By Justin Stoddart

Introduction

In the world of real estate, there’s no shortage of ambition. But too often, that ambition is boxed in by a harsh truth: Most real estate businesses are not built to scale. They’re owner-dependent, reactive, and ultimately unsellable. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But there’s good news—you don’t have to stay stuck.

In this episode of the Think Bigger Real Estate Podcast, host I sat down with Pete Neubig, a seasoned entrepreneur who scaled and sold a top property management firm and now helps other real estate professionals build scalable businesses through hiring and outsourcing. Their conversation is both inspiring and tactical—perfect for anyone ready to grow a business that works with or without them.

Here’s what every real estate professional should take away:

1. Most Small Businesses Aren’t Sellable—Here’s Why

Pete drops a truth bomb early in the conversation: 95% of small businesses are considered unsellable. Why?

• They don’t hit a critical $500K annual net margin.

• They’re completely owner-dependent.

If your business can’t function without you, what you have isn’t a business—it’s a job. A demanding one, at that.

This is your wake-up call. Want to build an asset, not just a hustle? You need to scale through people and systems.

2. Scaling a Business is a Lot Like Training for an Ironman

Pete, a three-time Ironman triathlete, drew compelling parallels between business growth and endurance training:

• Mindset comes first. You have to believe it’s possible to scale.

• Hire a coach. Get expert guidance to avoid rookie mistakes.

• Join a community. Surround yourself with those who’ve done what you want to do.

Sound familiar? It’s the same formula elite agents follow to go from individual contributors to business leaders.

3. Hiring is the First Step to Getting Your Life Back

Many agents resist hiring because they don’t believe anyone will work as hard as they do. But here’s the reality: the right hire will eventually outperform you at that role—because it’s their only focus.

Pete breaks hiring down into a clear, repeatable framework:

• Define your core values.

• Write a clear, detailed job description (not just a posting).

• Use a DISC profile to match personality to role.

• Establish KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to measure performance.

• Let go to grow.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your business, this is your exit plan.

4. Your Secret Sauce Isn’t So Secret—Share It

Both Pete and Justin echoed a crucial mindset shift: Stop hiding your “secret sauce.” If your business depends on secrecy, it probably isn’t strong enough to scale. Success comes from execution, not ideas.

The more you share, the more feedback, collaboration, and talent you attract. Transparency builds trust—and trust builds teams.

5. Hiring Overseas Can Be a Game-Changer

Pete’s company, VPM Solutions, helps real estate businesses hire skilled overseas professionals—affordably and at scale. The benefits?

• Access to educated, bilingual talent.

• Significant cost savings.

• Increased capacity to serve more clients without burning out.

With the right systems in place, remote hiring isn’t just possible—it’s a competitive advantage.

Your Next Move

If you’re serious about building a real estate business that grows and eventually sells—start hiring strategically.

You don’t need to figure it all out yourself. Whether you want to DIY your hiring process, get expert guidance, or have someone do it for you, Pete’s team at VPM Solutions offers tools and support tailored to real estate professionals.

Scaling isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less—and empowering others to do more. When you invest in systems, people, and purpose, you don’t just grow a business—you build a legacy.

Let this be your call to action. Step out of the weeds. Take off a hat. And take the first step toward the business (and life) you actually want.

At ProInsight, we’re here to empower you to reach new heights. Let’s think bigger together.