Unlocking Real Estate: Colibri Real Estate Podcast
Welcome to Unlocking Real Estate - My First Commission where we dive into real stories, big wins, and early lessons learned from highly successful rookie real estate agents and brokers. This is the podcast where we explore how real estate can transform lives one home at a time by sitting down each week with a new agent or broker who has found incredible success in their first year.
Your hosts are instructors and leaders at Colibri Real Estate school, one of the largest real estate educators in the nation where we focus on helping people like you get started or find continued success in their careers.
We’d also love to hear from you! Send your comments, key takeaways, or recommendations to UnlockingRealEstate@colibrirealestate.com
Interested in being on the podcast, or know someone who might be? Please fill out our form: https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish
Unlocking Real Estate: Colibri Real Estate Podcast
Corporate Finance to Multi-State Realtor | How Yolanda Jeffries Built a $7M Real Estate Business
How does a corporate finance professional reinvent herself to become a **multi-state Realtor®** closing over **$7 million in sales** across **Illinois, Indiana, and Georgia**?
Meet **Yolanda Jeffries**, a 2025 **RISMedia Rookie of the Year finalist** whose leap from corporate life to real estate success proves it’s never too late to chase your purpose — and win big doing it.
In this episode of *Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission*, host Tina Lapp sits down with Yolanda to discuss her powerful career pivot, how she built a thriving business in multiple states, and the mindset shifts that helped her go from employee to entrepreneur.
You’ll hear:
💡 How Yolanda’s corporate finance background gave her an edge with clients
🏘️ The strategic steps she took to get licensed in three states
📈 What it took to reach $7M in sales in her first full year
🤝 How she builds long-term trust through financial education and authenticity
💬 The client success story that reminded her *why* she started
🔥 Her advice for anyone considering a career change into real estate
Yolanda’s story is proof that discipline, faith, and a business mindset can turn bold career transitions into lasting success.
00:00 Welcome to *Unlocking Real Estate*
01:00 Meet Yolanda Jeffries — from finance to real estate
02:00 Life before real estate: 20 years in corporate finance
04:30 What inspired her to pivot into real estate
06:00 Getting licensed in Illinois, Indiana & Georgia
08:30 Finding her first client and closing her first deal
10:00 Using her financial background to guide first-time buyers
12:00 The systems and habits that helped her scale fast
14:30 How she hit $7M in volume in her first full year
17:00 Balancing multiple markets and maintaining client relationships
19:00 Building a referral-based business
21:30 Mentorship, mindset, and staying consistent
23:30 The importance of serving with integrity
25:30 Advice for corporate professionals looking to make the leap
27:00 Lightning round: books, mentors, and business tips
30:00 Where to connect with Yolanda
Connect with Yolanda Jeffries:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolandajeffries/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyolandajeffriesteam/?hl=en
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yolanda.m.jeffries
Want to be featured on *My First Commission*?
We’re always looking for inspiring rookie agents!
📧 Email us at **[UnlockingRealEstate@ColibriRealEstate.com](mailto:UnlockingRealEstate@ColibriRealEstate.com)** or fill out this form (https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish) to apply.