The path to a sucessful luxury realtor

Coming from a residential background before I entered commercial, I can chime in on a few steps you need to take to set yourself up for success:

1. Join a successful luxury agent as an intern, apprentice etc. You need to learn the ropes first and foremost. In fact without this step, you're going to have very little to lean on when an owner asks about your experience with selling luxury homes. 
2. Niche down on your sub markets. Here in Miami, there's more than a handful of high-end neighborhoods to pick from such as Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami, and then north to North Miami, Miami Shores, Golden Beach etc. Pick sub markets that are closest to you. Ideally less than a 15 minute drive so when an owner inevitably asks where you live, it doesn't look like you're stretching yourself 45 minutes each way just to service their listing. High-end clients are very conscious of their time, and will feel uneasy if you're not easily accessible. 
3. Become an expert on building materials, costs, and finishes. What kind of marble is in the kitchen, how much does it typically cost to replace? These types questions come up on showings and listing appointments and if you don't know the answer, you're gonna get a very polite brush-off. 
4. You need to be well-engrained into your sub markets. This is why I recommended being no more than a 15 minute drive away. You have to go to their local parks, churches, gyms, etc to really get immersed in the community and be an active member of those circles. That will give you visibility, credibility, and familiarity: all reasons for the affluent to do business with you.

There's much more to get into, but I'll leave you with this final thought: Why do you want to sell luxury real estate? Like most things, the payday is not enough reason and you likely will not succeed without a deeper level of interest, involvement and dedication.