Pam Ehlers has always been a “people person.” As the longtime proprietor of her own restaurant, Pam’s Pub and Grub in Grand Island, NE, her focus was always on providing excellent service. She loved her work, but the hours were grueling.
On the side, she bought and flipped a few houses, she said, a process she enjoyed. So when her kids got older, she decided to make the transition into becoming a full-time real estate agent.
First and ‘Best’ Decision’ — Buffini Coaching
Pam’s first decision after getting her license was to approach Hector Rubio, the broker/owner of Rubio Real Estate, about working there.
“Hector highly recommended that I join Buffini. He’d been a member for a long time,” she said.
Pam took his advice. Not only did she join Buffini herself, but she also signed up for One2One Coaching. It was, she said, the “best thing I’ve ever done.”
Reflecting on that experience, Pam shared how much support coaching gave her as she got started.
“I never had any experience with coaching at all. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know what I was doing. So [my coach] Katelyn was absolutely my life support. I listened to her. I followed her instructions. I asked questions,” Pam explained. “It’s the support, the confidence, the motivation, the structure and the consistency.”
That guidance made all the difference as Pam stepped into a brand-new career.
“I wanted to succeed. Getting your license and going out there in the real world are two different things,” she added. “So I am grateful to have all the coaching, the advice, the support, all that. That is truly why I’m still in real estate. That’s truly why my numbers are okay, because I followed the advice of my coach.”
The Mindset of Working by Referral
As a business owner herself in the community, Pam is able to tap into her natural sphere of influence. That fits perfectly with the Working by Referral System. For Pam, referrals have always been the foundation of how she does business.
“Every customer, clientele, friend I’ve had has come from somebody else,” she said. “Referral is everything. You do a good job, you show up for people, they recommend you.”
That people-first mindset is what continues to drive her today.
“I want to be successful by my actions, by representing my clientele the best that I can. I want to show up. I want to do the best job for you. I want people to say, ‘She really showed up for us,’” she added. “I just love helping people, I really do. It’s the greatest feeling in the world when someone gets the keys to the house that they wanted.”
Pam’s Good Life!
In just her first year with Buffini, Pam earned $143,000. Last year, her income went up by 38%.
For this business owner, the quest to have balance in her life between work and family time was once a struggle. But now that her teen grandson, Chase, is living with her, it’s become a priority, especially as in just a few short years, he’ll be off to college.
“I told him, “Don’t look in your rear-view mirror. Your grandma will be following you!’” she joked.
But for now, she is cherishing the time they have to spend together. And, she says, much of that is possible thanks to her coach’s support and the Working by Referral System.
“It’s been night and day. I have more balance in my life than I’ve ever had,” she explained. “I don’t work near as much as I used to. I cannot tell you what that does for your mind, your family, everything.”
At this stage in life, Pam says her definition of success has changed.
“I think just as you get older, it’s not about perfect days — it’s about meaningful days. It’s about helping people and how I show up,” she mused. “I want them to know that I’ll show up. I’ll be there for you.”
“To me, that’s peace of mind. And that’s a good life.”
