Real estate isn't just about market savvy or sales skills.
At a recent industry event, veterans Misti Bruton and Long Doan shared powerful tales of conquering huge hurdles to build thriving careers and businesses.
Watch they full talk below.
Their journeys offer valuable lessons for anyone facing roadblocks in work or life. We explore their experiences in better detail today.
The Bottomline:
Resilience is crucial in real estate, enabling professionals to overcome personal and market challenges. Success stems from maintaining a positive mindset, embracing adversity as growth, building supportive teams, staying focused on core motivations, and taking consistent action despite difficulties.Chapter 1: The Power of Perspective: Turning Lemons into Lemonade
Howard, our CEO and host of the panel, began with his rock-bottom story.
He recalled a time when he "couldn't even get out of bed."
Surprisingly, that dark period became his greatest blessing.
"Every morning, I reflect on those days," Howard shared. "It grounds me and heightens my gratitude."
This recurring theme—viewing hardship as an opportunity for growth—resonated throughout the discussion. Instead of succumbing to setbacks, these leaders used them as stepping stones to strength.
As you'll discover, this resilient mindset is crucial for enduring success in real estate’s unpredictable landscape.
Misti's Journey: From Couch Surfing to "Level 12" Happiness
Misti's story is a real nail-biter.
She's living her best life now, but boy, did she have to fight for it.
Born to a single mom in the 70s, little Misti just wanted stability.
That dream led her to marry into a real estate family in her 20s.
While that first taste of the business fizzled out, it lit a fire in Misti.
She landed a sweet tech job with all the perks - stock options, fancy trips, the works.
"I built my whole identity around that lifestyle," Misti admitted.
But 2008 hit like a ton of bricks.
Job? Gone.
Messy divorce? Check.
Abusive relationship? You bet.
Misti lost it all - homes, cars, savings. Everything.
"I walked away with my life and the clothes on my back," she said.
Rock bottom meant crashing on her ex-husband's couch.
But Misti? She's no quitter.
Over two years, she clawed her way back.
She dusted off her real estate license and reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Todd.
In 2015, they opened a brokerage together and things were looking up.
Then tragedy struck again.
Misti's business partner and close friend died from COVID-19.
It was devastating.
"I could've burned it all down," Misti said. "But we pushed through. Our team is still kicking butt today."
Misti's ability to keep getting back up, no matter how many times life knocked her down, is seriously impressive.Her story shows that even when you're down and out, you can always find a way to win.
Long's Tale: From Refugee to Real Estate Rock Star
While Misti battled personal demons, Long's story starts with world-shaking events.
Born in Vietnam, his life flipped upside down at age 8 when the government sent his dad - a big-shot university leader - to a "re-education camp."
Suddenly, little Long became the man of the house.
His mom worked two jobs while he spent hours in food lines every day.
This went on for five long years until Long, at 13, finally escaped Vietnam by boat.
Picture this - 153 people crammed into a tiny fishing boat for three terrifying days.
Running low on fuel, they got lucky when a French ship rescued them.
But the "safety" of the Malaysian refugee camp wasn't much better.
Long remembers waking up to massive rats scurrying around.
After a year in that nightmare, Long finally made it to America.
His uncle in Minnesota sponsored him.
But the challenges kept coming.
Long had to learn English fast, work three jobs, and put himself through college.
He became a U.S. citizen and eventually brought his mom and little brother over too.
It took 24 years before Long saw his dad again.
Long crushed it in the mortgage world, helping build Minnesota's top independent firm.
But another curveball came when a business partner stole money, forcing Long to file for bankruptcy.
Did that stop him? No way.
Long switched to real estate and rebuilt from scratch.
Today, he leads one of Minnesota's top independent real estate groups, ranked in the top 150 nationwide.Long's wild ride from refugee to industry leader shows the power of never giving up, no matter how crazy things get.
His story proves that with the right attitude, you can overcome anything and reach the top.
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Chapter 2: Resilience 101: Lessons from the Trenches
Misti and Long's stories are unique, yet they share valuable lessons:
Embrace challenges: Both leaders saw hardships as growth opportunities, not just bad luck.
Keep moving: Howard emphasizes "taking action and staying in motion," even if it's just baby steps.
Be adaptable: Misti and Long pivoted their careers when plans fell apart, finding new paths to success.
Stay resilient: Their refusal to give up carried them through the toughest times.
Start strong: Misti's morning routine keeps her positive and resilient.
Visualize victory: Long uses mental imagery for peak performance in both sports and business.
Face adversity head-on: Inspired by firefighters, Long believes confronting tough situations helps overcome obstacles.
Building Unbreakable Teams and Communities
While personal grit is crucial, Misti and Long emphasize the power of strong, supportive teams.
Here's how they build resilience:
Lead by example: Misti never asks her team to do something she hasn't done herself. By staying in the trenches, she earns respect and motivates others.
Hire for passion: Misti looks beyond resumes to find people with purpose and a thirst for growth.
Cultivate learners: Long surrounds himself with curious minds eager to share knowledge, fostering a collective growth mindset essential for success.
Understand motivations: Both leaders dig deep to uncover what truly drives their team members. For Long, talent isn't enough; it's passion that fuels perseverance.
Create positivity: Misti's daily morning huddles set an upbeat tone where wins and struggles are shared openly.
Build community: Emphasizing shared values and strong culture, both leaders create resilient organizations ready to weather any storm together.
Chapter 3: Applying Resilience in Today's Tough Real Estate Market
The insights from Misti and Long couldn't be more timely.
With commission worries, low inventory, and economic uncertainty looming, many agents and brokers feel the pressure.Howard tackled these issues directly.
He remains optimistic about long-term prospects due to broad economic factors and new tech tools but acknowledges the audience's struggles with fear and negativity.
Misti and Long offered practical advice to overcome these mental barriers:
Control your mindset: While you can't control the market, you can control your reactions. Misti starts her day affirming, "I'm going to win today."
Visualize success: Long urges agents to vividly imagine positive outcomes—from nailing presentations to closing deals.
Seek out challenges: Embrace tough situations as opportunities for growth in a challenging market.
Focus on your 'why': Remember why you're in this business; let that purpose drive you forward during tough times.
Surround yourself with positivity: Find supportive peers and mentors who encourage growth.
Take consistent action: Stay disciplined daily—make calls, practice scripts, keep pushing forward even in a slow market.
Embrace new tools: Be open to changing approaches using new technologies for competitiveness.
These strategies empower agents not just to survive but thrive amidst challenges.
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The Power of Community in Real Estate
A big theme that came up again and again was the importance of community in real estate.
Howard talked about how his company focuses on working with teams of all sizes instead of big corporations or brands.
This team-first approach gives people more freedom and a sense of shared purpose.
Misti and Long's own experiences have shaped how they build and nurture their teams:
Shared experiences: By opening up about their own struggles and victories, these leaders create an environment where team members feel safe being vulnerable and supporting each other through tough times.
Growth mindset: Both leaders look for team members who are committed to always learning and improving, creating a culture of growth within their organizations.
Strong 'why' focus: Understanding and aligning with team members' deeper motivations creates a more resilient and committed group that can handle market ups and downs and industry changes.
Teamwork makes the dream work: By tackling challenges as a unit rather than as lone wolves, these leaders have built organizations that are stronger than any one person.
The stories of Misti and Long showcase the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.
Their rise from rock bottom to success serves as a beacon of hope and practical advice for anyone facing challenges.
In real estate's ever-changing landscape, resilience is invaluable.
Embracing adversity with a growth mindset and mutual support can transform survival into thriving.As the industry evolves, those who heed lessons from leaders like Misti and Long will adapt, overcome, and achieve lasting success.
Their journeys prove that courage, determination, and the right mindset make any challenge conquerable.
Embrace Resilience with Ylopo
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About the Author
Aaron “Kiwi” Franklin
Head of Growth
Aaron "Kiwi" Franklin is the Head of Growth at Ylopo and an innovative technologist and serial entrepreneur who has over 25 years of experience creating digital solutions for major brands and pioneering companies at the intersection of technology and real estate. His depth of expertise stems from leading development of the first website for Apple to founding a global community of over 1,000 elite athletes. Connect with me