Are you trying to figure out how to transition from a full-time W2 job into a thriving, full-time real estate career? In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, host Josh Lavik sits down with Kayleigh Chrostowski, a powerhouse broker based in Janesville, Wisconsin. Despite starting her career while working full-time as an insurance auditor for the state, Kayleigh managed to close an incredible 17 transactions in her first year! Now, just two and a half years in, she has her broker’s license and is nearing 60 career transactions.

Kayleigh shares the secrets behind her rapid success, including how she utilized her parents' background in contracting to confidently estimate repair costs for her buyers, and why she ditched the "blazer and heels" to show up authentically (sometimes in paint-covered clothes!) for her clients. Josh and Kayleigh also discuss the harsh realities of work-life balance during the spring market, the danger of relying too heavily on AI for contractor quotes, and why you can never take it personally when a friend uses another agent.

🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik

🎤 Featuring: Kayleigh Chrostowski, Real Estate Broker

Kayleigh Chrostowski is a real estate broker at Rock Realty in Wisconsin. Drawing on her background in corporate marketing and state auditing, she brings a strong business foundation to her clients. Raised by licensed general contractors, she leverages her deep knowledge of construction and design to help buyers, sellers, and investors see a property's true potential.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ The Side-Hustle Grind: How Kayleigh Chrostowski successfully closed 17 properties in her first year while working a full-time, travel-heavy government auditing job.

✔️ Authenticity Wins: Why ditching the "perfect realtor" facade and showing up as your true, authentic self builds deep trust with clients.

✔️ The Contractor Advantage: How to confidently estimate home repair costs for your buyers to keep deals alive, and why you shouldn't rely on ChatGPT for contractor quotes.

✔️ Boundary Setting: Why every new agent must get a separate business phone before starting their career.

✔️ Handling Rejection: How to manage your ego and maintain relationships when friends or family members choose to buy or sell with a different agent.

📇 Connect with Kayleigh Chrostowski:

🌎 Website → https://realtorkayleigh.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/kayleigh.chrostowski/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kayleighchrostowski/

🎙 FOLLOW JOSH LAVIK & THE BETTER AGENT PODCAST:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 DON’T FORGET TO LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND COMMENT BELOW!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – iconsofrealestate.com