Ep. 21 One Year of Keys to the Coast: The Highs, The Lows & Everything In Between

One year. We honestly can’t believe we’re saying that. 🎉

In this special anniversary episode, we’re looking back on the first year of Keys to the Coast and sharing everything we’ve learned along the way, from the exciting moments to the behind-the-scenes challenges no one sees.

Over the last year, we’ve had incredible conversations, welcomed amazing guests, shared stories from our community, and learned that the moments people connect with most aren’t always the polished ones—they’re the honest, real conversations.

In this episode, we talk about:
✨ What inspired us to start the podcast
✨ The biggest surprises and lessons from year one
✨ The struggles, wins, and moments that almost didn’t make it to air
✨ Our favorite guests and memorable conversations
✨ What listeners have taught us about connection, community, and authenticity
✨ Why real conversations matter—whether we’re talking life, local business, or real estate
✨ What’s next for Keys to the Coast 👀

This podcast has become so much more than we expected, and we’re incredibly grateful for every listen, share, message, and conversation along the way.

As we head into year two, we want your input!
🎙️ What topics do you want us to cover?
🏡 Who should we bring on as a guest?
🌊 What conversations are happening around West Michigan that you want to hear more about?

Thank you for being part of this journey and letting us be a small part of your week.

Here’s to another year of stories, connection, community… and keeping the coast close. 💙

#KeysToTheCoast #PodcastAnniversary #WestMichigan #Community #RealEstatePodcast #TheSandiGentryTeam #CoastalLiving #WestMichiganRealEstate #PodcastLife

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:05

Welcome back to Keys to the Coast, where we bring you the people, the places, and the properties that make the lakeshore feel like home.

SPEAKER_03 0:12

And today's episode is a really special one.

SPEAKER_01 0:14

Because somehow we are officially celebrating a one-year podcast. That's crazy.

SPEAKER_02 0:21

Which honestly, it feels crazy because I think we just figured out how to work the mics.

SPEAKER_01 0:24

Like actually?

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Still very questionable.

SPEAKER_03 0:30

Some days for sure.

SPEAKER_00 0:32

And most days we were even wondering if we knew what we were doing. But in today's episode, we are going to be reflecting on the last year, the struggles, the winds, our favorite guests, and moments, and what this podcast has really become for all of us. So let's rewind for a second. Why did we start this podcast, Kelly?

SPEAKER_03 0:50

Yeah, I think that we all felt that there's something missing in real estate. People uh they see our listings online. Uh, they don't always see our lifestyle or the community that we live in. We're kind of behind the scenes at all.

SPEAKER_01 1:01

Right. And there are so many amazing local businesses and professionals that help make this area what it is. We wanted to highlight more businesses than just houses.

SPEAKER_02 1:13

Yeah, I think we just wanted to create something real that didn't feel scripted, fake, but just felt like something that we talk about every day. Yeah. Just having a combo, right?

SPEAKER_00 1:21

Exactly. We wanted people to feel like we are all just sitting down having coffee, which we drink a lot of at here. Yes, we do.

SPEAKER_03 1:28

The one thing I definitely underestimated was just how much time and work goes into this podcast.

SPEAKER_02 1:34

Yeah, I didn't realize the podcast wasn't just the straight 20 minutes of sitting down and then it magically appeared on the internet.

SPEAKER_00 1:42

Meanwhile, there's scheduling, editing, planning, coordinating guests, and re-recording things because someone forgot to uh turn on the mic, or I should say Kelly would tell me, Oh, yeah, something great. We don't think I go to edit and I'm like, I can't even hear anybody the whole time. That's a redo. Thankfully, there's some really great editing programs out there, but I think that's the part um that people really don't see.

SPEAKER_03 2:07

Yeah, definitely they don't see that part.

SPEAKER_00 2:09

There's a lot happening behind the scenes at all times.

SPEAKER_02 2:12

Yeah, if you're like just to free up some time to get in here and be able to do the podcast, we really got to schedule it. We're busy, closing, showings, listing appointments, home inspections.

SPEAKER_00 2:22

Right. And I know we've had um some, you know, time between each of our podcasts, but you know, we said, like, guys, we also work full times, but some days we're energized and excited, and some days we're exhausted, but still we're trying to show up and make it really diverse with our content.

SPEAKER_03 2:38

Yeah, I think honestly, consistency is the hardest part, but also probably the most important part.

SPEAKER_02 2:44

Yeah, for sure. That's true, even in real estate. Showing up every day is hard. Just like it's hard to make time for the podcast. It's hard to get out there and show that next house.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

Exactly. There was definitely weeks where we'd look at each other like, okay, what's Sandy's schedule? Kelly, are you in? Ty, what's your day look like?

SPEAKER_03 3:01

Yeah, but seriously, guys, I'm so excited and I'm so glad that we actually are doing this.

SPEAKER_00 3:06

Yeah. Okay, let's talk about what surprised us.

SPEAKER_03 3:11

How many people actually listen and uh reached out because of this podcast?

SPEAKER_00 3:15

I know it's so funny. We say that all the time. Sandy will be like out with her friends and they'll be like, we want to be on the podcast. Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_02 3:23

Yeah, I've actually had clients and people around Coffee Shop and different things bring bring it up specifically that they've been listening, which was cool. I also just found out five minutes ago that I have a record on uh my podcast. Yes. Thank you for that. You are probably all my grandmas.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

Yes, Ty's episode is still the number one listened, which now you're probably gonna get more because they're probably gonna go back and listen to it.

SPEAKER_01 3:45

And I think it's helped people get to know us before they even meet us.

SPEAKER_00 3:49

That's so true. I feel like that's probably been my favorite part is the conversations it's created and started, where um also having other guests like bringing up or bringing in guests. I know Delaney, my friend, who owns Wildflower Yoga Studio. I had so many great conversations about women-owned businesses because of that podcast. So that was probably one of my favorite parts.

SPEAKER_03 4:09

Yeah, I think this feels so much more personal than just standard social media.

SPEAKER_02 4:14

Yeah, people have a chance to hear our personalities more, our stories, and the day-to-day stuff that we're actually dealing with.

SPEAKER_00 4:21

Yeah, which is always the goal. And I mean, obviously, as everybody knows, social media can be a highlight reel. So obviously, there is editing and podcasts too, but it's usually minimal. So you guys get to hear who we are really are and how we conversate. Um, so we've also had some really amazing guests this year, which has been so fun, and we want to have more next year and get more local businesses and community. Um, my good friend Meg Bauman's gonna be on soon. So we're really excited to have her. Okay, let's talk about our favorite guest because that's probably my favorite part is having, even though I love talking to you guys, having other people into the podcast. Kelly, who is your favorite?

SPEAKER_03 4:56

I think Sandy and I were talking about this earlier, and um we split, but I'm gonna go with Julio. Oh, yeah. His title knowledge is just uh off the charts. We we learned so much, even from talking to him. He'll come in and I'm just mesmerized by his accent, first off. Uh but then like just a ton of knowledge there. Yeah, so good to have.

SPEAKER_00 5:17

And that's a title is a really important part of real estate, obviously, that not a lot of people have knowledge on, especially people not in the industry. So I think it was good. He had some really great analogies on some of the aspects of what you go through in title with a transaction. So that was really helpful. How about you, Sandy? What was that?

SPEAKER_01 5:33

I thought actually uh having a lender on here was so good. Eric Hesse. Eric Hesse from Lake Michigan Credit Union. He did a great job in just giving great information for buyers.

SPEAKER_02 5:46

Yeah, and we had Ben uh with Michigan Insurance. Is that right?

SPEAKER_00 5:51

I'm I A F S.

SPEAKER_02 5:52

He's my insurance age, you know.

SPEAKER_00 5:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 5:55

Yeah, and we had uh Ben on, Ben Kasparzik. It was nice to hear from him on the insurance side. It's not always the glamorous part that people think of when they buy a house, but very important um to make sure that that's part of the transaction. So it's great to get some tips from him.

SPEAKER_00 6:08

Yep, yep. And I too, I love a good local woman-owned business. So Kristen with Anne Ray Design and Um Delaney from Wildflower Yoga Studio. So fun to talk to them. Nice to talk about not something real estate related on the podcast. Um, so it's really fun to hear everything that they've got going, exciting projects and events. Um, that was probably my favorite guests, and we're excited to have more.

SPEAKER_02 6:32

Yeah, I think that's what's so unique about Grand Haven, especially right here and where we're based out of, even though we service other areas. It's cool to see how connected our whole community is.

SPEAKER_01 6:40

That's been one of my favorite things too. Highlighting the people that make the licture what it is.

SPEAKER_00 6:45

Yes, now let's talk about some lessons. Our biggest lesson from the last year, Kelly.

SPEAKER_03 6:50

I'd definitely say it's consistency over perfection.

SPEAKER_02 6:53

Yeah, I think people don't care if everything's perfect. I think they care if it's genuine.

SPEAKER_01 6:57

Authenticity matters more than the polished content.

SPEAKER_00 7:01

Right. I think for me it's realizing how much people want connection, not just information. A lot of the podcasts out there, and you know, we'll we'll record a podcast and then I'll look at Kelly and I'll be like, was there like some meat to that? You know, like was there something beneficial for people? But you know, it's it's funny looking back at what podcasts do good and um what ones are getting the most views. I mean, I think some of the ones where me and Ty and Kelly were just like talking about Costco and Birkenstocks, you know, that one had the most comments and like people were laughing. So it is good to remind myself that's a lesson that I've learned this year is it doesn't always have to be this, you know, really hefty, really informational, but it can just be talking and you know, obviously giving some good things in between, but not always just real estate, too.

SPEAKER_03 7:46

Like it's exactly what you're saying.

SPEAKER_00 7:48

I mean, yeah, I'm trying to get there.

SPEAKER_03 7:50

Plus, I learned so much about turkeys from guys during that Thanksgiving podcast.

SPEAKER_00 7:56

I did have somebody bring that up. That was so funny. I was like, what? And I was like, oh yeah, the podcast. I'm like, why are you talking about turkeys?

SPEAKER_02 8:03

I think it definitely gives us a way to show the real side of real estate and what we do every day, especially all of these shows like selling the LC and selling sunset.

SPEAKER_00 8:14

People have such an idea of what they think real estate is like and what this career looks like. And I mean, it's amazing, but there's a lot of hard things too. So I think that's been kind of a good outlet to tell people what it's really like. Would we uh do it again if we I still remember when we started this podcast, we were kind of switching around some offices upstairs, and me and Kelly were standing in this office, which is bigger than the other ones, and we're like, what should we do with the space? And then I remember looking at Kelly and I'm like, we should do a podcast. And he's like, Do you want me to talk to Sandy about it right now? Like, I'll do it. Like, let's go.

SPEAKER_03 8:46

Yeah, no, that worked out well. And I think do personally think mentally, uh, you have to be so prepared for how much work this really truly is. Yeah, let's be real.

SPEAKER_02 8:54

Me and Kelly just come in as a pretty face, and the Lord Sandy and Kenza are really the ones doing the work I think. Yeah, I hear you.

SPEAKER_00 9:00

I hear you. Yeah, that's true, but it's okay.

SPEAKER_01 9:04

I agree.

SPEAKER_00 9:05

Challenging, but incredibly rewarding, or at least for me, the most fun fun things we've done as a team is getting to have these little podcast chats. So, guys, in your opinion, I know I kind of run the show, but what do you guys think is next for Keys to the Coast?

SPEAKER_03 9:19

Uh, I'm I'm really looking forward to more conversations.

SPEAKER_02 9:23

Uh, maybe more behind the scenes.

SPEAKER_00 9:26

I love those.

SPEAKER_01 9:27

More amazing guests and local businesses. So the other thing is, what do you want to hear from us? Is there any topics that you have in mind, or maybe if you want to be a guest on our show? I do have a little bit of a list, but that would be great.

SPEAKER_00 9:45

Yes, we have an Instagram account, the Sandy Gentry team. Um, and I'll post a little questionnaire in there after this pod podcast launches. And feel free to add, you know, what if you guys have any ideas, any questions, real estate related or just the community related, lakeshore living, any of that, please let us know.

SPEAKER_03 10:04

Yeah, and I've heard others say, you know, do you have any swag or anything to wear? Like, yeah, we're gonna work on that. We every now and then we see our shirts uh around town. And yes. Did we see you in this past weekend?

SPEAKER_00 10:15

Yeah, I was at a garage sale.

SPEAKER_01 10:17

Yeah, Kelly's garage sale.

SPEAKER_03 10:20

Making money. Always making, always making money.

SPEAKER_00 10:25

Vintage t-shirt from 2019. Uh quick stepping back into the community. So much is going on downtown Grand Haven. I know we talked about it last week. There's lots of construction, um, lots of new development. The old um, what's that building?

SPEAKER_01 10:42

The old diesel plant. Yes, old diesel plant.

SPEAKER_00 10:44

That's going to be no condos or apartments in a restaurant.

SPEAKER_01 10:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:48

Underneath. So lots of new exciting things.

SPEAKER_01 10:51

And then having a hotel downtown. And I just have to say, our town looks absolutely amazing. So thank you all the team members for we got to serve with our community. That's important.

SPEAKER_03 11:07

Cold day too.

SPEAKER_01 11:08

It was a cold day and we picked up a lot of garbage.

SPEAKER_00 11:10

Really back to my hair that I wish there was a camera on Kelly right now, so you could all laugh at us. So, yes, I just want to myself thank my team for listening to some of my crazy ideas that I have and going with them. And for showing up when I send you calendar invitations of when you need to do podcast episodes with me. So, thank you guys for helping bring Keys of the Coast to fruition to be a real thing. It's been really fun.

SPEAKER_03 11:38

Yeah, seriously, if you've listened once or um every episode, we are so thankful for you.

SPEAKER_01 11:43

And I just want to say thank you to Kenzie for actually, she's the one that is really the brains behind this whole Keys to the Coast. And uh she's done a great job with she's the one that gets to edit. Yeah, those are some fun days.

SPEAKER_02 12:00

Gets to edit.

SPEAKER_00 12:02

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 12:04

No, I'm excited to see what uh this year brings and get some more fun people on and get together and have some good conversation.

SPEAKER_00 12:11

This podcast started just as an idea, but because of all of you guys who listen, it's become something so much bigger. And I'm so thankful for that.

SPEAKER_02 12:19

And if you've been thinking about making a move along the lakeshore, whether you're buying, selling, investing, any real estate needs, really.

SPEAKER_00 12:26

We would absolutely love to help you. And we will see you next time on Keys to the Coast.

SPEAKER_03 12:31

Thank you so much. Peace out.

SPEAKER_00 12:34

Amen.