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I still remember the moment vividly. Sitting at my desk late one night in 2017, staring at my profit and loss statement. I had just closed three deals that month – my best month ever. On paper, I looked successful. The numbers were impressive. But something felt off.

Despite the growing revenue, I wasn’t building wealth. I was just creating an expensive job for myself. Every commission check disappeared into business expenses, marketing costs, and the endless cycle of chasing the next deal. I was making money, but I wasn’t keeping any of it.

And that’s when it hit me – I wasn’t running a business. I was running on a hamster wheel.

The Hard Truth About Profit in Real Estate

Most of us enter this industry with big dreams of financial freedom and a heart for service. I was no different. I worked relentlessly, putting in long hours, answering calls at midnight, doing everything “successful” agents were supposed to do.

On the surface, it looked great. My social media was full of “Just Sold” posts. Other agents were asking me how I was closing so many deals. But behind the scenes, something wasn’t adding up.

Every commission check that came in had already been mentally spent on marketing, overhead, and keeping the business running. I was making six figures in revenue but barely taking home what I made in my corporate job. More importantly, I wasn’t building any wealth.

The Breaking Point That Led to Breakthrough

During a quiet moment in prayer one morning, something profound hit me. I had been asking God to bless my business so I could help more people. But I realized I was approaching it all wrong.

In Genesis 12, God tells Abraham: “I’m going to bless you and through you, all families of the earth will be blessed.” It wasn’t just a promise – it was a pattern. A divine principle of business that I had been missing.

God wasn’t telling Abraham to empty himself first. He was establishing a model: First comes the blessing, then comes the distribution. I had been trying to distribute what I didn’t have, wondering why I felt constantly drained.

The Hidden Profit Pattern That Changed Everything

That revelation led me to completely restructure my business. I started seeing profit not as what’s left over after everything else, but as a non-negotiable priority. Here’s what transformed:

First, I realized I needed to think like a CEO, not just a salesperson. A CEO understands that profit isn’t accidental – it’s intentional. They design their business around profitability from day one.

I implemented what I now call the Divine Distribution Model:

1. Revenue Gateway: All money flows through here first. No exceptions. This gives you a clear picture of what’s really coming in.

2. Profit First: Before expenses, before taxes, even before my own pay, I started setting aside a dedicated portion for profit. This wasn’t leftovers – this was priority.

3. Tax Providence: A set percentage goes straight to a separate account for taxes. No more scrambling at tax time.

4. Operating with Excellence: What remains funds the business operations. This forced me to be strategic about expenses.

The Real Results of Running a Profit-First Business

Within six months of implementing this new structure, everything changed. Not just the numbers – though those definitely improved – but the entire way I operated.

I stopped taking deals out of desperation. Instead, I could focus on clients who truly valued my service. When someone asked for a reduced commission, I could confidently explain my value because I understood my numbers.

My marketing became more strategic because every dollar had to justify itself. No more throwing money at random “opportunities” hoping something would stick. I tracked, measured, and optimized everything.

But here’s what really transformed: my ability to serve others actually increased. When you’re profitable, you can:

– Take time to really understand client needs instead of rushing to close

– Invest in better systems that improve the client experience

– Say no to deals that aren’t the right fit

– Give generously from a place of abundance

Building Your Own Profit-Based Business

Let me break down exactly how you can implement this in your own business. This isn’t theory – this is what’s working right now in 2025’s market:

First, understand your numbers. Most agents don’t even know their true expenses. Start tracking everything. I mean everything. That $5 coffee while showing houses? Track it. The social media ads? Track them. Your CRM subscription? Track it.

Next, set up your accounts properly:

The Revenue Account

This is your collection tank. All commissions land here first. No expenses come out of this account – it’s purely for receiving money. This gives you a clear picture of your true revenue.

The Profit Account

This is your blessing account. I take 10% of every commission and move it here immediately. This money never gets touched for operating expenses. It’s purely for building wealth and being generous.

The Tax Account

One of my biggest stress relievers was getting serious about taxes. 25-30% of every commission goes here immediately. No exceptions. No borrowing from it during slow months.

The Operating Account

This is where you run your business from. What’s left after profit and taxes goes here. This forces you to be strategic about expenses.

The Mindset Shift That Makes It Work

Here’s what most agents miss: Profit isn’t just about money – it’s about stewardship. When God blesses your business, He’s trusting you to be a good steward of those resources.

Think of your business as a distribution center. Just like a water reservoir needs to be full before it can distribute water effectively, your business needs to be profitable before it can truly serve others well.

The Impact Goes Beyond Business

Last month, one of my coaching clients called me in tears. She had just written her first significant check to her church’s building fund – something she’d wanted to do for years but never could. Why? Because she finally had profit to share.

Another agent in our program was able to help a single mom with her down payment – not by reducing his commission, but from his profit account that he’d been faithfully building.

Your Next Steps to Profitability

1. Make the decision today that profit isn’t optional

2. Set up your four accounts this week

3. Start allocating every commission that comes in

4. Track everything for the next 90 days

5. Review and adjust your percentages quarterly

Remember: God didn’t call you to real estate to struggle. He called you to be a distribution center of His blessings. But you can’t distribute what you don’t have.

This year can be different. It’s not about making more – it’s about keeping more. It’s not about working harder – it’s about working smarter. Most importantly, it’s about being positioned to be the blessing God called you to be.

Your business can be profitable. Your service can be excellent. Your impact can be significant. But it all starts with deciding that profit isn’t what’s left over – it’s what comes first.

I’m hosting a free webinar on January 28th where I’ll dive deeper into these principles and show you exactly how to implement them. Join me and let’s make 2025 the year you become a profitable distribution center for God’s blessings. Join using this link!

The time for hoping things will improve is over. The time for intentional profit is now.