RSS FeedSuccess in real estate is a marathon, not a sprint. For Kate Conquest, National Vice President at Coldwell Banker, the journey began at age 18 when she "fell" into the business—literally tripping over a step on her way to an interview for a secretarial position. Today, she oversees services for over 600 affiliates across the national franchise network.
In this episode of the Work Hard, Play Hard, Give Back podcast, Mike Litzner sits down with Kate to discuss her transition from an independent office to a global brand, her role in founding the Long Island YPN (Young Professionals Network), and how being a mother changed her perspective on professional success.
The Franchise Advantage: Moving into a "Furnished House"
In 2004, Kate experienced the massive shift of moving from an independent real estate office to the Coldwell Banker franchise system. She describes it as being given the keys to a house that was already fully furnished [00:03:55].
Instead of spending hours manually creating PowerPoints and Word documents, Kate and her team were suddenly empowered with a global platform of tools, research, and brand recognition. This transition allowed them to thrive even during the deep market challenges of 2007 and 2008, proving that alignment with a legacy brand provides a vital "North Star" during economic storms [00:04:14].
Pro Tip: Engagement is the key to ROI. Research consistently shows a direct correlation between an agent's success and their engagement with the brand's tools and platforms [00:09:44].
Empowering the Next Generation: The Birth of LIYPN
Getting started in an industry where the average age of a realtor is 54 can be intimidating for young entrepreneurs [00:21:04]. After attending a national conference and seeing the "electric" energy of young agents, Kate took the initiative to launch the Long Island chapter of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) [00:22:17].
Despite early resistance, Kate found an advocate in then-President Liz English, who empowered her to navigate the board approval process [00:23:20]. Today, YPN serves as a vital space for agents who are young in age, young in mind, or young in the business to share ideas and build wealth through real estate [00:25:23].
What Moves Her: Professional Development for All
Kate is a passionate advocate for the What Moves Her movement, an initiative designed to unite women (and men) to discuss the unique struggles and opportunities in business and life [00:32:02].
The program focuses on professional development and building a supportive culture where leaders can share how they balance high-stakes careers with family life. At Coldwell Banker American Homes, we have launched our own chapter to ensure our agents have a platform for growth, led by our own local leadership [00:31:28].
Giving Back: A Heart for Service
The "Give Back" pillar is a cornerstone of Kate's leadership philosophy. She finds fulfillment in mentoring new entrepreneurs and has recently been a mentor in the **Inclusive Ownership (IO) program**, helping a new broker achieve nearly $700,000 in GCI in her first year [00:19:28].
Kate also highlights the company's powerful partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. During a recent national convention, the network raised $100,000 in just 180 seconds—a testament to the unifying power of a shared cause [00:46:22].
Market Insight: Real estate is one of the only careers where what you put in is exactly what you get out. If you are willing to do the activities, the results will follow [00:15:33].
Whether you are a veteran agent or just thinking about buying your first home, Kate Conquest's journey proves that with integrity and hard work, there is no glass ceiling. Ready to see where you stand in today's market? Get your CB Estimate today.
If you're looking for a brokerage that values mentorship and career growth, reach out to us today to learn more about joining the CBAM family.