In this episode, John sits down with longtime real estate leader Jim Pruett for a powerful reminder of what actually drives success in this business: fundamentals, discipline, and treating your business like a real business.

Jim breaks down why 87% of agents fail, the mindset shift required to survive in today's market, and the simple systems and habits that have allowed him to build a long-term, consistent, and respected real estate business.

From setting up your business like a CEO, to mastering the purchase agreement, to building world-class community relationships, this episode is packed with timeless truths agents desperately need—especially those who keep getting distracted by shiny objects instead of focusing on the work that matters.

If you feel overwhelmed, inconsistent, or unsure what to focus on to grow, this episode is the clarity punch-in-the-face you've been needing.

• The "employee-to-CEO" mindset shift every new agent must make

• Why shiny objects are draining your money and killing your momentum

• The power of joining a team to dramatically increase your odds of success

• Setting up your business like a real CEO: accounting, legal, brand assets, and systems

• Why your email, your URL, and your online profiles matter more than you think

• The necessity of consistency across photos, bios, and digital presence

• How checklists, workflows, and repeatable processes create freedom

• Why systems must be "living documents" that evolve as your business grows

• The role of CRMs, automation, and organized procedures for scale

• How to build real, human connections—online and offline

• The key difference between transactional contacts and real influence

• Why "contacts sprout contracts" is still one of the truest principles in real estate

• How Jim's community involvement (especially the Riverfront Development Committee) became a long-term lever for influence and opportunity

• Why agents struggle to articulate value and how to fix it

• How to confidently have the hard conversations with buyers and sellers

• Why your presence alone should add value to every transaction

• Why every agent should reread the purchase agreement weekly

• How pre-listing inspections reduce future friction

• The essential difference between working in your business vs. on your business

• Blocking out noise, avoiding distractions, and staying focused on what matters

• The power of being a "slave to your calendar"

• Forecasting and knowing your numbers like a true operator

• How the right rooms and the right relationships change your trajectory

• The mindset of professionals: "Do it until you can't get it wrong."
  
  

• The E-Myth Revisited – Michael Gerber

• Profit First – Mike Michalowicz

• Choose Your Enemies Wisely – Patrick Bet-David

• The Checklist Manifesto – Atul Gawande (Chapter 1 recommended)

• Honey Badger Nation

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach
  
  

Success isn't complicated—it's consistent.
The agents who win aren't the ones chasing noise or shortcuts… they're the ones who master the basics, know their value, build real relationships, and operate like CEOs.

As Jim puts it:
"Professionals do it until they can't get it wrong."

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If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In Part 2 of this 6-part Power Hour series, John Kitchens and Joel continue building the Agent to CEO Framework by diving into Milestone 2: Charting the Course — the vision, values, purpose, and long-term direction that every real estate business needs before it can scale.

If Part 1 helped you find clarity on where you stand, Part 2 shows you how to define where you're going and build the strategic foundation your future growth will stand on.
John and Joel walk through the process of creating your core values, articulating your core purpose, and crafting a 10-year BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) that aligns your team, filters decisions, and keeps you focused when the market — and your emotions — shift.

If you've ever struggled with team alignment, inconsistent decision-making, hiring the wrong people, or constantly shifting strategies, this episode gives you the structure to set a direction your entire organization can follow with confidence.

• How Milestone 2 builds on the clarity gained in Part 1

• Why vision is the strategic anchor of the entire Agent to CEO process

• The role of values, purpose, and BHAG in building a scalable organization

• Why core values must be discovered, not invented

• Using frustration, peak performance moments, and "hire/fire tests" to uncover your real values

• How values become the filters for decision-making, culture, and hiring

• Why 3–5 values create clarity — and anything more creates confusion

• Understanding the emotional driver behind your business

• Why teams lose direction without a clearly articulated purpose

• How purpose helps you attract the right people and repel the wrong ones

• The difference between a mission statement and a motivating purpose

• The four types of BHAG: Target, Competitive, Role Model, and Internal Transformation

• Why thinking in 10-year timelines creates freedom, not pressure

• How a BHAG aligns your team and simplifies strategic planning

• Turning a long-term goal into a vivid, inspiring future your people can see

• Why vision must be communicated, repeated, and embedded into daily operations

• How to turn your vision into a "decision compass" for every level of the business

• Why teams fail without clarity on where the business is going

• How to bring your values and BHAG into hiring, onboarding, and accountability

• Agent to CEO Process – Milestone 2: Charting the Course

• Start With Why by Simon Sinek

• Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold

• 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy

• Good to Great by Jim Collins

• Honey Badger Nation

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach
  
  

Before you build systems, scale teams, or step out of production… you must chart the course.
Vision, values, purpose, and a 10-year BHAG give your business direction, alignment, and the foundation to grow without breaking.

"As a CEO, your job is to show your team the mountain. If they can't see it, they can't climb it." – John Kitchens

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If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with Scott Benson, founder of the Benson Crew, to unpack how agents can shift from chasing transactions to building true wealth.

Scott shares how he went from selling phone book ads to becoming one of Canada's most innovative real estate entrepreneurs — leveraging real estate not just to generate income, but to create financial freedom. He dives into how he used private lending, partnerships, and marketing at scale to build long-term wealth and impact.

Together, John and Scott explore the mindset, math, and discipline it takes to turn your business into a wealth engine, not just a paycheck. This one's for every agent who's ready to stop working in the business and start working on their future.

From Phone Books to Freedom

• How Scott's early career in advertising led him to discover real estate as a wealth-building vehicle

• The power of seeing opportunity before the market catches up

Building Wealth Beyond Commissions

• Why most agents stay broke even when they earn more

• How Scott used private lending and investing to make money work for him

• The compounding effect of financial discipline

The Wealth Mindset Shift

• Why ego kills growth and how humility fuels collaboration

• How to think like a quarterback, not a player — control the field and your income

• Using AI and automation to invest smarter, not harder

Scaling with Strategy

• The $1M marketing move that built massive momentum for Benson Crew

• How strategic partnerships and risk-taking turned a local brand into a market powerhouse

• What's coming next for team models, AI, and wealth creation in real estate

• Benson Crew Real Estate

• Patrick Bet-David (PBD Podcast)

• Choose Your Enemies Wisely by Patrick Bet-David

• The Motive by Patrick Lencioni

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach

Stop seeing your real estate business as your final destination — it's just the vehicle.
Use it to fund your investments, create leverage, and build the life you actually want.

"Your real estate business isn't your freedom. It's the vehicle that funds your freedom." — John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
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If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this first part of a 2-part Power Hour series, John Kitchens and Joel Perso kick off the Agent to CEO Framework with an in-depth look at Milestone 1: The Clarity Compass.
This session lays the foundation for every growth-minded agent and team leader ready to move from the chaos of production to the clarity of true leadership.

John and Joel dive into the diagnostic process behind identifying your current business reality (Point A) and defining your future destination (Point B). They explore how to gain visibility into cash flow, forecasting, and energy management so you can make confident, data-driven decisions that align with your long-term goals.

If you've ever felt stuck, spread too thin, or unsure how to scale without losing control, this episode gives you the tools to find your direction, eliminate guesswork, and start operating like a true CEO.

The Agent to CEO Framework

• Overview of the six milestones that transform an agent into a business leader

• Why clarity is the foundation for every milestone that follows

• Understanding how to identify your "current reality" before setting your vision
  
  

The Power of The Clarity Compass

• How to conduct a Reality Audit on your time, money, and systems

• Identifying your key constraints before trying to grow

• The importance of connecting your business goals to your lifestyle goals
  
  

From Chaos to Clarity

• Why guessing your numbers is keeping you stuck in production

• Building data-driven confidence instead of emotion-driven decisions

• The link between clarity, forecasting, and sustainable growth
  
  

CEO Thinking and Financial Visibility

• The role of financial clarity in creating freedom

• Why forecasting 75% forward and only 25% backward changes everything

• Understanding cash flow as the ultimate measure of business health
  
  

• The Clarity Compass Framework — from the Agent to CEO Process

• The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge

• Choose Your Enemies Wisely by Patrick Bet-David

• The Motive by Patrick Lencioni

• Honey Badger Nation

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach
  

Before you scale, get clear.
You can't build freedom from confusion—clarity must come first.

"Words talk, numbers scream. If you don't know your numbers, you don't know your business." – John Kitchens

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
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• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this high-impact episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens and Joel Perso unpack one of the most common struggles top-producing real estate agents face—how to escape production and build a real business that runs without you.

From strategic planning frameworks like EOS and Rockefeller Habits to mastering financial discipline and team structure, John shares the exact playbook that took him and Jay Kinder from burnout to building a scalable, profitable company.

They also break down real-world examples of agents who have successfully stepped out of production—including how they did it, the math behind it, and what freedom actually looks like once you get there.

Whether you're a solo agent planning your next stage, a team leader looking for leverage, or a CEO aiming to scale, this episode will give you the clarity, systems, and strategy you need to create lasting freedom.

The 3 Keys to Escaping Production

• Strategy: How mastering frameworks like Rockefeller Habits and EOS creates structure and focus.

• Value Systems: Why CHSA & CHBA are game-changers for consistency and scalable client value.

• Financial Clarity: The "Simple Numbers" model that transformed their net profit by 17% in one quarter.

Forecasting and Financial Discipline

• Why forecasting is not goal setting—and how to get accurate with your assumptions.

• Understanding cash flow vs. profit to stay in control of your business.

• How small teams and large teams can step out of production faster than mid-sized ones.

Leadership, Freedom, and Ego

• Why most agents can't escape production—and how to fix it.

• Letting go of ego to empower your team and build true leadership depth.

• The real difference between stepping out of production and stepping out of the business.

Real Case Studies:

• How Jim & Leanne scaled leadership to step out within 24 months.

• The Reedy team's path to financial freedom through real estate investing.

• Why Blake Sloan and others achieved lifestyle freedom through leadership leverage.

• Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish

• Traction / EOS by Gino Wickman

• Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits by Greg Crabtree

• CHSA & CHBA Designations – Certified Home Selling & Buying Advisor Programs

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach
  

Freedom in real estate isn't about working harder—it's about building systems, developing people, and knowing your numbers.

As John Kitchens says:

"If you don't have a goal for freedom, you'll never escape production—it'll always own you."

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this powerful episode of The John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens sits down with AI strategist and industry innovator Nick Krem to uncover how the AI-powered consumer is changing the real estate landscape faster than ever before.

From Google's evolving search behavior to ChatGPT and Zillow integration, Nick breaks down how consumers are becoming more informed, more confident, and in many cases—believe they know more than their real estate agent. The two dive deep into how agents can adapt, build authority, and stay relevant in an era where technology knows the answers before the conversation even begins.

This is a must-listen for every agent, team leader, and brokerage owner ready to future-proof their business in a world driven by AI and consumer intelligence.

The Rise of the AI-Powered Consumer

• Why the #1 consumer complaint is now "I know more than my agent"

• How ChatGPT, Google, and Zillow integrations are shaping buyer and seller behavior

• What agents must understand about the consumer mindset shift

SEO, AEO & GEO — The New Era of Search

• How Answer the Public reveals what your clients are asking online

• Why SEO isn't dead—it's the foundation for AI-driven visibility

• The power of "digital density" and how to dominate your market through keyword intent

The Coming Wave: AI Agents & Everyday Adoption

• How the "AI agent" device (created by Sam Altman & Jony Ive) will change daily life

• What happens when AI becomes your consumer's full-time collaborator

• How this new wave will transform how buyers find and choose their real estate agent

Emotional Intelligence & Human Leadership

• Why emotional intelligence (EQ) will be the defining skill of future leaders
  
  

• How to use AI as a thought partner—not a replacement for critical thinking
  
  

• The power of mindfulness, discernment, and self-awareness in the AI era

Building an AI Culture in Your Organization

• Why most brokerages are creating AI tool addiction instead of collaboration

• The blueprint for fostering a culture of AI collaboration

• How to use AI to make people better—not replace them

Adapting as an Agent

• Questions to ask clients to identify if they're using AI in their home search

• How to position yourself as a trusted advisor, not just an agent

• Branding yourself in the AI world: expertise, niche, and authority

• Krem.AI – The #1 Institute for AI Certification in Real Estate

• AnswerThePublic.com – Keyword and content search research tool

• The AI-Driven Leader by Jeff Woods – Recommended reading for real estate leaders

• CoachKitchens.AI – Custom GPT tools and frameworks for agents and team leaders

• Huzi.AI – Eric Post's AI platform for real estate professionals

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Training, events, and resources for top agents

Artificial Intelligence won't replace agents—but agents who use AI will replace those who don't.
The real threat isn't the technology itself—it's the AI-powered consumer who expects faster answers, higher trust, and more expertise than ever before.

As Nick Krem put it:

"AI isn't coming for your job—it's coming for your excuses."

The future belongs to agents who can combine AI efficiency with human connection and leadership clarity.

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this inspiring episode of The John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens sits down with Connie Alexander, a powerhouse real estate leader who built a luxury brand from humble beginnings. From growing up in Section 8 housing to closing multimillion-dollar homes, Connie's journey is a masterclass in perseverance, mindset, and standards.

Connie opens up about her early struggles, how she turned survival into success, and why luxury isn't about price—it's about process, presentation, and service. Together, she and John explore what it means to lead with integrity, build a lasting brand, and hold yourself to an elite standard, no matter your market.

Whether you're breaking into luxury, rebuilding your confidence, or striving to elevate your business, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to redefine your standards of success.

• How growing up with limited resources shaped Connie's work ethic and drive.

• The shift from proving yourself to making your family proud.

• Why your story—not your starting point—defines your brand.
  
  

• The "aha" moment that led Connie to launch her luxury brand.

• How to market luxury by decision, not by price point.

• The mindset difference between chasing status and living by standards.
  
  

• Training agents to think, act, and communicate at a luxury level—first.

• Why "luxury" is a mindset of excellence and precision, not just listings.

• How process, consistency, and attention to detail create a Ritz-Carlton experience in every transaction.
  
  

• How survival moments built the confidence to thrive in any market.

• Turning fear into fuel—and using adversity as a platform for growth.

• Why faith and gratitude are Connie's daily business practices.
  
  

• The book that shapes Connie's leadership philosophy: The Nordstrom Way.

• How Gandhi's quote on belief, values, and destiny became her team's mantra.

• Why consistency and clarity are the ultimate luxury brand builders.
  
  

• The rise of wellness-focused, lifestyle-driven luxury homes.

• How affluent buyers are prioritizing health, technology, and entertainment spaces.

• Why marketing luxury now means showcasing lifestyle, not just square footage.

• JohnKitchens.coach – Executive coaching and leadership resources for agents.

• The Nordstrom Way by Robert Spector – Lessons on world-class customer service.

• The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle – Creating connected, high-performing teams.

• The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale – On mindset and personal transformation.

• Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni – Identifying your leadership strengths.
  
  

Luxury isn't about status—it's about standards.
It's about serving with excellence, living with gratitude, and creating experiences that elevate everyone involved.

"We train luxury first, because excellence should be the standard for every client, not just the elite few." - Connie Alexander

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
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• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this no-fluff strategy session, John Kitchens sits down with Joel Perso to break down the two most critical levers driving real estate success in 2025: recruiting and standards.

While most teams are struggling in a tough market, others are breaking records—closing over 1,000 transactions and scaling at unprecedented speed. So what separates the two? John and Joel unpack the mindset, systems, and leadership principles that determine whether your team thrives or stalls.

They dig deep into the real definition of agent productivity, why recruiting solves more problems than anything else, and how clear standards and accountability drive culture, growth, and profitability. If you lead a real estate team—or aspire to—this episode is your blueprint for building a business that performs no matter the market.

• Why agent count doesn't equal productivity

• How to define productivity around performance, not presence

• The key metrics that drive agent success

• Why top teams never stop recruiting—no matter the market

• How fresh talent raises performance across the entire organization

• Building a "lead generation system" for people, not just prospects

• How to recruit in small markets (even when the talent pool is thin)

• Why "the only standards you have are the ones you enforce"

• Balancing accountability with culture and trust

• How to eliminate drag on your team and attract top performers

• Why A-players don't stick around when C-players are tolerated

• Why fitness, discipline, and consistency amplify leadership performance

• How mindset determines team culture and output

• The difference between leading a team and dragging one

• When to coach, when to correct, and when to cut

• The two controllables that separate high-performing teams from average ones

• How to raise conversion rates across every stage of your sales funnel

• Why every productive agent masters conversations, follow-up, and negotiation

• How to build standards around both activity and results

• Why great recruiting empowers tougher standards

• How culture self-polices when the right players are in the room

• Why maintaining standards is the foundation for scale

• JohnKitchens.coach – Executive coaching and team strategy resources

• Agent to CEO 2024 – Leadership and productivity event for top agents

• Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! by Greg Crabtree

• The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

• The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale

• Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni

If you want to build a thriving team, it's not about adding more leads—it's about raising standards and recruiting better talent.

"If you're not recruiting, you're not growing. And if you're not enforcing standards, you're not leading." - Joel Perso

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
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• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥