Episode 77

Building Community and Expertise with James Milner

Published on: 12th February, 2025

On today’s Performance Mindset podcast, Amy sits down with James Milner, owner and president of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate in Boone, North Carolina. Appalachian offers sales, leasing, consulting, and appraisal services. James entered commercial real estate following a stint in residential real estate, and today, he is the leading commercial real estate agent in his area.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  1. James Milner’s role as the owner and president of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate in Boone, North Carolina.
  2. Why getting his CCIM license radically changed the trajectory of his career.
  3. The importance of momentum and the inability to delegate some things in your business.
  4. James’s background as a paralegal before entering the commercial real estate space.
  5. The housing shortage in Boone, North Carolina, what’s driving it, and the economics of the general area.
  6. Scarcity of space and the challenges it presents.
  7. Amy’s “no assholes” policy and sending clients to another agent when she can’t offer them the best help.
  8. Staying focused on clients and serving them to the best of your ability.
  9. Referrals and building relationships in your community.

Connect with Amy Calandrino here:

Beyond Commercial

Amy Calandrino

Connect with James Milner:

Appalachian Commercial Real Estate

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About the Podcast

Performance Mindset - Fueling Success in Commercial Real Estate and Leadership
Performance Mindset - Fueling Success in Commercial Real Estate and Leadership
Based in sunny Orlando, Amy Calandrino and the team at Beyond Commercial have spent over a decade empowering business owners, leaders, and investors to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. Along the way, we’ve uncovered a defining trait among the most successful: a performance mindset. This is the foundation that helps leaders stay ahead, make bold decisions, and inspire teams to achieve extraordinary results.

But success isn’t just about the properties you own or the deals you close—it’s about leadership. It’s about tackling self-limiting beliefs, leveraging data to make informed decisions, and consistently following through on your goals. With the right mindset, support system, and commitment to growth, exponential success is not only possible—it’s inevitable.
In the Performance Mindset series, we dive deep into leadership strategies, commercial real estate trends, and business insights.

You’ll hear stories and lessons from our most accomplished clients, industry experts, and thought leaders. From Orlando to wherever you are, we’re here to help you lead with clarity, build wealth, and create lasting impact.

Ready to take your business, investments, and leadership to the next level? Contact Amy Calandrino and the Beyond Commercial team today!

Visit us at BeyondCommercial.com or connect directly with Amy at AmyCalandrino.com.

Let’s make your vision a reality!

About your host

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Amy Calandrino

I thrive on meeting clients face-to-face, shaking hands, and helping them achieve their short and long-term goals. For me, it's all about the personal touch combined with a strategic lens. I get great satisfaction from finding the best space and maximizing returns for my clients. But BEYOND the transaction, what truly drives me is developing personalized strategies to help them build wealth.

My clients and colleagues describe me as having both head and heart. I’ve earned CCIM and SIOR designations, and Beyond Commercial is a certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). I’m recognized as a key influencer in the industry.

Developing ongoing relationships and seeing my clients thrive is what truly drives me. Business owners and investors benefit from my extensive knowledge of inventories, trends, and space. While I have a hyper-local focus in Winter Park and Greater Orlando, I have global reach through alliances with other boutique brokerages and the Commercial Real Estate Supplier Diversity Alliance (CRESDA).

While Central Florida is home, I developed an affinity for Winter Park while earning my degree at Rollins College. Its charm reminds me of my New England roots. Today, I feel blessed to serve many of the area’s businesses and property owners. I also contribute to the community as a Park Avenue District Board member, part of the Main Street America program.

Beyond my work at Beyond Commercial, I'm involved in initiatives that align with my professional and personal aspirations. Alongside my husband Phil, I co-founded the Calandrino Foundation to inspire entrepreneurship, starting with our youth. I’m also passionate about sharing insights through my Performance Mindset podcast, where I engage in thought-provoking conversations with fellow business leaders.

My upcoming book, From Perfect to Real: Embracing Authenticity for Peak Performance, will chronicle my personal struggles, professional journey, and the SPORT Success System® I developed for achieving peak performance.

While providing above-and-beyond service is a priority, my greatest loves are my faith and family. Phil and I cherish raising our two lively children. In my downtime, I also enjoy a round of golf or running a 5k.

The team at Beyond Commerical and I are ready to serve you above and BEYOND. Connect with us today!