From Dancing with the Stars to Real Estate: How Entertainment Skills Created a “Standout Brand”

“I look at all of us real estate agents going in for listings and it's like an audition for a show. All the competitors are there... How do you choose?”

"If I get one more bloody real estate agent..."

According to Josh Horner, this comment kept appearing in Facebook groups from disgruntled homeowners.

As a former Dancing with the Stars judge and Broadway performer, he knew he wanted to take a different approach to stand out.

Drawing from his years at Disneyland studying guest behavior, Josh built The Horner Agency around a distinctive garden gnome logo and an authentic social media presence that connects with suburban families struggling with cost of living pressures.

His videos don't just show properties - they tell stories that resonate with his target market: "suburban mums and dads."

The results? While other agents' social media gets obligatory "fire emojis" from colleagues, Josh’s content generates organic engagement from actual prospects tagging family members about properties.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, host Leanne Pilkington explores how Josh’s entertainment background shaped his unconventional but effective approach to:

• Standing out in a crowded market

• Creating social content that actually engages potential clients

• Building an authentic personal brand

• Understanding and connecting with your target audience

Whether you're tired of blending in with other agents or looking for fresh marketing approaches, this conversation offers practical insights on differentiating yourself in today's market.