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

Ruta, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

Success isn’t just about skills or talent—it’s about who you surround yourself with and having the courage to step outside your comfort zone. These two lessons didn’t come easily to me, but they changed everything.

I learned early on that I couldn’t do it all alone. I’ve been in both extremes—leading teams of 700 people in the corporate world and feeling completely isolated in real estate. The contrast was striking. At first, I thought I could push through solo, relying only on my own determination. But the truth is, we are built for connection, for collaboration, for community—and that’s how we grow.

I had to learn to attract the right people into my life while filtering out the ones who drained my energy. That meant working on my mindset, shifting my energy, and being intentional about the company I kept. The moment I did that, things started changing—opportunities opened up, partnerships formed, and success became more than just a distant dream.

But the second lesson? That one was even harder.

Overcoming my comfort zone.

It’s terrifying. But your dreams have to be stronger than your fear.

I still remember moving to London from Lithuania, barely speaking a word of English. I should have felt unqualified, unprepared, and overwhelmed. But I refused to let that stop me. I got the job I wanted, even though I didn’t have the perfect words to say it. And from there? I just kept moving forward.

Now, I’m running my own business in a new country, in an industry I had never worked in before. Real estate, marketing, videography, content creation, being on camera—it was all new, all intimidating. And let’s not forget the biggest roles I juggle: being a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, and a leader.

It’s still not perfect. I’m still figuring things out.

But the difference now is—I have the right people around me and the right mindset to keep going.

I believe that when you put out the right energy, when you believe in yourself before the results even show up, the universe responds. Everything I’ve built so far is proof of that. So if you’re scared, if you’re doubting yourself—just take the step. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.

Ruta, 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?

Real estate has always fascinated me. Growing up, I was obsessed with HGTV home makeovers and house-hunting shows, and I loved the idea of helping people find the perfect home. There’s something so powerful about guiding someone through one of the biggest decisions of their life—finding a place where they’ll live, grow, and create memories.

But getting into the industry wasn’t as easy as I thought. In the beginning, I struggled. I changed four brokerages and teams, trying to find my place. I thought I could do it all on my own, but I quickly realized that the people you surround yourself with matter. I had to work hard on my mindset, energy, and focus to attract the right team and the right clients into my life. Once I found that support system—but still had the flexibility to do things my own way—everything changed.

Through this journey, I discovered my real passion: Relocation.

I’ve moved from countries to countries, states to states, cities to cities, and even now, I’m relocating from the Austin suburbs to downtown Austin. I’ve experienced moving alone, with my husband, and later with my husband, two dogs, and a baby in tow—so I know firsthand how overwhelming, exciting, and life-changing relocation can be.

That experience led me to specialize in helping others who are relocating—whether they’re moving from another state, another country, or just across town. What sets me apart is that I don’t just help my clients buy or rent a house—I help them find their community, their ideal lifestyle, and their version of home.

Moving is so much more than just a transaction, and I take the time to guide my clients through everything that comes with it:
Finding the right neighborhood that matches their needs
Understanding the lifestyle, schools, and commute options
Honest conversations about the pros and cons of different areas
Providing relocation advice beyond just the home search

I believe in being open, honest, and real. People don’t just want to see the highlights of a new city—they want to know the reality of living there. I give my clients that real insight, so they can make confident decisions about their move.

At the end of the day, relocation is personal. It’s a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and new beginnings. I’ve been there, I’ve lived it, and now I get to help others navigate it with ease. That’s what makes this work so fulfilling for me.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media was scary and hard in the beginning. I had no idea what I was doing, and I second-guessed myself constantly. But I took one step at a time, and little by little, I started to grow. Now, when I look back at my old reels and posts, I actually laugh at how awkward or unpolished they were. And honestly? I’m still far from perfect! But what made the difference was that I kept going, kept learning, and kept showing up.

I think a lot of people assume that social media success comes naturally to some and not to others. And while it’s true that some people pick it up faster, everyone can learn and improve—it just takes consistency and finding what works for you.

The most important lesson I learned? If you’re creating content that doesn’t feel right to you, it won’t work. You could post five reels a day, but if they don’t feel genuine, they won’t connect with anyone—and I know that firsthand. I’ve done it. I’ve burned out. I’ve given up on social media a million times.

People always say, “Have a strategy!” And while strategy is important, my biggest advice is: Just start. Be yourself. Share what feels right for you. Because at the end of the day, that’s what truly connects with people.

Social media is flooded with filters, polished scripts, and fake perfection—but people are craving realness now more than ever. That’s why I focus on being open, being raw, and sharing the real journey—mistakes and all. And that’s what I’d tell anyone just starting out: Forget perfection. Forget the pressure. Just be real, be consistent, and your people will find you.

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

For me, social media was one of my biggest fears—specifically, being on camera. The thought of putting myself out there, recording a video, and speaking to an audience was terrifying. At first, I avoided it altogether. I convinced myself that I wasn’t “good enough” on camera, that my voice wasn’t right, or that people wouldn’t care what I had to say.

I started small—posting a few pictures, then writing captions that felt personal. But video? That was a whole different level of scary. When I finally tried to record short clips for Instagram, I would overthink every word, re-record a hundred times, and eventually just delete the whole thing. I didn’t believe in myself, and I wasn’t giving myself a real chance.

But at some point, I had to ask myself: What’s the worst that could happen?

I realized that the only way to get better was to just do it—to post even when I felt awkward, to speak even when I stumbled on my words, and to show up even when I wasn’t confident. And that’s exactly what I did.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve launched my own YouTube channel—something I never thought I would do. It’s still just the beginning, but that’s the whole point. I’ve proven to myself that by taking small steps, you can overcome the biggest fears.

Resilience isn’t about being fearless—it’s about showing up even when you’re scared and doing the work even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s how growth happens, and that’s exactly how I continue to push myself every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rutazilinske.exprealty.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rutazilinske.realtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009839044108
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruta-zilinske-771a11108/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rutazilinske.realtor

Image Credits

Ruta Zilinske