We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lazarya Wilson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lazarya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I took a risk when I decided to pursue real estate, and at the time, it felt a lot bigger than it might sound on paper.

I wasn’t coming from a background where people invested in property or talked about commissions, listings, or closing deals. My world was more about steady paychecks, predictable hours, and doing what felt “safe.” Real estate, on the other hand, was the opposite of that—no guaranteed income, high competition, and a lot of pressure to perform without knowing when the next check would come in.

What pushed me toward taking that risk was a mix of frustration and ambition. I realized I didn’t want to feel stuck financially or professionally. I wanted something where my effort actually determined my results. Real estate kept coming up as an opportunity where, if I was willing to learn and stay consistent, I could build something bigger for myself.

Still, deciding to go for it wasn’t easy. There were real concerns: paying for licensing, investing time into studying, and potentially going weeks or months without income while getting started. I had to question whether I was ready to step into something so uncertain.

I remember the moment I committed—I chose to stop waiting until I felt “fully ready” and just started. I signed up, began studying, and pushed myself to stay disciplined even when it felt overwhelming. There were moments I doubted myself, especially early on when things didn’t move quickly or results weren’t immediate.

But that’s where the risk started to pay off—not just financially, but mentally. I became more confident, more comfortable with uncertainty, and more willing to put myself out there. I learned how to communicate better, handle rejection, and stay consistent even when things felt slow.

The outcome is still unfolding, but taking that step changed how I see myself. It proved that I can step outside of what feels safe and build something on my own terms. Even if the journey has ups and downs, I don’t regret taking the risk—because it moved me forward in a way staying comfortable never would have.

If anything, it taught me that sometimes the biggest risk isn’t trying something new—it’s staying in the same place and wondering “what if.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m a real estate professional who got into the industry with a clear goal: to build a career where my results are based on my effort, while helping people make confident, informed decisions about one of the biggest investments of their lives.

I didn’t come from a real estate background, so stepping into this field required me to take initiative and learn everything from the ground up. What drew me in was the opportunity for growth, independence, and the ability to create long-term impact—not just financially for myself, but for the people I work with. Real estate isn’t just about transactions to me; it’s about guiding people through major life moments, whether that’s buying their first home, upgrading, downsizing, or investing.

I provide services centered around buying and selling residential properties, as well as helping clients understand the process from start to finish. For buyers, I focus on education and support—breaking down financing, helping them understand what they can realistically afford, and guiding them through finding and securing the right home. For sellers, I focus on positioning—helping them price correctly, market effectively, and negotiate strategically so they can get the best possible outcome.

One of the biggest problems I solve is the overwhelm that comes with real estate. Many clients come in unsure of where to start, what steps to take, or who to trust. I simplify that process. I make sure my clients understand what’s happening at every stage, and I’m intentional about clear, honest communication so they feel confident instead of confused or pressured.

What sets me apart is my approach to relationships. I’m not just focused on closing a deal and moving on—I’m focused on building trust and creating a positive experience that people actually remember. I take the time to listen, understand my clients’ goals, and tailor my approach to fit their situation instead of using a one-size-fits-all method.

What I’m most proud of is the fact that I took the risk to enter this industry in the first place and committed to growing within it. Real estate is not easy, especially starting out, but I’ve stayed consistent and continue to push myself to learn and improve. That persistence is something I carry into every client interaction.

The main thing I want potential clients to know is that I genuinely care about the outcome of their experience—not just the result, but how they feel throughout the process. I want people to feel informed, supported, and confident when working with me. My goal is to be someone they can rely on, not just for one transaction, but as a long-term resource they trust whenever real estate comes up in their life.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that “playing it safe” is always the smartest choice.

Before getting into real estate, I was used to thinking that stability meant security—steady hours, predictable income, and avoiding anything that felt uncertain. That mindset worked in some ways, but it also kept me from taking opportunities that could actually move my life forward. I didn’t realize how much it was limiting me until I stepped into an industry like real estate, where uncertainty is part of the process.

The turning point came early in my real estate journey. I remember hesitating to fully put myself out there—whether it was reaching out to potential clients, promoting myself, or even just confidently saying, “I can help you.” I felt like I needed more experience, more knowledge, or more proof before I was “ready.” In reality, that mindset was just fear disguised as responsibility.

What I had to unlearn was waiting for perfect timing or guaranteed outcomes before taking action. Real estate taught me quickly that if you wait until everything feels safe, you’ll miss opportunities. Growth in this field comes from being proactive, consistent, and sometimes uncomfortable.

Unlearning that mindset didn’t happen overnight. It came from small decisions—speaking up when I felt unsure, taking initiative even when I didn’t feel 100% prepared, and realizing that confidence is built through action, not before it.

Looking back, that shift changed everything. It allowed me to approach my business differently, connect with people more authentically, and trust my ability to figure things out as I go.

Now, instead of asking “What if this doesn’t work?” I’ve trained myself to think, “What if this is exactly what moves me forward?”

That’s a lesson I carry with me every day—not just in real estate, but in how I approach challenges and opportunities in general.

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

One moment that really tested my resilience happened early in my real estate career, when I was still trying to find my footing.

I had been working with a client for weeks—showings, calls, late-night questions, the whole process. I invested a lot of time and energy into helping them find the right home. We finally got to the point where they were ready to move forward… and then, out of nowhere, they decided to go with another agent.

At that moment, it felt personal. I started questioning myself—what I did wrong, whether I was cut out for this, especially since I didn’t come from a real estate background and was already learning everything from scratch.

But instead of letting that setback stop me, I used it as a turning point.

I took a step back and evaluated everything—how I communicated, how I built trust, how I set expectations. I realized that resilience in this industry isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about learning quickly, adapting, and improving with every experience.

Not long after, I applied those lessons with another client. I was more intentional, more confident, and more proactive in guiding them through the process. That client not only closed with me, but they also referred me to others.

That experience taught me that setbacks are part of the journey—but how you respond to them is what defines your growth. It helped me build thicker skin, stronger skills, and a mindset focused on long-term success rather than short-term losses.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Lazarya.k

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