Ambre Theroux closed 15 transactions in her first year as a real estate agent, ranking in the top 9% of Berkshire Hathaway agents across the nation. Her rapid success demonstrates what’s possible when determination meets quality education—and now she’s being recognized on a national stage.
RISMedia recently named Theroux as a 2025 Rookie of the Year Finalist, celebrating her exceptional early achievements in real estate. The prestigious award honors new agents who demonstrate extraordinary business growth, innovation, and dedication to their clients and communities. For Theroux, a Colibri Real Estate continuing education student, this recognition validates her leap of faith into real estate and highlights the impact of flexible, comprehensive education on professional success.
Her journey from feeling unfulfilled in traditional office work to building a thriving real estate business offers valuable insights for anyone considering this rewarding career path.
Key Takeaways
- Take the Leap with Confidence: Theroux’s story demonstrates that switching careers to real estate doesn’t require years of preparation.
- Authenticity Drives Success: Rather than pushing sales messages, Theroux focused on building genuine relationships with clients, leading to referrals and long-term business growth.
- Education Flexibility Matters: Choosing continuing education that fits your schedule while maintaining high standards can support your professional growth without disrupting your business momentum.
- Specialize in Your Passion: Theroux combined her equestrian background with real estate to serve a specific market need, demonstrating how personal interests can become professional advantages.
- Consistency Beats Perfection: Her advice to focus on daily tasks like follow-ups and client service, rather than just transaction volume, reflects the sustainable approach that led to her top-tier ranking.
From Office Administration To Real Estate Success
Theroux’s path to real estate wasn’t traditional, but it illustrates how career dissatisfaction can become the catalyst for remarkable success. Working in her family’s company for five years, then transitioning to office administration, she found herself feeling unfulfilled by 10 a.m. each day.
“I wanted to be in control of my success and serve clients in a meaningful way,” Theroux said. “Real estate allowed me to take a leap of faith, build a business on my own terms, and even combine my background in horses with my career by serving equestrian clients.”
This desire for control and meaningful work drove her to begin real estate classes, unsure if the career would work out, but willing to take the risk. Her background in horses and life on a horse farm proved particularly valuable. During her own three-year home-buying process, she noticed most agents didn’t understand equestrian property needs, revealing a market gap she could fill.
Quick momentum validates the decision
Within just one month of getting licensed in 2023, Theroux had secured her first contract. By the end of her first four months, she had closed multiple deals. This rapid success pattern confirmed her decision to pursue real estate full time.
“Within three days, I had a million-dollar buyer through a Facebook group, which everyone thought was fake—but she turned out to be one of my favorite clients,” Theroux recalled. “I wrote my first offer within five days of being licensed.”
Her approach focused on authenticity rather than aggressive sales tactics. She experimented with different marketing approaches and lead generation systems, learning through trial and error what worked for building sustainable client relationships.
Building a Foundation for Long-Term Success
Theroux’s first-year achievements speak to both her dedication and strategic approach to building her business. Closing 15 transactions while ranking in the top 9% of Berkshire Hathaway agents nationally represents exceptional performance for any agent, let alone someone brand new to the field.
The recognition from experienced agents provided important validation. “What really stood out was hearing positive feedback from seasoned agents I worked with,” Theroux said. “Some told me, ‘That was the smoothest transaction I’ve ever had.’ For someone brand new, that meant a lot.”
Learning through challenges builds expertise
Early challenges, including complex inspection issues and ineffective lead generation systems, taught Theroux valuable lessons about where to focus her energy. She discovered that strategic planning time proved more valuable than driving long distances to show properties to unqualified prospects.
“I learned that sitting at home building strategy was more valuable than driving two hours to show a foreclosed property to someone who wasn’t serious,” she said.
This experience-based learning helped her develop the professional judgment that contributes to smooth transactions and satisfied clients.
The Role Of Continuing Education In Professional Growth
When it came time for continuing education requirements, Theroux chose Colibri Real Estate for its flexibility and current content. As a busy agent building her business, she needed education that wouldn’t disrupt her momentum.
“It worked really well with my schedule,” Theroux explained. “It was flexible, self-paced, and interactive—unlike some courses that feel outdated. I appreciated that it felt current and effective, not just a box to check for a certificate.”
This choice reflects a broader principle successful agents understand: education should support and enhance your business activities, not compete with them for time and attention. Quality continuing education helps agents stay current with industry changes while maintaining their focus on client service.
Balancing compliance and business growth
For agents like Theroux who are experiencing rapid business growth, finding continuing education that maintains high standards while offering scheduling flexibility becomes crucial. The ability to complete requirements on her own timeline allowed her to stay compliant while continuing to serve clients and build relationships.
“Colibri made it easy to stay compliant while still building my business,” she noted, highlighting how the right educational partner can support rather than hinder professional momentum.
Advice For New Real Estate Professionals
Theroux’s rapid success offers practical guidance for others considering real estate or struggling in their first year. Her emphasis on fundamentals over flashy tactics reflects the sustainable approach that led to her recognition.
“I always tell them it’s just consistency and hard work,” she said when asked for success tips. “Maybe my advice is not as exciting as people want it to be. Put in the hard work, like open houses, making your calls, and follow-ups, because it’s your daily tasks that make you a good agent.”
This focus on daily disciplines rather than hoping for shortcuts aligns with research showing that consistent prospecting and client service activities correlate with long-term success in real estate.
Setting boundaries supports sustainability
One crucial lesson from Theroux’s experience involves learning to set appropriate boundaries. Initially, she allowed real estate to consume her life, working late into the night and being constantly available.
“I’ve realized real estate is really a hospitality business, so I’ve had to learn how to set boundaries,” she reflected. “Now I set limits, like putting my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ or carving out time for myself on Sundays.”
She also emphasizes setting clear expectations with clients during initial consultations, ensuring availability while preventing time abuse. This approach supports the kind of sustainable practice that enables long-term success and client satisfaction.
Your Real Estate Success Story Starts With Quality Education
Ambre Theroux’s journey from office administration to RISMedia Rookie of the Year Finalist illustrates the transformative potential of a real estate career. Her success demonstrates what’s possible when determination meets quality education and strategic action.
The key elements of her success story are accessible to anyone willing to commit to excellence: consistent daily activities, authentic relationship building, strategic focus on the right opportunities, and continuous learning through quality educational programs.
Whether you’re considering your first real estate license or looking to advance your existing career, Colibri Real Estate offers the flexible, comprehensive education that successful professionals like Theroux rely on. Our state-approved courses, expert instructors, and supportive learning environment have helped over 520,000 students achieve their real estate goals.
Ready to write your own success story? Explore Colibri’s flexible real estate education programs and join a community of professionals who are building thriving careers on their own terms.
