How the Right Team Can Help You Thrive in Real Estate

By Philip Kang

Philip Kang is the visionary team leader of the HomeReady Team, based in Orange County, California. Since founding the team, Philip has driven rapid growth year after year, with the team on track to close over $150 million in real estate volume in 2025.

Every so often, I meet someone whose story perfectly captures why teamwork matters in real estate. Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Joanna Corona, one of our agents here in Southern California, and her journey reminded me exactly why we built our team the way we did.

Joanna’s real estate journey. When Joanna first got into real estate, she had the drive but not the support. She told me about her early years at another brokerage, where she was eager to learn but left, figuring out most things on her own.

She said that they had training, but it was mostly, ‘take these classes and good luck.’ At that time, she didn’t have anyone showing her how to grow her business on a day-to-day basis.

Like many agents, she switched brokerages, hoping for a better split, thinking that would help. But even with higher commissions, the story was the same: no systems, no real guidance, and no one to call when she hit a wall.

Passion for real estate. When Joanna and I first talked, I could tell she had the passion. She just needed a framework and a team where she could plug in and focus on what she does best: helping clients.

I remember our first conversation clearly. She told me she was still working a full-time job, trying to juggle both careers. I told her honestly that if she wanted to reach her potential, she’d eventually need to go all in. It wasn’t easy to hear, but she took that challenge head-on. Within six months, she quit her job and went full-time into real estate.

That’s when everything changed.

Support that helps you win and gain momentum. Joanna started gaining traction immediately. Within a month, she signed two new listings, started working with four active buyers, and opened three escrows. Her confidence grew with every win. “For the first time, I wasn’t guessing what to do,” she told me. “I had people I could call, systems that worked, and support when I needed it.”

She described how she no longer had to worry about designing flyers or handling every transaction detail. “Everything’s already structured,” she said. “That lets me focus on clients instead of paperwork.”

It wasn’t just the backend support; it was the culture. Our team celebrates wins together. When someone opens an escrow, everyone cheers. When someone closes, it motivates the next person. “It’s not a competition,” Joanna said. “It’s inspiration.”

She also shared how our weekly meetings became her anchor points. “Those calls keep me accountable,” she said. “They reset my mindset for the week.”

When I asked her what she was most proud of, she didn’t mention the commissions or deals first; she talked about consistency. This year, she made $130,000, which is more than she’d ever made, but what she loves most is that it feels steady. Now she knows where her next deal is coming from.

Joanna’s story reminded me of why we built our foundation the way we did. Real estate isn’t a solo sport; it’s a team effort. And when agents have systems, accountability, and leadership, they can focus on what really matters: connecting with people and changing lives.

If you want to learn more about our team, reach out to me at (714) 862-2202 or [email protected]. I’d be happy to talk with you about how to reach your full potential and move your real estate career forward.