Coffee & Conversations with Leslie Appleton-Young, Sarah Kosasky and Jackie Soto

In this inspiring episode, WomanUP!® Co-Founder, Former C.A.R. VP and Chief Economist, and First MLS Consultant Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young sat down with two powerhouse brokers who are also moms, Sarah Kosasky of Coldwell Banker Realty, and Jackie Soto of eHomes, to explore the real challenges of balancing a successful real estate career with personal life. Together, they shared honest insights, practical strategies, and personal routines that help them thrive in both business and at home.

✨ Leslie Appleton-Young reminded us that the challenge with saying “no” is that sometimes you’re saying “no” to great things in order to leave the door open for better things. Success requires constant evaluation and evolution.

✨ Sarah Kosasky highlighted the importance of time blocking with intention, viewing it as blocking energy, not just hours. Her mornings start the night before when she reviews her calendar for the following day and has a parent huddle with her partner. In the mornings, she handles school drop-offs before beginning her workday. During her commute, she listens to podcasts or audiobooks, and she recommends The Diary of a CEO. Sarah delegates tasks to her staff, building trust with her team and agents to handle events, marketing, and tech. She’s mindful of stress, slowing her pace and breathing before responding to situations, and emphasizes showing up calm because people absorb energy. On social media, she keeps personal and professional accounts separate for safety and discretion, treating her business presence as a work portfolio.Her advice: Work-life integration isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention.

Quote: “When I’m trying to be there for everything, I’m not really showing up.”

✨ Jackie Soto thrives in a different way. While Sarah focuses on one task at a time, Jackie admits she’s energized by managing multiple tasks under pressure. She recommends a To-Do List app for organization and follows a structured morning routine of physical activity, meditation, breathwork, journaling, and gratitude. Jackie dedicates seven minutes each morning to connecting with her children, explaining that seven minutes of true presence can make someone feel connected for the whole day. Her work week is carefully time blocked across her offices, with dedicated time for onboarding, leadership meetings, and one-on-ones with agents. Delegation to staff and maintaining strict control of her calendar are keys to balance. Jackie also values therapy as a way to offload stress and gain perspective. On social media, she’s intentional, maintaining transparency without sacrificing her family’s privacy.Her advice: Go inward and define your core values so you know your focus in each season of life.

Quote: “When people are happy, they do good things.”

Sarah and Jackie reminded us that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Balance looks different for everyone, some thrive with deep focus, others under pressure, but the common threads are intention, delegation, boundaries, and support systems.

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