I am embarking on a very fun project. My Brother in Law and I are setting out to tell the stories of our lives from 1st grade to the 9th grade. We lived in very different periods of time so this could be an interesting read. We will be dual blogging our memories at this site http://ferristoedinburg.blogspot.com/ I hope you will find it as enjoyable as I think we will by writing it. When we complete the Blog we are going to edit it then publish it in a book. We are very ambitious here and will be incorporating it into a podcast. Let me know what you think and I look forward to your comments

Its been a long time since I have blogged. I have been ultra busy. I reopened a business that I had been very successful with in the past. I am a manufacturers Representative in the plumbing industry. I still have my Real Estate License and keep it up to date. Covenant Partners is where I hang that hat. I do miss the excitement of day to day full-time Real Estate. Excitement you say....yes excitement. Something about wondering what the day will bring, will this be the day you get an offer or a call from a serious buyer. It just might be ! I have had many satisfied clients and I am sorry to say I have had One unsatisfied client. I ran into this fellow last week as he is in the plumbing industry and our paths do cross. He had a house that just would not sell it was out in the boondocks and was built like a fun house. The bedrooms were odd shaped there was no bathroom or closets in the Master and the house was unfinished. He would not come down on the price and I was spending alot of money driving to and fro and advertising. He tried to motivate me by offering to pay me money under the table if I sold it quickly. At that point I told him to find another Realtor I just couldn't represent him anymore. Well when I saw him the other day he was bitter still. He asked me if I was still doing real Estate and I said sometimes.....Helping friends and family etc. He replied I knew you wouldn't make it as a Realtor because you committed the cardinal sin of firing a client. He said he may buy a faucet from me but would never use me as an agent. I know if I would have held on to him as a client and his house did not sell he would still feel the same way. So even though I have an unhappy former client I still fell I made the right decision. I saved money by not marketing a property that could not sell and I kept my self respect in tact. DON'T DEAL WITH SHADY CHARACTERS it won't get you anywhere and if someone wants you to bend the rules you could end up fined or loose your license. It is better to cut ties quickly and move on. The property never sold although it appears so under MLS. The Realtor he used orchestrated  some sort of Lease Purchase plan.

    I had my License at New Home Guy Realty here in San Antonio. I was off exploring other things and doing Real Estate Part Time when I received a letter from TREC stating my license had gone inactive. Well Then Broker released me after assurances from a Manager that they would allow me to hold my License there. What I think prompted this is I had done two rental transactions and they neglected to pay me for them. I had brought this to the managers attention on several occasions but still no checks. It all amounted to a very small sum of money maybe 400.00 . One day I decided I would call and inquire about my money again, only this time I said it has been 2 months and it seems like you are refusing to pay me even though I am listed on the MLS as the selling agent and have confirmed that you received your money from the other Brokers. It was about a week after that the broker dropped me. I tried to call the Office manager but was told he has stepped down from management duties. I don't really need the money it is just the principal of the thing. This is a cautionary tale in case anyone of you are thinking of working for this company. I am sure it was an oversight on their part. They never even filled out Tax forms with me for a 1099 when they hired me and I pointed it out to them and kept getting "we will" responses. I have now put my license with Covenant Partners Realty.But I had to go to the trouble of making my License active again with the state and pay a 20.00 fee. A phone call would have been nice and I would have just changed Brokers, but then I may have asked for my money again....

Wow I worked 8 days straight and now I am on a three day break. I have completed the CSR training at TETCO and next week will be moving on to Assistant Manager Training. I feel energized. I really feel like I am hitting my stride with this great company. I hope I will be able to keep up the pace and continue to give it my all. You know working in a convenience store is funny you see people how they are when they aren't pretending. Most people who come in have no idea I once owned my own company with offices in Dallas...Houston and San Antonio or I made over 100,000.00 a year. They don't know I was a Police Officer for 7 Years or I am a licensed Realtor. They think I am a regular Joe and feel totally at ease dealing with me. I like it that way also. I just have to treat people they way I want to be treated and follow the golden rule like in Real Estate.I feel good when someone is able to get a better deal when I advise them of a current special we have. They appreciate it and tell me so. Seems funny but when someone says wow you sure have some clean restrooms or this store is the cleanest store I have everbeen in it makes me beam with pride. I hope you won't be afraid to try different things in life. Don't let pride get in the way of your success. Try different things in Real Estate if the current thing is not working. Get a part time job if you have to don't believe the hype there are many successful part time agents. ( I do believe Full-time agents provide better service for Sellers ) but it is possible and you need to do whats right for you. One thing I have learned is nothing is easy and nobody is going to give it to you. You have to work and work hard (total commitment) if you want to achieve success.

There I was working hard a TETCO, I was busy finishing a transaction when out of the corner of my eye I saw two ladies. I gave my usual " I will be right with you" When I looked up it was no other than the two sisters that sell Kristin Moran, CDPE ~ San Antonio,TX~Real Estate 210-313-7397 (RE/MAX Access - KristinMoran@Remax.net) and Sheila Moran, SanAntonioSheila.com RE/MAX Access, Broker, At your service! (RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels)) I was sure suprised ! I was having a very very busy day I never even got a chance to leave the register so many customers came in today. You ladies really lifted my spirits Thank You for the visit and congrats to Kristin for getting the TETCO Tag I am sure you will be getting your first free car wash before you know it. I will be seeing you around.

I am still having a great time at TETCO ! but boy do my feet hurt. if you haven't stood on your feet for eight hours straight in a while try it...lol. I look forward to going to work every day and it is so fast paced the day seems to fly by. For the most part the customers are great ! I did have someone who knew me from when I had my own company and had alot of money,played golf and drove a Lincoln...boy you should have seen his face when he saw me standing behind the counter of a convenience store. I actually think he felt sorry for me...haha. Well you readers out there know I have a plan and nothing is beneath me. Success is still Success no matter how it's packaged. I hope (if you live in San Antonio) you will drop by and visit my store. The store is on the corner of 410 and Nacogdoches. Be sure to get your free TETCO Tag

The Tag is a loyalty program that gives you points with your purchases at any TETCO store, these points can be redeemed for car washes and merchandise. I have been a Tag holder for years way before I worked here so I can assure you it does pay to have one and it is not an attempt to scam you out of anything.

Well sports fans it was my first full day at my new job. It was an exciting time. I must admit learning how to work the computerized register was a little challenging at first but then it got easier as the day went on. I am lucky to have a happy and motivated mentor helping me along. Let me tell you the day flew by our store is very busy and before I realized I was on my feet for 8 hours it was time to go ! I am looking forward to learning everything I can about the business. After work I got a call from a buyer who had remembered me from standing on the corner with a sign. I referred him to a friend of mine and I have every confidence he will provide the same great service I would.

I had a wonderful 2nd Interview with TETCO today. They were totally honest telling me what to expect. Letting me know it will probably be the hardest first year of my life. I found it extremely easy to talk to these people and I felt right at home duringthe interview process. I do have other opportunities available and yes one of them pays more but I don't think it will be quite as rewarding. Sometimes long term is more viable sometimes hard work and obstacles make success that much enjoyable

suc·cess    (sk-ss)

NOUN:

1. The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted: attributed their success in business to hard work.
2. 1. The gaining of fame or prosperity: an artist spoiled by success.
   2. The extent of such gain.
3. One that is successful: The plan was a success.
4. Obsolete A result or an outcome.

TETCO sent me home and told me to think about it and talk with my wife about it. They told me to call Monday or Tuesday andlet them know what my decision is. Well I am ready for some success. I am ready to work hard and learn something new. I am pretty sur you will be seeing me at a TETCO station near you soon. Thanks for all the support from my colleagues in the Real Estate world. I hope I can continue to set the bar higher in everything I do.

Ok so today I had an interview with TETCO in San Antonio. This appears to be a stable company with many opportunities for a go getter. I interviewed with a super nice person named Gloria. I liked her from the word go. She had one of those personalities that just sparked although you could tell she was the captain of her ship. The interview I think went well and she was going to set up an interview with me and the area manager. I hope he will also see potential in me and offer me a position with this company. Well thats the update for now. I will let you know how it progresses

I tell you the search for a Career with advancement and benefits has taken me all over the Internet and all over town. I have been searching and filling out applications on-line in stores and sending my resume via email. I get some immediate responses saying "thanks but no thanks" and I got to take an assessment test at Walgreens but the manager never called after I told him I wanted a full-time career. I have found the majority of the companies I am applying for only hire part-time employees. Well I was sitting in my local Whataburger and I saw Jon the GM of the store. I have known him for a while and he is a very nice approachable guy. I have been thinking of asking him about Whatabuger for sometime now especially since they are relocating their headquarters here to San Antonio. I asked him what opportunities are there for a 40 year old guy who wants to learn something new...be apart of something great and have a chance for advancement and benefits ? Well Jon really got excited he told me all kind of things about Whataburger that I never expected he told me about the owner (family owned) and all employees were treated like family there. He told me of great opportunities that were available if you applied yourself. The more he talked the more excited I became about the idea of being Orange ! I tell you I went right home and started selling the idea to the wife and she got excited about it. Some of you may have visions of me flippin burgers and thinking this guy is out of his mind but I always look at the big picture I am looking for success. Whatever it takes has always been my motto. I put in my application immediately and am anxiously awaiting an interview. This company is poised for expansion buying its own franchises and building new stores. Relocating to San Antonio so they can expand further into other states. It is a chance to get in ground floor and do something worth while. If I have to flip burgers and make shakes along my way to the top that is something I am ready willing and able to do. I hope I get the opportunity. Is this a great country or what?

Objective _____________________________________________________________________

Management position allowing for Growth, Opportunity for Advancement and a Career path that benefits the company and me.

Profile ________________________________________________________________________

Motivated, personable business professional with whatever it takes attitude and a successful 4-year track record of profitable small business ownership. Talent for quickly mastering technology - I regularly design WebPages and set up internet services for friends. Diplomatic and tactful with professionals and non-professionals at all levels. Accustomed to handling sensitive, confidential records. Demonstrated history of producing accurate, timely reports meeting stringent guidelines.

Flexible and versatile - able to maintain a sense of humor under pressure. Poised and competent with demonstrated ability to easily transcend cultural differences. Thrive in deadline-driven environments. Excellent team-building skills.

Skills Summary _________________________________________________________________

Professional Experience __________________________________________________________

Communication: Reports/Presentations/TECHNOLOGY

•u        Prepare complex reports for Clients indicating the market value for their properties, ensuring full compliance with Equal Housing rules.

•u        Conduct small-group sessions on Social Media and its uses.

•u        Communicate effectively with my clientele and other Realtors

Customer Service/Marketing/Problem Solving

•u        Oversee front-office operations and provide impeccable customer service:

•o        Built a clientele supported by 70% referral business.

•u        Develop and implement strategic marketing plan for business:

•o        Launched a thriving Manufacturer Rep Business, building revenue in first two years with minimal overhead.

•o        Create special promotions, write/design print and outdoor advertising, and coordinate all media buying.

Employment History ____________________________________________________________

Real Estate Agent, RE/MAX - San Antonio, TX

Successfully guided homebuyers and sellers through the sale and purchase of properties. Generated lists of properties that were compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources. Coordinated appointments to show homes to prospective buyers. Established positive flow of communication with other agents, buyers and sellers, mortgage officers, title personnel and attorneys involved in the home buying and selling process. Presented purchase offers to sellers for consideration. Negotiated contracts on behalf of clients. Coordinated property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.

October 2007 - Present

Manufacturers Representative, Bowman Sales LLC- San Antonio, TX

Explain difficult Cast Iron and Plumbing concepts and products using everyday language to Engineers,Project Managers and Field Personel. Identify all cross-selling opportunities by building customer rapport and asking probing questions. Help customers with all product needs ranging from billing problems to building standards and recommend best solution based on customer need and comfort level. Result: Consistently meet or exceed sales and service quotas.

 Routinely volunteer to help employee's resolve problems and questions from difficult or angry field personel.

 Lead team-training projects, help train and motivate new employees. Result: Helped train team in all aspects of the products we represented which helped us grow business in Texas.

January 2003 - October 2007

Advanced installer/service tech - Terra Suma Communications, SAN Antonio, TX

Duties included installing cable, setting up home networking, running phone lines, trouble shooting cable and other phone services in customers' houses, making sure cable signal was coming in correctly at the pole and to customers' equipment. Brought benefit for the business by making sure the clients stay with the company

February 2000 - January 2003

Education _____________________________________________________________________

University of texas - Arlington, Tx
Real Estate License, 2007                                    

Licensed to practice Real Estate in Texas.

San Antonio college - San Antonio, Tx
Licensed Texas Peace Officer, 1989