Christina Welch: Building the Welch Team One Lesson at a Time | Real Estate Excellence Podcast

When Christina Welch joined me for episode two of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, I knew her story would resonate with agents and team leaders alike. What stood out wasn’t just her success—though she has built one of the most recognized teams in Northeast Florida—it was the honest way she shared the early struggles. Christina didn’t get to the top by avoiding failure. She got there by learning from it.

Back in 2021 when we recorded the episode, Christina was leading the Welch Team under Keller Williams Atlantic Partners. Today, she’s the Operating Principal and co-owner of Keller Williams St. Johns, overseeing one of the fastest-growing franchises in the region. Her leadership title may have changed, but her core mission hasn’t—she’s still all about growth, systems, and creating opportunities for agents to succeed.

Christina’s real estate journey didn’t begin with immediate wins. In fact, the early years of team building were filled with hard lessons. Agent turnover was a challenge. Processes broke down. Growth wasn’t smooth. But Christina didn’t quit. She kept building, kept refining, and stayed focused on long-term vision rather than short-term results.

“I had to learn how to fail forward,” she told me during our conversation. “When you start a team, you're wearing every hat—and not all of them fit well at first. But if you keep learning, you eventually get better at knowing which ones to hand off.”

The Welch Team became known for structure, opportunity, and support. Christina began to retain agents longer, creating a culture that kept people engaged, productive, and invested. As her systems improved, so did her impact. Clients received a better experience. Agents began to thrive. And the Welch Team became one of the top Keller Williams teams in Northeast Florida.

What’s most impressive is that Christina built her business during a time when the market was shifting constantly. She adapted. She trained. She found the right people. And she leaned into the power of a strong brand backed by Keller Williams' platform.

That ability to balance team culture with personal development is part of what earned Christina her leadership role with Keller Williams St. Johns. As the Operating Principal, she now mentors leaders, develops business plans, and helps agents across the brokerage reach their full potential. But she never forgets where she came from—or how hard those first few years really were.

“I know what it feels like to question everything,” she said. “That’s why I’m passionate about helping others grow without having to go through all the pain I did. If I can shorten someone’s learning curve, I will.”

For anyone listening to her episode, the message is clear: success in real estate doesn’t come from skipping steps. It comes from staying in the game, refining your systems, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in the mission. Christina Welch is proof that perseverance pays off—and that leadership is earned through service, not shortcuts.

If you're an agent looking for a model of leadership, or a client seeking a team you can trust, Christina’s story is worth hearing.

Listen to her full journey on Episode 2 of the podcast at www.tracyhayespodcast.com/2

Connect with Christina or the Welch Team on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn

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