After high school, Jeff Lewis admitted he was not quite sure what to do next with his life. Inspired by the movie The Fast and the Furious, he decided to become an auto mechanic. He enjoyed his work and was fortunate enough to buy a sports car.
Although he was doing well, Jeff admitted he felt a bit stagnant. Meeting his wife, who he describes as a “self-employed, boss babe,” gave him the impetus to make some changes. He started immersing himself in books and podcasts featuring admired thought leaders like Brian Tracy and Jim Rohn.
Shift Into Real Estate
“It really changed my mindset. I really was thinking differently,” he said of his self-education. “I wanted a career change.”
With that shift in perspective, Jeff decided to become a real estate agent, first joining a team. He acknowledged that he “learned a lot, but it was a grind.” In that first year, he closed 30 deals, but his business was built on internet leads and cold calls.
By chance, Jeff then found Brian Buffini’s It’s a Good Life podcast. The relational way of doing business — working with people you know and like — resonated with him. Inspired, he signed up for Referral Maker PRO®.
“When I started real estate, I had the mindset and the work ethic, but I really needed the system. The Buffini system is very straightforward. It’s very simple and effective,” he said. “You have the time to provide the really good service.”
“My business continued to grow after signing up to use Referral Maker PRO. It gave me the confidence to leave a team and continue real estate as a solo agent.”
Encouraged by those early results, he took the next step and signed up to work with a coach — a decision he calls a “gamechanger.”
“My coach, Julie, really keeps me accountable. I wasn’t always the most organized person, so she really keeps me on track,” he explained. “She makes sure I keep an eye on my database and track my progress and my sales.”
The Value of White Glove Service
Jeff loves that working by referral allows him to spend time with clients in ways other than just helping or buying a home. He regularly hosts movie appreciation events, plays tennis or goes on bike rides with them. (Truly embodying full service, he provides referrals for other professionals and occasionally taps into his own background as a mechanic to offer advice.)
“The Buffini method really does work. It’s long-term thinking. It’s really taking care of your clients with white glove service and earning their trust,” he said.
“The people that refer me already speak well of me. So I don’t have to convince [new clients] that I’m competent or that I will have their best interest. I already have that,” he added.
Jeff’s Good Life
Beyond business success, Jeff has another important goal in mind — providing a way for kids to tap into some of the knowledge he used on his own personal growth journey.
“I would love to help kids and start a book group or something to help them get to where they want to be,” he said.
Jeff notes that he never imagined, as a young man, that he would be living the life he does now. He has more time to spend with his family, even as his business continues to grow. A sense of gratitude is always present.
“If it wasn’t for my past clients, friends and family that have referred me and continue to refer me to all of their friends, I wouldn’t be here. I’m very grateful and appreciative of everybody that has helped me get here.”
