Thrive & Inspire ’24: For Mahlstedt, ‘Sincere Desire to Help People’ Is Key

Phoebe Rourke
Thrive & Inspire ’24: For Mahlstedt, ‘Sincere Desire to Help People’ Is Key

Mike Mahlstedt, Top Producing Agent for Compass Real Estate

WHAT'S THE SECRET to running a successful business? Achieving success as a Realtor requires unwavering dedication and continuous effort. The industry is evolving to be more technology-driven and is much more competitive. To thrive in this ever-changing landscape and establish a strong brand, you must truly care about the end result and possess a sincere desire to help people. Moreover, it’s not a solo journey; I am fortunate to have a diligent team that works long hours and a firm, Compass, which provides the support necessary to be a top producer.


What’s unique about your approach or your mission? My personal mission statement is “Work hard and be nice.” My reputation is paramount for future success, so my goal is to be respectful and available at all times. I train my team to do the same, so the client sees their transaction being handled by professionals who work closely together on their behalf. I want them to feel more than satisfied with the service I have provided and the knowledge I’ve conveyed. It’s such an achievement to have clients refer me to their friends and family and to continue to call me first when they are buying or selling their second or third house as their needs change.

Who or what inspires you as you seek to reach greater heights of success? Every day, my sons serve as my source of inspiration, motivating me to strive for excellence and provide a comfortable life for our family. My parents have been my lifelong role models, instilling in me a profound work ethic and a strong sense of support. It is my sincere hope to impart these same values to my boys, carrying forward the legacy of hard work and support that my parents instilled in me.

Jacob Hilton, a.k.a. Travid Halton, at home in his kitchen, where he enjoys cooking as a form of therapy.

PINK FLOYD'S THE Wall. Sinatra’s In the Wee Small Hours. Beyonce’s Lemonade. Three divergent examples of the album as a cathartic, psychological, conceptual work, meant to be experienced in a single sitting. Houston singer-songwriter Jacob Hilton, 37, who records as Travid Halton, a portmanteau of his mother and father’s names, might balk at being mentioned in such company. (This is a thoroughly unpretentious man, who describes himself as an “archaeologist turned singer-songwriter.”)

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How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

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