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

Paul, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

My first client was a renter that found me on Zillow. They were moving in to town for a new job, super young, just starting out.

I spent most of a day with them showing them neighborhoods in Baltimore. They ended up renting in an apartment building, and my commission was $187.

I started to wonder why I got in to this business.

Over the next several years, that couple, who were incredibly talented and became very financially successful, referred 3 more clients to me, and they bought their own house as well. I probably earned a $50,000 in commissions over ten years because I took the time to build a relationship with them.

They don’t live in the area any more, but we still talk pretty regularly.

Paul, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I spent 20 years in the corporate world, primarily in customer service and operations. I did well, and was on my way up the corporate ladder. My last role was leading an organization of over 100 people, and I hated it. That’s the nature of the corporate ladder, I knew I would have a job or two I didn’t like on the way up. But the next role opened up, and I decided I didn’t want to do it any more.

My wife had started in real estate 13 years prior, and had a strong business. She was at a point that she needed help, so I left the corporate world and joined her.

We build a small team, and she stepped away. We were able to relocate to Naples, FL, where I started fresh while continuing to run our team in Baltimore.

My background is in customer service and data analytics for performance improvement. Those skills help me relate to my clients and customers, and give me a unique ability to evaluate information around real estate values. My corprorate background also helped me build the ability to relate to anyone, as I had to work with entry level employees all the way up to presidents of companies, as well as with entrepreneurs outside our organization.

I also enjoy good food, wine, and travel, so I understand what a luxury lifestyle is, and I enjoy social environments. I find I relate to a lot of people, and my nature is not of a salesman, but an advisor and a friend.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Our best and most reliable source of clients is referrals from past clients, or people in our network. I provide a high level of service, and build a very high level of trust, that our clients refer their friends and family without reservation.

Building a sphere or network is a challenge for me as an introvert. I find the best way to meet new people is do something I enjoy (a wine tasting or dinner for example) and connect over common interests. Being authentic is key; I work with people I like.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

In the corporate world, even in a reactive service environment, I was able to control my time and my schedule. I had developed habits and processes around protecting my time and had a very structured calendar.

Getting in to real estate, I had to learn that the client or customer needs my attention first, and that the nature of the business is very fast paced. I had to unlearn that I was in charge of when I responded to people and that my clients would need far more access to me than I was accustomed.

It took some time, but I found the balance of being responsive and having the ability to focus on deeper work.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.paulstagg.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_stagg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.stagg
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulstagg/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Paul_Stagg
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Paul_Stagg
• Other: Email: [email protected]
  Phone: 239-385-2121