Shows
Be the Solution with Maria QuattroneFrom Socks To Sales: Building A Real Estate Routine That Works with Tim GarrityOn this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and industry peer, Tim Garrity—a Philly real estate leader known for relentless consistency, content-driven marketing, and building a business that serves both his clients and his life. We dig into the habits that actually move the needle (hello, 5 AM start times and “eat the frog”), why consistency beats intensity, how to win in a tough market, and the mindset shift every agent needs to make before Q1.Key TakeawaysConsistency is the advantage. 15 years of a monthly email—missed maybe tw...
2025-10-2842 min
Bricks & RiskWhat Building His Own Appraisal Firm Has Taught Mike Coyle | Episode 96Send us a textMike Coyle has been through it. From roofing homes in Chestnut Hill, to partnering with a likeminded business owner, and to running his own appraisal firm: The Coyle Group. While he understands that it takes deals to build a business, he also believes in developing relationships with good people, listening to the stories they tell, and having a passion for what you do. Sean & Tim dive into a boots-on-the-ground discussion with Mike about getting started in business and...
2025-10-2854 min
Bricks & RiskThe Truth About Bad Business Advice | Episode 95Send us a textQuestion of the Day: Where do you want to go, and why? Sounds simple, right? Welp, it isn't. It requires experience, success, failure, and deep inner thought. But, when figured out as early on in your career as possible, you will be in a much better spot to deliver on your own goals, personally and professionally, and not the goals of other people who have nothing to do with your business. Dive into our 95th ep (crazy to say that) with Sean &
2025-10-2138 min
Bricks & RiskWhy Jarrod Blackwell Believes That Empathy In Business Drives Digital ROI | Episode 94Send us a textTim met Jarrod at the mother of all local real estate events, Triple Play in Atlantic City, NJ. At the time, Jarrod was working at a title company and Tim was running an independent brokerage. Fast forward a few years, and both of their paths have pivoted. In this guest interview, Jarrod believes that life's too short to not enjoy the ride and that leading with empathy allows others to be heard. Dig into this ep with Sean...
2025-10-1450 min
Bricks & RiskHow to Fix Your Insurance Retention ... and Grow | Episode 93Send us a textSometimes in business, no matter what field you're in, sales is treated purely as a numbers game. For example, someone may say there are 3 rules in sales: sell, sell, sell. But as much as that's true, and needing to sell is what keeps the lights on, retention is equally (if not more) important than selling. Don't just find another deal, take care of the people you already have. Sean & Tim use an insurance example to break down their own successes...
2025-10-0736 min
Bricks & RiskThe “Milwaukee Moment” That Pivoted Justin Heath’s Career Into Real Estate | Episode 92Send us a textAlthough Justin Heath has been at the residential real estate game for just shy of a decade, he has a lifetime worth of real-estate-blood coursing through his veins; through both his Mom & Dad. From pushing through competitiveness as a kid, when he realized he may not be the most athletic, to experiencing a corporate job dead-end while selling in Milwaukee during winter, Justin has amazing perspective for any Realtor or small business entrepreneur on what it takes to succeed. Dive head first into this "guestie" ep with Vik...
2025-09-3053 min
Bricks & RiskHow To Stop Chasing The "Realtor Joneses" | Episode 91Send us a textThe Realtor ... what? Mmm hmm, Tim made that term up; haha. But, for those of you in residential real estate, this is a very real thing. Experiencing the "Realtor Joneses" happens when another real estate agent, leader, or coach starts comparing you to another agent with the intention of making your business bigger, faster, or just more efficient. Dive right into this one as Sean & Tim define the Realtor Joneses and tips on how to avoid falling into this very...
2025-09-2339 min
Bricks & RiskHe Turned a $35K Job Into 80+ Properties (Without Quitting His 9–5) with Cory Jacobson | Episode 90Send us a textIf you've ever wanted to invest in real estate, but lack the knowledge or confidence to get started, listen to this episode. Cory Jacobson has cracked the millennial real estate code by house-hacking his first home at a young age with advice from his 9-5 colleague. Through his own trial and error, as well as a solid partnership, he has amassed a portfolio of over 80+ properties since then. Dig into this one as Sean & Tim go mining for nugget after...
2025-09-1650 min
Bricks & RiskHow We Survived Year 1 - What They Don’t Tell You About Starting a Business, Part 2 | Episode 89Send us a textWe took a different route on this B&R ep by focusing on "Year 1" in business for both Sean & Tim. How hard was it to get started in insurance and real estate? What hurdles did we have to clear? What was our mindset in the face of daily doubt? How did we decide to invest in our businesses? Part 2 of a 2 part episode, dive in to learn more about how we both got started!Our goal with Bricks...
2025-09-0934 min
Bricks & RiskHow We Survived Year 1 - What They Don’t Tell You About Starting a Business, Part 1 | Episode 88Send us a textWe took a different route on this B&R ep by focusing on "Year 1" in business for both Sean & Tim. How hard was it to get started in insurance and real estate? What hurdles did we have to clear? What was our mindset in the face of daily doubt? How did we decide to invest in our businesses? Part 1 of a 2 part episode, dive in to learn more about how we both got started!Our goal with Bricks...
2025-09-0232 min
Bricks & RiskFrom Burnout to Breakthrough: How Kelly Donahue-Piro Helps Insurance Agencies Thrive in Any Market | Episode 87Send us a textKelly has an unbelievable knack to take something that is fairly complex and provide an easy-to-digest perspective on it. Both Sean & Tim noticed this throughout their conversation with her. As an accomplished entrepreneur and speaker, Kelly's company (Agency Performance Partners) has been inspiring insurance agency owners for more than a decade. In this ep, she gives her own insightful opinion as to why the insurance industry has shifted to a hard market, and how "crispy" some of the...
2025-08-2653 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #86: The #1 Mistake Homebuyers Make When Shopping for Insurance OnlineSend us a textToday's Bricks & Risk Podcast ep was inspired by a recent article/video we saw about California introducing an "insurance contingency" to it's residential real estate contract, amid insurance concerns in recent years. What was more interesting is that Pennsylvania has already had this option in its contract for years. The video helped Sean & Tim bring up some good insurance and real estate points for their listening/watching community: 1) Make sure you are properly protected in your...
2025-08-1938 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #85: She Lost 4 Employees In 2 Months. Here's How Missy Stallings Saved Her Insurance Agency!Send us a textSean & Tim love that not only does the Bricks & Risk Podcast have a niche focus on real estate and insurance, but that it also spills over to sales, small business, and entrepreneurship. Our discussion with Missy Stallings hits on every one of those categories. Not only did she pivot to owning a business after she earned the #1 sales spot as an insurance rep with Liberty Mutual, but she chose to build an independent brokerage from scratch; just like Sean
2025-08-1248 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #84: All-Inclusive vs. À La Carte Brokerages: What Kind of Real Estate Agent Are You?Send us a textHave you ever planned and booked your own vacation? In today's internet/AI-fueled world, I would say the super-high majority would answer "Yes." But which kind of vacation is right for you? All-inclusive or a la carte? That's the analogy we set up for today's episode. Tim compares "old-school brokerages" to all-inclusive vacations, and "new-school brokerages" to a la carte vacations; examples, knowledge, and experience abound on this one! Sean's basically along for the ride in this ep, but he himself drops some valuable...
2025-08-0550 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #83: Just Keep Going with Dustin BrohmSend us a textSometimes in business, rookies ignore veterans who provide simple, sound advice, such as: "If you just keep doing it, you'll get better." It almost sounds too easy, right? It also sounds like there must be an easier way, correct? Sorry to break the bad news, but there isn't. Success in real estate, or business in general, takes hard work, consistency, and a never-say-die attitude. Dustin Brohm delivers nugget after nugget on this one. Sean & Tim have...
2025-07-2940 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #82: It's not about you, it's about them.Send us a textIt's very easy in business, when creating, curating, and posting content, to focus on yourself and how good you are at what you do. In all honesty, why wouldn't you tell your network and followers how good you are at what you do and how much you enjoy doing it? But, that approach does not always provide value to your viewers. In fact, it can turn them off, if you're not careful. In this ep, Sean & Tim talk about why it's important to think...
2025-07-2229 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #81: Growing a Mortgage Team from Scratch with Rob WishnickSend us a textWe have talked shop on mortgages in past B&R episodes, as that's how Tim started his journey in business, but today's ep with Rob Wishnick is sure to educate and inspire on growing a mortgage business from scratch. Not only will you learn more about mortgages in general, but you'll learn what it takes to start as a solo loan officer and then 10x to a mortgage team; all while managing a wife, kids, home, and a love for baseball cards. Rob and Tim have been working...
2025-07-1551 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #80: The Life of a Small, Independent Business OwnerSend us a textThe daily life of a small, independent business owner (aka entrepreneur), is not something that is talked about often. Actually, the general topic of daily life is so infrequent, it's hard for us to find other podcast content that focuses solely on it. Yes, there are plenty of business and marketing podcasts that teach you how to market, build, and scale a business, but there are few episodes that talk about the actual lifestyle and how to get through it. Going off and starting something on your own...
2025-07-0833 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #79: Kindness Elevates Entrepreneurs with Skye MichielsSend us a textIf you're in real estate and from the Greater Philadelphia area, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who has not heard of Skye Michiels. From a super-successful real estate team leader and brokerage owner, to a nationally acclaimed speaker and coach; Skye's done it all in residential real estate. As a leader, Skye is kind, empathetic, and on a mission to change the way real estate agents and business owners think about their work. From thoughtful, spontaneous conversations with local homeowners to a less-is-more marketing approach, ...
2025-07-0154 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #78: 3 Reasons Why Email Marketing is ValuableSend us a textSean & Tim sit at the desk this week and talk about a business marketing strategy that has lost some luster over the past 10 years, but has recently been gaining lots of traction once again: Email Marketing. In this one, we talk about 3 reasons why email marketing is such a smart marketing tactic that a lot of people either overlook or do not stay consistent with. If you want to stay top-of-mind, increase brand-loyalty, and keep your marketing expenses down, dig into this...
2025-06-2435 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #77: Be Honest, Laugh Often, and Help Others with Lisa MurphySend us a textSean & Tim were lucky enough this week to sit down with a local, real estate legend: Lisa Murphy. Lisa is a hard worker, loyal advocate, and a complete self-starter. Her story about buying a Shore house, not being thrilled with her agent, and then just going out and getting her license, is enough to motivate you. In this episode, we talk about the importance of reputation, the hardships when scaling a business, and Philadelphia's sweetheart neighborhood: Roxborough. Listen to or watch to...
2025-06-1748 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #76: What is the difference between a "Scarcity" and "Abundance" mindset?Send us a textAs much as Sean & Tim joke about "glass half-empty" and "glass half-full," we both believe in the abundance mindset. In other words, "There is plenty of business for everyone." Again, just our own perspectives; there is no right or wrong way to look at business. On this episode, we dive way down into the psychology behind why some believe in scarcity and why others believe in abundance. This one is guaranteed to get your gears moving upstairs.Our goal with Bricks & Risk...
2025-06-1035 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #75: Executing Events & Building Community with Josh Buchter & Beth WilliamsSend us a textWhile Josh Buchter & Beth Williams are heavily focused on the real estate industry, they also work with salespeople, contractors, and small business owners in other industries. More or less, their company's model is to promote and market small business owners of all kinds: carpet cleaners, credit repair, barber shops, etc. As world travelers and collaborative marketers, Josh & Beth tend to connect and do business with good people. When they find them, they assist with their company marketing, social media, and...
2025-06-031h 00
Bricks & RiskEpisode #74: Why do consumers assume real estate and insurance agents are all the same?Send us a textGood question, and a fair one as well. Sometimes, those seeking the services of a real estate or insurance agent believe that most of them are held equal. For real estate, they just open doors, write paperwork, and get paid. For insurance, they just field calls, get quotes, and get paid. Right? Wrong. In fact, real estate and insurance agents are some of the most valuable professionals in the service industry. Why you may ask? Well, buying, selling, and leasing the right home, as well as protecting your...
2025-05-2946 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #73: Flipping Homes & Holding Paper with Nick DisneySend us a textOne of our listeners/watchers all the way from San Antonio, TX, Nick Disney, also happens to be a stud entrepreneur. Similar to Tim, Nick flips homes. But ... he is also providing seller/private financing when he flips; which is not your typical home flip. If you like residential real estate investing, this one is for you! Sean & Tim discover how Nick got into "holding paper" and how...
2025-05-2248 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #72: Millennial & Gen Z Agents are Doing Things DifferentlySend us a textWhether you agree or disagree, younger real estate agents are evolving the industry. How so? Well, there are a few reasons why; but primarily, they are looking at the industry differently than generations before them, with personal brands and relationships at the forefront of their long-term business plans. Sean & Tim dive deep into the psychology of Millennial and Gen Z agents, and how their general outlook is reshaping the residential real estate industry for the better!Our goal...
2025-05-1556 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #71: Be an Expert in Your Space with Sean KentSend us a textSean Kent is a national expert in community association insurance, serving the insurance needs of more than 8,000 condo, HOA, and co-op communities throughout the US & Canada. He's also married with 2 girls and went to La Salle College High School with Mr. Sean P. Mooney; LSCHS legend. Sean K. is extremely insightful and knowledgeable on what it takes to be successful in any field. Sean & Tim always enjoy interviewing local Philadelphia experts, and this ep truly delivers!Our goal with Bricks...
2025-05-0851 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #70: Zillow looks to provide transparency through climate risk scoringSend us a textIf you were unaware, Zillow is the residential real estate industry leader for consumer facing data. Their goal, bring as many eyeballs as possible to their website and app; both consumers and agents, as they are both considered Zillow customers. One additional feature they are now offering on for-sale listings is climate risk data through a partnership with climate data leader, First Street. Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing? Dig into this one with Sean
2025-05-0145 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #69: Your Network is Your Net Worth with Joe O'Donnell & Mike SweeneySend us a textFantastic episode from two successful entrepreneurs, Joe O'Donnell & Mike Sweeney. As commercial real estate agents, Joe & Mike learned early on that it was a pass/fail industry and relationships mattered. That helped them with mindset and routine. With 20+ years of boots-on-the-ground knowledge and experience each, these fellas drop some serious commercial nuggets; it's an added plus that they're great guys and have good senses of humor. Dig into this one with Sean & Tim to learn more...
2025-04-241h 05
Bricks & RiskEpisode #68: It's No Secret, Real Estate & Insurance Have High Failure RatesSend us a textThe "failure rate" numbers are staggering for both Sean & Tim's industries for agents who have been in the industry less than 5 years: Life Insurance Agents = 93%, Insurance Agents = 90%, and Real Estate Agents = 87%. Wow, but to honest, we're not shocked. It's hard to make it in real estate and insurance: You traditionally work for yourself, money is typically tight the first few years, and competition is fierce. Our advice: Know that the failure rate is high and use that as fuel to keep pushing through the...
2025-04-1753 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #67: Practice, Professionalism, & Knowing What To Say with Tom TooleSend us a textSimply put, Tom Toole is a real estate superstar. Driven, growth-oriented, and a role model for new and veteran agents alike. He has proven his successful business methods year-in and year-out by being recognized as the #1 RE/MAX Team in Pennsylvania since 2018. Tom's industry-facing real estate podcast, Knowledge Brokers, is also a Top 100 Podcast on Apple Business. Too many valuable nuggets to count on this one. Sean & Tim dig into some of Tom's history, sales tactics...
2025-04-1046 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #66: Authenticity in BusinessSend us a textThe words "authentic" and "intentional" have become popular business buzzwords during the last year or two. So much so, that's it's hard not to hear either and/or both of those words if you listen-to or watch business-based podcasts regularly. Authentic from the sense that you're less scripted, people get to know you personally, and it comes across as more of a raw approach. Intentional from the sense that you're tactful with your marketing and constantly catering to your tribe. In this ep, Sean & Tim
2025-04-0354 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #65: Executing Business Design Solutions with Brent BushSend us a textTim Garrity & Brent Bush have known each other since they were 14 years old, but aside from being long-time friends, Brent has single-handedly designed every brand that Tim (and Sean) have started during their business careers. This also includes the Bricks & Risk podcast brand! Sean & Tim dive deep into a branding conversation with Brent that is sure to provide value to any small or large business out there. We also discuss why AI is not currently capable of understanding your branding vibe, but...
2025-03-2741 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #64: The Dylan McGonigal Episode, CommunicationSend us a textWe took a different approach with this episode and asked our producer, Dylan McGonigal, what he would like us to talk about. His answer: communication. Why is communication important in business? How can I communicate better? Can communication make or break a business? Sean & Tim dive deep to answer some of Dyl's tough questions, and then provide perspective from both of their business journeys.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away...
2025-03-2039 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #63: Teaching Agents to Live a Great Life and Prosper with Dave AsheSend us a textNot only has Dave Ashe survived and thrived in residential real estate for 40 years, he has 3 kids, 7 grandkids, a vacation home at the South Jersey Shore, and multiple businesses. In other words, Dave has found long-term balance with success as a business owner, as well as with his family. He's also a firm believer in educating new agents, as well as educating his clients on why real estate is the best investment there is. Sean & Tim dive deep into passive...
2025-03-1353 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #62: What Should We Measure for Agent Success: Volume or Profit?Send us a textIn residential real estate, the "industry" tends to favor those agents who have closed a lot of deals. This is known as "volume," which is the total added dollar amount of the sales you close in a calendar year. This is also why teams are widely considered a more popular model today, as they are capable of closing more volume than solo agents. The problem, high volume doesn't necessarily mean high profit. High volume can come with a hefty price tag in some instances, but it just depends. Sean
2025-03-0638 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #61: The Skinny on Private Lending with Ian WalshSend us a textPrivate lending (aka Hard Money) is a term that investors/developers are familiar with, but maybe not the average buyer or seller. Ian Walsh is a leader in private lending around Greater Philadelphia, as well as in multiple other areas and states. Sean & Tim dig into his journey as a wholesaler, property management owner, and now a private lending partner. Valuable stories and nuggets abound in this one, please enjoy!Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you...
2025-02-2744 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #60: Don't Knee-Jerk Your Insurance CoverageSend us a textThe current insurance environment is what Sean has repeatedly referred to as a "hard market." Meaning, insurance premiums are going up for consumers and insurance carriers are taking a more conservative approach on new business, as well as renewals. Which also means, switching carriers to save a few bucks can sometimes cause unforeseen issues with your coverage. Sean breaks down what he is seeing out there on the street, he talks about ways to save money with your carrier, and Tim does his best...
2025-02-2042 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #59: Scratch Commercial Lending with Evan SegalSend us a textAs Sean & Tim continue to introduce and interview superstars within their networks, we are grateful to have spoken with Evan Segal from Segal Financial. On this Bricks & Risk ep, we unearth Evan's journey from 20 years in Corporate America to self-funding/starting his own commercial lending company; all while being a dedicated husband and dad. Why does email marketing work for him? Why does it pay to "learn patience and trust...
2025-02-1356 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #58: Strained affordability in today’s US housing marketSend us a textHere's an interesting stat: The average buyer’s income would have had to rise 86% since January 2020, just to keep pace with the current median priced home. Wow. Some of the main culprits are price appreciation, interest rate increases, and a few more. Listen to or watch Sean & Tim talk about the current market constraints, possibilities for the future, and why Amazon is building and selling $30,000 homes.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 va...
2025-02-0642 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #57: Hunting Commercial Real Estate with Nick Giganti & Martino PicarielloSend us a textWith years of boots-on-the-ground real estate experience, both residential and commercial (aka resi-mercial), Nick Giganti & Martino Picariello break down what it takes to start and grow a book of business. From knocking on doors, to learning how to value their own time, these guys know the investment real estate game in Philly. Sean & Tim ask some poignant questions about their own personal experiences as agents, as well as investors themselves. Tune in...
2025-01-301h 10
Bricks & RiskEpisode #56: Marketing Idea vs. Marketing PlanSend us a textWe had fun making this one, folks. Not only is it a topic that hits home with both Sean & Tim, but it's also a concept that rarely gets discussed within the real estate and insurance industries. Reason being, marketing "ideas" come out every day and they're easy to find; right there for the taking on socials, YouTube, you name it. Marketing "plans" are harder to create, organize, and follow through with. On this ep, we dive into the difference between a marketing idea and...
2025-01-2339 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #55: Bootstrapping a Family Insurance Business with Shaun GavaghanSend us a textShaun Gavaghan is a shining example of a scrappy entrepreneur. He's a problem-solver, a risk-taker, and a hard worker. From starting his insurance business from scratch (with 3 children and a stay-at-home spouse) to refinancing his car to help with start-up costs, he does what it takes to keep moving forward with his vision. This one is super-educational, but also packs plenty of laugh-out-loud moments; Shaun G's a George Carlin fan and has a great sense of humor. Sean M. & Tim ask some...
2025-01-1656 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #54: How to Structure Your Residential Real Estate BusinessSend us a textAs an agent in residential real estate today, you have choices as to how you want to structure your business: solo agent, team member/leader, or brokerage owner. If you're just getting started, you'd likely start as either a solo agent or team member. If you're seasoned and productive, you could graduate to a team leader or brokerage owner. Because there are so many different ways to do it today, it's good to understand a few things upfront. What are your goals with your real estate career? Why do you want to...
2025-01-0942 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #53: Scaling a Productive Team with Ryan StawaszSend us a textOn this B&R ep, Sean & Tim talk with Ryan Stawasz from The Stawasz Group. Not only does Ryan lead a top residential real estate team in Philadelphia, but he also invests in real estate; owning 25 residential rental units himself. He is passionate about winning in all aspects of life: health, family, and business. Ryan started at the ground level by growing his own personal book of business to an admiral size, and then thoughtfully scaled his team around that...
2025-01-0251 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #52: Why Commitment Creates SuccessSend us a textBeing committed in business may quite possibly be the most important key to success. Reason being, if you never give up, you'll continue to grow in different ways: income, personally, client base, company size, etc. But, the second you take your foot off the gas and start slumping back in your chair is the moment where it can be lost. Dig into this one, as Sean & Tim talk about the ways they have been consistent in their businesses and lives, and continue to follow...
2024-12-2637 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #51: Being a Small Business Triple-Threat with Rob SchuckSend us a textRarely do you see in the residential real estate industry an independent brokerage owner that also happens to own mortgage and insurance brokerages as well. Meet Rob Schuck, a childhood friend of Sean's and a "small business triple threat." On Rob's ep, Sean & Tim talk about the current Philadelphia real estate market, predicting home vales at the South Jersey Shore, and an angle to the NAR lawsuits that most have never even considered. Great convo with a great entrepreneur!
2024-12-191h 02
Bricks & RiskEpisode #50: Our 50th Episode ... LIVE!Send us a textWe did it, we made it to 50! One of our past podcast guests told us that only 1% of all podcasts have 50 episodes or more, and whether that is accurate or not in December 2024 is not what matters; we prepped-for, created, and released 50 podcast episodes ... that's what matters. Not only have Sean & I handled all of the broadcasting and marketing on our own, but we've also had a lot of fun along the way. From Tim making fun of Sean's phone, to Sean calling out Tim randomly to make him think twice. We've...
2024-12-1240 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #49: Why Sellers Make More Money Through Listing AgentsSend us a textHave you ever heard the term "FSBO?" Pronounced by the industry as "fizz-bo," a For Sale By Owner listing means that a homeowner is marketing their home for sale without the help of a Seller Agent (aka Listing Agent). Now ... why would anyone in the world want to do that? Haha; just kidding, folks. Well, for starters, the cost to sell is typically less for FSBOs, and who doesn't want to save money on transaction fees, right? But ... and there is a big but...
2024-12-031h 02
Bricks & RiskEpisode #48: "Lifetime Home Support" for your Clients with Amy StockbergerSend us a textThis guest episode is going to knock your socks off! Well ... not literally, haha. Amy Stockberger is a visionary, she's a hustler, and she's disrupting how to look at Lead Gen when building your residential real estate business. In this ep, Sean Mooney & Tim Garrity sit down with Amy, who runs the #1 Team in South Dakota, to talk about her super-unique and valuable Lifetime Home Support system. Building your Realtor business does no...
2024-11-2753 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #47: The Pros & Cons of PartnershipsSend us a textIn business, you can go it alone or link arms with others. You can have one partner, ten partners, or no partners; there's no right or wrong way to go through your business journey. Before diving into the "partnership or solo" decision, it's helpful to hear the pros, as well as the cons, from those who have done it. Things like decision-making support and shared profits can sometimes be good or bad, it just depends on...
2024-11-2147 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #46: Growing Up on Main Street America with Mike Giangiordano, Jr.Send us a textOne of the many wonderful things about Philadelphia is its history. Not only in its significance to the growth of America, but in its family/generational history as well; needless to say, we have deep roots here. Mike Giangiordano, Jr. (aka Mikey G.) is part of that history. Not only is he local to Philadelphia, but more specifically, the Passyunk Square neighborhood of the city. Mike and his Dad, Mike Sr., have built multiple amazing businesses in South Philadelphia. They believe in relationships, customer service, and integrity. Learn...
2024-11-141h 04
Bricks & RiskEpisode #45: How to Create a BrandSend us a textWhether you are in real estate, insurance, or another entrepreneurial field, having a "brand" can help (and in some cases, define) your business. In this B&R ep, Sean & Tim discuss the process for creating a brand, visualizing how it can look, and their own experiences creating and managing brands themselves. Authenticity matters in this one, so sit back, grab 1 or 2 nuggs, and have a few laughs as these small business owners talk through a tough topic that's sure to provide you with loads of value!Our goal with Bricks...
2024-11-0746 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #44: Building a Relationship-Based Business with Garrett MaroonSend us a textTo put it directly, Garrett is a superstar! Not only did he have the confidence to start and build his residential real estate business on the strength of his relationships, but he proved to all of his skeptical peers and mentors that it actually works. On this ep, Garrett discusses the logic behind building a relationship-based business, why it has the best ROI, and why it may be the only way to truly own your book. Described by Tim as one of his real estate role models, Garrett...
2024-10-3150 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #43: To CRM, or Not To CRMSend us a textCommitting to a CRM (aka Customer Relationship Management) is not only a great way to stay focused and organized in business, statistics will show that it also helps with forecasting and growth! In our 43rd ep, Sean & Tim discuss why CRMs are important, when they may not be necessary, and their own experiences working within different platforms. As the wise Bill Shakespeare once said, "To CRM, or not to CRM; that is the question." He was a man before his time, haha.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you...
2024-10-2439 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #42: The Business of Restaurants with Harris EckstutSend us a textHarris & Tim have been working together on the brokerage side for years. Tim has always been focused on residential real estate, while Harris has been focused on commercial real estate; more specifically, restaurants. Sean & Tim dive into a deep discussion with Harris, not only on the super-high-risk restaurant industry, but on entrepreneurship, life, travels, and the City of Philadelphia. Harris is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom, please enjoy!Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business...
2024-10-1755 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #41: An Episode About Nothing, But Even Nothing Is SomethingSend us a textIf you do not know Sean & I personally, or have not realized by now as a regular Bricks & Risk listener/watcher, we're Seinfeld fans. Whether you are yourself or not, it doesn't matter; this episode will deliver value. In our aptly named "Episode About Nothing," we talk about the amazing interview we recently had with Bob Burg, how that discussion genuinely applied to each of our businesses and philosophies, and why the subject of "relationships" has organically become the foundation for our show!Our goal with...
2024-10-1025 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #40: Living Life as a Go-Giver with Bob BurgSend us a textOut of all the amazing guests we've had on Bricks & Risk so far, this one is hard to top. We now have the privilege of sharing one of our finest conversations to date with renowned author, speaker, and business authority, Bob Burg. Bob co-authored a very special business book called "The Go-Giver." It has sold over 1 million copies and has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the "Most Motivational Books Ever Written." Our conversation with Bob was nothing short of amazing, and...
2024-10-0336 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #39: How Home Insurance Shock is Hurting Residential InvestorsSend us a textRecent events are causing massive changes in the real estate and insurance industries currently. In this week's episode, Tim and Sean weigh-in on the factors that are impacting the seismic shift in these markets and how they converge together for consumers. Tune in to find out when things will start to cool off.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time...
2024-09-2633 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #38, Top 3 Ep: Sean & Tim's Top 3 PodcastsSend us a textWelcome to our first "Top 3 Ep"! Part of the reason why Bricks & Risk started was because of our love for the medium itself. Tim and Sean are always listening to other podcasts to gain valuable industry insights and put them into practice. In this episode, we share some of the recent favorite podcasts that deliver inspiration for us.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take...
2024-09-1927 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #37: Growing Confident Agents with Elizabeth ConverySend us a textSuch a great conversation as we are joined by Elizabeth Convery as our guest this week. She is a real estate coach, speaker, founder, and associate broker of VERY at Compass RE. We talk about winning in real estate by building the right culture and having the right mindset to focus and grow.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a...
2024-09-1256 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #36: Stop Saying Yes and Learn When to Say "No"Send us a textFor today’s episode, Sean & Tim will dive into when firing clients and learning to say "No" can actually be positive things for your business, and can also lead to knowing who your ideal client is.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on, that would be fantastic!Plea...
2024-09-0528 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #35: Being a Trusted House Detective with Reid SteverSend us a textReid Stever from RS Home Inspection joins the show today to discuss life as a home inspector. With over 20 years in the inspection service industry, Reid has pretty much seen it all. We talk about the new ways Reid is able to compete with some of the larger firms and building out a marketing plan to help get the word out and share his journey.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience...
2024-08-2952 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #34: Never Stop Knocking and Providing Value with Stewart SheppardSend us a textStewart Sheppard of Premium Finance Brokerage joins the show this week to share his story of convincing himself that starting his own business was the right path for him, as well as why eye-to-eye sales is a lost art.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on...
2024-08-221h 07
Bricks & RiskEpisode #33: Why Timeblocking is ImportantSend us a textHave you ever wondered how you can be more productive at work? A great tool for many business owners and high-performing sales people is timeblocking. Sean & Tim go over the advantages of timeblocking on your calendar and the benefits that come with it.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on...
2024-08-1539 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #32: Rehabbing Homes and Being a Girl Dad with Zach TorresSend us a textThis week we are joined by Zach Torres who runs Studio Torres, a design and build firm based in Philadelphia specializing in residential rehabs.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on, that would be fantastic!Please also help spread the B&R word by sharing your favorite ep...
2024-08-0857 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #31: Building Net Worth and Water Ice Authority with Keyon WhitingSend us a textWhat a special show this week with Keyon Whiting who shares his growth story of becoming a real estate agent and investor and more recently a franchisee of a local Rita's Water Ice.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on, that would be fantastic!Please also help sp...
2024-08-0146 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #30: Goals In BusinessSend us a textThis week's episode dives into the topic of developing goals in business. As a business owner, it's very important to find out what matters most and driving behavior to succeed for those specific goals.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on, that would be fantastic!Please also he...
2024-07-2531 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #29: Driving Fundamental Growth in Business with Billy WilliamsSend us a textBilly Williams is a business expert, insurance mentor, amazing father, and all around great guy. One of the things he prides himself on, that resonated with Sean & Tim, is that he focuses on the fundamentals. He also believes that referrals come to you when people know how you are going to "act" and "react," as that builds trust.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take...
2024-07-1855 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #28, OG Ep: Franchises vs. Independent BrokeragesSend us a textAnother OG Ep (aka 1 of our first 3 recorded episodes ever)! Great discussion on the topic of franchise brokerages versus independent brokerages. Both have their own unique pros/cons, listen to Tim & Sean dive into how they could benefit you and your real estate business.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re...
2024-07-1133 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #27: Objection-Proof Success with Award-Winning Author Jeff WestSend us a textCritically acclaimed author, Jeff West, joins the show this week to talk about winning the sales process. Successful sales people don't win by accident and Jeff shares the secret methodology behind his many years of being a top insurance sales producer. We also discuss his latest book, co-authored with Bob Burg "Streetwise to Saleswise," which uses a business parable to teach the sales system.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows...
2024-07-0344 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #26: Wide Marketing vs. Deep MarketingSend us a textFor this week's episode, Sean and Tim talk about different marketing approaches you can take as a business owner. There are advantages to both "wide" and "deep" marketing approaches, but in order to be successful you need to focus on your ideal client.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on...
2024-06-2836 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #25: Building a Modern Media Empire with Eric SimonSend us a textOur special guest this week is Eric Simon from BAM. Eric joins the show to share his journey from the beginning days answering phones at Hilton & Hyland, to memes on Instagram, to building a real estate media empire; some refer to BAM as the Barstool Sports of Real Estate.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time...
2024-06-1954 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #24, OG Ep: An IntroductionSend us a textThrowback episode sorting through the entrepreneurial journey for Tim & Sean and why we chose to start a podcast. The long conversation about the value of this platform and how it made sense for both of us to invest the time and money into launching Bricks & Risk to help other entrepreneurs build their businesses.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time...
2024-06-1219 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #23: Respect, Help, & Love with Mike McCannSend us a textThis week's guest is Mike McCann "The Real Estate Man" and he joins the conversation with Tim & Sean about his humble beginnings in the Far Northeast to becoming one of the highest performing real estate teams in the US. His secret recipe for success is hard work and respect, and he loves the competitive nature of real estate.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if...
2024-05-3153 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #22: Working "In" the Business & Working "On" the BusinessSend us a textTime management is key for any entrepreneur or business owner. In this episode, we talk about moving from the role of working "in" the business to working "on" the business. One key way is to develop roles within the business and delegate responsibilities to staff members to free up your time and focus on operating and growing the business.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please...
2024-05-2928 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #21: Drive Your Business with Online ReviewsSend us a textOnline reviews on Google, Zillow, and Facebook are vital for any business. In this week's episode we talk about the importance of gathering reviews and the most effective ways to extract them from clients. Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on, that would be fantastic!Please also hel...
2024-05-2433 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #20, OG Ep: The Power of RelationshipsSend us a textOne of our "Original 3" episodes! Cultivating and fostering relationships is paramount to any business owner. Listen and learn how to build relationships within your industry and maximize the value with all of your business connections. Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on, that would be fantastic!Please als...
2024-05-1432 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #19: "Feet on the Street" Lending with Jared PontzSend us a textFor today’s episode, Sean & Tim are joined by Jared Pontz, President & Managing Partner at Direct Mortgage Loan Company. He shares his journey starting as an intern to becoming president of one of Philadelphia's leading real estate lenders. Building relationships and delivering for investors is at the core of his business and how he became a success!Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you wou...
2024-05-0850 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #18: Spheres & Centers of InfluenceSend us a textToday's episode concentrates on building a network with spheres of influence or centers of influence. Expanding your network allows you to build your business and drive referrals. At it's core, you have to get in front of people and share how you can help them.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform...
2024-04-2927 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #17: Smart Acquisitions & 1% Podcasting with Bradley FlowersSend us a textJoin us today and put your hands together as we welcome Bradley Flowers - the 6'3" sophomore from Mobile Alabama, Parade 1st Team All-American, Rivals ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recruit, a fantastic insurance agent, and a great American. Besides founding his agency, Portal Insurance, and recently acquiring another, he is building Mind Your Agency to help agency owners get organized with a custom turnkey intranet. Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audienc...
2024-04-2549 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #16: Inflation and Claim Risk are Causing Insurance WoesSend us a textIndustry leaders say that this is the hardest insurance market in a generation. We haven't been around that long but it's definitely the most challenging market that we have seen in the last 25 years. Claims are up, pricing is up, and the ability to place new business has never been tougher. Sean and Tim discuss the reasons why the industry continues to struggle from a broker's perspective.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through w...
2024-04-2436 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #15: When To Hire An AssistantSend us a textSometimes timing is everything in business. And calculating the right time to hire an assistant is critical. Tim and Sean will discuss when it's the right time to hire extra help in order for your business to succeed.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on, that would be fantastic.
2024-04-1822 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #14: Why the NAR / Realtor 6% Commission Shake-Up is a Good ThingSend us a textThe National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement has been in the news everywhere lately. Tim gives an in-depth analysis of what it means for the industry and the impact for Realtors going forward. Is it a good thing, or a bad thing? Who benefits from this?Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review...
2024-04-1640 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #13: From Mortgages to Hotels with Kyle KellySend us a textKyle Kelly leads the mortgage team at My City Lending in Philadelphia and has built his business on relationships and referrals. These are the keys to his success. He is an entrepreneur at heart and talks about real estate, investing, and his newest endeavor - The Gas Lamp Hotel, Philly's finest boutique hotel nestled in downtown Old City.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows t...
2024-04-1229 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #12: How to Manage Employee Screw-UpsSend us a textLeading a team is difficult and its inevitable that employees will not be perfect. In this episode we talk about how to manage expectations with employees and how to guide them when mistakes are made. Growth can be ugly at times but if you stick to the plan the results will always be worth it.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of...
2024-04-1130 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #11: The "Finding Peak" Journey with Ryan HanleySend us a textRyan Hanley from Finding Peak is a speaker, advisor, and keynote speaker who brings a ton of knowledge to this episode of B⚡R. We discuss his journey through the insurance industry and how he ultimately landed on his own consulting firm helping insurance agents grow their businesses. Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your ti...
2024-04-041h 00
Bricks & RiskEpisode #10: Feeding Fish vs. Teaching to FishSend us a textThe concept of providing leads to producers is always a hot topic for any sales organization. Tim and Sean discuss the advantages of providing opportunities to sales agents and also contrasting that with the idea of teaching the method of developing ones own sales funnel and referral sources.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review...
2024-04-0328 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #9: Master the Listing Lane with Ryan PetrucciSend us a textRyan Petrucci of ReMax Main Line is a seasoned real estate agent and investor that has gone all-in with real estate listings to become a $20M producer. He has learned how to leverage relationships and social media to catapult his business and become a consistent top producer in the area each year.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your...
2024-03-2950 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #8: The Art of Scaling a BusinessSend us a textWhat does it take to scale your business? This episode is packed with invaluable insights, strategies, and practical tips designed to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscapes of real estate and insurance. Providing actionable tips on when and how to scale your business.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on...
2024-03-2829 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #7: "Brand It Like Serhant" with Ryan SerhantSend us a textJoin us for an exclusive episode as we sit down with Ryan Serhant, the renowned real estate agent from Million Dollar Listing New York and current CEO of the brokerage SERHANT., for an insightful conversation on his illustrious career in real estate, the challenges of launching a new brokerage, and the critical role of branding in business success.Delving into Ryan's Background:In this episode, we dive into Ryan Serhant's fascinating journey in the real estate industry, from his humble beginnings as a hand model to...
2024-03-2047 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #6: Warm Referrals vs. Cold CallingSend us a textIn this episode, we dive into the dynamic world of insurance and real estate marketing, exploring the effectiveness of two distinct strategies: cold calling and gathering warm referrals from spheres of influence. Join us as we dissect the nuances of each approach and uncover their unique advantages and challenges.Cold Calling:We examine the art of cold calling in the realm of real estate, delving into its potential to generate leads and expand one's client base. Discover the essential techniques for crafting compelling scripts, overcoming objections, and building...
2024-03-1934 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #5: Relationship Marketing with Luke AcreeSend us a textOur B&R guest today is Luke Acree who is the President of Reminder Media and co-host of the Stay Paid Podcast, one of the top marketing podcasts on Apple. Luke is an authority on leadership and has helped more than 100,000 entrepreneurs and small businesses grow their companies. Tim and Sean chat with Luke about building a referral business and the utilizing the frequency factor as a blueprint for your marketing plan.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets...
2024-03-1632 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #4: Brick & Mortar vs. VirtualSend us a textFor today’s episode, Sean & Tim will dive into the differences between running a virtual office versus a brick and mortar location. Times have changed in the past couple of years and technology has changed the office landscape which has allowed more businesses to operate totally remote. The discussion centers around the pros and cons of each and how industry and team culture can have a big impact on which decision is right for your business.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets th...
2024-03-1539 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #3: Building & Selling Insurance Brokerages with Cory SchnabelSend us a textOur guest this week is Cory Schnabel, who is currently the Vice President and Private Client Growth Leader with The Plexus Groupe. He shares his story of starting 2 different insurance agencies with a focus on building centers of influence driven by relationships. Listen to how Cory was able to build and sell each of these insurance agencies and how he is currently driving growth in his new role.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows...
2024-03-1448 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #1: Prepping and Closing ClientsSend us a textFor today’s episode, Sean & Tim will dive into the art of preparing clients and ultimately closing the deal with real estate and insurance prospects. We will provide a specific blueprint on the steps of initiating the sales process and working through the entire sales funnel until the transaction is complete. Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a...
2024-03-1349 min
Bricks & RiskEpisode #2: The Birth of Bricks & Risk, How To Build Your BusinessSend us a textHow did the Bricks and Risk podcast start? Why did Tim and Sean even decide to start a podcast? Find out all of those answers and more in this episode that explains the start of it all and where they plan to go.Our goal with Bricks & Risk is that you walk away with 1 or 2 valuable nuggets that help build YOUR business. Our audience grows through word of mouth, so if you would please take a moment of your time and give us a review on the platform you’re on...
2024-03-1334 min