T
yler Whitman, a successful real estate agent and TV personality, didn't start out lucky. He arrived in New York City from Alabama with no connections and struggled to find work as a waiter and flyer distributor. Clinically obese and battling a drinking problem, he was far from the image-conscious industry's ideal candidate.

    However, Whitman made his own luck by working tirelessly in his Manhattan real estate niche, joining brokerage startup Triplemint, quitting drinking, and losing 200 pounds. He became a star on Million Dollar Listing and now leads a team that sells everything from starter apartments to $48 million penthouses.

    Whitman's advice for new agents is to niche down and find a gap in the market they're passionate about. He started working with fresh Ivy League college graduates, which led to 80 rental deals that summer. From there, he built his business in luxury real estate and eventually rubbed shoulders with Ryan Serhant on Million Dollar Listing.

    Whitman's team now works everything from starter homes to eight-figure penthouses, proving that listings are listings and successful businesses grow by diversifying their offerings. He attributes his success to finding something that drives him to seek out new opportunities, in this case, the pressure of keeping his spot on Million Dollar Listing.

    To get lucky in real estate, Whitman recommends joining a forward-thinking brokerage but being ready to leave as soon as you find something better. He also suggests finding a script for drumming up business at parties, like his own: "I am a real estate agent and I have been out here selling luxury homes for over a decade now." By deflecting the conversation with humor and asking questions, Whitman has a 97% close ratio on getting deals.

    Whitman's journey is a testament to making one's own luck in real estate. He left Triplemint for The Agency, gaining access to a nationwide network of luxury agents and more referrals than his team could handle. His story shows that with hard work, determination, and the right mindset, anyone can create their own luck and achieve success in the industry.