Lauren Duke: CoreOps Collective
Are you running a business or just duct taping one together?
In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Lauren Duke. Lauren is the founder and CEO of Core Ops Collective, to unpack how she went from military spouse and hairdresser to running operations for one of the nation’s top real estate teams—closing over 3000 transactions and opening 21 expansion locations. Lauren explains why so many agents get stuck wearing every hat, how culture can’t just be “family,” and the difference between surviving and scaling.
She dives into her signature SCALE framework—Set the vision, Capture attention, Acquire business, Lead with systems, Elevate experience—showing agents how to replace chaos with clarity. From CRMs and lead magnets to touch plans and KPI dashboards, Lauren reveals the tools and mindset shifts that free agents from survival mode and position them to grow like true CEOs.
If this conversation gave you clarity, share it with another agent who’s grinding without a plan. Subscribe to Real Estate Excellence, leave a review, and commit to setting up one system this week that will carry your business further.
Highlights:
0:00 - 6:00 Introduction and agent struggles
- Why agents hit a ceiling early
- Misconceptions about brokerage support
- Overwhelm from CRMs and tech tools
- Why systems matter before scaling
6:00 - 15:00 Lauren’s background and entry into real estate
- From hairdresser to military spouse life
- Launching a VA business on Facebook
- First role as a transaction coordinator
- Learning operations by trial and error
15:00 - 25:00 Building and leading teams
- Expanding to 21 locations nationwide
- Managing 100+ agents and staff
- Culture vs. family in teams
- Launching Core Ops Collective after parting ways
25:00 - 41:00 The SCALE framework
- Setting the vision with audits
- Capturing attention with core values
- Acquiring business through CRMs
- Leading with measurable systems
41:00 - 55:00 Systems, automation, and client touch plans
- Building landing pages and lead forms
- Using Facebook groups for lead gen
00:45:30 to 01:22:23 Dashboards, hiring, and team building
· CEO dashboards for KPIs and cost of sale
· Avoiding the pay-per-lead trap
· Setting clear roles and accountability for admins
- Dashboards and KPIs for agents
- Final advice on scaling with clarity
Quotes:
“We replace survival mode with structure.” – Lauren Duke
“You can’t grow a team if you don’t even know how you want to show up for clients.” – Lauren Duke
“If you don’t know your core values, decisions will paralyze you.” – Lauren Duke
“Your assistant should be an extension of you.” – Lauren Duke
To contact Lauren Duke, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her on her Website, Instagram, Facebook, and Podcast.
Connect with Lauren Duke!
Website: https://www.coreopscollective.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreopscollective
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coreopscollective
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0CeMtpitmpW2KB4j05cI7i
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
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Are you ready to take your real estate game to the next level? Look no further than Real Estate Excellence - the ultimate podcast for real estate professionals. From top agents and loan officers, to expert home inspectors and more, we bring you the best of the best in the industry. Tune in and gain valuable insights, tips, and tricks from industry leaders as they share their own trials and triumphs. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, a homebuyer or seller, or simply interested in the real estate industry, Real Estate Excellence has something for you. Join us and discover how to become a true expert in the field.
The content in these videos and posts are for informational and educational purposes only. The information contained in the posted content represents the views and opinions of the original creators and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Townebank Mortgage NMLS: #512138.
