is limitless if you’re willing to bet on yourself and commit to your growth, no matter how uncomfortable it can feel in the moment. 

Want to read some incredible stories of agents who have taken the leap and 2x’d, 5x’ed or even 10x’e their investment in The Listings Lab?

Check out member success stories here to learn more about our members’ incredible growth!

And if you’re ready to be our next success story, apply here to book a call with our team and learn about how we can help you multiply your revenue (without working more hours). 

Are you struggling to break through the $250k mark in your real estate business?

In this post, we’ll go over my best recommendations to shatter that income ceiling so you can start to build momentum. 

Right now, if your GCI is under $250k, there is one thing you need to be focusing on in your business: creating connections and making offers.

You do this by creating intimacy. 

By building intimacy with your clients, you form a deep trust that leads to lasting connections and more deals and opportunities. Then, with the proper mindset and adequate support in place, you’ll be ready to break past your income barrier and hit your revenue goals. 

Let’s get to it!

Get Clear on Your Messaging

Before you can do anything, the first thing you need to do is get clear on your messaging. 

I see so many real estate agents who are afraid to be different. They offer the same services to a broad audience, and their voices get lost in the noise.

This is why the general public often thinks all real estate agents are the same. But if that were true, none of us would be providing any unique value to our clients.

Instead, I want you to break away from that fearful mindset and ask yourself, what really sets you apart? 

What is your unfair advantage? The thing that makes you different?

This is the foundation of your real estate value proposition. 

Think about it, and then when you have your answer, ask yourself a new question. Who would relate the most to you and your experience?

Those are the people that you are going to be able to serve best. For example, maybe you’re a recent divorcée. You could create content and services that specifically cater to the unique needs and challenges of other divorcées navigating the housing market. Or perhaps you’re a veteran who has experienced the difficulties of transitioning back to civilian life. In that case, you could focus on helping other veterans find their dream homes while providing support and resources tailored to their specific needs.

Let your differences and life experiences inform your content and messaging. Then, create a service package or offer that will genuinely differentiate you from the competition.

Build a Strong Network 

After you’ve honed in on your messaging and your ideal client avatar, you need to build a network based on trust. 

The biggest game changer in helping you meet your revenue goals is having a consistent flow of people who trust you. 

Money AND clients come from deep trust. 

Your audience needs to trust that you will be able to deliver the high-quality, specialized results that they want. 

To do that, you need to be able to make the right connections and create a community to truly build that trust.

One way to do this is to start a Facebook group. 

Just not a real estate group. There are too many of those already. 

Create a group specific to your niche. It could be a mom group or a single-parent group – anything that allows you to show up and create consistent connections. 

Once you have this community forming around you, the key is not to solely position yourself as “your trusted real estate advisor.” Instead, position yourself as someone your community can relate to and who is consistently providing them value. You can do this by providing valuable resources and content that speak to their struggles and offer solutions.

This is the way you build trust. 

Remember, people make decisions emotionally before they make decisions logically. 

Create that emotional connection by showcasing your personality – quirks and struggles included. Meet your audience at their level and show them that you truly understand where they’re coming from and can relate. By consistently showing up for them – as both a real estate agent and a human being –  you’ll already be top of mind when they’re ready to buy or sell a home.

Get Honest About Your Skills Gap (And Ask The Right Questions) 

Next, confront your skills gap head-on. 

I’m in dozens of real estate Facebook groups. Often, I see agents under-leveraging their communities by constantly asking about the small things. 

Many times, we get caught up in the minor details of running a business and forget about the bigger picture. 

You already have the resources at your fingertips. Now, make sure you’re using them to your advantage. 

Asking about how to deal with particular client situations, paperwork, or tech questions will not grow your business to that 7-figure mark. You have to ask the right questions. 

There’s immense value in leveraging the collective wisdom of those who are further along in the same business than you are. 

The best use of like-minded people with more experience than you is to learn from them. Ask the bigger questions. Figure out your weak points and where you can improve to become a better leader or business owner. 

Then, commit to developing these skills so you can hit your next level and break through that revenue barrier! 

Commit to Content Creation

When it comes to content creation, this is the golden rule…

The more consistent you are, the better your content gets. 

Just remember: creating content is an act of bravery – especially in the beginning. You might feel deeply uncomfortable when you first start honing this skill. 

When I first began making content. It felt like I was bearing my soul every time, even if I wasn’t sharing anything particularly vulnerable. 

Creating content can be scary, but you just have to do it. 

Even if you’re a perfectionist, remember, waiting for perfection isn’t going to get you anywhere. When it comes to creating content, you want to prioritize volume over perfection. 

By posting consistently, your content will become better AND you’ll become desensitized to that initial fear. 

Do the things that scare you. After a while, you’ll find that creating content isn’t actually so terrifying. 

Here are two tips to help you become a powerful content creator: 

Create More Than You Consume

One of the best ways to start producing more high-quality content is to start shifting your identity.

Start to think of yourself as more of a content producer than a content consumer.

There’s a ton of real estate content out there, and let’s be honest – most of it is pretty lackluster and generic.

If you’re someone who watches a lot of content from your fellow agents, it’s important to learn the difference between low- and high-quality content. Don’t let your idea of what’s “good” be skewed because your feed is filled with creators who are creating mediocre content.

Even if you DO consume a lot of content every day, make sure it’s not all real estate content. Instead, go out and watch creators outside of the real estate industry. Look at what makes their content successful and figure out how to replicate those ideas in your own content. 

READ MORE: 4 Social Media Mistakes You’re Making as a Real Estate Agent

Use Your Client Conversations to Inform Your Content

Your client conversations are gold mines of content waiting to be tapped into.

Every interaction with your clients gives you a sneak peek into what matters to them most – if you know what to look for.

Pay attention to the questions they ask and the problems they’re most anxious to solve. 

The deeper you dig into these conversations, the more insights you will uncover about your clients’ most pressing needs and concerns. Use that information to tailor your marketing, content, messaging, service packages, and more to address those exact pain points.

When you create content that speaks directly to your clients’ specific struggles and aspirations, it resonates on a profound level. Your audience feels seen, heard, and understood – which fosters a powerful sense of trust and connection.

And building that genuine intimacy with your clients is the critical first step to breaking through the $250k ceiling and stepping into your next level of success. 

Prioritize Hiring for Your Business Over Lifestyle Creep

When you’re making $200-250k/year, it can be tempting to start buying all of the things you couldn’t afford before.

You might start racking up your credit card with luxury purchases like shopping trips and fancy meals out. You might replace the car you’ve had for years with a brand-new model.

This lifestyle creep trap is a common pitfall for agents in this range. 

But you know what?

By giving into lifestyle creep, you’re actually BLOCKING your ability to make the jump to 7-figurres. 

So here’s what you need to do…

Instead of spending all of your business income on lifestyle upgrades, invest your money back into your business. 

Making a key hire for your business is going to supercharge your growth rather than simply drain your bank account. 

If you’re new to hiring for your business, start by considering the lowest-value tasks you’re doing regularly. Who can you delegate those tasks to? And what kind of difference would it make for your business if you weren’t the one handling those tasks?

How much time would you gain back?

Make a plan to delegate these tasks then hire someone to do them for you. For example, a VA can take over your bookkeeping or inbox management. You can hire a runner to do the physical errands that you’re spending too much time driving back and forth to do. 

The goal is to get all of the things off of your plate that don’t have to be done by you. This way, you can spend more time doing the $1000/hour tasks and create an upward spiral in your business. 

READ MORE: Want To Hire A Real Estate Administrative Assistant? Here’s What You Need To Know

Learn How to Think Like a 7-Figure Earner

Think about your real estate role models – the people whose air you want to breathe or who you would want to sit next to at lunch. 

These are the people you want to surround yourself with. 

Throughout my career, I have always paid to be around the people I admire who are at a higher level than me. This could mean joining their masterminds or summits or paying for any courses they might offer. 

When you’re surrounded by successful, 7-figure earners, you learn to think like them. 

By sitting in the same room as them, you learn the why, when, and how of what they do in their business and can adopt those same mindsets.  

Once you start thinking like a 7-figure earner, it’s easier to make the changes you need to push your business closer to your $500-700k goal and beyond. 

Get Some Business Friends 

Running a business can be very lonely. Get some business besties to keep you company! 

Sitting in your home office, it’s easy to feel like you’re working towards this big thing all by yourself. 

That in itself can be disheartening. 

Find at least three people who are at the same level of business as you. They probably got to where they are by doing different things, and they may have different niches or skills than you. 

It doesn’t matter whether these friends are online or in person. It’s most important that you’re there to support each other and work together so you all feel less alone on your journeys. 

On the other hand, unfollow anyone and everyone on social media who makes you feel bad about yourself. 

I do this on a regular basis. 

There’s always at least one person that we scroll by constantly who adds nothing to our lives. 

Stop following them and start protecting your energy when consuming content. 

Surround yourself with the right people and you’ll have the support and motivation you need to reach the next level of success.

Create a 90-Day Plan

Finally, the last thing I want you to do is create a 90-day plan. 

Forget about long-term visions and distant goals for now. What matters the most is the next 90 days. 

If you’re not exactly where you want to be right now, stop what you’re doing and create a 90-day plan. Take the time to recalibrate and refocus your energy to create short-term success. 

Instead of becoming overwhelmed by yearly targets, focus on where you want to be in the next three months. 

• Where are you going to be 90 days from now?
  
• What goals are you looking to meet?
  
• What concrete steps can you take in this next quarter to achieve them?

Write your plan out. Add details about specific revenue targets, client goals, and growth strategies. 

And then follow it ruthlessly.

After these next 90 days, you’ll be better positioned to make even further breakthroughs for the rest of the year and beyond.

Breaking through to 7 figures k as a real estate agent requires transforming both your mindset and your approach to business. 

By dedicating yourself to growth and continuous learning, you’ll build the momentum you need to hit the revenue goals you’ve always dreamed of.

Are you ready to transform your real estate business and finally break through to the next level of success?

Imagine waking up every day knowing that you have a thriving community of clients who trust you, a steady stream of high-quality leads, and the systems in place to consistently hit your revenue goals.

That’s the kind of business and life that’s waiting for you on the other side.

And at The Listings Lab, we’ve helped hundreds of ambitious agents just like you make that vision a reality. Our proven framework gives you the step-by-step guidance, tools, and support you need to build a wildly profitable business that allows you to work less, make more, and live better.

So if you’re ready to stop settling for “good enough” and start building the business of your dreams, we’re here to help. Click here to apply to join The Listings Lab and let’s get started on your journey to 7 figures and beyond.

Have you ever neglected your personal life because you’re SO consumed with building your real estate business?

I’ve seen this so many times…

Agents believe that ‘sacrifice’ is just part of the real estate game.

They believe that something’s got to give.

You can’t really have the thriving relationship, loving family, hobbies that fill your cup, AND a fulfilling business – can you?

If you’ve ever thought like this, let me tell you, it’s totally possible.

You just have to decide that you’re done putting your personal life on the back burner. 

With the right systems, team, and mindset, you can break free from overwhelm and grow your business without sacrificing the things you love.

Acurrent member of our 7-Figure Agent program who showcases this possibility is Alexandra Cote. 

During her time in 7FA, Alex transformed from a solo agent stuck on the hamster wheel of hustle, to a fulfilled, successful team leader – in less than one year.

If you’ve ever felt like you can’t grow without burning out, read on to learn more about Alex’s inspiring story of growth and regaining her freedom and happiness. 

Where She Started: The All-Consuming Hustle

The real estate rollercoaster pushes many agents to their breaking point. 

It can feel like you’re endlessly chasing the next deal. Even if you’re successful on paper, behind the scenes you feel overwhelmed and burned out.

Alex reached this painful moment after a season of rapid growth in her business. Without support systems or clear boundaries in place, she was drowning in non-stop work.

“I was just so depressed, anxious, miserable,” Alex shares. “I was working for my business instead of my business working for me. I had no time for anything that wasn’t work-related.”

She was constantly cancelling on her friends, had no time to date, and barely had the energy to pick up the phone and call her mom. 

Though grateful for her momentum, the unsustainable pace left Alex feeling hopeless. She knew drastic changes were needed but felt unsure where to start.

After a particularly tough week, Alex took a leap of faith and invested in mentorship by joining our 7 Figure Agent Collective program.

At this point, she was nearly at her breaking point.

She knew she needed a roadmap to build the sustainable business she was craving, and was ready to dive in.

Laying the Foundation

When Alex first joined 7FA, her business lacked the systems required to support her continued growth. She started working through the curriculum and implementing efficient systems, processes and automations. This solid foundation paved the way for Alex to start building out her team.

Alex knew she needed help, but she was completely lost on the ‘how’ when it came to growing a team of A-Players.

She got coached on everything from hiring processes to interviewing and even team contracts. Within less than a year, Alex went from being a solo agent to having a team of five.

Strategic hires included agents as well as a rockstar administrative assistant [LINK TO ADMIN BLOG] 

With a skilled team in place, Alex is now able to focus on high-impact activities such as sales, leadership, and growth strategy. She no longer has to spend her time bogged down in administrative tasks and day-to-day operations.

Mindset Mastery

Scaling from solo agent to team leader brought up some serious imposter syndrome for Alex. She questioned if she had what it took to confidently lead others. Throughout 7FA, Alex got coached on her limiting beliefs to truly embody her inner leader.

First, she released the false idea that achieving her professional goals required sacrificing personal priorities.

Through the program, Alex saw firsthand examples of other agents thriving in both areas – personal AND business. They were building profitable businesses while still making time for family, relationships and self-care.

Previously, she’d thought she would never be able to be a parent while running a business. The two seemed incompatible. 7FA gave her a proven roadmap and tangible examples of other agents making it happen.

Once she realized her dream life and business was possible, Alex chose to lean into her big goals. When confronted with a daunting gap between their current reality and dream business, many agents retreat in fear. Not Alex.

She committed to making her ambitious vision a reality through bold, consistent action.

Real Results

In under 12 months, Alex’s annual GCI grew from around the low 6 figures to being on track to hit 7 figures. She was even able to make a $25K donation to her local food bank.

Alex is thrilled about the financial wins – and the impact they’ve allowed her to create in her community.

But what she values most?

It’s her reclaimed sense of freedom and fulfillment since joining 7FA.

After implementing our proven system for growth, Alex no longer feels like she’s crushing under the weight of her business. She’s able to breathe again. 

Instead of ignoring phone calls from her mom because she’s too busy to pick up, she’s now able to enjoy leisurely family vacations.

Instead of working until 10 p.m, Alex makes time for self-care and has time for her friends again.

And instead of telling herself she was too busy to date, Alex freed up her time and was able to meet her life partner.

She’s the happiest she’s ever been – and it’s all because she has a business that supports her life. Not a life that serves her business. 

Alex’s story shows that you CAN have it all… a thriving business and a rich personal life. Her transformation is proof that with grit, strategic action and support, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Do you want to read more success stories like Alex’s?

Learn more about incredible members by checking out our member success stories or watching our member interview series on YouTube! 

And if you’re ready to become our next greatest transformation story, apply for The Listings Lab here to get you started on the path to 7 figures, sustainably.