by Karla Brown, Principal/Senior Broker

Insights from The Colorado Group 

At The Colorado Group, recruiting the right broker is not just about checking boxes. It’s about building a collaborative, motivated team that shares a commitment to excellence and local expertise. In this Q&A, one of our experienced brokers, Karla Brown, discusses what makes someone a good fit for the company, how mentorship supports growth, and what it’s like to work in an evolving and competitive field like commercial real estate. 

What qualities or experience does The Colorado Group typically look for in new brokers? 

The Colorado Group is looking for commercial brokers with a minimum of three years professional experience in commercial real estate sales and leasing, either locally in Colorado or other areas of the country. We are also happy to talk to candidates who have worked in adjacent fields such as residential real estate, title work, and lending. 

Why is the 3+ years of experience benchmark important when evaluating candidates? 

Commercial real estate brokerage is quite often learned on-the-job, and relies on a network of relationships and extensive knowledge of the local area. Some brokerages are set up to accommodate new brokers with extensive training programs, and commission-sharing structures so new brokers can get experience with working deals under the guidance of senior brokers. While The Colorado Group does offer a mentoring program, we do not offer salaries or financial incentives to our junior brokers, so in the interest of people being successful on our platform, they need to have some experience, contacts, and a basic level of income to start. 

If I don’t have 3 years of commercial brokerage experience, what other qualifications might make me suitable for a position at The Colorado Group? 

We are also willing to consider candidates with general real estate experience, for example residential real estate, or work with a title company or commercial lending. Some candidates come in looking to broker their own real estate as well. 

What does the ideal candidate look like for The Colorado Group, beyond the resume? 

A variety of qualities go into making a good commercial broker. Most of us are fairly Type A with good attention to detail, an analytical mind-set, tolerance for risk, and a lot of perseverance. That said, real estate is above-all about people, and helping people achieve their goals. Good brokers need maturity, diplomacy, and excellent interpersonal skills to make it in this business. A background in sales and marketing always helps. 

What role does company culture play in attracting and retaining talent at The Colorado Group? 

Many brokers arrive here and stay for the rest of their careers. We pride ourselves in providing a collaborative environment where less experienced brokers can learn from more senior brokers. Every week we convene the company to review our closed deals and new listings, and discuss the state of the marketplace. It’s well-known that many deals get done in the hallways following a sales meeting. As the largest commercial brokerage in Boulder County, our 30+ brokers have their fingers on the pulse of the market in ways that are hard to achieve in smaller, less diverse firms. 

How does The Colorado Group provide support to help new brokers succeed? Can you tell me more about the mentorship program here – how it works, and what makes it unique? 

Every broker that comes into the company as less than a “senior broker” is assigned a mentor. While we are looking for brokers with a certain level of existing industry experience, we are always learning in this profession, and mentoring and collaboration are extremely important. Mentors meet at least weekly with their mentees to provide guidance, share information, discuss challenges, share resources, offer advice, and answer questions. 

Commercial Real Estate is still a male-dominated industry. What has your experience been like as a woman in brokerage? 

No surprise, there are still challenges for women in commercial brokerage. While we have a good number of women at The Colorado Group, when you go to an industry event, it’s not uncommon to see only two female speakers out of a line-up of 20 men. There are some great organizations out there to support women, like CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) which is active in Denver and northern Colorado. But one of the reasons I joined The Colorado Group back in 2018, was the number of other successful female brokers on the roster, and the welcoming attitude of the ownership. 

What tips or advice would you give to women looking to join the commercial real estate 

industry or business workforce in general? 

My advice would be the same as that given to me years ago: focus on your competency. You’re not going to be sitting at the head of the table right away, and most likely, you don’t want to be. Find a good mentor, or several mentors, put your head down and learn from them all you can. Ask the dumb questions, listen in on the phone calls, observe the meetings, and find your own authentic style. Being the boss doesn’t mean being bossy, it means being a leader. As your competency grows, so will your confidence. You’ll get plenty of pushback along the way, but don’t let it get to you. Commercial real estate is a great profession, with flexibility and life-long opportunities for learning. Hope to see you across the closing table! 

The Colorado Group continues to grow with the help of experienced, curious, and committed brokers who value independence, mentorship, and collaboration. If you’re driven, relationship-oriented, and ready to take the next step in your real estate career, 

Reach out! We’d be happy to connect and share more about what makes The Colorado Group a great place to grow your career. https://www.coloradogroup.com/join-our-team/