The Barely Balanced Agent | Podcast on RSS.com

The Barely Balanced Agent

The Barely Balanced Agent

by Larissa Butler and Sarah Kennedy

Entrepreneurship Parenting

Season 1

Our Seller Fired Us… and We Were Relieved

Larissa got fired by a seller for not communicating enough. Except she was communicating twice a week, which is already more than the typical cadence. So… what do you do with that? In this episode, we’re talking about the part of real estate that doesn’t get discussed enough: sometimes you can be doing your job well and still not be the right Realtor for a particular client. We get into what happened with this listing, the weird mix of emotions that comes with being released by a seller, and why sometimes there’s actually a little relief when a difficult client decides to move on. More importantly, we talk about what we can learn from it. What questions should we be asking at seller appointments? How clearly are we defining communication expectations? And how do we get better at recognizing the clients who might not be a good fit before we’re already in it? For Realtor moms and women in real estate trying to build a business without taking every client experience personally, this one is a reminder that losing a client doesn’t always mean you did something wrong.

From Caffeine Hacks to Dream Homes: What Every Realtor Should Know About the Moment Clients Find "The One"

One minute we're swapping our favorite coffee and caffeine hacks, and the next we're talking about one of the biggest moments in real estate... when a buyer walks into a house and just knows. This conversation takes a fun turn when Larissa admits she almost bought a house herself. It leads to a bigger discussion about why finding the right home is so emotional and what Realtor moms and real estate agents experience alongside their clients during that process. If you've ever watched a client fall in love with a home, or you've been surprised by your own emotions while house hunting, this episode will feel very familiar. In this episode we talk about: Coffee and caffeine habits The emotional side of buying a home Why buyers know when they've found "the one" What Realtors experience during the home search Trusting your instincts while house hunting Real estate stories from behind the scenes Whether you're a Realtor, a Realtor mom, or someone dreaming about your next home, this conversation is a reminder that buying a house is about so much more than square footage.

Your Relationship With Money Part 2: How We Manage Money in Marriage as Realtor Moms

Money isn't just about budgeting. It's about communication, trust, and figuring out what works for your family. In Part 2 of our Relationship With Money series, we're getting personal about how we manage money with our husbands. We share why we've chosen to combine our finances, how that decision works in our marriages, and why we've never personally navigated separate accounts. This isn't a conversation about the "right" way to handle money. It's an honest look at what's worked for us and how our money systems reflect our values, communication, and partnership. If you're a Realtor, a business owner, a mom, or simply trying to build a healthier relationship with money at home, this episode will remind you that every family gets to create a system that fits their life. In this episode, we talk about: Shared bank accounts and why they work for us Money conversations with our husbands Building financial trust in marriage Different approaches to managing household finances Creating a money system that supports your family Real estate income and navigating finances as entrepreneurs

How Our Childhood Shaped Our Relationship With Money | Debt, Scarcity, and the Stories We Still Carry (Part 1)

Larissa and Sarah are diving into one of the biggest topics they've ever tackled: our relationship with money. And they quickly realized this conversation couldn't fit into just one episode. In Part 1, they share the money messages they grew up with and how those experiences quietly shaped the way they think, spend, save, and stress about money today. For Larissa, that meant growing up around debt and learning to juggle financial pressure. For Sarah, it meant hearing that "money is the root of all evil," a belief that took years to recognize and unpack. Whether you're a Realtor, a business owner, or just someone trying to build a healthier relationship with money, this conversation is about understanding where your beliefs came from before trying to change them. In this episode we talk about: Childhood money stories Scarcity vs. abundance Growing up with debt Family beliefs about money How money impacts business decisions Financial mindset Women and money Why this conversation deserves a Part 2

The Burnout You Don't See Coming

Burnout doesn't always look like falling apart. Sometimes it looks like snapping at your kids, feeling exhausted even after sleeping, forgetting everything, or wondering why you don't feel like yourself anymore. If you're a Realtor mom trying to balance clients, motherhood, a household, and everyone else's needs, this conversation is for you. We're talking about the physical signs of burnout, why so many women ignore them for too long, and small, realistic ways to start taking care of yourself without adding more to your already full plate. This isn't about bubble baths or perfect morning routines. It's about recognizing when your body is asking for help and learning how to refill your cup while you're still showing up for your family and your business. In this episode, we talk about: The physical symptoms of burnout Why Realtor moms are especially vulnerable to burnout The mental load of motherhood and running a business Simple ways to care for yourself when you have little kids Letting go of the guilt that comes with taking a break Building sustainable habits instead of waiting until you're completely exhausted If you've been feeling stretched too thin lately, we hope this episode reminds you that you deserve care too.

Comparison Is the Thief of Joy. Here's How We Stop Letting It Win

We've all done it. You scroll social media, see another agent closing deals, taking vacations, or somehow doing it all, and suddenly you're questioning everything you're doing. Comparison doesn't just affect your business. It shows up in motherhood, relationships, friendships, and the expectations we put on ourselves every single day. In this episode, we're talking honestly about why comparison is so easy to fall into, how it steals your confidence, and the simple mindset shifts that help you get back to focusing on your own life and business. If you're a Realtor mom or a woman building a business while juggling everything else, this conversation is for you. You'll hear us talk about: Why comparison feels impossible to avoid How social media can distort reality Practical ways to refocus on your own goals Building confidence without measuring yourself against everyone else Finding more joy in your business, motherhood, and everyday life If you've been feeling like you're falling behind, this episode is your reminder that someone else's timeline was never meant to be yours.

I Finally Asked... Why Isn't Botox a Write-Off?

You know that feeling when you'll spend money on your business without hesitation, but suddenly freeze when it's something for yourself? This episode started with a simple question about grocery store outfits, professional appearances, and business write-offs. But it turned into a bigger conversation about self-care, confidence, and why so many women are comfortable investing in their business while struggling to invest in themselves. We're talking about the difference between showing up professionally and showing up authentically, why some expenses feel justified while others feel indulgent, and what we can learn from the way other industries think about personal image and business success. If you've ever talked yourself out of getting your nails done, booking the appointment, buying the clothes, or spending money on yourself because it wasn't "necessary," this conversation is for you. In this episode: • Showing up professionally vs. casually in everyday life • The mindset behind business write-offs • Self-care and confidence as a business owner • Curiosity about how other industries approach image and appearance • Realtor mom life and personal investment • Balancing business expenses and self-worth This episode is for Realtor moms, women in real estate, and anyone navigating the complicated relationship between ambition, money, and self-care.

The Trade-Off Between Stability and Opportunity as a Mom and Entrepreneur

There's a unique dynamic in many entrepreneurial families: one person provides the stability, and the other chases the possibility. In this episode, we're talking about the contrast between a traditional W2 career and entrepreneurship, especially in households where a spouse's steady paycheck creates a safety net while the business owner takes on more uncertainty. But this conversation isn't really about jobs. It's about choices. The choices we make as moms. The choices we make as business owners. The moments when family needs us one way and our goals pull us another. And the reality that every path comes with trade-offs. We share honest thoughts on risk, flexibility, financial security, and why entrepreneurship can create opportunities that a traditional career often can't, even when the road feels less predictable. In this episode we discuss: The security a W2 job can provide a family The opportunities and uncertainty of entrepreneurship Why many entrepreneurial households rely on both stability and risk The choices moms make between family and business Flexibility versus predictability Building a real estate business while raising children Financial pressure, freedom, and long-term goals Navigating motherhood and entrepreneurship without having all the answers

Scammy Sellers and Holding Your Ground as a Realtor

Some clients make you question everything, especially when they start acting shady and trying to sell the house out from under you. This episode is about scammy seller behavior, protecting yourself as a Realtor, and learning how to hold your ground without spiraling, people-pleasing, or feeling like you have to beg for basic respect. For Realtor moms and women in real estate who are trying to build a solid business while also not letting difficult clients run the show.

Why AI Isnt Working For You

A lot of people are using AI like a hype machine. Ask a question, get validation, move on. But the real power of AI is building systems that actually think with you, challenge bad ideas, help you make decisions, and take things off your plate in a real way. This episode is about agentic AI bots, how to start building workflows that actually support your business, and why your AI shouldn’t just exist to agree with you all day long. We’re talking about realistic ways Realtors and business owners can start using AI without making it overly complicated or turning it into another full-time job to manage. If you’re curious about AI but still trying to figure out how to make it genuinely useful in real life, this one’s for you. If you’re in this season too, follow along. We’ll see you next week.

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