In this episode of Roots and Roofs, we sit down powerhouse Ashley, a real estate leader whose journey from corporate burnout to brokerage ownership is as inspiring as it is insightful. Ashley shares the pivotal moments that shaped her transition from a part-time agent to the founder of a brand-new brokerage, Toast Real Estate Group. From her start in corporate healthcare to launching a team and ultimately stepping into brokerage ownership, she gets real about leadership, culture, systems, and what it truly takes to build something meaningful in the real estate world—without losing your personal life in the process.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Ashley made the leap from corporate operations to full-time real estate
• The story behind launching Toast Real Estate Group
• The three brokerage models she and her partner developed
• Why systems, culture, and people are the backbone of their brokerage
• How to balance motherhood, entrepreneurship, and leadership
• What makes their brokerage culture so intentionally selective
• Strategies for setting boundaries in real estate while still showing up for your clients
• The critical importance of hiring in your business growth
• How personal goal-setting translates to team success
• How they maintain presence and structure in a blended-family household

Questions Answered in This Episode:

• What inspired Ashley to leave her previous brokerage and start her own?
• How did she know it was time to transition from team leader to brokerage owner?
• What are the key systems that support their business and personal lives?
• How do they uphold high culture and standards across multiple team models?
• What role does personal boundary-setting play in running a successful real estate business?
• What are the biggest challenges (and lessons) of leadership in real estate?
• How do they determine who is the right fit for their brokerage?
• What should someone consider if they want to start their own brokerage someday?
• How do Ashley and her partner share responsibilities both in business and at home?
• What support systems keep everything running at Toast and in their household?

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this inspiring episode of Roots and Roofs, host McKenzie Shelton chats with her longtime friend Dr. Kristen Blott, a veterinarian, business owner, and mom. Kristen shares her journey from law dreams to veterinary medicine, what it was like purchasing an existing clinic, and how she juggles the beautiful chaos of motherhood and entrepreneurship. With honesty and warmth, this conversation is a must-listen for working moms navigating purpose, passion, and priorities.

• How Kristen transitioned from a potential legal career to becoming a veterinarian
• What it’s like to purchase and run an existing veterinary clinic
• The differences between starting a business from scratch vs. buying one
• Honest insights into juggling business ownership and motherhood
• Why “letting go” is a powerful leadership and parenting tool
• How to prioritize and manage time as a multi-role working mom
• How veterinary care can evolve with technology in rural communities

• What inspired Kristen to pursue veterinary medicine?
• How did she end up owning her own clinic—and what challenges came with it?
• What’s the difference between rural and urban veterinary practice?
• How does Kristen manage family life with a demanding medical career?
• What mindset shifts helped her grow as a leader and mom?
• What advice does she have for women considering veterinary careers—or any demanding profession?

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com

In this episode, I dive into one of the most important topics for busy women and mompreneurs—how to create leverage in your business. I break down the exact strategies that can help you gain back your time, reduce stress, and increase income as your business grows. Whether you're feeling stretched too thin or just want to work smarter, not harder, this episode will give you actionable tips and permission to let go of doing it all.

What you'll learn:

• What leverage actually means in your business and why it’s crucial as you grow
• How to automate repetitive tasks to free up time
• What tasks you should delegate or outsource (and real examples from my life)
• How to scale your income through digital products, affiliate marketing, or memberships
• The power of workflows and time boundaries, especially in real estate
• Why investing in your personal growth—through coaching, masterminds, or learning—is key to long-term success
• The one mindset shift that will help you stop being the overworked solopreneur and step into your role as CEO

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.raburn/

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzieleeshelton

Find more great tips on her website:

www.mahoganyacres.com