Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Conrad Metcalfe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Karen, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses.

We’ve been intentional about building a family-run real estate business because we believe in the power of generational wealth and legacy. Too often, wealth is passed down without the wisdom or relational foundation to sustain it. Our approach is different—we want to grow and build together.

By creating businesses as a family, we’re not only building financial assets but also investing in time together, learning from each other, and enjoying the journey as a united team. This isn’t just about what we leave behind—it’s about how we live and lead together now.

Real estate investing is our core, and we’ve developed a variety of affiliated businesses to support that focus. At WealthBuilders, we’re passionate about helping other families do the same. Through our events and coaching programs, we guide families to build wealth, share wisdom, and strengthen their legacy—together.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I come from a legacy of entrepreneurship. My father was the CEO of a small-town bank in Minnesota, where I grew up in a town of just 2,500 people. Under his visionary leadership, that bank grew into a $250 million organization. Weekends were spent on our family farm—riding horses, fishing, and working on projects that taught me the value of stewardship, hard work, and family. Later, my parents purchased and renovated a lake home, planting the seeds for what would eventually become my love for design and transformation.

Following in the family footsteps, I pursued a career in banking, where I spent 25 years climbing the corporate ladder. I ultimately served as an SVP for a billion-dollar bank, overseeing multiple departments and leading with purpose and integrity. But in 2010, everything changed.

After the sudden passing of my husband, I moved to Colorado in 2012 with my son, Levi, as he began college. It was a season of reinvention—personally and professionally. Despite my qualifications and glowing references, I couldn’t find a role that matched my experience. As a single mom in a new state, I was faced with a decision: stay safe, or step into something new.

That leap of faith led me to get my real estate license and launch a home staging company—two things I had never done before. What began as a necessity quickly became a calling. I discovered how much I loved helping people create spaces that felt peaceful, beautiful, and full of purpose. And in the process, I began building a new kind of legacy—not just for myself, but for my family.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I moved from Minnesota to Colorado and stepped away from my corporate banking career, I rented out our executive home in Minnesota to a wonderful family. It helped offset the costs—but the rent didn’t fully cover the mortgage and expenses. That financial gap quickly became a source of stress, especially as I tried to build a real estate and home staging business from the ground up in a new state.

As the market evolved and interest rates dropped, many quality long-term tenants transitioned into homeownership. Suddenly, it became harder to find dependable renters. When I finally got my Minnesota home back, it was heartbreaking—it had been trashed. The house I loved was nearly unrecognizable, and I had to invest heavily just to restore it. Selling at that time would’ve meant taking a substantial loss, so I was faced with a decision: give up, or find another way forward.

That challenging moment became a defining turning point. Out of necessity, I redesigned the home, applying the staging and design principles I’d been honing. I explored the idea of turning it into a vacation rental—and to my surprise, it worked. The newly redesigned home quickly began generating steady income and became a launching pad for something much bigger.

What started as a setback became the beginning of a new business model—one that now serves as the foundation of our family’s real estate portfolio. Today, my husband Dave, my son Levi, and my daughter-in-law Carly all work with me in our vacation rental business, with thriving properties in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Around the same time, God opened another door: I was invited to join the leadership team of a growing ministry in Colorado. It was an incredible opportunity—one that allowed me to expand my marketing, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills while pouring into something with eternal purpose. But financially, it was still a stretch. I was renovating the Minnesota home, paying rent in Colorado, and doing whatever it took to stay afloat—including working in ministry by day and staging homes by night.

Through it all, I discovered something powerful: I am stronger than I thought. And when I let go of a paycheck mindset and leaned into faith, creativity, and resilience, doors began to open. There is always a way forward when we approach life with purpose—and steward what’s in our hands with courage.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a real estate agent in Colorado happened just a few months ago—and it brought my journey full circle.

Back in 2018, I was hired by a real estate investor, who over time became a trusted friend, to redesign his personal home from top to bottom. It was such a meaningful project—not just staging, but selecting every finish, color palette, and furnishing to create a beautiful, livable space for him and his family. It was a true expression of design with purpose, and I poured my heart into it.

Fast forward to late 2024, and that same client reached out to let me know they were relocating to be closer to their children’s school. He asked me to return—this time to stage and list the home for sale.

Walking back into that home, I was struck by how beautifully it had stood the test of time. The design still felt current, elegant, and inviting. Even in a slowing high-end market, I focused on doing everything I knew to position it for a quick, successful sale—down to the smallest details.

We listed it on Super Bowl Sunday. I watched in real time as the Zillow views and saves ticked up by the minute. Within two days, the home was under contract at full asking price.

It was deeply satisfying—not just because of the sale itself, but because it was the culmination of years of relationship, trust, and design that truly served the people who lived in the home. I was so grateful for the outcome—and even more grateful to be a part of that journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: karenconrad.net and wealthbuilders.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_karenconrad
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenconradofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1karenconrad/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KarenConrad