Ep. 111 - The Hard Truth About Hiring and Retention
Tue Feb 03 2026
Hiring and retaining talent in real estate media is harder than ever; and it’s not for the reasons most people think. In this episode, we break down the real impact of team turnover, what it actually costs a growing business, and why losing good people doesn’t automatically mean you’re failing as a leader. From long-tenured team members moving on to sudden exits that weren’t as unexpected as they felt, we unpack the operational, cultural, and leadership lessons that come with running a people-dependent business. This is an honest conversation about expectations, employer branding, and what truly keeps great people aligned; not hype, perks, or flexibility without structure, but clarity, professionalism, and intentional leadership.
Don't worry, they still end the show with their Action Items... things that any listener can do right now to help lay the foundation for scaling their Real Estate Media Business.
Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.
The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and subscribe to begin using the platform. If you do not use the link, enter the code UPMARKET during signup.
Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.
Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.
Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.
Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!
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Hiring and retaining talent in real estate media is harder than ever; and it’s not for the reasons most people think. In this episode, we break down the real impact of team turnover, what it actually costs a growing business, and why losing good people doesn’t automatically mean you’re failing as a leader. From long-tenured team members moving on to sudden exits that weren’t as unexpected as they felt, we unpack the operational, cultural, and leadership lessons that come with running a people-dependent business. This is an honest conversation about expectations, employer branding, and what truly keeps great people aligned; not hype, perks, or flexibility without structure, but clarity, professionalism, and intentional leadership. Don't worry, they still end the show with their Action Items... things that any listener can do right now to help lay the foundation for scaling their Real Estate Media Business. Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod. The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and subscribe to begin using the platform. If you do not use the link, enter the code UPMARKET during signup. Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide. Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free. Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial. Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!