It's happened to all of us at some point—your cousin, college roommate, or neighbor posts that they just bought or sold a house… but you weren't the agent. Ouch. If you've ever wondered how to handle it when a friend or family member uses someone else, this replay of one of our most-loved episodes has the clarity and pep talk you need.

Originally aired as Episode 165, this candid conversation dives deep into the reality of *working with friends and family in real estate*. From professional boundaries to emotional resilience, we share our personal stories—rejections included—and offer tangible tips to protect your mindset and run a smooth business, even when things get awkward.

Whether you're new to the business or 10 years in, this episode will remind you: it's not personal, it's business. And you've got what it takes to stay professional, kind, and confident through it all.

*Here's what we cover in this episode:*
- How to professionally respond when loved ones don't choose you
- Tips for setting boundaries when working with people you know
- Scripts to request a referral (without begging)
- Why it's important to treat friends and family like real clients
- How to turn rejection into future opportunity
- The importance of systems to help you stay consistent with every client
- Real stories of rejection—and how we survived them

*Resources & CTAs:*
- Get the FREE Database Template: https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere
- Email Templates 101: http://emailtemplates101.com
- Build Your Own Business 101: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob
- Agent Systems 101: http://agentsystems101.com
- Submit a toast or topic: team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

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Find all the podcast freebies at https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

Want to join the Hustle Humbly Community? You'll find support, coaching, and systems to build a business you love. Come hang out with us at https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership

We love to hear from you! Message us on Instagram @hustlehumblypodcast or email us at team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

Leave a review for the show! https://www.ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one

Let's talk about the guilt loop so many Realtors get stuck in: when you're at work, you feel guilty about missing life — and when you're at home, you feel guilty about stepping away from your business. In this special replay of our Hustle Humbly Community Live Zoom, we're diving deep into how to set boundaries during a season that's naturally full of busyness, distraction, and high expectations (hello, holidays).

This conversation is packed with relatable stories, powerful mindset shifts, and real advice from agents like you who are trying to find a way to serve their clients *and* show up for their families. Whether you're fighting burnout, feeling pulled in too many directions, or just wondering if it's okay to take a day off — this chat is your permission slip.

We also hear from our friend Emily Nealy, who stepped away from real estate for a year after a devastating loss, and came back to have her best year ever. Her six takeaways are gold for any Realtor who wants to build a business that serves their life, not one that consumes it.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
- The mental load of the holiday season and how to protect your time
- The quote that helped Alissa let go of the guilt (thanks RBG!)
- The false urgency of real estate — and how to recognize *real* emergencies
- Why "no" is a full sentence
- What it means to actually build a business that serves you
- The power of scheduled texts, second phone lines, and a literal "brick" to lock your apps
- Why social time *is* work time (hello, database!)
- How one agent stepped away from her business — and came back stronger

📚 Resources & CTAs:
- Episode 212: [Does Time Blocking Work for Real Estate?](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/212)
- Episode: [What To Do When You're New or Slow](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/189)
- Book: *The Seven Deadly Sins of Sales* by Lee Brown
- Book: *Boundaries* by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
- Free tools: [Agent Systems 101](http://agentsystems101.com) | [Email Templates 101](http://emailtemplates101.com) | [Free Database Template](https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere)

Want to connect with Emily? You can find her @emilynealyrealtor and www.emilynealy.com. Have a boundary strategy that works for you? Email us at team@hustlehumblypodcast.com and tell us all about it!

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Want to build a business you love with boundaries that actually work? Start here: [hustlehumblypodcast.com](http://hustlehumblypodcast.com)

The truth is: buying or selling a house can feel like a full-blown identity crisis. Realtors know it, clients feel it, and now we have a licensed therapist here to explain *why* it all gets so emotionally messy.

In this episode we welcome Katy's former client and current number one referrer, Mary Ruiz, LPC. She's not just a real estate success story — she's now a licensed professional counselor (and a great one at that). We chat about the mental health rollercoaster that often comes with real estate: from renovations and relocations to the unexpected triggers that show up when people face big change. Mary shares why even competent, confident people often spiral emotionally during a transaction, and how *Realtors can support clients* without carrying the weight of everyone's emotions.

We're talking about therapy, boundaries, client meltdowns, and the emotional expectations people carry into real estate decisions. This is a must-listen for any Realtor who's ever felt like an unqualified therapist.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
- Why therapy and real estate overlap more than you think
- The mental toll of buying, selling, building, and renovating
- What neurodivergent clients may struggle with during moves
- Why confident people often break down during transactions
- Tips for helping clients regulate their emotions
- When (and how) to set boundaries with difficult clients
- Grounding techniques to use during emotional conversations
- What Realtors can do to protect their own mental well-being

💬 "The kindest thing you can do is tell someone the truth." — Mary Ruiz

🧠 Resources & Links:
- Learn more about Mary's practice: https://ruizcounseling.com
- Realtor Resources: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/resources
- Join the Hustle Humbly Community: https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership
- Send us your questions or episode ideas: team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

—

Hustle Humbly is the go-to podcast for Realtors who want to ditch the comparison game and run their business with confidence, clarity, and a healthy dose of mindset work. Hosted by top-producing Louisiana agents, Alissa Jenkins and Katy Caldwell, each episode delivers real advice from real agents who have walked the walk.

Leave us a review → https://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

Get your FREE Database Template → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

Email Templates 101 → https://emailtemplates101.com

Agent Systems 101 → https://agentsystems101.com

Build Your Own Business 101 → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob

All Resources → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com

Submit your topic ideas + toasts → team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one