🎙️ This Week’s Episode: Small Circle, Big Impact: Alexandra Tseffos on Trust, Growth & Client Chemistry

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Alexandra Tseffos – the brilliant mind behind Design Pop and Silent T Consulting. A commercial real estate furniture software trainer and master networker, Alexandra shares how she built a thriving business during COVID and why making real connections is the secret to long-term success. From fancy dinners to elevator chats, she drops practical wisdom on how saying "yes" early on, trusting your instincts, and building real friendships can lead to powerful collaborations.

Why you’ll love this episode:

• Learn how Alexandra started hosting industry dinners to break into commercial real estate

• Hear her honest take on navigating the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship

• Discover why strong chemistry with clients leads to better results

• Get inspired to see networking as friendship-building, not just business

• Find out how even a simple elevator ride can lead to your next big opportunity

👂 Hit play and get ready to rethink how you connect, collaborate, and grow your business!

Follow & Connect with Alexandra:
Linked In: @The Design POP + @alexandratseffos
Instagram @thedesignpop
Facebook @The Design POP
Her Website: https://www.thedesignpop.com/

Follow Tanya:
Tiktok @tanyarooneymn
Instagram @tanyarooneymn
Facebook @tanya.rooney28
youtube @tanyarooneymn
www.tanyarooney.com

From childhood communities to adult peer groups, your tribe quietly shapes your identity, habits, and even your worldview. In this solo episode, Tanya unpacks how the people around you influence the way you think, live, and dream—and why intentionally choosing your tribe can completely transform your life. Tune in for stories, reflections, and practical steps to start building the community that shapes your best self.

Follow & Connect with Tanya:
Tiktok @tanyarooneymn
Instagram @tanyarooneymn
Facebook @tanya.rooney28
youtube @tanyarooneymn
www.tanyarooney.com

In this episode of Tribe Builders, Tanya sits down with Mariah Hamm, a St. Paul real estate agent who leads boldly with her queerness and authenticity. Mariah shares how getting laid off became the catalyst for building a business fully aligned with who she is—and how that alignment attracts clients who deeply resonate with her values.

She opens up about serving people relocating to Minnesota who are seeking safety, belonging, and a fresh start, while also unpacking what it means to build a value-driven team, embrace abundance, and ditch perfectionism in favor of scrappiness and truth. This isn’t your typical real estate story—it’s an inspiring look at what happens when you lean fully into who you are and let your calling shape your business.

✨ If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to thrive by being unapologetically yourself, this episode is a must-listen.

• 🌈 Leading with queerness: how authenticity became Mariah’s business superpower.

• 🔑 The power of alignment: living and working in sync with your true self.

• 🏡 Serving a niche with heart: helping relocating clients find safety and community.

• 💡 Breaking free from perfectionism: choosing scrappy over polished.

• 🌟 Abundance mindset: attracting the right people by showing up as you are.
  
  

Follow & Connect with Mariah:
Instagram @riahgoeshamm + hammrealestateco
Facebook @mariah.hamm + hammrealestatecompany
Her Website: www.hammitup.com

Follow Tanya:
Tiktok @tanyarooneymn
Instagram @tanyarooneymn
Facebook @tanya.rooney28
youtube @tanyarooneymn
www.tanyarooney.com

In this episode, Bryon Andrews — a former teacher turned real estate investor, landlord, and agent from Minnesota — shares how he transformed his life over the past seven years through curiosity, community, and smart investing. He dives into the value of partnerships, building a trusted network, creative deal structuring, and how being open-minded has opened major doors. Bryon also reveals a surprising book recommendation that helped him more than Rich Dad Poor Dad and explains why teaching others has become part of his mission.

Follow & Connect with Bryon:
Instagram @bryonandrews21
Facebook @bryon.andrews1

His Facebook Meetup group in Minneapolis & St.Paul, MN: MSP Real Estate Investor Meetup

Follow Tanya:
Tiktok @tanyarooneymn
Instagram @tanyarooneymn
Facebook @tanya.rooney28
youtube @tanyarooneymn
www.tanyarooney.com

In this episode of Tribe Builders, we sit down with Helen Lavigne, a short-term rental operator who’s turned a charming upstate New York summer camp into a weekend wedding destination with serious soul. Helen shares hard-earned wisdom from running a hospitality business that’s constantly evolving—balancing logistics, emotions, and high expectations. From building a resilient team to learning that you’re not meant to be everyone's "cookie of choice," Helen gets candid about finding your people, staying relevant, and letting the best things unfold naturally. Whether you're in events, entrepreneurship, or just building your own tribe, this episode is packed with heartfelt advice and real-life perspective.

Follow & Connect with Helen and check out her wedding camp (It's GORGEOUS):
Instagram @wedandbed+ @brookledgeny
Facebook @Helen Lavigne + @brookledge

Her Website: www.brookledgeny.com

Follow Tanya:
Tiktok @tanyarooneymn
Instagram @tanyarooneymn
Facebook @tanya.rooney28
youtube @tanyarooneymn
www.tanyarooney.com

This week on Tribe Builders, I’m joined by Janice Thayer — a short-term rental owner, seasoned designer, and business veteran whose entrepreneurial journey began in the early ’90s. From launching her first design firm (and getting sued almost immediately!) to navigating divorce and rebuilding her career with intention, Janice brings the kind of real talk and resilience every business owner needs to hear.

We dive into:

• The power of “pay to play” in masterminds and networks

• How to leverage your relationships when you think you have none

• What divorce can teach you about resilience and business

• The importance of reflection: “Don’t forget to turn around and look at the view”

Note: We had a few technical issues at the start of this episode, but trust me — stick with it. Janice drops serious wisdom that’s worth every second.

If you’re in business, in transition, or just need a reminder that building your tribe takes time and grit — this one’s for you.

Follow & Connect with Janice and check out her properties:
Instagram @ curatedproperties_ + the_nest_abingdon + the_oasis_abingdon
Facebook @curatedpropertiesllc + the nest abingdon + the oasis abingdon
youtube @ Curated_Properties_Explores

Follow Tanya:
Tiktok @tanyarooneymn
Instagram @tanyarooneymn
Facebook @tanya.rooney28
youtube @tanyarooneymn
www.tanyarooney.com

This week on Tribe Builders, I sit down with Amanda Cruise — mobile home park investor, commercial real estate pro, and co-host of the Best Ever CRE podcast. From a corporate job to serious cash flow, Amanda shares the mindset shifts, strategies, and mentorships that helped her go from celebrating $2,500 wins to not leaving the house for less than $40K.

We dive into the importance of market selection, lessons learned in mobile home park investing, and how to intentionally build your tribe as you scale. Amanda’s story is packed with practical advice, raw moments, and unapologetic ambition — all delivered with the kind of clarity that makes you rethink what’s possible.

If you’re ready to think bigger, invest smarter, and find your people in real estate, this episode is a must-listen.

Follow & Connect with Amanda:

Instagram @investingwithamanda
LinkedIn AmandaCruiseMHPInvestor

https://voyageinvesting.com/

Follow Tanya:
Tiktok @tanyarooneymn
Instagram @tanyarooneymn
Facebook @tanya.rooney28
youtube @tanyarooneymn
www.tanyarooney.com

In this week’s episode of Tribe Builders, I sit down with Tracey Northcott of Tokyo Family Stays — a powerhouse in the short-term rental space with a deep, global perspective. We go way beyond hosting logistics to unpack what it really takes to build a scalable business, why curiosity should lead the way, and how shame, masking, and defensiveness can quietly stall our growth if we’re not careful.

Tracey shares her journey of building a business in Japan, navigating cultural and real estate differences, and refusing to be boxed in by industry norms. We talk about the importance of surrounding yourself with thought partners who meet you with support — not judgment — and why business doesn’t have to be lonely.

Whether you're in real estate, hosting, or just trying to build something meaningful on your terms, this conversation is packed with real talk, laughs, and aha moments you don’t want to miss.

Follow & Connect with Tracey:

Instagram @thewholeheartedhost + @tokyofamilystays
Facebook @TraceyNorthcottConsulting + @tokyofamilystays

https://www.tracey-northcott.com
Stay in her properties in Tokyo: https://www.tokyofamilystays.com

Follow Tanya:
Tiktok @tanyarooneymn
Instagram @tanyarooneymn
Facebook @tanya.rooney28
youtube @tanyarooneymn
www.tanyarooney.com