How This Realtor Built 90% of Her Business Through Referrals | Paula Thomas | #45

How do you build a real estate business where clients keep coming back — and sending their friends and family? Connect with us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mottorealty/ Connect with this episode's speakers:https://www.instagram.com/benjaminbenomar/ In this episode, Paula breaks down how she built a thriving real estate business with approximately 90% of her business coming through referrals, while combining her background in interior design, sales, client service, and relationship building. After spending years in interior and hospitality design, Paula made the leap into real estate during COVID, betting on herself and starting over in a completely new industry. Since then, she has built a business centered around what she calls a concierge level of service — taking the time to educate buyers, guide sellers, coordinate vendors, improve listings, and make clients feel genuinely taken care of. In this conversation, we cover: -How Paula built a referral-driven real estate business-Why paid leads weren't the right strategy for her-How to create repeat and referral clients-Why client experience matters more than the transaction-How her interior design background helps buyers and sellers-Staging, paint colors, renovations, and preparing homes for market-Why open houses still work-How social media helped Paula land her first clients-Why new agents need training, mentorship, and consistency-How to stand out as a new real estate agent-Building a business without sacrificing family and personal priorities-When it's time to hire help and stop doing everything yourself Paula also explains why one simple philosophy has become central to her business:“Love your clients and they’ll love you back.” CHAPTERS:01:49 Building a Business Through Repeat Clients & Referrals02:53 Why Paid Real Estate Leads Didn't Work04:08 How to Build a Referral Business05:30 Creating a Client Experience People Remember19:36 Why Open Houses Still Work20:25 Social Media Helped Her Get Her First Clients25:37 How Her Past Created Her Competitive Advantage26:11 “Love Your Clients and They'll Love You Back”28:55 Balancing Real Estate, Business & Family31:13 Building a Business That Doesn't Depend Entirely on You