Meet Christopher Molander

We recently connected with Christopher Molander and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I grew up in small-town Iowa, where opportunities often felt limited. It seemed like the common choices were either going to college or working at a place like McDonald’s. I found myself trapped between settling for a mediocre life or staying in my parents’ basement, and I knew I wanted more. That realization pushed me to make a conscious decision not to accept the typical path that many people follow.

I wanted more for my health, my future family, my career, my faith, and my confidence in the American Dream. My work ethic comes from refusing to be satisfied with the ordinary and choosing to chase my full potential. It’s this drive that has shaped me into someone who works relentlessly to create a better future, both for myself and those around me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

For the past two years, I’ve been a full-time real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, which has held the top spot in Green Valley, Arizona, every year for the last 20 years. Last year, I was honored to be named Rookie of the Year across all 16 offices in Arizona, competing with agents from high-price markets like Prescott and Scottsdale.

What excites me most about real estate is the opportunity to help people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives—whether it’s finding a dream home or making a sound investment. The personal connections, the trust, and the satisfaction of seeing clients happy with their choices are what make my work special.

Outside of real estate, I have a passion for working with my hands. I enjoy projects like fixing up cars, vending machines, and arcade machines, as well as mastering card tricks. These hobbies keep me grounded and allow me to problem-solve in creative ways, which I think carries over into how I approach challenges in real estate.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, there are three key qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey:

1. Knowing who to work with: I’ve learned that not every client or deal is worth your time and effort. Some people and opportunities can add unnecessary stress or even damage your business. I maintain a high standard for how I operate, with a proven track record of success. If a client can’t respect that or asks me to compromise on my fees or methods, I choose not to work with them. My advice is to value your work and time—don’t be afraid to walk away from situations that don’t align with your standards.

2. Think big and keep growing: In business, only the companies and brands that continue to grow survive and thrive. Small businesses that don’t evolve often get crushed—that’s just the reality. My advice for those starting out is to never settle. Always look for ways to expand, improve, and reach new markets. Complacency leads to stagnation, so keep pushing forward.

3. Stay humble and focused on growth: The moment you start thinking you’ve “made it” or that you’re somehow irreplaceable, you stop growing and learning. It’s not about you—it’s about the people you serve with your products and services. My advice is to stay humble, stay curious, and always look for ways to provide more value to the people you’re helping. By focusing on others, you’ll keep moving your business forward and find long-term success.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Laurie Lundeen, the number one agent in Arizona for the past nine years, has been my mentor and has played a significant role in helping me develop the skills and mindset needed to be successful. She’s taught me invaluable lessons about what it truly means to succeed in business. The greatest thing I’ve learned from her is that it’s not just about making a sale—it’s about creating relationships where clients return to you time and time again. It’s about the reorders, not just the initial orders. That mindset has shaped how I approach my work and build lasting connections with clients and customers.

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