Laid off and feeling lost? Wondering if there’s more to your career than the 9-to-5 grind? You’re not alone. But what if this moment of uncertainty is actually your chance to build something incredible?
Eric Shultz’s story is the ultimate example of a real estate career transformation. He turned a corporate layoff into a thriving business and a life he loves. His journey from employee to community leader proves what’s possible when you adopt an owner’s mindset.
Ready to be inspired? Let’s break down Eric’s journey and find the motivation to turn your biggest challenges into your greatest opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Leverage All Your Skills: When faced with a layoff, Eric leaned on his carpentry background to start a handyman business, which unexpectedly expanded his network and generated his first real estate leads.
- Build Trust First: Working in people’s homes as a handyman taught Eric that success in real estate isn’t just about transactions; it’s about earning trust and building genuine relationships.
- Go Above and Beyond: The top producer mindset means doing more than what’s expected. Eric consistently proves his value by being proactive and outworking the competition to win and retain clients.
- Own Your Business: Real estate is not just a job; it’s your business. Success depends entirely on your effort, from marketing to lead generation, and your willingness to invest in your own growth.
“Use Your Head, Not Your Hands”: How Eric Turned a Tough Moment Into a Launchpad
After twenty years of building a career in the corporate world, sacrificing family time, and landing huge deals, Eric Shultz found himself restructured out of a job. It was a crushing blow. The stability he had worked so hard to provide for his family was gone in an instant. Left wondering what to do next, Eric recalls falling back on his faith. Listen as Eric recounts his decision to change paths.
This reflection brought him back to his roots. His father was a carpenter, and he grew up building homes, learning the trade firsthand. While his dad had always encouraged him to “use your head, not your hands,” those hands-on skills suddenly became his lifeline. The idea for a handyman business popped into his head. He had already been helping neighbors for free, just to be a good neighbor, so why not turn it into a business?
That decision was the spark that ignited his real estate career transformation. While working to get his handyman business off the ground, he also decided to pursue his real estate license, studying late into the night after long days of physical labor. He didn’t realize it at the time, but by hammering nails and fixing things in his community, he was also building a brand-new network.
What Building a Handyman Business Taught Eric About Real Estate Success
Starting a handyman business did more than just provide an income; it laid the foundation for his entire real estate business. It got him into surrounding neighborhoods and in front of people who would soon become his clients. As he worked in their homes, he earned their trust. They saw his work ethic and got to know him as a person. Being a reliable presence in their homes, around their families and pets, created a deep level of confidence that no advertisement could buy.
This experience taught him a fundamental lesson about how to succeed in real estate: it all starts with trust. When he finally got his license, the transition was natural. He’d be fixing a leaky faucet, and the conversation would turn to the homeowners’ plans to sell.
He recalls one of his first opportunities that came directly from this work as a handyman. After helping a family with repairs, they mentioned they were planning to list their house in a few months.
That single interaction led to his first dual transaction: selling their home and helping them buy a new one. It was a powerful confirmation that building relationships was the key to building a real estate business from scratch.
“Going the Extra Mile”: The Mindset Shift That Sets Top Agents Apart
Getting your license is the easy part. The real work begins the moment you are licensed. For Eric, success came down to one question: “What are you willing to do to get it?” This is the core of the top producer mindset. Are you willing to study until 2:00 in the morning? Are you willing to knock on doors and make the calls? Success isn’t going to just happen; you have to make it happen.
Eric lives by the philosophy of going the extra mile. When a handyman client mentioned they were thinking of selling, he didn’t just offer to help. He immediately went to his office, stayed up until 3:00 a.m. preparing a full market analysis and listing packet, and returned the next day with a professional presentation. He didn’t just meet expectations; he exceeded them. He walked in expecting to win their business because he had done the work to prove he was the best person for the job.
This proactive approach is what separates top agents from the rest. It’s about being ahead of every moment in the transaction, ensuring clients feel supported and confident. As Eric puts it, you don’t want clients to just be glad the transaction is over. You want them to say, “Eric really knocked it out of the park. I would not trust anybody else.” That’s how you earn repeat business and referrals.
Long-Term Mindset: It’s Not About One Sale
Many people enter real estate thinking about the next commission check, but a true real estate agent ownership mindset focuses on the long term. For Eric, it was never about just one sale. It’s about becoming the person clients trust for life. His handyman business remains a key part of his lead generation strategy, as it puts him in the right place at the right time, allowing him to build his database and “farm” it for future opportunities.
This long-term perspective has enabled him to replace his corporate salary in just five years. He found what he loves to do, and as the saying goes, “you’ll never work a day in your life if you love what you do.” He no longer feels like he’s working; he gets to wake up every day, meet new people, and help them. That sense of gratitude and fulfillment is something he never found in the corporate world. His journey is a testament to the fact that with the right mindset, real estate agents can build a thriving business on their own terms.
Chart Your Own Path to Success
Eric Shultz’s story is a powerful reminder that your biggest challenges can become your greatest assets. By embracing an ownership mindset and committing to going the extra mile, you can build a successful and fulfilling real estate career, no matter your starting point. His journey from a corporate layoff to a six-figure real estate agent is a blueprint for anyone ready to take control of their future.
Are you a newly licensed agent ready to turn your license into a thriving business? Our Survive & Thrive course is the results-driven roadmap you need to go from barely surviving to building a successful career. This course is designed to give you real-world skills, lead generation strategies, and confidence to start landing clients faster.
You’ll walk away with a clear, step-by-step plan based on the secrets of top agents, plus scripts, templates, and tools to help you take action immediately. Build a foundation for long-term success and chart your own path today.
