From Pharmacist to Real Estate Disruptor: Michael Seymour's Journey ( Repost )

What does it take to disrupt an industry with trust issues? Michael Seymour, owner of Tall Poppy Real Estate, takes us behind the scenes of his remarkable journey from reluctant pharmacy student to revolutionary business leader.

Michael's story begins with his mother secretly enrolling him in pharmacy school, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to owning 44 pharmacies across New Zealand. But it was his discovery about himself - that he was fundamentally "unemployable" by others with his questioning nature and drive to improve systems - that shaped his entrepreneurial approach.

The heart of our conversation explores the real estate industry's fundamental problems. When Michael discovered real estate agents ranked just above sex workers in public trust despite handling people's largest assets, he knew something needed to change. "It's incongruous to me that such a massive thing, professionalism and the asset would be diminished to being non-trustworthy," he explains with characteristic candor.

What makes Tall Poppy different isn't just their pricing model - though their shift from a flat fee to a transparent tiered structure counterintuitively increased their business. It's their entire approach. Rather than following the traditional model where agents compete internally for commissions, they've created a collaborative "list and sell" system. Their upcoming technology platform will bring unprecedented transparency to the entire process, letting buyers make offers directly online without the mystery that pervades typical real estate transactions.

Michael's wisdom about perseverance resonates throughout our talk. "Everything's achievable if you know you can do it and you've got the tenacity," he shares. "The problem that a lot of people have are that when the barriers get in the way, they don't stand for long enough through the journey."

Listen now to discover how Michael's people-first philosophy and commitment to transparency is reshaping real estate, and pick up valuable insights about building businesses that generate both success and happiness.

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