Nicaila Matthews Okome 0:02

If you're listening to side hustle Pro, the podcast that teaches you to build and grow your side hustle from passion project to profitable business, and I'm your host, nicaila Matthews okome, so let's get started. Hey, friends. Hey, welcome back to the show. It's nicaila here, and I am so excited to have Tricia Lee in the guest chair today. If you don't know, Trisha Lee is the founder and leader of the highly talented Tricia Lee team at Sirhan. After breaking into the industry with record breaking first year sales numbers at her former brokerage, Trisha went on to sell over 200 million in her solo career, before jumping to Sirhan and simultaneously joining forces with her partner, Jeffrey, together, they lead team Trisha Lee with a focus on home sales and luxury rentals. One of the things I admire so much about Trisha is the fact that she is really great at marketing herself and her business. She is a serial entrepreneur, so to speak. She first started a company called Polish bar, and we'll talk about that in the episode. And now she has pivoted into real estate. So in today's episode, we talk about starting up in entrepreneurship. We talk about her pivot and so much more. I hope this inspires you to reinvent yourself, if you need to, to change direction, if you need to, and to overall, just believe in yourself. So let's get right into it. Welcome officially to the side hustle pro guest chair. Thank you.

Tricia Lee 1:28

Yeah, it's my first podcast I ever listened to. So it's really, really exciting to be on it. You know, I

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:33

am so honored. I am so honored that that is the first podcast you ever listened to. So that just helps me to continue to push, continue to keep going through the ebbs and flows of life and career, like, keep going girl, like people are listening, and it's impactful. So thank you. Yeah,

Tricia Lee 1:49

of course, I was like, I wish I could do that one day. That's so amazing. And the name got me, I didn't know who you were, but the name, I was like, oh, that's all me. What's that about? Yeah, that's

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:58

why we do it, that SEO factor. And interestingly enough, I've been following you for a while as well. I was like, okay, so roar. Real Estate Broker in Brooklyn, when I'm ready to buy my brownstone, I'm coming to her. So it was just like serendipitous that we finally met last weekend at the oooo Summit. And yeah, I have been deep diving, learning all about your story, and I just am so inspired by you. So had to have you here. And I want to know how did you even get on the path to entrepreneurship? I know you opened the Polish bar as your first kind of foray, but how did that even come about?

Tricia Lee 2:34

You know, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I knew that was something I wanted to do. I grew up in a single family home, and like, my mom had such a rigid schedule, I think that created a desire in me just to have, like, the only thing I could remember thinking is I want more flexibility than that. Like, I wasn't opposed to working hard, I wasn't opposed to the grind. I just wanted to have a say, versus this, like, routine schedule. Like, every morning when I was a child, we woke up at seven, we were out the door at 805, like, it was just so routine. I don't like that. I don't like anything that's the same all the time. You know what? I mean? It's just I'm not traditional in that way. So that's what birth the idea of doing my own thing came from. And I would say along the way, a lot of people were like, oh, you should run your own business, since you so damn nosy, since you so damn bossy, you know? Or since you have so much to say, yes,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 3:18

you strike me as someone who was calling the shots from a young age, Are you the oldest? Are you the only child? Like, what is it? So

Tricia Lee 3:24

I'm the oldest girl, which, you know means you the oldest. Say what you will. That's my story. I'm the oldest girl. And, yeah, just as my personality, I've always been like, I've always been bossy, honestly. Like, that was like, what I was called as a child, was like, she's so bossy. She always got something to say. Always advocated for myself, even though I didn't know that that was how you described it, you know.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 3:48

So you're a boss. You were a boss. Yeah, yeah. Like people. I

Tricia Lee 3:52

think anybody would say that across any era of my life that's met me, yes, I now know better where it comes from. But for most of my life, I didn't know why I was like that, because I wasn't around that, and that wasn't really something that was shown to me. I think it was just something that was in me. Is what I've learned interesting. Where do you think it comes from? Well, now, like, as a fully formed adult and like, someone that's done the work to like, you know, like, figure out what moves you and who you truly are, I had a really great experience in the last few years where I got to learn a lot about my birth mother, and that's something I had never had, that was a big void in my life for all of my life. And then come the end of 2022 Yeah, I got like, I got to sit down and just become fully educated on my birth mother. And my birth mother passed away when I was under two years old. So I lived my whole life not having a really good understanding of kind of, like, if you for lack of a better term for like, really, who I was in a lot of ways. And I think that when that happened, and it was just like one afternoon, like, I'm gonna say November 14, 2022, and just coming out of. Situation and, like, a three hour conversation, I mean, a light just came on for me that I was like, these people have just described this woman to me in such immense detail. And there's no one in this world that wouldn't have thought that they were talking about me like anyone that would have listened to those details would have been like, yeah, that's Trisha. Yeah, that's Trisha. So for me, it was, like, sad, but it was also super beautiful that, like, oh, okay, I go, okay, so you're like, This is just who you are. Like, it's in you, you know. And they say, they always say nature versus nurture, and not that I didn't have a wonderful nurturing situation. My stepmom is, like, goals, like, she is so much of a reason of who I am and my perseverance and how I've been able to even navigate the world, not having a true understanding of who I was for all those years. But my mom was a boss, and she touched a lot of lives, and she was powerful, and she was an entrepreneur, and she was influential. And so learning that about myself at this big age, just like it, just closed so many gaps for me. And I've been glad you have just been forever changed by it, you know. And I think I have changed the way I even move in the world now. And so I will say some people, you may think you know me, but you don't know this version of me, because I am now in a space where I just don't feel the need to really prove myself or apologize for anything about myself now, and I don't know if that's better or worse, but that's

Nicaila Matthews Okome 6:31

why I think that is beautiful. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to have that, you know, because I'm sure now you think, like, what if I never even had this piece, right? So I can understand the bittersweet nature of it, but I'm so grateful that you have that now. Yeah,

Tricia Lee 6:48

and I worked through the life not thinking that I needed it. That's what was really sad. And I just was like, I'm I decided who I am, and I'm here now, and that's just who I am. And then, like, that one conversation, I mean, I didn't have the ability to manage the tears. I didn't have the ability to manage the emotion. I didn't have the ability to manage the gratitude. It was just such a I mean, it was just a life changing moment, you know, a life changing moment, a life changing day. Wow. Well,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 7:10

thank you for sharing that with me. That's a piece of your story. I did so much listening and and stalking. That is a piece I did not

Tricia Lee 7:20

know. It's very recent, and I wasn't sure that I wanted to start sharing it, but I thought that I should, and that's very recent, like in the last month, I would say I decided to start sharing it. Yeah, because I think that, like, my commitment is to make sure people don't think that things are easy. You know, that's, that's what I'm really committed to. It's like, there's so many glamorous personas and characters out there in the world, and they want you to think that everything is beautiful and easy, and I just feel like I owe the world more than that. You know, like I feel like I should I need to matter more than that and be more honest about what it is and how I got here, bro.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 8:03

You know that actually really blesses me, and that even changes how I feel about this interview, right? Because you're right social media without meaning to it can it is great because it's a portfolio and it can help with business, but then it anchors who people think you are. And so for me coming into this interview, you heard we talked about it, and I'm like, Trisha Lee Got her stuff together. I gotta get myself together. Like,

Tricia Lee 8:45

you snatched for the gods honey,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 8:52

where we met? Where we met? We met on a Saturday. So I'm coming off of a wrangling two kids in the morning like barely got my life together, just sweating, just I don't even know

everything held together. Girl, you know, I know.

I'm just gonna show up for this conference. I will keep my word one of them, real quick. I'm

just gonna do this real quick.

Get back to my life, please. God, don't let me see 20 people, right? And then, you know, then you're on the panel. But I was so grateful to meet you and but back to what you were saying.

I think it's so important to share that. And as people who, on the one hand, we have to show up in the world, and we have to prove that we got it together, because we got to, we got to make this money, right? We have to show up and show out. But people need to know that it's, there's not perfection here, like, there's literally, like, you should see what my bathroom looks like now, right? You should see the laundry, the piles all around my house, right now, right? And for you now, you're on this reality show, and you're slaying left, right, and you. Who are making hundreds of millions of dollars, but you're still human.

Tricia Lee 10:03

I'm not making I'm selling.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 10:07

Well, selling.

Tricia Lee 10:10

We've never done this podcast. My perception in the Maldives is poor. I can't do no podcast, but nobody

Nicaila Matthews Okome 10:21

10 million. All I need is 10. You'll never see me again.

Tricia Lee 10:27

Social shut down. Website shut down. We don't know where she went. She's right in here in Mexico. Now

Nicaila Matthews Okome 10:35

I'm not gonna tell you, but there will be you'll know.

You will see the side.

But so we're going to have an honest talk today. And today, I want to know, when did you open the Polish bar? Like, how far into your career were you at this point to open it up?

Tricia Lee 10:55

So I was in beauty. It's only thing I never done. I was in beauty in college. I like, you know, you go in the mall when you're in high school and college. And the beauty girls were, they were just cute. Their makeup looked good. And, you know, they they were cute. I always loved beauty, though, like, so I was always into it my whole life. I just love beauty, love fashion, love shoes. Like, I remember being like, in the fifth grade and being like, I own 50 pairs of shoes. This girl was like, you don't own pairs of shoes. And I was like, come to my house. You can count. Who does that? Like, that's insane. But you know, we were like, by our family was from New York, so we were very much influenced by that, like 80s, New York energy that, like my mom dressed her ass off, my grandmother dressed her ass off, and she they dressed their kids asses off. That's just who we were. So I always loved it. Always had me a little vote. Always had the magazine, always had my essence, like, always had my inspiration, and always was, you know, doing my little outfits and stuff. I can tell you what I wore to school the first day of every grade. What, yeah, yeah. Down to the socks, honey in the earrings. Like, I just always loved that stuff. So when I started working in college, I had found out I was working in handbags. I found out the girls in the beauty section made the most money per hour done. I like to applaud, like, literally, like, when I heard that, walked away from the counter and went up to the beauty director and was like, Hi, how can I come over here and work over here? So I got a job in beauty and just worked in beauty my whole life. And at a certain point, you know, I'm obviously moving up, and I'm working in retail development, I'm working in retail management, and I'm like, managing millions and millions and millions of dollars of retail business. And I just started kind of coming up with a business concept, which was Polish bar. Didn't have the name at the time, but that's what it was. And around oh, five, I decided to quit my job. I was very young, but I, you know, being very young means I didn't have any

Nicaila Matthews Okome 12:35

expenses. That part was that, when you were at Mac, I was at

Tricia Lee 12:38

Mac, yeah, well, I'd been at Mac for like, maybe, I think, eight years or something like that. But I Lauder, okay, since 18 got it, you know, so I had, like, 401, K, like, I all that stuff. So I'd only been at one company when I got to Mac in whatever year that was, they got bought out by Estee Lauder. So I ended up leaving Estee Lauder just to go right to Estee Lauder. So I started crafting a business model. I had taken classes at bedside restoration, for home ownership and for small business. So I just started doing what I was being taught how to do, and I just started working on it. I think eventually just got so big of an idea that it just kind of needed to happen. So I decided to quit my job and to do it. And I prepared, like, it's not a decision as much as it is, like things were rolling in that direction. So when I quit my job, I was prepared, and I had a really, really supportive partner that believed that I could do it too. And so he was like, yeah, like, you do that, and I'll hold down the fort. And I was just so fortunate, you know, to be able to do that, because so many people don't have that kind of help. But he was like, kind of help. But he was like, this, what you want to do? You do it. I'll make sure the lights are on and the bills are paid. And, you know, he moved in with me so that I didn't have this many expenses. Like, he really sacrificed a lot so that I could propel forward. And like, you know, having a good man in your life is just so important, and that's why I'm, like, not really flexible with that now, like, even, you know, people like, oh, Jeff is wonderful. And like, they kind of all have to be here. Like, they don't have no reason to be here, reason to be here. So, like, the standard, the standard was always high in that way, you know. And I don't think that that's something I have to, like, sugarcoat, yeah. I

Nicaila Matthews Okome 14:20

mean, like, Look at me. I

Tricia Lee 14:21

have a right to be particular about who I date, like, whatever, you know, like, I feel like I am strong headed, capable. I'm a partner in anything I do. So I don't think it's crazy to ask that of whoever partners with me. So I had a very, really good partner, and he helped me so much, and I did this business, and it just took off. And it was just insane. You know? It was like, I could not keep up. I always felt like I was, like, flapping behind the cart, you know, like the wagon is moving and I'm like, you know, it didn't look like that, you know what I mean, but it always felt that way. And I think that's where I figured out that how I presented my brand had nothing to do with the truth. So people thought, you mean. Franchise. Well, because, like, I was very much into branding, and at that time, small business didn't focus a lot on branding. But, you know, I'm coming out of working at max, so I'm like, brand, brand, brand, brand, brand, marketing, marketing, marketing. So I'm treating my small business very much like a chain. I'm treating it, I mean, my business like inspirations were Bath and Body Works and Neiman Marcus, like, that's what I would look at like. I remember looking at Bloomingdale's, and that was like, whatever their store hours are. That's me, my store hours. I never looked, yeah, at what was like around me. I always looked at what I wanted to achieve as a model, you know, and

Nicaila Matthews Okome 15:30

what was around you when you launched. So did you launch it in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn? Was that the first door? Okay, I

Tricia Lee 15:36

was in Clinton Hill, and I had, I knew, no entrepreneurs. Yeah, I don't even know if I knew any homeowners at that time, because at that time I owned my home, you know, I was on some different activities, you know. And that's why I don't have a lot of great New York City Party stories, because I've always been in the trenches like I don't have a lot of those stories. Yeah, you were always on the ground. Yeah? People like you that I was not there. I was working, yeah?

Nicaila Matthews Okome 16:01

What was real estate costs? Like, back, like, when you were investing in your home and and polished bars first location, like, now it's like, what average is, what

Tricia Lee 16:12

two mil for a brownstone? So like, what did you have to put down? Absolutely, my first purchase was a co op, and it was what I was, what I could afford. And, like, I went to a home buying workshop, like, literally, at Bed Stuy restoration. And I say that because, like, you know, a year or two ago, they were awarded me with Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and they're, like, the gatekeepers of Bed Stuy, yeah, and a big deal. But I'm like, you don't even I'm sitting up here taking an award for stuff I learned in your class, because it was free and that's what I could afford. You know? I remember my first lease was like $5,000 a month for a space. And I remember my mortgage and maintenance at that time was probably like 2400 or something like that. So I was, like, taking on a retail space. It was gonna be double my living costs, you know, but you just make a way out of no way half the time, right? And we all do it. And just because I have on blush and lipstick doesn't mean my road is any different. I just ain't about to be out here looking crazy.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 17:06

That's what were the first few months. Like, did you start with a good customer base, or did you was this low at first?

Tricia Lee 17:13

You know what? That's when I really realized I can market my ass off. Because I started off packed, packed, like, crazy, like, sorry. Like, all day long, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, you know, and like, this horrible reputation, like, oh, it's cute, but you can't even get in there. Like, that was just no, yeah. So I was like, Okay, I'm really good at marketing. Like, that's what I'm really good at. You know, I remember a friend of mine was like, they're just clamoring for this shit.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 17:36

And I was, yes, yeah, the experience makes a difference. And you started something that you didn't see often at the time in Brooklyn. You know that just like, a full like, this was, like, stuff people were expecting out of Manhattan, I'm sure, yeah,

Tricia Lee 17:49

yeah. And also, like, it was like, never in Brooklyn, really. Then it was also never, like, never owned by a black person, either. And I just felt like I created what I wanted that was really it, like, it was very selfish, if you think about it, I was like, I want that. Like, why is it when people come to visit me for Arizona, I gotta take them to Manhattan for nice stuff? That's nonsense. Like, I live in a beautiful neighborhood there. I deserve that here. And so I was just solving my own problem when I started my business. And sometimes I think that that's where you you have to start, you know? But the business was super successful from the beginning. We grew right away, I want to say in, well, I opened my second business a year and a half in which was second location and, like, a bigger location with, like, double the team, double the space, double the expense. But that was my first world of being an entrepreneur, and that's where I kind of, like, worked out a lot of my kinks. Learned about, you know, email marketing, learned about print marketing, learned about, you know, word of mouth and service and consistency with service and promotions and things like, I learned all the things I had to learn there and so much of the business was being impacted by real estate. Like, at the time, a lot of our clients were being shifted out of the neighborhood. They couldn't afford there anymore. They were renting. They couldn't afford to buy. Luckily, I had bought, so I was protected in that way. Yeah. So a lot of those lessons that I now share like I went through I learned my clients were like, leaving the neighborhood, and real estate prices are going up, therefore rents are going up. And locations, my second location was like, double what my first location was. So I just like, you know, decided that real estate was heavily impacting this small business, and it made me pay attention to real estate more. And then I had a best friend. I literally just got fun with her right before we got on this podcast. And she was in real estate. She was a developer, so that was a really quick cheat for me, because I knew her side of the story. I knew her struggle. I knew her work. I knew her success. And, you know, she always was like, you'd kill this shit, like you would kill it,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 19:46

yeah. And give you that insider peek at it before you Yeah.

Tricia Lee 19:51

And this is like a woman that, like, 31 years old, is building communities in North Carolina, on waterfront, you know? I mean, like, who does that? So it's like, I've always been around. Own, like, really insane personalities and characters like that. I've always been so fortunate.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 20:04

I love the audacity, like you're around audacity, like, yeah, like, why can't we? Why wouldn't we? Of course, yeah,

Tricia Lee 20:11

yeah. And it's like this, no apology, mindset about everything, you know. So I started, like, deciding to, like, study real estate as, like, just as a side hustle, let's be quite honest, that's what it was going to be. Because to be because, like, Beauty was my love. And then as I dip my toe in, I was like, Oh, I really like it. And I like the fact that it was flexible, more flexible than running storefronts, too, because that was a lot like, there was always something going on, something breaking, something like operations is its own, you know, bag of challenges. So real estate allowed me to run this business, and it was lucrative, but it didn't require all the day to day operations and responsibilities, and I had become really exhausted by that, so it just made sense to move. And I said, I just put in my mind, I was like, as soon as I make this much money, or as soon as I do this many transactions, I'm exiting. And that came very quickly. It was like six

Nicaila Matthews Okome 20:59

weeks. Wow. So had you exited Polish bar at all? Like, did you still have both locations when you started real estate? Because that's kind of like, a lot

Tricia Lee 21:07

locations. And I had, and I talked to my team about, like, shrinking down because we were, like, having such a struggle at the second location. It was so big, and while the neighborhood grew in Prospect Heights, the client body wasn't really checking for us like that, okay? And neighborhoods change, right? Culturally, they change, and especially in Brooklyn, yeah, and so both of my neighborhoods, I always had a really diverse customer base. You know what I mean? It was, that's just like I was in downtown Brooklyn. That's just what it was. But I shifted from having, like, these creative fashion, beauty, writer, photographer, energy, people, like all my clients, were that, yeah, and then they were like, kind of soccer mom energy, you know, they shifted to that. Then it was like, Subarus. And, you know, $40,000 a year Subarus, yeah, like it was, and I'm not shading anybody, but the focus is different. You know what I mean? I went from having girls that would not walk around with their nail chipped to girls that did it right before vacation as a treat. Ah, okay, so then I had to, like, market to 10 times more women because I didn't have Karen coming in at four o'clock every Thursday. You know, like I knew my clients names, I knew their birthdays, I knew their credit card numbers, definitely knew their husband's credit card but it shifted, and all things shift, and I'm not the person to resist change. I feel like that's a very sour place to sit, and it gets you nowhere. Like it just, it just doesn't like, I like. I remember buying my apartment. If somebody's like, I would never pay that for that. Never pay that for that apartment. You could have gotten it so and so back in the day, but between back in the day, like, What are you talking about in the day? And, like, what the minute people start talking like that, I detach, because I'm like, we literally could never be friends because you're stuck in the in the what was. And I'm trying to figure out what's what's about to be like, we just and I know it's a mindset, but I run from those personalities because I'm like, that resentment that you build, not of understanding that things are going to change, and you better change with it, right? We don't have nothing in common. I'm sorry. Like we don't. We can never you know, and you would probably hate me if you got to know me. Let's be honest. I,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 23:26

you know, I'm realizing that I just like the mindset, the energy that I need right now is a very specific energy, and if you even start to complain too much, I'm like, I I'm retracting myself from this because I literally cannot afford to think like that and continue to thrive and pay my bills and grow and, you know, have the kind of life that I'm building for me and my family, like I literally can't even, yeah, you can't even. This is not gonna help me. It's not gonna work. Don't go together. Yeah, yeah.

Tricia Lee 24:01

And that also kind of, like, I've been in New York for like, 20 years. I was watch what it's gotten them, you know. I'm like, you ain't dealing nothing different than you were two decades ago. Yeah, chatting about how things used to be. Like, it's great however they used to be, but it's not currently. So I'm like, okay, things are being shifted, and things are moving. And this is what it is like. Let me figure something else out. I didn't get stuck on, like, why it was changing. The last year my business was open, we had no water, like 30% of the time, what the city was having some irrigation issue. Oh no. And I think what happened is the over development of the community had created like to where the sanitation and irrigation wasn't able to keep up with the body count, really, wow. And all I know is Polish bar had no water at random hours of the day every single day. Yelp

Nicaila Matthews Okome 24:54

and Google reviews. Was that a thing that they were on

Tricia Lee 24:57

when I say lit, they were lit. I. Yeah, it was, like, almost funny to read them sometimes. I was just like, Baker, I guess, really bad today. Like, that was girl, you know, that was uncalled for. It was just impossible. And like, everybody in the motrins Association got together and they're like, we're gonna sue that. I was like, I am. I'm out. Like, this one, this one about to do, watch this. And so that was another thing that was going on, the fuel the fire that people really never knew about, that I was like, having, I was it was impossible for me to actually operate my last year of business. And I was like, Cool, that's the sign I needed. I'm out.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 25:35

Did you have any kind of struggle with the identity shift from beauty to real estate?

Tricia Lee 25:40

Majorly, majorly. How did you handle that? I would always credit my friends for that, because I didn't see myself as anything else but beauty, and I didn't want to. So I really struggled with that, and I didn't know how to really show up in the professional world, in any other space but beauty and I the more I started to learn, the more I realized that brokerage had a lot to do with beauty and esthetic. And we were selling this product and selling this lifestyle, and selling these stunning homes and properties and staging them and furnishing them. I get it too. So I started clamoring, yeah, I found my way in the new world. So that was a part of it. And then just, you know, core friendships with people that were like me, that were doing things and creating things, and like, if you, if you want to say creators, like, we weren't necessarily like content creators, but we were, all my friends, were writers, they were developers, they were makers. They had their businesses that whatever they did, they they did, and that were, they were the top of their game. And a lot of conversations with them, I think, is what kind of kept me going. Because they were just like, Bitch, you have always been a boss. Are you kidding? You know, like, boss us around. I gotta go on vacation and you tell me what I'm doing.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 26:52

That doesn't end in one industry. Like you're gonna be a boss no matter where you go.

Tricia Lee 26:56

They're like, you're always in charge. Get out of here. So that helped, and that's probably the main reason I was able to really figure it out and do it, and then, you know, like, it's just something about like, I've always had this experience in Brooklyn. I've always had this experience with women like my sister always says, like, women just gravitate towards you. She's like, it's your gift and your curse. Because one people don't know how moody you are,

they would hope they catch you at the right time. My sister is, she's just, she's too honest. Sometimes catch you at the right hour. I might not really that hour. It's like, like, Am I hungry? Is the question

Nicaila Matthews Okome 27:35

that's a very important, you know, blood sugar is a real thing. Okay, we got to keep it.

Tricia Lee 27:41

But, you know, she's like, people really gravitate to you. So I had met, like so many amazing women in the beauty business. And you know, when I was closing the business, I was really sad, and I was just like, you know, I was scared. I didn't know if I was gonna do well in this new business. And I was quite embarrassed, because I was like, I gotta, like, put myself out here now as this real estate broker. And I just feel like everyone does that, and then, like, they just, like, say it, and then, like, you never hear about it again, because they fail, you know, and I don't want to be one of those people or whatever. And it wasn't. It wasn't just wasn't. That's what it was. It wasn't that I had made that up in my head. It was like, actually, you've met all these amazing women there. A lot of them are, whether it be financial or not. They are absolutely the heads of household, like they decide where they live, they decide how they live. You know, even if they don't work, that's that's just the truth of who we are in the home. And I didn't realize the resources I had, like the last day I was closing, I said, all I have for these 10 years are all these damn women. That's all. All I have are all these, this, this list, I said, this list of women's names and emails. Yeah. Can you imagine? Completely imagine

Nicaila Matthews Okome 28:43

completely you couldn't connect it yet, and sometimes you just have to keep moving forward so you can connect it. Something else you said, reminded me of something I heard recently, this idea of, you know, everything is a story we tell ourselves. What we believe is a story. It's a story you choose to believe. So you could believe, hey, I'm a failure. I'm no longer doing this business, or you could change your story, tell yourself a different story, and all of a sudden you feel better, you have something else to look forward to. So you change that story in your head at some point, right? Yeah, when did you change that story? And then how did you move forward to pivot into real estate? I

Tricia Lee 29:17

think it came really early, like, really quickly, you know, like, for me, I'm very, like, honest, and I'm very truthful with myself and people. If I'm in conversation too, I'm just like, I've never felt the need to put on this facade so that you like me or whatever, like, you know, I'm like, I'm likable, like, whatever, so I'm just gonna be me, and if you don't like it, that's your business, you know, that's you. So I go through those real emotions. So, like, the fear was very real and I went through and I expressed it, and the sadness was very real, and I expressed it, and I allowed those feelings to go through. And I think that's why I get to a powerful space very quickly, because I acknowledge the other spaces. So when I'm on the phone, you know, calling one of my girlfriends and being like, I don't think I can really do this, you know, or I. I don't know if I don't really, I've done so much over here, like, why would I go you know, like I've talked through those things, versus pretending everything is fine, or not even acknowledging that I'm scared. I go through my emotions and I say that, like, I'll tell people, like, I'm a very emotional person, but I don't find that to be a bad thing, because one, you know who you are, you know where you stand with me. You know it's truthful. And also, like, I express and experience my emotions, so therefore I don't have to suppress them. And you know, if that means you kind of have to deal with it, I'm sorry, but I'd rather you deal with it than me suppress

Nicaila Matthews Okome 30:30

it. My best friend and I were talking about this recently. And like, you know, just the how much needless suffering we put ourselves through if we choose to suppress our emotions versus being honest and dealing with that rather than dealing with the holding on to it, like, about to blow up inside. Like, that's not, yeah, it's

Tricia Lee 30:49

just so damaging, not that I don't even have the self control to do that. Like, to be honest

with you, you never had that problem. No,

I'm like, here you live with it when you said it, and that's why you shouldn't said it. And let me tell you something else. Next time you talk to me, that's me, you know what I mean. And like, now I put it back on you, but because, first of all, you came at me with some nonsense. And I'm not, I'm not holding it. You hold it. That's how I feel about it, like whatever it is. And it's not about, like, really being so emotional, just about being clear. I'm just like, you know, this is what it is. So when I was scared, going through a transition, I was honest about it. I didn't try to lie and make up stories around it. Oh, and I'm just gonna know. I was like, nobody's gonna even believe I know anything about houses, and they're not gonna trust me. Why would they? I wouldn't trust me, you know? And then I started studying, and then I started reading, and then I was like, oh, actually doing all this stuff. And then stuff kicked in from my childhood. Because, you know, all of your life experiences come together. Oh, yeah, for this, right? Like, everything's already in motion. You just don't know you're like, exactly you think you're in control. That's what's funny.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 31:49

Homeowner. You are early homeowner. You know, I

Tricia Lee 31:52

grew up in a single family home, so, like, we knew everything. We knew everything. Like you, you I could put in the garbage disposal if I had to. I'm not proud of that, but it's a fact, yeah, like, we learned how to do everything. I remember being in college, and my little sister was 15, maybe 14, and she came to change my flat tire.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 32:12

Wow. Color me impressed, yep, yep, yep, yeah. And she was like, why wouldn't

Tricia Lee 32:17

you do it yourself? And I was, Oh, I didn't wanna mess up my nails. Like that was the reason why not? Because I didn't know. I just didn't want to mess up my nails. But that is how, like, I was prepared for this world, like all the way along and even with the business, like, everything was my responsibility. In the business, commercial space, it's like, from the walls to the sidewalk is your responsibility. So I had, I knew how to put in a new sidewalk. I already I had done that. I knew how to put in nine boilers to heat a salon with, you know, nine pedicure chairs in a bathroom, or two bathrooms, whatever it was. So I wasn't going in blindly. I knew what I was doing, and I just needed my friends and people that loved me and supported me to remind me you got it, like you totally got it, and also to, like, shake all that fear and, you know, and doubt out, right? And then once I got on the road with it, I was just on fire. And once again, I'm hanging off the back of the cart trying to hold on, because the business was growing so fast, and I could barely hang on to it, you know, I was like, there are times I would have 15 clients, 20 clients. I remember having 22 clients one time, and this girl that was working with me was like, Do you really have 20 clients? I was like, turn them out. Them out.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 33:23

Why would I lie? Why

you remind me of the Black Panther moment? Like, remember who you are. Like, you know sometimes your friends have to remind you. Like, remember who you are. You know who you are.

Your first year, you also you didn't feel like, oh, I need to go to the bottom right. You started out at like, a big firm, and was just like, learning everything you could, reading all of that good stuff. Talk to us about that, like, how you made a transition without feeling like, I am going to try to go to the smallest firm ever and work my way up. You know,

Tricia Lee 34:03

yeah, I've always been like, very big pawn small fish energy. So I've always felt like I wanted to be around the big fish. I felt like, I always felt like people that are the top of their game, if you're just in the space and in the room, whatever falls off of them lands on you. And I felt like that was enough. That was enough. I was like, if I could just hear them talk, if I could just see how they move, if I could just watch what they do. I thought that was enough. So I literally just was like, What's the number one firm? And within that firm, what's the number one office? And that was how I decided where to go. And, yeah, that's scary, but it ain't that scary. How did you package your transferable skills at that point? Was

Nicaila Matthews Okome 34:37

it just like a matter of who, you know, along with I owned in Brooklyn, two locations, blah, blah, blah, you know, yeah,

Tricia Lee 34:43

well, I was doing both for the first year, and that made it really easy of a transition, because, like, I would be in the real estate office in the morning, and then at night, I would be in the salons, and then I was like, oh, okay, so all of this is like, lead sourcing, and all of this is actually like, building your clientele. You know, at the time my business, I'm trying to build more clients. There, because I have the same client body, but I see them far less times per year, you know, like, I went from having people in there regularly to having people in there as a treat, and I'm like, This is not a treat. This is maintenance, strictly maintenance, you know. So it was like, Okay, so that's a thing, that's a thing. And then it was like, the marketing was a thing, and then, you know, the events was a thing, and then big, big, big in beauty, big, big, big in brokerage is understanding how the trends are changing, and also staying on top of education. So so much was transferable. And then the personality is included in the package. So, I mean, in both spaces, so I realized I was like, Oh, this is going to be a thing. So my only fear was, would people trust me with this transaction versus the other transaction? And I don't even know if I had that fear or if it was instilled in me, because people were telling me, like, why would somebody want you to sell their house? Like you're a beauty girl? And that pissed me off a lot, and it really like sparked a fire in me, because you know, when you say that to me, I'm like, I'm gonna sell more houses than you look. Watch, watch this. Yes, yeah, you done, yes. I hope you're done. Because I want to make sure you eat these words like, and that you know who you are, and you've eaten those words so I can be like, riled up, right? Because I'm like, a word like, that's when the Jamaican comes out. Like, that's how you feel. Watch, watch how I'm about to land in

Nicaila Matthews Okome 36:22

first place. Yep, you did something really smart. You realize that your customer base, it was a customer base, and you could start to email them, tell them what you're doing, real estate gems, all this different stuff. And then, lo and behold, they did want you to sell their house. They were like, oh, so. But yeah, you said, you doing email marketing

Tricia Lee 36:45

big time. And it was a really great like, I did an email once a month, sometimes twice a month, and it was just a really great client source. It was just wonderful because it would remind people to come in. It would let them know about promotions, and at that time, I would share a lot about, like, businesses opening up and new services. Like, really what I do now I did then, and when I got into real estate, something told me, like, let me see if they're interested. So I sent out a letter. Well, the when I decided to close and finally, like, walk away from the real estate business, I had like, 11 deals in contract, and I was like, Okay, we're done. Like, this is it. And my whole team knew what I was working on so it wasn't a shock to anybody they had known for like, six months. So I decided that that goodbye letter should be a hello letter as well. And I sent out a letter, and was like, if you care to follow, this is what I'll be doing now. And I think at that time, so many, I always say this, I think so many people just gravitated to a big change in that way that they were like, is she really gonna do this? That's crazy? Or maybe, like, I think she can do it, or maybe she ain't gonna be able to do that. Like, whatever it was. People were very drawn to it. And I got so much, such great response from it, so many like, letters of encouragement and like, you know, let us know, keep us in mind. But also people be like, oh, so where are you like, are you working this market? Like, literally writing back to me, like, Oh, I'm thinking about selling my place. So I immediately got leads from that one letter that I thought was so hard to write and, like, didn't really want to write it. I sat on my couch and I just wrote it. Didn't edit or anything. I was like, I'm not even editing it. I want it to be so raw and so real that you're like, it has typos. Yeah, it has typos. Because I was upset. Maybe, alone, you know. And I wrote the letter, and I just hit send, and I sent it out to like, whatever the client body at the time was like somewhere between 23 24,000 you know, minus bounce backs or whatever. And it just was like, ding, ding, ding. It just was coming in. And so in that I did find some leads. And like, the very first client that I worked with to sell her house, and I did a bang up job on that sale. It was just like, I remember the top broker in the office coming back and telling my sales director, who's that new girl? She gonna be a problem. She is gonna be a problem. And I was like, until this day, I was so complimented by that, because they are such a big deal. But they were like, telling my sales director, like the type of event that I did, how I did it, like what I had there that, you know, just how thought out, and the details that I had thought about, they didn't even know who I was, and I'd been in the office for like, four months, every day, they had never noticed me. And then they end up at this preview, and they're like, they come back to the office, they're like, listen, there was this chicken there, and she's gonna be a problem. You know, literally, she's been sitting two feet from you for the last four months. But I love that, and I think that that, you know, shout out to Leslie Marshall of Corcoran Group, because that gave me that last bit of Hurrah. You know,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 39:31

that, that confidence, that put Yeah, because

Tricia Lee 39:35

you know, you just, you're doing the best you can. You don't really know what you're doing at that point, and that's okay, yeah, but that was enough. And then for somebody at her level to be like, Oh, she gonna give us a run for our money. And it was just the best thing my sales director could have shared with me, and it was just time. So I decided I was like, I'm gonna keep the brand name, but close the business, because I want to do something with the brand name eventually, and I don't want anyone to be able to take that away. But I. Ready to go all in with real estate. And I was excited to go all in with real estate, so I did. And that just led to a really big first year, like, really great first year sales. Rookie of the Year. Talk your ish, oh, yeah, yeah. It was like, I think it was 14.1 or 14 point 3 million in revenue. Wow, you know. And that could be one house now, but when you're talking that time, I'm selling 400,000 200,000 $600,000 properties. So to do 14 million was a lot of first year. Oh

Nicaila Matthews Okome 40:29

my gosh, there's a lot of work. Tell us a little bit now, now that I've seen owning Manhattan, I'm like, oh, I need some of these commissions. Like, all right, let's help. How does it actually work? Like, how you talk about leads, how do you get houses to sell? And how does real estate broker world work? Because even though you're under a group, you're not an employee of the group, right? So, no, no, you're

Tricia Lee 40:55

an affiliate,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 40:56

yeah. How do you get the houses to sell?

Tricia Lee 40:57

How does it actually work when you're a part of a group? That's such a great question, because nobody asks that, and everybody thinks that you just work for Ryan, and he just hands you listings. I'm like, where, if he does, I'd have, I'd like to have a

Nicaila Matthews Okome 41:10

conversation with you, right? It makes it, yeah,

Tricia Lee 41:12

like, if you go into real estate today, nicaila, your clients are gonna be your aunt, your cousin, person at the bank that you talk to the girl in your class like, you know they're gonna be people that would trust you with selling their home. So you go into real estate, who's gonna trust you to sell their home or help them buy the home, people that truly trust you and respect your your breadth of knowledge. And that's what's hard, because when you're new, you don't have that, yes, you know, or most of the times you don't have that. So you need to get that and get it fast, and then demonstrate to these people that you have it. And so for me, it was like what any new agent would have to deal with is convincing people that you're here for the long ride, you're not just trying to chase a quick buck, that you are actually learning the industry and studying and understanding things, and that you're actually having success. So I felt like that same email marketing letter was going to be the way to teach and share what I was learning. And I didn't know anything in the beginning, except for, like, the core, foundational stuff that I walked into the business with. So I figured I could share as I learned. And so as I was learning things, I'd go on Facebook and be like, did you know that appraisers do blah, blah, blah. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, that's how I would share. But after a while, you start to show people that you are in it for the long haul, and that you are learning, that you are progressing. And I never shared any success. I had, like, I worked for almost, like, I would say, eight months before I ever shared that I had sold anything. Wow.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 42:33

Why is that? By that time, I

Tricia Lee 42:35

sold, like, everything, yeah, remember one night, so that was a time where someone had said something about breaking the internet. I think maybe, like, I don't know, it's like some social media person had broken the internet. So I just want to break the internet tonight. Put all my put all my soul, houses up and I like, just, like, list I just pushed out, like, I think I posted, like, 10 or 12 or 14 houses that I had sold or something like that. And I felt like that legitimized me, because people were like, Wait, oh, she's really doing this. I'm really doing it. You know, I'm really doing it. So my first year, I sold, first year, I sold 21 properties, and then from there, it had buzz, because it was like, who, who's this? And then, and then it's like, the Polish bar. People were like, we told you she could do it, like, you know, like, that's our girl. And so it was like, You don't know her. Well, then you late, you know, that was like, the community energy. So new people were getting to meet me because of that type of accomplishment. Like, I went to compass that year, and they were like, you're the rookie of the year, but the business I had done, you know, at Corcoran, yeah, but compass brought me in and was like, based on your first year volume, you're going to be our first rookie of the year. You're the rookie of the year. So you get a little bit of buzz with that. And so that starts to build your brand reputation in real estate. And I already had my brand reputation built in Brooklyn and in beauty. So they kind of started to come together finally, and that allowed me to tell my story better. Got it. And then when you know it's like anything, you get one great guest, another great guest wants to interview with you well, as you do one house successfully, somebody else wants I mean literally, I got a brownstone. Thursday, I got a brownstone. I got my second brownstone that Friday, nice and all polish for our clients. By the way, all beauty clients.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 44:15

And as far as how it works, so what's the benefit of even being under like a real estate group? If, like you mentioned, they're not necessarily giving you listings, and you aren't like a 401, K, salaried employee with guaranteed anything.

Tricia Lee 44:29

Well, they gives you services. So every real estate brokerage gives you specific services that you essentially pay for. So while they don't pay you, you do pay them from your earnings, and that can be anything from marketing, structure, training, education, legal support, operational support, like, I can walk into my sales director's office, and really, pretty much, I can bring any scenario to him, and he's seen it done and knows exactly what to do. Okay, so, mentorship. You know, the situation with Ryan is very unique, because, like, he's done everything at a like, 100% level, like he's done. Like every and anything. It's just like, very strange. There's like nothing you haven't talked to him about that he hasn't done. So it's like that level of mentorship and that level of support. So that's what you pay for out of your commissions. And so like, if you're getting if you're selling a house, and let's say you make 3% 4% 5% 1% commission, then you pay the brokerage a portion of that for those services. The rest is yours for your business. And then you take that those monies, you give yourself a salary, you give Uncle Sam his salary, and you put your money back into your business, because you got to keep marketing yourself. You got to keep doing events. You got to keep doing print material. You got to keep having a name and investing in your listings, whatever it is, it runs just like a business. To me, it was a far better business for my brain and my personality. So I loved beauty and still do. What was interesting about going into this business was that I just felt like my personality was a better fit for it, because I've always been kind of strong, you know, and I think I was a little bit too strong for beauty. Maybe, yeah, you're sharp,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 45:59

you know, you immediately come across as sharp and just just a businesswoman, just a business boss, and so, yeah, it almost seems like so natural to me. I can't believe it wasn't your first business out the gate, but I understand how everything leads to the other so I want to get in two more questions before we jump into the lightning round. And second is going to be about content. The first is going to be about the fact that Ryan came to you, right? So he came searching you, out seeking you. Why do you think that was? Was it for the reality show as well as being a part of the Sirhan team? Or was it for Sirhan before reality TV was even in the picture? Because

Tricia Lee 46:38

I'm a star, a rock star. You all of me. Have to ask him. But I think it would be, I would imagine it would be how I marketed myself, Yes, and my product. So I market the part of my job is to market myself. This is what I do. This is how I do it. You want to work with me, and then my product, this is what I'm selling. This is why you want to live here. This is bomb. Have you ever thought about Cobble Hill? Well, let me teach you about Cobble Hill. So I think it was partly one and partly two. I think there were accolades too. Like I had had, like my biggest year, that year as an independent agent, I had recognition. I was a top I had gotten, I think, like, top black broker in Brooklyn. And I was doing some things. I was making some waves, you know what I mean? And I think it's partly that, and most people that meet me, they're like, You need to be on TV. I've decided I was like, it's just because I'm so dramatic. Someone said to me that they'd be like, they're like, oh, Trisha, don't be so dramatic. I was like, I am, like, literally only dramatic.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 47:46

What do you mean? It is an asset about your personality.

Tricia Lee 47:50

I don't think the TV show was, well, I don't know. You know, with Ryan, you never know, because he keeps things close to his chest, and he's got like, 700 things going on, and he does not say anything, but he knows exactly where everything's supposed to go. It's like, supposed to go. It's like, very, very like, in his mind, yeah, like,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 48:06

I'm always calling him the superhero, and

Tricia Lee 48:07

everyone's like, that's just because you work for him. No, not really because I thought he sucked, I'd say that, but it's because of what I've observed. Like, he's very like, very much, like a superhero in this really weird way. I don't know if you meet a lot of people like that, but I think if most people meet him and spend, like, any amount of time with him, they're like, Yeah, I see what you're saying. Like, that's just what it is. So I don't know what his plan was at the time, but I'm sure once he met me in that very first meeting, I'm sure he was like, Oh, this piece, Yep, yeah, sell and talk shit. And my interview with him was for a sale, you know, real estate broker position, but it probably may have been for TV at the same time, because I gave him a run for his money in the interview, for sure, because, again, I'm coming out of a situation I'm very happy at Compass. I don't need nothing. Y'all need me. So, you know, I had that arrogance about me, and you know, he managed that arrogance really well, because he's like the super successful and humble person. So he's not studying me at all. He's just like, they're there whatever you say, You know what I mean, and not because it's whatever you say, but it's just because, like, he's like, about getting things in order so that he can line them up to be successful. And if he's got to manage 27 different unique personalities to do that, he's going to do it, you know, beautifully. Yeah, the biggest scene that people know me for is where I'm like, telling him, You know, I asked you to be the, you know, to be the little way into my Drake, and that's what I still expect of you, but that's literally what I asked him in the interview. I was like, you know, I see you're a big deal and everything, but can you handle creating a big deal or having another big deal come from, from, from or through you, or do you need the light? And I thought that that was a fair question, because I thought that he was a huge star in his world, but I didn't know. And again, I didn't pay attention to him, so I wouldn't have known, but I didn't know if he'd ever produced a star. And I felt like if I worked. If you you're going to produce a star, yes. Is that what you want? Because if not you want, you can prevent it, yeah, yeah, yeah. You're going to help. You're going to prevent it, because it's going to happen with or without you. But do you want to be a part of it? Yeah? And are you okay with it? I thought he could do it better than anyone else, but I didn't know what his energy was about. Because some people feel that when the light is going to you, it somehow dims me a little, right? It's a threat to them, Yep, yeah. And other people are like, light it all up, shit like,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 50:28

all of it, the lights brighter on all

Tricia Lee 50:31

just brighter. And I felt like that was a fair question to ask someone in his role and in his position. And I felt like I needed to know, because that's what would help me make my decision. Because I was just choosing to start at a new brokerage, and it was just like, whether it was going to be his or someone else's. And his response to it was just so genuine and sweet and good that I was like, I think I love this man.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 50:55

Share it here.

Tricia Lee 50:56

I was like, whenever I said, I was like, you know, I'm I'm writing the bomb, because this is my This is always my tagline. I know I'm the shit. Like, I'm always saying, I know it's crazy, but I don't care how you take it. You know what I mean? Like, if you get uncomfortable, then you probably wouldn't like me anyways. So, like, it's better that we know it now. You know,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 51:15

think about it too. Let's let

Tricia Lee 51:18

me just gonna be offended by me tomorrow. So you might as well be offended now. So I was like, you know, I know I'm doing the good thing. I know I'm on a road I know I'm the bomb, you know? I mean, you clearly got your whole thing built out. Like he's, he's a superhero, you know? But I was just like, I I just want to know, like, I feel like I'm the next Drake, and I'm looking for my little Wayne, and if you can't be Lil Wayne, then like, I don't even know what we'd be talking about. And then, like, he's looking at me, and he's like, so in this scenario, exactly, am i Little Wayne or am I Drake? That was his question. That was his response. And I was just like, oh yeah, we'll be fine. We'll be fine. Because he's like, What part do I play in this? Like, that was the energy. Like, let me know where I need to stand, sing and do and let's get it done. What are we doing again? Like, he doesn't even know what we're doing, but he's all in no he's all in. And I was just like, we're that's it. This is it. This my work, husband. Let's go. Let's go.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 52:12

Let's talk about marketing yourself, because you're really good at marketing yourself, and no matter what industry you're in, you have to know how to market yourself. We met because of this content panel that I was moderating, and you said something interesting about the fact that you know, content and sharing, documenting has actually helped you close deals, get attention on properties that you're listing. So tell us a little bit about that. Yeah, I

Tricia Lee 52:35

think that, like, once I got over myself in the hurdle of, like, putting myself out there, because that's hard to do. It's hard for us to do, right? It's hard for people to see us do it. You know those friends and family members that judge you,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 52:46

yes, yes, and it's under the guys they're worried about you, like, like, Oh, what are you doing? You know, you're out there. You're not being, you're not perfect out there. Oh, my God. Like you're showing from Yeah, or,

Tricia Lee 52:58

or sometimes this energy of, like, here she go again, I would tell Awesome. Yeah, it's always something post and post and post and like, not me. I don't need to do all that. It's like, nobody asked you to I'm working. You mind, excuse me, you know. But exactly, and it's work and it's I enjoy it, but it's work, you know what I mean? I also enjoy selling houses. That's work, you know. So it's like, just because it's work doesn't mean I don't enjoy it, but I found that people could relate to wanting to change your life, and I felt that people could relate to wanting to try something new. I also thought that everyone could relate to the scariness of walking away for something you know, then walking into something you didn't know. So when I started to get that feedback that I felt was so positive and inspirational to me, where people were saying I thought about that and I didn't do it because of XYZ. I want to see you win. I want to see you do it like strangers just pouring that love and support into me. Um, was just I it would just close the gap for me. It was like everything I needed, honestly, because I had everything else. I had the pieces I just need. The pieces I just needed to the belief and the strength. And then it became very comfortable to share my workflow, to share my work day, and, you know, my listings and the neighborhoods and how you become a good real estate agent, and all the elements of the work. It just became that. And then eventually I got comfortable sharing who I was as a person, too, and that seeped out very slowly, because I have a very strong personality. I'm very, very, you know, strong minded. I'm very much who I am, and I don't really, I don't really hold back too much, you know, I'm not, I'm not the best at that everyone in my family is I will say that I am not. So I felt like, was I comfortable doing that? And maybe it's age, maybe it's wisdom, but I got to a space where I was like, they can deal with it or not I don't care. Like, they can like it or love it like, you know, doesn't matter to me. And then the show happened when it needed to, because I remember, like, before the show. Became a thing. I remember always being in a place of, I just want to exist in the world and be so good with myself that how anyone else feels about me doesn't matter. And that was something that was like a personal goal of mine, you know, like to just be so at one and so at peace with self when things are good and also, more importantly, when things are bad. Yeah, that's a good goal. Yeah, that like, I just wanted to be that. So I actually thought the show would be great to propel my career, but I also thought the show would be really great to answer that prayer, like to force me to do the work to get to the space of being able to be criticized and scrutinized and judged and still hold my head high and still feel full and whole. And I thought no better time than now to try and I didn't know that it would like, I didn't know how I was going to be seen, I didn't know how to be perceived. I definitely didn't know how it's going to be edited, right? You, you know? So

Nicaila Matthews Okome 55:50

that's such a like, a exercise of faith, and I think you had a good edit. Like, I don't know how's it been for you? Have you experienced it? What's the feedback? Like? Have you gotten criticism? Because I feel like you had a good edit. I

Tricia Lee 56:02

feel like we just we just had a phenomenal team, you know. Just feel like we really had a phenomenal team. Shout out to Bianca Barnes Williams.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 56:08

I think you come across very good and and that's always scary for reality TV, like, are they going to make you the villain or the whiner? We know who the whiner was in that,

Tricia Lee 56:21

don't we? I just feel like they can't make you something that you didn't demonstrate. One, right? And then two, I'm at work, people I'm at work. How you act when you're at work? I'm at work, you know? And then even at work, I talk shit like, that's just my personality. Like, I do this with my clients. They do it with me. They look forward to it. We are very I'm a real person, and I'm happy about that. I feel like that's a very free place to be is to be real. So I didn't know, but I felt like, you know what, you're not going to know, and maybe you're just good either way. And I felt like that was going to be super empowering. And I prayed about it a lot. I did a lot of work, I did a lot of therapy, I did a lot of reading, and I did a lot of decision making to just like, block out certain personalities and people in my life and people that I knew that couldn't understand that level of development that I was seeking, because I really wanted, I really wanted to get to that space in my life. And so the show was like a it was like a time clock, because it was going to run down, and eventually the show was going to be made public, and everyone was going to see what I doing and who I was, and how I moved through the world, and how I talk my smart ass mouth, and they were gonna like it, or they were gonna like completely hate it, and I was gonna have to deal with the feedback. And I'm just really proud that one I was received really well and that I was depicted really well, but I'm more proud that everyone that knows me is like, that's 100% you. That's just who you are. Like you are very strong. You come out the gate saying whatever you want to. You soften the blow eventually with humanity and empathy. And then you're real. You know who you are. And you know, you pop shit to Ryan sometimes because you're frustrated and you know, and he talks you off the ledge ever so often, you know? And he'll tell you, if you're doing a good job, he'll tell you if you're complaining, whatever you work with your partner, you know, I don't emasculate my partner. I am. I really allow him to lead in so many ways. I don't know if that was really well depicted, because we didn't film a lot together. Yeah, there's

Nicaila Matthews Okome 58:18

only so much you can show. But I know from meeting him in person with you, I love the way that you guys support each other without it feeling like, Oh, he's like, behind you, you know, like, he's supportive, he's partisan, like

Tricia Lee 58:31

he's so, he's so, like, he's led the way in so many ways. You know what I mean? And like, if I go into a day like, like, the day we met, right? Yeah, yeah, we're doing a summit. But you know, the night before that, I was at an event. That morning, at five o'clock, you know, Good Morning America picked us up from the house. And you know, so when you see me, I'm on my third event in literally 18 hours. Yeah, how am I able to do that? I'm able to do that because of that love and that support and that person that is not behind me. He's ahead of me, clearing the path, clearing the path, for it to be made possible. There are times where I'm like, Okay, I'll be speaking about this topic. Jeff will get in the weeds and really, like, make sure my notes are proper. Run through with me. He's like, Okay, let's go through it again. Let's go through it again, because I'll mess around and sit up there and talk to you about something I'm supposed to be talking to somebody like that. Is how much is going on in my head, and then also being with a partner that can manage that, like so many men run from that because they're like, You're too important. Yeah, yeah, you're too, you're too, you're too, you know, too,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 59:33

yeah, and, but no, you don't get that energy at all from either of you. And you know, I shared that picture of Barack pointing at Michelle at the DNC, and you know, you DM, because that is the energy y'all get. Like, he's like, look at my wife. Like, yeah,

Tricia Lee 59:47

that's but that I shared that picture many times. I said, that's my favorite picture. I might print that and put it in my house, yeah? Because I feel like, I don't think that enough credit goes to him for that. Like, this is somebody that taught me real estate. This is somebody that. Me when I got into the business, you know what? I mean, he was a year and a half ahead of me, and he taught me. And Jeff will be like, Oh no, this is, this is the student outpacing the teacher, like melody, it takes to even say some shit. Like, I would never say no,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:00:13

shit like that.

Tricia Lee 1:00:17

But no, he is, you know, he can, he can, can do that, and also know that he's a great broker. And in a lot of ways, he's just, you know, he's definitely just as good as me, in a lot of ways, better than me. You know, he is. He's strong, he's powerful. Like, you know, we've been pitching together all week, and there are times where I've been like, oh, you know, we only got that because of you. You speak the day, that way, you know what I mean, like, but people are different. You know what? I mean? Like, I'm the kind of person where the team has to have my name. He's the kind of person where he's, like, did the team make money? Like, that's, you know, we're just different in that way. And I wouldn't, I wouldn't be with someone like me. I don't know that he'd be with someone like him. I think that helps. And, you know, in our relationship, we're always just trying to figure things out. We have the same challenges that every relationship has. But one thing I know that Jeff understands is he signed on to be with a very powerful woman. He signed on for that. When I met Jeff, I was going through a huge transition. Didn't have a pot to piston or a window to throw it out of, and I literally sat there and was like, Oh, you hope you can hand me when I'm back on

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:01:20

my shit again. You did that. You have

the nerve. You always knew who you are and that don't matter. I

Tricia Lee 1:01:28

was just like, yeah, you're meeting me here. But like, so I don't sit here a lot. I'm usually sitting over there and like, are you gonna be good when I'm sitting over there? Because, like, if you're not, then maybe we shouldn't do this. Like, that was I said that to him on our first date. And I know, and he didn't really know a lot about, like, College Park. He brought his mom there a couple times, but we never met. He met my manager, but he never met me. And he was like, why would this girl say some crazy stuff like that to me? But you

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:01:56

just know, you just reminded me, since we're having a transparent conversation, I'll have moments like, even after the panel, I'll be like, Yo, I'm really good. Like, I'm a star. Like, I'm really a star at all,

Tricia Lee 1:02:07

literally. So like, Jeff went to journalism school at FAMU. He's been like, he is producer through and through for 13 years. We have Emmys. Like, I have Emmys. I'm looking at right here from my where I'm sitting. When we left, he was like, you could tell the minute she opened her mouth,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:02:24

this is what she does. Oh,

Tricia Lee 1:02:27

he was like, he was, he's like, it was just a calm, straightforward clarity with her ease. You know what I mean. So believe that you're, yeah, you're a star. I Yes,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:02:46

I do have those moments. And I think it's a little voice from God, because I definitely have the moments where I, like I said, I come out of a fluster of diaper changes, and I'm like, what is happening. But I just need a few calm moments and I lock back into who I am, and the reps help too, like, so I don't know about for you, like, the reps once you, once you've done something, it's like, oh, this is what I do. This is what I Yeah, and

Tricia Lee 1:03:07

I'm definitely at that point now, I'm like, Don't prep me for nothing. Let's just get where's my Let's go. You know what I mean? Because I feel like whatever it is, it'll be fine. And I've, even if I haven't been through it again, I'm gonna be honest and be like, Well, I don't really know the answer that question, why you asked me that whatever, whatever it is, and also, like, I think that life and being just a woman and definitely like a mom, like I'm a stepmom, yeah, it is so humbling that it starts to try to trick you that you're not the badass boss that you are. You know what I mean? Like your diapers are no different. Like we're getting our, all of our locks recoded today, and, like, so I gotta hang up with you and go to Lowe's. I was like, they can't deliver in time, and the guy's coming at 630 and the dog's chewing on my purse, and I'm not paying attention. Like, it's like, all these, like, you know, ridiculous things I have to deal with it bring me down. But, like, we can't let those things throw off the fact that we are shining stars. And I think that's why I gave myself the name superstar at Sirhan, because I was, like, I titled myself that. First of all, people are gonna be pissed, yeah. Like, why did she get that name? Because I took it. Oh

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:04:15

yes, oh yes.

Tricia Lee 1:04:16

That's why I get that name. Secondly, I need a constant reminder of who I am in this room and the light that I bring. And so I apologize if that title throws you off in any way, but that's my title, and that's what I need every day to remind myself I am here to shine and I am a star. Yeah, you know. And maybe you need to give yourself, maybe you need to be the star at your company, the star at side hustle Pro,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:04:42

no one's preventing you from doing that. No one's preventing you from titling yourself side hustle Pro, but people ask me

Tricia Lee 1:04:49

that I can't remember that title. I was like, oh, it's self titled.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:04:53

You know, I absolutely enjoyed watching you on the show, like I was just eating it up. I love. From the first episode all the way to I finished it all the way through the last episode, and I just, yeah, you were a star. And what I also like is, there's a scene, I think it's the last episode where you're talking to someone who left, and you know, they're like, do you have absolute loyalty? Would you ever consider this? And you're like, Oh, I would. I would consider anything everything, like you said a line like that, right? And I thought, yeah, I love that. You were so bold and transparent about that. Like, look, I love you. Maybe not. Love this co workers here, but, you know, I like good. We good, but I'm never gonna say, Never. I'm never gonna say. I'm locked in here forever. What informs that thought process? I definitely am one of that school. But what were you thinking when you said that,

Tricia Lee 1:05:40

I just feel that way. So it wasn't a thought, it wasn't anything that was going up here. I truly feel that way, like I don't owe nobody, nothing, and it's good until it's not good, you know? And, yeah, I know I'm on a sirhant show, yeah, for a certain brokerage, talking about I would leave in a minute. But yeah, life, and that's just, you know, I mean, and that's just, you know, I mean, and it's just what it is, because trust, if I if what I was, if what I was, and who I was, and what I did wasn't meeting their needs, that would be the same conversation. So I don't have that level of loyalty. Now I am the kind of person where I give it my all. I am very focused on my contribution. And so these organizations will always win by default, because I come in and do the damn thing and then you look good, right? Or I do it under your umbrella, yes. So I like to feel that I have good relationships with my brokerage, because I take my job very seriously, and I do my job very well. And whether it's sales, whether it's marketing, whether it's brand ambassador for the Sirhan brand, whatever it is, give me the hat. I'ma wear it. I'ma look good in it, whatever it is. So because I feel that way, I have every right to say, if this no longer served me, I'm out. Like, I just think that that's something that's okay and like, you don't get anywhere in this world by being loyal. Women tend to feel that way, like, Yeah, our addiction to perseverance is nonsense and loyalty is nonsense. Like, I don't know why we do that. I don't feel the need to do that. I will leave. And I said that on the show, and, you know, Jeff had a moment because he was just like, Well, damn. Like, people were giving me a hard time. I was like, let them, but let them know that you're with a powerful woman. I'll leave any situation, any person, any man, any job, any I will I will quit. I am a quitter?

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:07:21

Well, someone has quit her job. I could say the same. As far as if it's not serving you as a human, as your goals, you know it's a plan, like, yeah, like, I'm not one to hold on to a job that is

Tricia Lee 1:07:35

no longer my business.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:07:37

You quit

my business. Don't

Tricia Lee 1:07:40

play with me. Do not play with me. Yes, oh no. We don't like getting here. Like I will get a restaurant, I will leave a party, I will cut an end to anything. And it's just like my nervous system can't take all that. You know what I mean? Like my self esteem can't take all that. It's a hard enough struggle to be out here every day putting on your blush in your lipstick and making sure you are presentable, and you you fight the good fight. What I can't do is in a situation where people are making it harder for me. Like, I've had such a wonderful experience at Sirhan I really have, like, dreamy, dreamy, like, it's insane. And I also had a great experience at Compass. I had a wonderful experience at Corcoran. You know what I mean? Like, well, I be at serhant longer, yeah, because it's like the vibe, the vibe is more my vibe, the culture is more my vibe. Let's also be honest, I'm early there, so I'm contributing to the culture, right, right? And that's awesome, because I have a say in the direction of the culture, and I feel that I'm respected there. I feel that I am looked to there as a leader. And that's awesome, and that's wonderful. So I'm very, very happy, but in being that happy, I will also always state if I was not, I'd be out just like that. That's That's it. I

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:08:47

think that's a perfect note to transition to lightning round. But I hope that inspires someone today who's holding on, who's feeling some crazy sense of loyalty, and you don't know how to let it go, like, just, just let it go. Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 1:08:59

I don't let it go. Let's

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:09:04

transition to the lightning round. Just answer the very first thing that comes to mind. Are you ready?

Tricia Lee 1:09:08

I don't know, but I'll try. Let's do it. Let's

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:09:10

do it. Let's do it. Number one, what is a resource, not Google, that has really helped you in your business, or businesses that you can share with the audience, Facebook. Oh, why is that? I know. I said not Google. You said Facebook. That's okay. So how do you use Facebook for business these days? You know

Tricia Lee 1:09:28

what? I'll give you two Facebook because I have found that the majority of property owners that I know are on Facebook, and are on Facebook very heavily. I like to sell brownstones. Like to sell townhouses, and that's just happens to be where those individuals in my life are. The second resource I think that is really helpful to me is I like follow up, and I like to say thank you in traditional ways. So I always right now I have a stack of thank you cards in my bag. I always have like, um. A stationary, yes, I put things in the mail. Yeah, I I follow up and say thank you.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:10:05

Oh, yes, classy woman, I love you.

Tricia Lee 1:10:07

Yeah, very much.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:10:09

I'm very much that person like that. You do know Carlene. I don't

Tricia Lee 1:10:14

know her, but she does events. And that's that would be in her DNA. That's in my DNA I've always done. I did events for my beauty business. I do events in my real estate business. So if you've poured into me, I want to say thank you. In some way, I love getting closing gifts. So my the way I tie a bow on things is probably something that I would want people to know, because I think it's so important not when you're done, but when you close it out. How do you do that? So for me, with my clients, it's really great closing gifts. Or it could be, you know, a thank you card. You know, I'm definitely that person. If I walk out of interview, I'm dropping off the card in the mailbox on the way home. You know, just how you leave things. Yes,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:10:50

I love that. I need to do more of that. Number two, who is a black woman, entrepreneur, non celebrity, that you would want to switch places with for a day. And why?

Tricia Lee 1:10:59

Trying to think, I'm trying to think, I'm trying to think non celebrity, then how would I know who they are?

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:11:04

I know I forgot your circle is so All right, who comes to mind? Who? Who are you thinking about? Naomi. Campbell. Naomi? Okay, why random? Why random? I didn't expect that. Why? Why Naomi?

Tricia Lee 1:11:18

Because she's always been depicted as being like, super powerful, borderline bitchy, and I'm curious to know if that's really the truth, or if that's just how people perceive her, because she stands up for herself and advocates for herself and doesn't take anybody's shit. And I know that she's somewhat Jamaican, I would want to know because I'm sure that her days are insane because she's pretty much lived a luxury lifestyle

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:11:39

now, has like a young child. Yeah, I

Tricia Lee 1:11:41

know it's, like, amazing. I think it'd be kind of cool. And I could also list out another 50 people that I think, yeah, too.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:11:47

All right. Number three,

what's a non negotiable part of your day these days?

Tricia Lee 1:11:52

Non negotiable part of my day, I would probably say, is my sleep and my exercise. Ooh, you're so good. Non negotiable. And I struggled with that for many, many years and many, many decades, and the consistency of it, but once I tightened that up, everything else fell into place, the sleep first. Because obviously you can't really get a good workout if you're exhausted. Yeah. So you got to get the sleep in order. You must get sleep in order. I can have a whole podcast with you about sleep and brain health. That's a whole different conversation.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:12:16

And then moving your body, yes, oh, we got to have that side conversation. I saw you post that in your in your new get to know me. How is she doing it Okay. Number four, what is a personal trait that has helped you significantly in business? Definitely

Tricia Lee 1:12:32

being detail oriented, definitely being powerful. In my delivery, in how I come across, in my ability to sometimes be intimidated in situations and not show it because I'm like, I need what I need, and I'm not leaving here until I get it. So definitely my power and, I think, my personality,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:12:52

yeah. And then finally, what is your parting advice for fellow Black women entrepreneurs who want to start their own business but are just worried about not having a steady paycheck to look forward

Tricia Lee 1:13:03

to. You should be worried about that. That's every reason why you should be and you know, being an entrepreneur is hard enough. Business is hard enough. You don't need to be worrying about your light bill while you're trying to carry that on. So come up with a really solid plan that was that will allow you to pursue being an entrepreneur, but not be completely stressed all the time. When I opened both of my businesses, I had reserves that allowed me to be in a situation to not be earning money every month or every week while I was doing that. And that is super stressful when you're not earning money and you're working but at least I had some type of a cushion to and not much of a cushion, but a cushion nonetheless, so that I could, because you can't learn and you can't study and you can't you can't get up and read the materials and the trends and the market news that you need to when you're stressed about money. So, you know, create a plan that's going to work and and organize a plan that's going to work. Don't just, like, jump into it, like, really put together a plan that's going to work for you, that's going to allow you the ability to take on this new thing and not be worried about a because you're focusing on on B. So I think people take more time to think about it, and also be a little bit more practical with their plans. And I'm not just, I'm not saying that you can't dream, but I am saying that Con Edison trying to hear all that like, you know I am saying, and you don't want to damage your credit, like trying to pursue a dream or things like that, because then it makes harder for you to do more things with your businesses six months a year in. So come up with a really solid plan minimize your expenses and put yourself in a situation where you can afford this hobby, because it's a hobby until it makes money.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:14:38

I love that. That is really solid advice. So where can people connect with you after this episode?

Tricia Lee 1:14:45

So I'm love Trisha, spelt, T, R, i, c, I, a, not, S, H, A. Love Tricia Lee, everywhere.

You name it. I'm there. I also have a website that's Tricia lee.com which has all of my socials. It has all of my. Stings. It has all of my everything. Like, you know, anything I'm putting out is also on my website. So if you look at Tricia lee.com you can find me as well.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 1:15:08

Awesome. Well, Tricia Lee, thank you so much for being in the guest chair. Thank you for doing this so quick too. This was awesome, and I can't wait for everyone to hear from you. So with that, I will talk to you guys next week. Hey guys, thanks for listening to side hustle Pro. If you like the show, be sure to subscribe, rate and review on Apple podcasts. It helps other side hustlers, just like you, to find the show. And if you want to hear more from me, you can follow me on Instagram at side hustle Pro Plus sign up for my six foot Saturday newsletter at side hustle pro.co/newsletter when you sign up, you will receive weekly nuggets from me, including what I'm up to, personal lessons and my business tip of the week. Again, that's side hustle pro.co/newsletter to sign up, talk to you soon if

Transcribed by https://otter.ai