Becoming a parent changed the way I approach brokerage.

Becoming a parent changed the way I approach brokerage.

Not because the work got easier.

It definitely didn’t.

The calls still come in.
The deals still move slowly.
The LOIs still need follow-up.
The contractors still need answers.
The clients still need guidance.

But parenthood forces you to operate at a different level.

It teaches you very quickly that you cannot just “wing it” anymore.

✅ Patience becomes a skill.
Deals move slowly. Kids move at their own pace.
Both require consistency, emotional control, and the ability to stay calm when things do not happen on your timeline.

✅ Prioritization becomes survival.
Not everything is urgent.
But some things absolutely cannot wait.
Parenthood teaches you how to separate noise from what actually needs your attention.

✅ Time blocking becomes non-negotiable.
Calls. Tours. LOIs. Follow-ups.
Diapers. Dinner. Bedtime. Family.

If you do not protect your calendar, the day will control you.

✅ Communication gets sharper.
A baby does not care how busy you are.
Neither do deals.

You learn to slow down, listen better, explain clearly, and stay calm under pressure.

✅ You become more intentional.
Every meeting, showing, call, and commitment has to matter.
Wasted time feels a lot more expensive when your family is waiting at home.

✅ You develop more empathy.
Before parenthood, delays can feel like frustration.

After parenthood, you realize everyone is carrying something.

Clients. Tenants. Buyers. Sellers. Contractors. Lenders.

People respond better when they feel understood.

The biggest lesson?

You do not have to choose between being a present parent and building a strong career in commercial real estate.

But you do have to become more disciplined.
More focused.
More patient.
More intentional.
More clear on what actually matters.

Building a career while building a family is not easy.

But it can make you better.

More focused.
More patient.
More intentional.
More grounded.

To the new parents building businesses, careers, and families at the same time:

Give yourself grace.

Your schedule will change.
Your energy will change.
Your priorities will change.

But your ambition does not have to disappear.

You just have to operate differently. 👊

If you’re building, buying, selling, leasing, or investing in commercial real estate, I’d love to connect.

📲 Raphael Collazo
📞 502.536.7315
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.sumcg.com
📍 Summit Commercial Group