1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 Erica Lehmkuhl and Sarah “Eli” David: From Military Leadership to Real Estate Success In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry sits down with Erica Lehmkuhl, Owner of Seaside Realty, and Sarah “Eli” David, Mortgage Loan Officer at The Broker, for a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, and transitioning from military service into real estate and lending. &amp;nbsp; Erica and Eli share their journeys from the military into the civilian world, offering a real look at what it means to lead in high-pressure environments, earn respect in male-dominated spaces, and carry those lessons into business. From paratrooper deployments to leading teams of over 200 personnel, they break down how discipline, accountability, and service shape long-term success. &amp;nbsp; Larry, Erica, and Eli also dive into the realities of Hawaii real estate today, including affordability challenges, market mindset, and why buyers need to focus on long-term strategy instead of trying to time the market. The conversation highlights how transparency, communication, and leadership directly impact both client outcomes and business growth. &amp;nbsp; The episode also explores entrepreneurship, scaling a business, and the importance of building trust-based relationships, not just transactions. Through real stories and experiences, they emphasize why taking care of people always comes first, whether in the military or in real estate. &amp;nbsp; Guest List Erica Lehmkuhl Owner, Seaside Realty LLC Real Estate Broker and Property Management Leader IG: @ericainhawaii &amp;nbsp; Sarah “Eli” David Mortgage Loan Officer, The Broker Former U.S. Air Force Officer IG: @elidavid_2074 &amp;nbsp; Timestamp Highlights 00:00 – Military banter and setting the tone 01:10 – Introducing Erica Lehmkuhl and Eli David 03:00 – Women in the military and leadership realities 07:20 – Double standards and earning respect 12:00 – Transitioning from military service to real estate 18:30 – Erica’s journey into real estate 25:00 – Building a business from zero 32:40 – Leadership lessons that translate to business 38:20 – Transparency and communication in transactions 44:00 – Navigating Hawaii’s real estate market 50:30 – Mindset, discipline, and long-term success 57:00 – Life lessons from military experience &amp;nbsp; 🌺 Enjoyed this episode? &amp;nbsp; Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone transitioning careers, building a business, or navigating the Hawaii real estate market. &amp;nbsp; 🤙 Follow Larry Gonzales and In Search of Excellence: Island Style for more conversations with Hawaii leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. In Search of Excellence, Island Style https://sites.libsyn.com/613475 <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/41176155/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/201619690