The real estate industry has entered a new era, one defined by technology, collaboration, and a stronger emphasis on agent autonomy. This wasn’t just a strategic business decision, it was the result of a deeply personal and professional journey shaped by industry changes, personal setbacks, and evolving goals.
What makes this transition unique is that Spyglass Realty maintains its brand identity. Under Real’s innovative “private label” model, the team continues operating as Spyglass Realty without adopting Real’s branding. Behind the scenes, they leverage Real’s advanced technology, back-office support, and growth tools, all while staying true to the brand they’ve spent years building.
This approach blends independence with innovation. It answered a lingering challenge: how to provide agents with long-term wealth opportunities like stock options and revenue share, without sacrificing the boutique culture that makes Spyglass Realty special.
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How a Decade-Long Friendship Sparked a Major Business Shift
Ryan’s journey to Real was shaped in part by two long-time industry friends, Joe Herrera from Las Vegas and Amy Youngren from Toronto. The trio met over a decade ago through Curaytor, a marketing and lead generation platform that connected top-producing agents across North America. They bonded over their shared values of innovation, marketing excellence, and team-building.
Over the years, they spoke at each other’s events, shared operations advice, and stayed in touch. When Joe reached out to Ryan to chat about Real, it didn’t feel like a pitch. Instead, it was a conversation rooted in trust. Joe wasn’t trying to sell Ryan, he was simply opening the door, asking if Ryan knew anyone open to new opportunities. That subtle, respectful approach stuck with him.
Amy had a similar experience. Having built her brand, North Group, while at Keller Williams, she too had considered going independent before ultimately choosing Real in 2022. She and Ryan had connected during that process, discussing the pros and cons of different brokerage models.
What united all three was a desire to grow together with a platform that offered real autonomy, scalable tools, and long-term wealth-building opportunities for their teams.
Career Pivots and Personal Setbacks
From 2019 to 2022, Spyglass Realty experienced tremendous growth. Scaling from 19 to 100 agents. But behind the scenes, Ryan was navigating personal turmoil. By the end of 2022, his marriage was on the rocks. The emotional toll impacted his personal life and his focus as a business leader.
In 2023, he took time to stabilize, reflect, and prepare for what came next. It wasn’t until early 2024 that he felt mentally back in the game.
This period of reflection led him to evaluate what Spyglass Realty needed to thrive in a shifting market. Recruiting was becoming more difficult. Retention was harder. He was tired of the constant cycle: grow, lose, replace. It became clear that growth required not just numbers, but structure, culture, and strategy.
Choosing the Right Brokerage Model
Like many seasoned brokers, Ryan had been approached before by brands like EXP and Compass. But none felt right. He didn’t want to dilute the Spyglass name, nor did he want to pressure his agents into recruitment-driven models. With Real Broker’s private label program, the path became clear.
Spyglass Realty could remain Spyglass Realty, no “Powered by Real” tag, no mandated rebranding. Behind the scenes, Real would provide everything else: a robust tech stack, streamlined back office, and most importantly, pathways to stock and revenue share for agents who wanted more than just commission checks.
The alternative? Working 12-hour days to stay fully independent and build a custom version of everything Real already offered. For Ryan, the choice became obvious. This was the best of both worlds, maintaining his brand while future-proofing the business.
Agent Retention, Revenue Share, and Building Long-Term Wealth
The real estate industry is at a turning point. Between shifting commission structures, class-action lawsuits, and tightening markets, agents are looking for more security and more upside.
The traditional model, where brokers handle logistics and agents close deals, is no longer enough. Top producers want equity. They want to build wealth, not just income. Retention is no longer about who has the nicest office, it’s about who offers the best path to long-term success.
That’s why Real’s offering resonated. Agents at Spyglass can now choose: remain fully engaged in the Spyglass ecosystem, or branch out under Real’s wider umbrella, with stock options and revenue share that reward loyalty and production.
Ryan’s decision wasn’t just about him, it was about creating new possibilities for the people he works with and believes in.
What’s Next for Spyglass, Joe, Amy, and the Future with Real
What excites Ryan the most is collaboration. For years, he, Joe, and Amy were teachers to each other and to their agents, long before joining the same brokerage was even an option. Now, they’re aligned under one roof, working toward shared goals.
They’re not just building teams, they’re building systems, culture, and leadership that stretches across cities, countries, and brokerages. With Real, there’s no top-down hierarchy, just a network of like-minded leaders who want to do things differently.
Spyglass Realty remains proudly independent in brand and operation, but is now backed by a national infrastructure that rewards performance and collaboration.
Want to Learn More? Listen to the Full Podcast Episode
In this podcast episode, Ryan sits down with Joe Herrera and Amy Youngren to talk about:
- Why Spyglass Realty joined Real Broker without changing its brand
- What personal setbacks led Ryan to reevaluate his goals
- How Amy and Joe built wealth and community with Real
- What makes Real’s culture and business model stand out from the rest
🎙️ Don’t miss the chance to hear how three real estate leaders are shaping the future together. Listen to the full episode now.
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