Episode 4: Wearing Different Hats in Real Estate with Matt Hughes

In this episode of Hustle Humbly, we welcome our very first guest, Matt Hughes, President of the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®. Matt has done it all—team leader, coach, property manager, sales agent, and more. Today, we’re diving into what it’s really like wearing different hats in real estate, and how his journey can inspire other agents to embrace change, growth, and humility along the way.

Whether you’re considering team leadership, branching into property management, or pivoting within your real estate career, this episode is packed with insight on how to evolve without losing your drive—or your sanity.

Starting Young and Jumping In

Matt knew at 17 that real estate was his calling. After dabbling in furniture sales and traveling for work, he returned home ready to commit. He joined top producer Kayla Johnson as a buyer’s agent, gaining valuable experience before branching into property management during the market downturn in 2008. This early part of his journey reflects the reality of wearing different hats in real estate, especially when the market forces you to pivot.

Property Management to Team Leader

Matt shares what it was like to manage 230+ rental units and 40 homeowners’ associations. Though he enjoyed the steady hours and structured work, he missed the thrill of sales. That pull eventually led him to a leadership role as team leader at Keller Williams Realty, where he coached agents full-time.

His perspective as a former team leader gives us honest insight into what it’s like helping others build their business while putting your own sales career on pause.

Returning to Sales with a New Vision

In 2018, Matt returned to sales with a renewed focus. He reconnected with past clients, humbly apologized for past gaps in service, and reignited relationships. That vulnerability and ownership turned into listings, referrals, and rapid momentum.

Matt now runs a growing team focused on both personal development and business growth. His agents aren’t boxed into one role—they’re trained to handle buyers, listings, and everything in between. It’s a modern approach to wearing different hats in real estate, allowing agents to build their skills and careers more holistically.

Team Building, Mindset, and Motivation

We dig into the real struggles agents face—work-life balance, burnout, and unrealistic expectations. Matt explains why many agents join real estate thinking they’ll make easy money or set their own schedules, only to discover the discipline it truly takes. You’ll hear why implementation speed matters, how Matt balances multiple roles, and why hustle doesn’t have to mean chaos.

The Power of Humble Growth

Katie and Alyssa share their own stories of evolving in the business, including Katie’s surprising (and unfinished) college journey and Alyssa’s recent step into hiring an assistant. Together, they reflect on how important it is to grow your business your way—whether that means staying solo, building a team, or taking on leadership roles.

Matt’s transparency about wearing different hats in real estate highlights that success isn’t linear—and that humility and hustle can coexist in every season.

Toast of the Episode: Alisa Bankston

We raise our glasses to Matt’s team member, Alisa Bankston, for her dedication and hustle. Matt applauds her drive, growth, and commitment to the team’s mission. Cheers to Alisa!

Let’s Hear from You

Have a win or someone you want to celebrate? Email us at hustlehumblypodcast@gmail.com and we’ll toast to your success in a future episode.

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