In the past year, my real estate technology startup, Luxury Presence, has scaled from 9 employees to a powerhouse team of 38, serving over 800 clients—including some of the industry's top agents and brokers.
Truth be told, it's been intense. Leading hyper-growth while delivering exceptional results for clients demands everything you've got.
Through it all, one principle stands out: showing up fully every morning, regardless of how I feel. This mindset, honed as a college athlete and professional basketball player, has fueled my success.
Sports taught me resilience. Every loss was fuel for harder work, building ambition and determination. Consistency trumped talent—showing up for the team, day in and day out. Running a business demands the same grit.
My first startup, the fundraising app Givvr, with just a three-person team, reinforced these lessons amid countless setbacks. In leadership, reliability builds trust and drives results. Here are four habits that keep me motivated through the highs and lows.
I thrive on the passion of my team—they prioritize growth and hard work, creating an electric environment. Every day brings fresh problems to solve, and I focus on the joy of the process, not just the outcomes.
Beyond physical gains, exercise boosts your brain. Research recommends 30 to 60 minutes, three to five times a week. I wake at 6:30 for a run to the ocean and back in Santa Monica, followed by 10 minutes of guided meditation via Sam Harris' Waking Up app. If meditation isn't for you, reflect, read inspiring articles, or journal to prime your mind for the day.
Though introverted, I've learned from basketball that solo efforts fall short. Great ideas and solutions emerge from collaboration. A strong network inside and outside work combats isolation and sharpens performance.
Checking email first thing spiked my stress and reactivity. Studies link constant connectivity to poor mental health and productivity. Now, I delay screens for the first hour, staying proactive and owning my agenda.
These practices have me eager to hit the office each morning. Any professional can adopt this mindset to rediscover joy in their work.
