Meet Lauren Kolazas

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Kolazas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

That’s a great question. Someone recently called me one of the most resilient people they’ve ever met, which was a humbling compliment.

Growing up, my family faced a lot of challenges. My parents went through a difficult divorce when I was young, and my mom was left to care for me and my two younger sisters. It was a tough time financially and emotionally, and I naturally stepped into a role of responsibility early on. I remember helping with my sisters, taking on small tasks around the house, and learning to be independent.

That experience shaped me in many ways. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of financial independence. I started working as a mother’s helper at 12, babysat at 13, and got my first official job at 14. Supporting myself and contributing from a young age became a point of pride.

I didn’t originally plan to go into real estate, but a customer I met while working at a brewery offered me an administrative assistant role. That opportunity opened the door to a career I fell in love with. After moving to the DC area, I worked in various real estate roles before starting my own business in 2011. Since then, I’ve grown from a young mom working from home to leading a team that produced $30M last year. I also own an Airbnb and have flipped three (going on 4) homes.

I believe resilience often comes from navigating difficult circumstances. While my beginnings weren’t easy, I wouldn’t change them. They gave me the strength and determination that continue to drive me today.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a real estate agent in Northern Virginia and lead a team of three agents serving DC, Maryland, and Virginia. I’m proud to be a part of RLAH @properties, where we specialize in helping residential clients buy and sell homes. My personal focus is in Fort Hunt, Alexandria — a community I love and am passionate about.

Supporting local businesses is also a big part of who I am. I run the Fort Hunt Women’s Small Business Networking Group and manage the @iheartforthunt Instagram page, where I highlight and celebrate small businesses in the area.

On the investment side, I purchased my first property in 2021, followed by another in 2022. In 2023, I expanded into short-term rentals with an Airbnb in Old Town Alexandria, which has been an exciting and rewarding experience. Most recently, I bought a distressed waterfront property in Fort Hunt, completed the renovation, and sold it last month. It was an incredible journey that the entire neighborhood followed along with, culminating in a celebratory evening of s’mores by the water.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing both my real estate sales business and my investment portfolio. I have aspirations of adding more long-term rentals and eventually owning a beach house. Real estate has been an amazing journey so far, and I’m looking forward to what’s next!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reading the Room
One of my strongest skills is the ability to read the subtle cues people communicate beyond words. I’m highly attuned to body language, facial expressions, and overall energy, which allows me to understand what others may not be saying directly. This skill has been invaluable in business, particularly in navigating conversations and making informed decisions. Being adaptable and empathetic is essential in building strong, lasting relationships.

Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is a relatively new term to me, but it’s one I’ve come to recognize as crucial in business. Managing my own emotions and responding thoughtfully, even in high-pressure situations, is a skill I’ve cultivated over time. In real estate, where emotions often run high, maintaining a calm and steady presence helps foster trust and confidence among clients and colleagues.

Kindness
When I first started in real estate, I was told that success required ruthlessness. However, my experience has shown me the opposite. I’ve built a successful career by leading with kindness and respect. I maintain positive, collaborative relationships with fellow agents and approach every transaction with integrity. In my view, kindness isn’t just a personal value — it’s a powerful business strategy that leads to stronger partnerships and better results.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

My current challenge is learning to delegate more effectively. As my business has grown, it’s been difficult to step back and entrust others with tasks I’m used to handling myself. I’m also focused on building a streamlined system that allows my team to collaborate seamlessly and operate efficiently. It’s a work in progress, but I’m excited to see how it strengthens our overall success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laurenkolazas.com, www.iheartforthunt.com
• Instagram: @laurenolazas, @iheartforthunt

Image Credits

Mary C. Photography