We have an unfiltered conversation with Byron Lazine, CEO of Broke Agent Media (BAM) and leader of one of Connecticut’s top real estate teams. Byron’s journey is a tale of resilience, beginning as a young submarine mechanic who bought three houses just before the 2008 mortgage crisis. He recounts facing bankruptcy, a pivotal moment that instilled a relentless drive to succeed. This experience fueled his decision to get a real estate license and embark on a mission to build a “comeback story.” Byron credits his early success to being an early adopter of social media, using platforms like Facebook Live to build a brand and win listings when his competition was still focused on traditional newspaper ads. This willingness to go against the grain became a hallmark of his career.
Byron reveals the unconventional path he took to build his team, explaining that he “built it backwards.” Instead of hiring agents and scrambling to support them, he first obsessed over creating a comprehensive training program and a clear blueprint for success. This approach allowed him to offer three core, non-negotiable values to his agents: leads, training, and support. This foundational system enabled his team to grow rapidly and consistently, becoming the number one team for listings sold in Connecticut since 2022. He also shares the origin story of BAM, explaining how a desire to create something valuable for free with co-founder Eric Simon evolved into a successful media company built on humor and authenticity.
On a tactical level, Byron provides a no-nonsense guide for agents and team leaders looking to scale. His core mantra is “speed on revenue-producing activities and slow on the expenses.” He warns that spending money on leads without having a system in place for rapid follow-up is a waste of money, likening it to “throwing cash out the car window.” He stresses that speed to lead is paramount, with his team aiming for a response time under one minute. He also provides a glimpse into his thoughts on AI, believing that it will soon revolutionize back-office functions like transaction coordination and quality control, allowing agents to become more efficient and effective at a scale never before possible.
Connect with Byron on LinkedIn – Instagram.
Learn more about BAM Instagram and online at nowbam.com.
Check out BAMx the BAMx community.
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