Real estate is about more than the money. Dania Santos of Ninja Realty shares her story. She moved from Mexico at age seven, arrived with nothing, and learned English as a young girl. She now helps families through some of the biggest moments of their lives. She explains why she treats a closing as part of someone's new chapter, and how her bilingual service, her network of lenders and vendors, and honest pricing advice set her apart.

She also covers the biggest mistakes sellers make, what actually adds value before listing, down payment assistance programs, and whether to buy now or wait for rates to drop. She ends with advice for anyone starting a business: don't give up, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Topics

• Moving from Mexico at age seven and building a life from nothing
• Why goals matter, and her mom's lesson that "nobody has a special power"
• Why she went into real estate for the money and stayed for the people
• Her process from the first walk-through to closing: professional photos, honest pricing and setting expectations
• Working with the Hispanic community, including translating at closings
• Handling difficult deals: don't take it personally, use your network, and leave the rest in prayer
• Why she works with other agents rather than competing with them
• Programs that can help buyers:
  • A North Carolina grant of $15,000 toward closing costs and down payment
  • USDA Direct, which can subsidize the monthly payment
• Seller mistakes: trusting Zillow or tax values, pricing high to "leave room to negotiate," and emotional attachment
• What adds value: repairs, curb appeal, decluttering and a deep clean
• Buying now vs. waiting: "Marry the house, date the rate," and you can refinance later
• Advice for new business owners: don't give up, ask people who are more successful, and keep learning through podcasts

Quotes

• "Nobody has a special power. You can do the same thing."
• "Marry the house, date the rate."
• "Compete with me, letting me become the best version of me."

Connect with Dania: Ninja Realty, serving Franklinton and surrounding areas of North Carolina, with Virginia coming soon. Phone: 252-425-8229 Email: daniarealestate1@gmail.com

Chapters

• 0:16 Welcome and introduction
• 0:48 Moving from Mexico and growing up with goals
• 3:47 "Nobody has a special power"
• 4:16 Why real estate: more than the money
• 6:06 Compliments, blessings and referrals
• 7:21 Why she joined Ninja Realty
• 9:15 From listing to closing: her process
• 12:20 Being bilingual and serving the Hispanic community
• 14:04 When a deal falls apart
• 15:19 Handling emotions and building a network
• 17:13 What sets her apart
• 20:15 The most common question: how much do I need to buy?
• 20:41 Down payment assistance programs
• 22:52 Top mistakes sellers make
• 25:56 What adds value before you list
• 28:53 Handling pricing disagreements with sellers
• 31:47 Buy now or wait for rates to drop?
• 34:45 Advice for new business owners
• 38:05 How to connect with Dania

In this episode, Mark Thompson, owner of Level Up Business Consulting and a member of the host's Faith-Driven Entrepreneur group, explains how epic stories can change the way we lead and sell. Every epic story has five characters: victims, villains, heroes, guides and extras. Mark argues that businesses should play the guide, not the hero, and help their customers become the hero of their own story.

He shares a personal story about his daughter's wedding, and how he nearly "hijacked" her hero's journey. He also explains why successful businesses hit a growth ceiling and how a fractional C-suite leader can help. He ends with how to reach him. His first consultations are free.

Key takeaways

• Level Up provides part-time (fractional) C-suite leaders in operations, sales, marketing, finance and procurement.
• Successful businesses often stall because the founder is spinning every plate and has reached their capacity.
• Epic stories have five characters: victim, villain, hero, guide and extra.
• In the Bible, and in Narnia, the guide is all-powerful but restrains that power so others can be the hero.
• Mark's wedding story shows the risk of making yourself the hero of someone else's story. You can end up as the villain.
• After that realization, Mark made thank-you calls to the people who had guided him.
• Most businesses cast themselves as the hero. Mark helps them shift to the guide role.
• Mark says stalled businesses often see 20, 40 or even 50 percent growth after this shift.
• The host and Mark discuss living a fully integrated life, with no separate church life and business life.

How to connect: Mark offers free initial consultations, calls and sit-downs. I didn't find a website or contact details in the transcript. Add them here before you publish.

Mentioned: Faith-Driven Entrepreneur group at Workspace, The Chronicles of Narnia, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and the host's first podcast with Maya on identity.

Franklin County LifeWise Academy

Host Donna Klein welcomes Kendal Wilkinson, the new Franklin County director for LifeWise Academy. Together, they explain what LifeWise is, how release-time religious instruction works, and what the Franklin County community can do to help the program get started.

Kendal shares how the program is designed to work alongside public schools, describes a LifeWise launch she witnessed in another county, and reflects on the personal journey that led her to this role.

Key topics

• Introducing Kendal Wilkinson and LifeWise Academy — Kendal shares her new role and introduces the LifeWise movement.
• How release-time instruction works — The discussion covers instruction during the school day, parental consent, off-campus locations, and private funding.
• Program logistics — Students may travel to a church, library, community center, fire department, or other host site during a non-core class period.
• Working with schools and families — Donna and Kendal describe LifeWise as a community collaboration intended to fit school schedules.
• Biblical teaching and character development — They discuss the curriculum’s Bible stories, memory verses, and emphasis on character and purpose.
• Kendal’s path to the role — Kendal talks about faith, surrender, life changes, and the relationships that led her to the position.
• A firsthand look at a LifeWise launch — She recounts seeing students welcomed, receiving Bibles, and taking part in a new program.
• What Franklin County needs — Kendal discusses building awareness, student interest, volunteers, board participation, and funding.
• Community movie night — The episode mentions a planned screening of Off School Property and an opportunity for people to learn more.

Timestamps

00:00 — Donna introduces Kendal and Franklin County LifeWise

01:18 — What LifeWise is and how release-time instruction works

02:17 — The three legal guidelines: funding, consent, and off-campus instruction

03:15 — One hour a week and the community-based model

04:13 — Why this matters for families who do not attend church

05:19 — Identity, purpose, and being defined by something bigger

06:19 — Supporting students alongside their education

07:36 — Why children are hungry for truth and hope

08:37 — Kendal’s testimony: calling, surrender, and God’s timing

11:23 — Moving to Louisburg and leaving a long-term job

12:52 — Relationships that led to the Franklin County director role

14:26 — Wanting hands-on experience with the program

16:31 — What a launch day looks like and how host sites work

18:01 — Children receive Bibles and begin in Genesis

19:16 — Curriculum, memory verses, and learning through videos

20:11 — Growth, shuttles, buses, and expanding student interest

21:39 — Trust raising, donations, and funding the mission

22:30 — Background checks and training for adults

23:28 — Building the board and seeking community support

24:21 — Pre-enrollment, giving, and why awareness matters

25:50 — Goal to launch the first Franklin County school

26:49 — How the community can pray and help

27:18 — Staying focused on the mission amid opposition

28:44 — Movie night and community next steps

29:10 — Off School Property movie-night details

30:09 — Closing remarks and thanks

Ways to support the effort

• Pre-enroll a student if your family is interested.
• Consider giving to support the program.
• Explore volunteering or serving on the board.
• Share information about LifeWise in Franklin County.
• Pray for the launch, funding, volunteers, and community support.