In this episode of Better Your Business, Cher sits down with Varsha Pasel, a real estate advisor and host of the Life in Conversation podcast. Varsha shares her journey into real estate, shaped by personal life experiences and a desire to show up more intentionally for the people in her life. The conversation explores how her definition of success has evolved, the importance of self-trust, and how alignment in business leads to stronger client relationships.

In this episode you will hear:

• [02:17] Varsha shares her journey into real estate, highlighting how personal life experiences and navigating family health challenges influenced her decision to pursue a more purpose-driven career
• [04:33] Transitioning from a legal career into real estate, and how foundational knowledge in contracts and client advocacy shaped her approach to serving clients
• [06:35] The importance of recognizing when you’ve outgrown environments in business, and how personal and professional growth requires evolving
• [08:12] How Varsha’s definition of success evolved from traditional real estate metrics like transactions and awards to a values-based, client-centered approach
• [13:19] Identifying key gaps in the real estate industry, including education standards, representation, and the quality of client experience
• [15:32] The need for new voices in real estate, and how prioritizing authentic connection over transactional thinking creates stronger client relationships
• [16:45] Strategies for attracting aligned real estate clients through relationship marketing, open houses, and intentional social media presence
• [22:52] How self-awareness and internal work contribute to building a sustainable real estate business that feels aligned and authentic
• [23:25] Practical ways to build self-trust in business, including consistency, discipline, and following through on commitments to yourself
• [32:20] Varsha reflects on her unique edge in real estate, emphasizing service, attention to detail, and a client-first mindset
• [40:05] The importance of curiosity in real estate, especially when working with diverse clients
• [56:30] Letting go of a results-driven mindset and learning to embrace the process of growth in both business and personal development

Connect with Varsha:

Instagram: @varsha.pasel

Website: https://varshapasel.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@varshapasel

Cheryl Goetz has been a Realtor since 2016 and knows firsthand what it feels like to build a business filled with anxiety, confusion, and constant pressure. After raising two kids, navigating a transition from new construction to resale, and adapting through shifting markets, she transformed her career into one that now feels intentional, joyful, and ease-filled. Today, Cheryl helps women in real estate do the same — creating businesses that reflect their authentic selves, attract aligned clients, and grow sustainably. Her mission is simple: to help women drop the industry “shoulds” and build businesses that fuel their lives.

Instagram: @chergoetz_
Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/bybpodcast
Contact: hello@athomecompany.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Staci Millard @ Thrive Accounting @thriveaccounting | https://thriveaccounting.co

EFV Legal @elenafavaroviana | efvlegal.ca

Amanda Walczyk | Saltbox Mortgages

@saltboxmortgage_agent

Tuesday Mortgage Tidbits Sign Up for Realtors: https://saltboxmortgage.myflodesk.com/iksoczdm1f

In this solo episode of Better Your Business, Cher shares how small, intentional community events have played a significant role in growing her real estate business. She explains how these events are designed to be simple, affordable, and easy to execute, without the need for a large client base or extensive planning. Cher walks through real examples of events she has hosted, how they were structured, and why they work.

In this episode you will hear:

• [01:10] Cher introduces the concept of community events and common misconceptions from realtors
• [02:06] Cher shares how small community events contributed to millions in sales in less than three years
• [02:53] Overview of her first event: “speed dating for besties” and how it was structured
• [06:00] Cher introduces the “hot girl walk (but with charcuterie)” event and explains how it was set up and executed
• [07:31] “Book swap and shop” event and how it supports local businesses while building community
• [09:38] Organic partnerships forming through events, including collaborations with other local business owners
• [10:20] “Flow and glow” events combining yoga and educational talks, and how they can be repeated
• [12:09] “B Corp and Bliss” event featuring an author panel and collaboration with multiple businesses
• [17:13] Cher shares the “sip and shop (with tarot)” event idea and how it combined shopping, refreshments, and tarot card readings to create a shared experience
• [18:10] Cher shares the workout class event, including partnering with a gym, hosting a group class, and adding an educational talk on perimenopause and menopause
• [20:56] Shift into larger “Impact” events focused on women in business with panels and networking

If this episode resonated with you, consider where you already spend time locally, whether that’s shopping, dining, or grabbing coffee. Build a relationship with that business owner, and take the step to ask about hosting your next event there.

Connect with Cher:

Instagram: @chergoetz_

Join the Better Your Business Membership / Grab Resources Mentioned:

https://betteryourbusiness.thinkific.com/collections

Cheryl Goetz has been a Realtor since 2016 and knows firsthand what it feels like to build a business filled with anxiety, confusion, and constant pressure. After raising two kids, navigating a transition from new construction to resale, and adapting through shifting markets, she transformed her career into one that now feels intentional, joyful, and ease-filled. Today, Cheryl helps women in real estate do the same — creating businesses that reflect their authentic selves, attract aligned clients, and grow sustainably. Her mission is simple: to help women drop the industry “shoulds” and build businesses that fuel their lives.

Instagram: @chergoetz_
Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/bybpodcast
Contact: hello@athomecompany.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Staci Millard @ Thrive Accounting @thriveaccounting | https://thriveaccounting.co

EFV Legal @elenafavaroviana | efvlegal.ca

Amanda Walczyk | Saltbox Mortgages

@saltboxmortgage_agent

Tuesday Mortgage Tidbits Sign Up for Realtors: https://saltboxmortgage.myflodesk.com/iksoczdm1f

In this episode of Better Your Business, Cher sits down with Steph Furfaro, Realtor and founder of Referral-First. Steph shares how she built her real estate business almost entirely through referrals and why she believes relationship-driven businesses are the most sustainable path for realtors. The conversation explores how client experience, organization, mindset, and intentional relationship building contribute to a strong referral network. Steph also walks through the pillars of her referral-first framework and how agents can begin implementing these principles in their own businesses.

In this episode you will hear:

• [02:09] Steph shares how her interest in real estate began at age 12 after being included in the process of her parents buying and selling her childhood home.
• [07:18] The experience with an early client that motivated Steph to build a business focused on referrals and aligned relationships.
• [12:04] How Steph defines an ideal client based on personality,alignment, and energy rather than overly detailed demographics.
• [14:34] A simple onboarding strategy Steph uses with clients, including asking about their favourite holiday as a way to personalize future touchpoints.
• [23:07] Steph outlines the importance of strong organizational systems, including using a CRM and maintaining structured records of client information.
• [30:50] Examples of creating “wow” moments for clients by anticipating needs and making the moving process easier.
• [35:10] Non-negotiables in a referral-based business, including serving clients first, being proactive, and setting expectations clearly.
• [39:15] The mindset shift from focusing on transaction volume to focusing on value and building a business that supports personal lifestyle goals.
• [43:57] Why tracking referrals and intentionally thanking clients who refer business is essential for strengthening relationships and encouraging future referrals.
• [52:12] Steph explains how exploring her human design helped her understand her strengths and approach business in a way that feels more aligned.

Visit Steph’s website to grab her free masterclass and join her e-mail list!

Connect with Steph:

Instagram: @stephfurfarorealtor

@referralfirstrealtor

Website: stephaniefurfaro.ca

Cheryl Goetz has been a Realtor since 2016 and knows firsthand what it feels like to build a business filled with anxiety, confusion, and constant pressure. After raising two kids, navigating a transition from new construction to resale, and adapting through shifting markets, she transformed her career into one that now feels intentional, joyful, and ease-filled. Today, Cheryl helps women in real estate do the same — creating businesses that reflect their authentic selves, attract aligned clients, and grow sustainably. Her mission is simple: to help women drop the industry “shoulds” and build businesses that fuel their lives.

Instagram: @chergoetz_
Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/bybpodcast
Contact: hello@athomecompany.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Staci Millard @ Thrive Accounting @thriveaccounting | https://thriveaccounting.co

EFV Legal @elenafavaroviana | efvlegal.ca

Amanda Walczyk | Saltbox Mortgages

@saltboxmortgage_agent

Tuesday Mortgage Tidbits Sign Up for Realtors: https://saltboxmortgage.myflodesk.com/iksoczdm1f