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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 tested
• how their 55+ community comparison video exploded and built their entire relocation business
• why they prioritize free marketing channels and value-driven content over paid lead sources

This 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.

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 success
• why she stayed on a team instead of going out on her own despite having her broker's license
• how digital marketing is evolving her listings strategy

This 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.

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 influence
• why 95% of her business is now referral-based and how she cultivates those relationships
• her philosophy on collaboration over competition and treating clients like family

This 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