Buying Back Your Time: How Cavelle Mollineaux Built a Business That Doesn’t Run His Life

Buying Back Your Time: How Cavelle Mollineaux Built a Business That Doesn’t Run His Life

May 26, 2025

My guest today is Cavelle Mollineaux—a Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and the visionary founder of Onyx Real Estate. Cavelle is a powerhouse in the Hampton Roads real estate market, not just because of the volume his brokerage produces, but because of the culture of excellence, impact, and community he’s built. He’s a board member for organizations like The Up Center and the Minority Business Council, and he serves on multiple real estate industry boards as well. But what truly sets Cavelle apart is his ability to lead with vision, integrity, and a deep desire to elevate those around him. What’s unique about Cavelle is the full scope of his journey—from immigrating to the U.S. at 17, to serving in the Navy, to eventually becoming a leader in real estate with over 75 agents under his brokerage. In this episode, we dive into the mindset shift that took him from agent to business owner, the systems he put in place to create freedom, and the moments—both high and low—that shaped his entrepreneurial path. Cavelle opens up about building a career that supports his family, his philosophy on team building, and the tension every high-producing agent faces: how do I grow a thriving business without burning out or missing what matters most? He shares how he intentionally built a scalable team, the lessons he’s learned in leadership, and why he believes in lifting others as he climbs. We also get into the realities of entrepreneurship—the sacrifices, the setbacks, and the power of staying the course. And make sure to listen until the end as Cavelle shares his definition of success, the surprising lessons he’s learned along the way, and the daily routines that keep him grounded. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy today’s episode of The Real Estate Success Podcast with Cavelle Mollineaux