EP158- Coach James Short w/ Stacie Staud: Building a “Not For Sale” Brokerage Through Culture,

What does it take to build a brokerage where culture comes before growth? Stacie Staub co-founder of West and Main Homes, shares how she built a people-first real estate business without losing the human touch. Stacie explains the “agents are our clients” philosophy, why hiring for kindness matters, and how strong mentorship can help both new and experienced agents perform at a higher level. She also reveals how West and Main uses AI to improve efficiency while continuing to invest in human creativity and relationships. From launching a brokerage after an acquisition to expanding into multiple businesses, Stacie shares lessons on leadership, company culture, entrepreneurship, hiring, mentorship and going all-in when building something of your own. If you’re a real estate agent, broker, business owner or entrepreneur looking to build a stronger business without sacrificing culture, this episode is packed with practical insights. Subscribe for more conversations on real estate leadership, business growth, coaching and entrepreneurship. #StacieStaub #WestAndMainHomes, #RealEstate, #RealEstatePodcast, #Brokerage, #CompanyCulture, #Mentorship, #AIinRealEstate, Chapters 00:00:00 Why Culture Comes Before Growth 00:00:29 Meet Stacie Staud: Building a People-First Brokerage 00:01:15 The Decision to Launch West and Main Homes 00:02:09 How Culture Became the Growth Strategy 00:03:09 Why Agents Should Be Treated Like Gold 00:04:26 The Mentorship Model That Benefits Everyone 00:05:51 Behind Stacie’s “Not For Sale” Book 00:07:14 The One Hiring Rule Across Every Business 00:07:56 From Real Estate to Coffee, Pilates and More 00:09:03 Using AI Without Losing the Human Touch 00:10:10 Family, Change and the Empty Nest 00:12:05 The Daily Habits Behind Consistent Performance 00:13:49 Advice for Anyone Starting a New Brokerage 00:15:05 Why Going All In Changes Everything 00:15:55 What’s Next and the Mantras That Guide Her 00:17:57 Final Thoughts and Closing Takeaways