Empowering Women in Real Estate® - The Podcast with Karen Cooper

What if the thing that changes your business isn't a new lead source, a new strategy, or another program—but simply showing up consistently for the work you already know you need to do? On this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® – The Podcast, I'm joined by Abby Drobinski, a Delaware real estate agent whose business growth over the past few years tells a pretty incredible story. For years, Abby consistently averaged around $6 million in annual sales. Then 2023 was an especially challenging year, and her production dropped to $3.4 million. During the fourth quarter of that year, Abby was invited to join a simple accountability Zoom: two hours each morning, Monday through Thursday, with other agents quietly working alongside one another on the activities that build their businesses. No scripts. No complicated system. No new lead source. She simply started showing up—and kept showing up. In 2024, Abby closed $5.6 million. In 2025, she nearly doubled that and finished just shy of $10 million. And now, in 2026, she's on track to nearly double her business again and reach $20 million in sales. In this conversation, Abby shares exactly what she does during those two-hour blocks, how she structures each day of the week, why accountability has been such a powerful tool for her, and how she protects this time even when the demands of real estate try to pull her in another direction. We also talk about something many of us struggle with: constantly chasing the next strategy instead of staying committed to what is already working. Abby's approach is refreshingly simple—stay connected to your people, follow up, nurture your relationships, protect the time to do the work, and repeat. If your business feels slower than you want it to be, or you've been wondering what you need to add, this episode might be the reminder that the answer isn't always more. Sometimes, it's choosing one simple thing—and doing it consistently.   You can connect with Abby on Instagram, @abbylovesdelaware   You can join in the Daily Business Building for Realtors that Abby does, Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 11 am EST here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88984489009   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 42,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/ Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

Social media has changed—a lot. And if you're still approaching it the same way you did a few years ago, you may be putting in a whole lot of effort without seeing much return.   On today's episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® – The Podcast, I'm joined by Alyssa Stalker, Head of Member Education at Coffee & Contracts, for a behind-the-scenes look at what's actually working on social media right now.   With more than 6,000 real estate agents using Coffee & Contracts, Alyssa and her team have a unique view into what agents are doing, where they're struggling, and what's getting results. And one of their biggest findings? The challenge isn't necessarily knowing what to post anymore—it's knowing how to turn your content into actual business.   We're talking about why raw, real content is outperforming overly polished content, the rise of "comfort content," why your audience probably doesn't want another real estate educational post, and how AI can help you find and refine your voice without replacing it.   We also dig into something I think a lot of agents need to hear: more content, more templates, and more ideas aren't necessarily the answer. Without strategy and intention behind what you're doing, more can simply create more overwhelm.   If social media has been feeling harder, noisier, or less effective lately, this conversation will help you think differently about how you're showing up—and hopefully take a little pressure off in the process.   You can listen to Episode 422, "What's Working Right Now on Social Media with Alyssa Stalker of Coffee & Contracts," on your favorite podcast app.   If you want to learn more about using Coffee & Contracts, click here: https://get.coffeecontracts.com/6uzjk3fj8c3m   Join Alyssa and I for a FREE Empowering Women in Real Estate® Growth Session on this topic coming up on September 17, 2026 at 1 pm EST! Use this link to register: https://bit.ly/EWREGrowthSession   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 42,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/ Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

Clarity sounds simple, but for so many of us, it can be surprisingly hard to answer one question: What do I actually want? In Episode 421 of Empowering Women in Real Estate® – The Podcast, I'm wrapping up our conference speaker series by introducing my own session, The Clarity Workshop. In this episode I'm sharing why clarity has become so important to me personally, how it has shaped some of the biggest shifts in my 24-year real estate career, and why I believe so many women spend years operating on autopilot without stopping long enough to ask whether the business and life they've built still fit who they are today. We're talking about the difference between wanting more simply for the sake of more and intentionally deciding what you actually want more—and less—of. I share some of the choices I've made around motherhood, production, leadership, my mornings, my business, and even the things I had to stop doing simply because I had always done them. And perhaps most importantly, we talk about this idea: You can't choose an option you don't know exists. Sometimes clarity doesn't mean having the whole next chapter figured out. It might simply mean recognizing what you no longer want, questioning something you've always assumed was a given, or identifying one small shift that moves you closer to the life you want. If you're joining us at the Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference, this episode is a preview of the work we'll do together during our final 90 minutes. And if you won't be there, I hope it inspires you to make an appointment with yourself, get quiet, and start asking some of these questions anyway. Because five or ten years are going to pass either way. The question is whether you'll be any closer to the life you actually want when they do.   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 42,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/ Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

If your business has felt a little quiet this summer, resist the urge to panic, buy more leads, or completely reinvent your marketing. Start by reconnecting with the people you already know. In this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® – The Podcast, Karen shares practical, relationship-focused ways to re-engage your database as summer winds down and routines begin again. From simple text messages and handwritten notes to showing up on social media, asking better questions, and completing a full database refresh, these ideas will help you rebuild momentum without making every interaction about real estate. Karen also shares why reconnecting should never be a disguised sales pitch, how small and consistent touches can keep relationships alive for decades, and the story of a client she had not heard from in more than 20 years who still remembered her when it was time to make a referral. Your database doesn't need constant attention or perfect marketing. They simply need to know that you are still here, still in business, and still ready to help. Listen in for simple ways to reconnect, create momentum, and begin preparing your business now for the spring market ahead.   This is also the topic of our September Empowering Women in Real Estate® Meet Ups. Check out the Local Leader Directory here if you are looking for in-person: https://empoweringwomeninrealestate.com/local-leader-directory/ ,or register here for the Virtual Monthly Meet Up on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 1 pm EST https://bit.ly/vmuregistration    Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/ Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

What does it really take to become self-managed—and why do so many capable people struggle to follow through on what they already know? On today's episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® – The Podcast, I'm joined by Soni Graves and Steve Rigby of New Wings Consulting for a conversation about relationships, accountability, self-management, and the choices that shape both our success and our quality of life. Soni shares how more than 35 years in sales and leadership taught her that business has always been—and will always be—about people. We also talk about why asking for support does not mean giving up control, the role accountability plays in helping us grow, and why success without a meaningful life is not really success at all. Soni also gives us a preview of her keynote at the 2026 Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference, The 6 Keys of Empowerment. She walks us through the questions that help us move from where we are now to where we want to be: what, where, why, when, how, and who—along with the seventh key that ultimately determines everything: which choice will you make? Listen in for an honest and practical conversation about moving beyond knowledge, choosing excellence, and creating a life and business where you are supported, accountable, and empowered to follow through.   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/ Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

What happens when you keep every promise you make to everyone else—but repeatedly break the ones you make to yourself? In this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® – The Podcast, Karen sits down with Rosemary Lewis, associate broker, coach, and "real estate bestie," for an honest conversation about self-trust, faith, vulnerability, and the small commitments that shape who we become. Rosemary shares how a nudge to "go help" led her from teaching into real estate, how success and loss changed the way she views business, and why no amount of striving can fill the places that require deeper healing and faith. Together, Karen and Rosemary explore how repeatedly putting yourself last can quietly erode your confidence—and how keeping even one meaningful promise to yourself can begin to rebuild trust, unlock courage, and change the way you show up in your life, relationships, and business. You'll also hear why asking for help is not a sign of weakness, the importance of being vulnerable in the right rooms, and Rosemary's encouragement for any woman who feels discouraged by her year so far: focus on what you can do today. The basics may be boring, but they work. This conversation is a powerful reminder that you do not have to outwork your pain, hide in plain sight, or keep removing yourself from your own priority list. Listen to Episode 418: Keeping Promises to Yourself with Rosemary Lewis.   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

You can be successful, earn a strong income, and still feel financially stressed. For many women in real estate, the problem isn't the ability to make money. It's that no one ever taught us how to manage inconsistent income, prepare for taxes, create financial stability, or run the business side of the business. In this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® – The Podcast, Karen sits down with business strategist and bestselling author Michelle Jacobik to talk about the hidden financial pressure successful women often carry—and why earning more money doesn't automatically create more peace. Michelle shares why revenue without a system can actually make the financial gaps in your business bigger, how financial avoidance erodes self-trust, and what it takes to build real clarity, confidence, and stability in both your business and personal finances. They also talk about shifting from "what-if worry" to "what-if possibility," Michelle's standing Friday appointment with her voice of doubt, and how one courageous investment led to an extraordinary opportunity with Ed Mylett. Michelle will also be speaking at the 2026 Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference, where she'll help attendees uncover the financial stress hiding beneath their success and begin creating a path toward greater profit and personal peace.   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

For the past 12 years, Karen Cooper has had a front-row seat to the experiences of tens of thousands of women in real estate through her community, Empowering Women in Real Estate®. And across every level of success, certain patterns continue to appear. Every woman questions herself. Every woman loses clients, makes mistakes, and considers quitting at some point. The women with the most staying power are not the ones who avoid hard seasons, but the ones who learn how to recover, evolve, and build their businesses in a way that can evolve with them. And so much more. In this special anniversary episode, Karen shares what 12 years of Empowering Women in Real Estate® has taught her about mindset, consistency, comparison, relationships, ego, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who expand what you believe is possible. You'll hear why there is no substitute for doing the work, why connecting with people matters more than your CRM or branding, and why there is no single right way to build a successful real estate business. Most of all, this episode is a reminder that you are not the only one navigating doubt, disappointment, change, or uncertainty—and you are allowed to create a business that supports the life you want now.   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

In this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® – The Podcast, Karen sits down with style coach Afton Porter for a conversation that goes far beyond fashion. Together, they explore how style impacts confidence, presence, personal branding, and the way women show up in their businesses — especially in midlife. Afton shares why the clothes in your closet may no longer reflect the woman you are today, how color and presentation influence first impressions, and why becoming unforgettable starts with feeling aligned, authentic, and confident in your own skin. If you have ever looked in your closet and felt like nothing works anymore, or wondered how to show up more confidently in your business without pretending to be someone you're not, this episode is for you.     You can get Afton's freebie at:  https://www.HouseofIconicStyle.com/Iconic    Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

What if one of the biggest factors impacting your business isn't your marketing, your scripts, or your systems—but your nervous system? In this powerful conversation, Karen sits down with psychologist, trauma specialist and neuroscientist Dr. Monique Thompson to explore how stress, anxiety and an overwhelmed nervous system quietly shape the way we lead, communicate, make decisions and show up for our clients. Drawing from more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Monique shares practical, science-backed tools that can help you regulate your nervous system in just minutes—without expensive programs, complicated routines or adding more to your already full plate. Together, they discuss: Why women often carry stress differently—and what to do about it The surprising connection between your nervous system and your business performance How social media and constant input teach us to disconnect from ourselves A simple five-minute practice that can help you quiet your mind and access your own inner wisdom Why self-acceptance isn't self-excusal—and how embracing who you are changes everything How to "outnumber the not helpful" by building healthier support systems Why the most important tool you'll ever need is one you've had your entire life: yourself Whether you're feeling burned out, anxious, overwhelmed, or simply ready to lead your business from a healthier place, this conversation offers practical hope and simple tools you can begin using today. This isn't just a conversation about mental health. It's a conversation about becoming the kind of leader—and woman—you were created to be.   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

In this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® - The Podcast, Karen is joined by Marcella Oakley and Elia Alfonso for a powerful conversation on presence, confidence, safety, emotional regulation, and leading through high-pressure moments. Marcella and Elia bring their backgrounds in law enforcement, hostage negotiation, crisis management, defensive tactics, and real estate to talk about the tools women need but are rarely taught in this industry. From walking into a room with confidence, to managing client emotions, to regulating yourself before reacting, this episode is a reminder that presence is not about being loud or aggressive. It is about being grounded, aware, and able to lead. This conversation is especially relevant for women in real estate who are constantly managing stress, crisis, negotiations, and other people's emotions while trying to protect their own peace, safety, and confidence.   You can connect with Marcella and Elia and learn more about their programs at www.TheVerityAccord.com   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/ Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

What if the key to growing your business isn't another marketing tactic, but simply being more of yourself? In this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate®, I'm joined by speaker, coach, and personal branding expert Krista Demcher for a powerful conversation about authenticity, visibility, and why you are your most important business asset. Krista shares how her own journey from struggling salesperson to successful entrepreneur taught her that people don't connect with perfection. They connect with real people. Together, we discuss why so many women in real estate hold themselves back from showing up online, how to build confidence in selling yourself without feeling salesy, and why your unique personality is actually your greatest marketing advantage. We also dive into the role of storytelling, personal branding, social media, and the importance of embracing what makes you different instead of trying to blend in. If you've ever felt uncomfortable promoting yourself, struggled with what to post on social media, or worried about being judged for showing up online, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: Why authenticity matters more than ever in an AI-driven world How to sell yourself without feeling pushy or salesy The connection between personal branding and client trust Why trying to appeal to everyone often appeals to no one The power of sharing your story Krista's framework of Style, Stance, and Story Why "real beats perfect" every time Krista is also one of the keynote speakers for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference, so this episode is a great chance to get a preview of her talk!   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/\ Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

We are halfway through the year, and this is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and refresh. In this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® - The Podcast, Karen shares a thoughtful mid-year refresh process for women in real estate. This is not just about reviewing numbers or checking whether you are on pace with your goals. It is about acknowledging what has worked, celebrating what you have accomplished, reviewing the data in your business, and giving yourself permission to adjust what no longer fits. Karen walks you through three key areas: acknowledge and celebrate, take inventory and review the data, and set the course for the second half of the year. You will hear practical questions to help you evaluate where your business has come from, what marketing is actually working, what habits may need to shift, and how you want the rest of your year to feel. Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do at mid-year is not push harder. It is pause, refresh, and choose what comes next with intention. And don't forget, this is also our July Monthly Meet Up topic inside our Empowering Women in Real Estate® community. I would love for you to join us in person or virtually. Check out the Local Leader Directory here if you are looking for in-person: https://empoweringwomeninrealestate.com/local-leader-directory/  Or you can join me on July 2nd at 1 pm EST for the Virtual Meet Up. Register here for the Zoom, it's free! https://bit.ly/vmuregistration     Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

What if the thing holding you back in your business isn't your marketing, your systems, or your lead generation strategy? What if it's your nervous system? In this powerful conversation, Karen sits down with mindset and business coach Jaemi Pierson to talk about why so many ambitious women are operating in a constant state of urgency, overwhelm, and reactivity—and how it's impacting both their businesses and their lives. Together, they explore the connection between nervous system regulation, decision-making, burnout, comparison, boundaries, and sustainable success. Jamie shares why investing in yourself may be the most important business investment you can make and offers practical strategies to create more calm, focus, and clarity in your day. If you've ever felt exhausted by the constant pressure to do more, be more, or keep up, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we discuss: • Why your nervous system is one of your greatest business assets • The difference between being reactive and being regulated • How comparison pulls you out of your own success • Why boundaries create better businesses and stronger client relationships • The hidden cost of constant accessibility and phone addiction • How to create more white space, clarity, and focus in your day • Building a business that feels as good as it looks This episode is a reminder that sustainable success doesn't come from doing more. It comes from learning how to lead yourself first.   You can learn more about Jaemi and connect with her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jaemi.pierson/     Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

In this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® - The Podcast, I'm joined by Christina Mesones for a conversation about dual career agents and the support they need to succeed. Christina shares her journey from more than 20 years in the title industry to becoming a real estate agent, mentor, and resource for agents who are building their business while also balancing another career. We talk about the stigma dual career agents often face, why "part-time agent" doesn't tell the whole story, and how systems, support, mentorship, and community can make all the difference. If you are a dual career agent, or you've ever felt like you were trying to build your business with limited time and limited support, this episode is for you.   You can register for the next Dual-Career Collective Monthly Pop In Mastermind on June 23rd at 11 am EST here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/60PsNSVKSgWNXvSHfl8etQ   You can connect with Christina on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/christinamesones_realtor/     Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

On this episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® - The Podcast, I'm sharing a very personal reflection as I approach my 53rd birthday. For a long time, I thought success at this stage of life would mean having it all figured out. More confidence. Less pressure. More freedom. More certainty. But what I've learned is that success in midlife often looks very different than what we imagined in our 20s and 30s. In this episode, I'm talking about:   burnout and recovery the pressure of social media and constant industry noise achievement vs. fulfillment sustainability in business and life health, boundaries, and authenticity evolving instead of holding on creating freedom intentionally learning to stop trying to please everyone and what success actually means to me now at 53   This is an honest conversation about midlife, growth, and building a business and life that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside. Thank you for listening.     Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/   Tickets are now available for our 6th Annual Empowering Women in Real Estate® Conference! The conference is on September 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dulles, Virginia. You can get all the details and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/EWREConference

Summer can bring a shift in routines, priorities and energy — both for you and your clients. In this episode, Karen shares practical, creative and relationship-focused marketing ideas to help you stay visible and consistent during the summer months without sacrificing your quality of life. From summer pop-bys and local events to newsletters, postcards, vendor partnerships and back-to-school marketing ideas, this episode is packed with simple strategies you can implement right away. Karen also shares her philosophy on avoiding the "summer shutdown" that often leads to burnout and inconsistent business cycles — and why a slow, steady drip of marketing matters more than going all in and disappearing completely. You'll also hear details about the June Empowering Women in Real Estate® Monthly Meet Ups happening in cities across the country, plus the upcoming virtual meet up on Tuesday, June 2nd at 10:30 AM EST.   You can see all the locations for the in-person Meet Ups at https://empoweringwomeninrealestate.com/local-leader-directory/ , or to register for our (free) virtual meet up, go here https://bit.ly/vmuregistration .   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/  

In this powerful episode of Empowering Women in Real Estate® - The Podcast, Karen sits down with Maty Bradbury for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, faith, boundaries, healing, and what happens when life forces you to finally be still. After experiencing two seasons of burnout and a serious car accident, Maty began to recognize that she was the common thread in the stress, pressure, over-responsibility, and constant striving she had been carrying for years. Together, Karen and Maty talk about tying your worth to production, learning to ask for help, discerning what deserves your energy, and building a real estate business that honors the season of life you are actually in. This episode is heartfelt, vulnerable, and full of reminders for any woman in real estate who has been carrying too much for too long.   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to dream? In this episode, Karen shares a heartfelt reflection on the "crazy ideas" that shaped her career — from getting into real estate after being laid off, to starting a team, building Empowering Women in Real Estate®, and expanding nationally across 22 states. Inspired by a recent conversation about the future of the real estate industry, this episode is a reminder that some of the best things in life and business begin as ideas that make no sense … until one day, they do. If you've been feeling stuck in the monotony of the to-do list, overwhelmed by the day-to-day, or disconnected from what excites you, this conversation will encourage you to pause, reflect, and dream again. Because sometimes the next chapter of your life starts with one simple question:"What if?"   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 41,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/

What if an open house wasn't just a weekend activity, but part of your daily business-building system? In this episode, I'm joined by Lisa Archer, a 21+ year realtor and team leader serving multiple markets across the Carolinas and beyond. Lisa shares the simple, consistent open house strategy her team uses to generate listings, attract buyers, create neighborhood visibility, and build serious momentum. Last year alone, her team tracked 347 open houses, with 32 listings selling to buyers who came through those open houses. We talk about how she makes daily open houses work, why "there's no such thing as a bad open house," and how agents can use this strategy even if they don't currently have listings of their own. If you've been looking for a simple, practical way to create more opportunity in your business, this episode is for you.     Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 40,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/

What if one of the most powerful ways to grow your real estate business was already all around you? In this episode, I'm sharing one of the most impactful strategies I've used over the past 20+ years—focusing deeply on my local community. Not in a complicated or overly strategic way, but by simply leaning into what I was already doing and going a little deeper. From schools and sports to local businesses, social media, and everyday routines, I walk you through how to turn your daily life into meaningful visibility, connection, and long-term business growth—without adding more to your plate. This isn't about doing more. It's about doing what you're already doing with more intention. This conversation is also the focus of our May Empowering Women in Real Estate® Monthly Meet Ups happening in cities across the country—casual, in-person gatherings where women in real estate connect and talk through this exact topic.  Want to join us? • Find an in-person Monthly Meet Up near you at EmpoweringWomenInRealEstate.com • Or join me for our Virtual Meet Up on May 7th at 1 PM EST (free on Zoom): https://bit.ly/vmuregistration If you've been feeling like you need a better plan, a new strategy, or something different … this might just be your reminder that the answer is closer than you think.     Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 40,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/