The Biggest Failures While Closing $200M with Enrique Medellin In the latest episode of  John Kitchens Coach Podcast, we sat down with a real estate professional who has built an astounding $200 million team over the past 20 years. The guest’s story is not only inspiring but filled with lessons for anyone in the real estate business or aspiring to be an entrepreneur. In this blog, we’ll unpack the highlights from the episode and dig into the key insights shared.   Reflecting on 20 Years of Real Estate Success The guest, who has been in the real estate game for two decades, shared that every opportunity to reflect on their career brings new insights. Reflection is one of their most valuable tools for growth. It helps them understand what worked, what didn’t, and how each experience contributed to their success. As they reflected on the past 20 years, they jotted down some of their biggest failures and lessons learned. Some memories brought smiles, while others stirred up anxiety, but all of it was critical for their growth.   This practice of regularly revisiting past experiences isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about identifying key lessons that can be applied to future challenges. The guest explained how reflection helps them stay grounded and constantly improve—an essential habit for anyone looking to achieve long-term success in real estate or any industry.   Getting Into Real Estate: The Early Days Like many people drawn to real estate, our guest was initially attracted by the promise of income potential, flexibility, and the dream of being their own boss. But there was a deeper reason behind their drive. Growing up with a challenging background, they were determined to never work for someone else again. The idea of having complete control over their future, even if the path was uncertain, was a powerful motivator.   After high school, they found themselves working at a bank while attending community college. Everything seemed to be on track until a new manager came in and shook things up—firing the guest after two years of dedicated service. Instead of letting that experience derail their ambition, it fueled their determination to take charge of their own destiny. That moment led them to pursue a career in real estate, where they could be in control.   Overcoming Early Challenges Entering the real estate and mortgage industry wasn’t easy. Cold calling, in particular, was a huge challenge. The guest admitted that their lack of confidence led to many rejections early on. But instead of giving up, they sought advice from a colleague who was thriving in the same environment. The colleague’s advice was simple but transformative: bring your personality into your calls, stand tall, and project confidence. This advice turned everything around.   From that point on, the guest began booking appointments and closing deals. Their confidence grew, and soon enough, they were mentoring others in the same environment. This pivotal moment was the start of a successful career, but it was just the beginning of a long and evolving journey in real estate.   Building a $200 Million Team   With growing success, the guest quickly transitioned from an individual contributor to a leader, starting to build a team. They were driven by a desire not just to succeed on their own but to help others achieve success as well. Over the years, they learned the importance of surrounding themselves with the right people—those who shared their values and work ethic.   The journey to building a $200 million team wasn’t without its challenges. The 2008 financial crisis hit the real estate industry hard, forcing them to pivot their business model. As the market shifted from refinancing and mortgage deals to foreclosures, they adapted by helping clients avoid foreclosure. They opened a loan modification company and focused on short sales and negotiating with banks, offering real solutions to homeowners in nee