Commissions and Splits

Maya Angelou has this saying, "When you know better, you do better." Had I known another economic structure existed, I probably would have explored more options years ago. Instead, I was in a bubble of what I was told was success. Produce! Hit that benchmark. Run rabbit and get that carrot! I was chasing someone else's idea of success instead of establishing my own.

Over two years ago, I started publicly stating re: Stephen+Ryan, "Our goal is not to be #1. We want to be THE BEST." You will often hear a Keller Williams agent talking about systems and models. That's because we start from where you want to be and walk backwards to where you are... establishing the steps need to go from A to Z. I work to hit the goals that I've set for my family. No more, and no less. I believe that you have to sacrifice your character, integrity, and make compromising decisions to stay #1. I've seen how egos carry decisions. I want nothing to do with that, I can't tolerate it any further, nor do I want contribute to that mindset.

After crushing my goals consecutively several years in a row, I realized nothing is more valuable than time. My kids actively helped me discover that. So now, I've established boundaries so that other areas of my life are fulfilled instead of just my career. I have blueprints on how to build my business should I choose to grow or pivot. Keller Williams isn't harder. It's more disciplined... if you are looking for that.

Now, I work less to make the same amount or more. I became loyal to my children and husband instead of anyone else. And, I haven't looked back. If you produce more than $8M, you qualify for a 90% split at Keller Williams ONEChicago. Once you contribute $25,000 in CGI to the brokerage, you are 100% commission until your next fiscal year. In addition, you have alternative revenue streams specifically when it comes to listings. For instance, we collected $27,000 in fees from listings last year outside of commission. I was truly 100% commission at the end of the year calling 100% of the shots for our business.

Your brokerage is only going to give you something that you are already giving them. So when someone takes a $75,000 signing bonus, you need to understand that you are paying it in other ways over the life of your contract. I just prefer the cleaner bookkeeping on Keller Williams ONEChicago.