What does it really take to break into real estate when you’re new to the area, switching careers, and navigating big life changes at the same time?

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Labbe sits down with Michelle Cheng, a RE/MAX Journey agent in Rutherford County, Western North Carolina, to talk about her leap from healthcare into real estate—and what helped her start gaining momentum.

Michelle shares what the licensing process looked like in North Carolina (pre-licensing + post-licensing), how she built credibility as a newer agent, and why switching brokerages was a turning point for getting the support and guidance she needed. She also breaks down practical lead-gen that worked early on—sphere of influence, community involvement, open houses, and consistent social media—plus how she stayed positive through delays, uncertainty, and real-life curveballs (including becoming a new mom).

In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why Michelle left healthcare and chose real estate
What surprised her most about the first year (and what she wishes she knew sooner)
How open houses helped her build confidence + conversations
How she uses community involvement and social content to stay top-of-mind
A memorable “first showing” story (GPS + lockbox chaos…and a happy ending)
Real talk on time management as a working mom
Her 5-year goals: growth, additional licensing, designations, and giving back
If you enjoyed the episode, like, subscribe, and drop your biggest takeaway in the comments. Know a new agent with a big first win? Share your guest recommendation with the show.

How to Connect with Michelle:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556421461175
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle.cheng.realtor?igsh=Yjd4YXB5YmwyaXds
Website: https://www.remax.com/real-estate-agents/michelle-cheng-rutherfordton-nc/102329273

Victoria Mackay went from teaching Latin and Ancient Greek in London to launching a real estate career in New York City—and she did it with intention, strategy, and a whole lot of resilience.

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, Victoria shares how she made the leap to NYC, earned her license while still teaching overseas, and built credibility fast by joining the right team. We talk through what her first year really looked like (including the long wait from contract to closing), how she approaches first-time buyers with a “teacher mindset,” and why patience matters more than people think in the early days.

You’ll also hear some real-world deal stories—including bidding-war heartbreak, landmarked window surprises, and a closing-day situation that turned into total chaos (no keys… and the seller hadn’t moved out).

If you’re newly licensed (or thinking about getting licensed), this one is packed with practical perspective and rookie-tested lessons you can apply immediately.

In this episode, we cover:

• Making a career pivot and moving to NYC with a plan
• Getting licensed from abroad + finding the right brokerage/team
• Building credibility when you’re new to the market
• Why patience + pipeline-building are everything in year one
• Open houses by appointment (and what works in NYC)
• Navigating stressful deals and knowing when to ask for help
• Staying intentional with follow-up without being “salesy”
• Advice for new agents: “be a sponge” and keep learning

Drop a comment: What’s your biggest takeaway—or your biggest question as a new agent?

Social media profiles:

• LinkedIn: Victoria Mackay (Brown Harris Stevens)
• Instagram (listed on her LinkedIn profile): @victoria.a.mackay
• Brokerage profile: Brown Harris Stevens agent page

In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, host Tina Lapp sits down with Dawsen Harbison, an Oklahoma REALTOR® with Capital Real Estate and Asset Management Group, to talk about what it really takes to win early in real estate.

Dawsen shares how she transitioned from a decade in healthcare account management after major life changes—and why real estate became the path forward. She breaks down how she earned her license fast, landed her first closing within a couple months, and built momentum through networking, open houses, consistent follow-up, and getting visible in her community.

You’ll also hear Dawsen’s rookie-year lessons on:

Picking the right brokerage (and doing your due diligence)
Why savings + a support system matter in year one
How she markets herself as a new agent (and stands out)
Real-life stories from investment property walks that prove “anything can happen”
The habits and mindset shifts that helped her keep going when things got tough
If you’re newly licensed (or thinking about becoming an agent), this one is packed with practical advice and motivation to keep moving—even on the hard days.

Subscribe for more real conversations with new agents who are building real careers from the ground up.

Links & resources mentioned:
Website: Dawsen Harbison | dawsen.realtor
TikTok: Dawsen Harbison (@dawsen.rae)
Books: Atomic Habits, Ninja Selling, and “Let Them” theory (as referenced in the episode)
Contact / referrals
Have a great guest recommendation? Email: UnlockingRealEstate@ColibriRealEstate.com or fill out this form to apply: https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish