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How DID I BECOME A CyberStar® - How Did You become A CyberStar®?

By Wynne Achatz

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Real Estate One Westrick 6501153558

January 17, 2007 06:32 AM

People often ask "What is a CyberStar®"? How did you become a member? I was there almost in the beginning of this wonderful group. I feel like I am the nuturer - keep the group together type person.

November 1995 - I left Marine City, Michigan and traveled to Atlanta Georgia for the Annual NAR Convention. I had a few minutes between meetings, so poked my head into a session that had no interst to me...I havae ADD, am Dyslexic, I don't type, I don't have a computer and we certainly don't need the internet in Southeast Michigan to list and sell real estate.

It was dynamic, people were caught up in the session. There was standing room only. Found a spot on the floor and settled in to hear the BUZZ...

ALice Held and Judy McCuthchin along with Joeann Fossland put on a great session on technology with Allen F. Hainge AFH Seminars at the helm. I was caught up in a tunnel, the wind blew me out. Allen had something I had never considered before. A means to an end for our company business. And now I had the opportunity to be first - an opportunity to bring something really different and exciting (technology) to my peers. Not even knowing what it was or how it worked I vowed to Allen To spread the word. We agreed (Allen and I) that if I could be that excited about it maybe we should form a group

I needed so much - printer, computer (laptop), DIGITAL CAMERA, OFFICE? WHAT WAS THAT? Email how does that work? I didn't care. My mind was made up - I would get what I need and figure it out as I go.

Little did I know about the path where I would be led. The things I would do, the folks I would meet. The accomplishments that would be made. I followed Allen's advice...more in next post. (Appointment is here).

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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Wynne I love this post and it describes us so well.

"I needed so much - printer, computer (laptop), DIGITAL CAMERA, OFFICE? WHAT WAS THAT? Email how does that work?" Can you even imagine doing business today without these?

www.Homerome.com

Baltimore.Md.

Jan 17, 2007 07:06 AM

Wynne Achatz

Real Estate One Westrick - Marine City, MI

Michigan Realtor and Notary Trust,Care, Experience

The CyberStars started out as a DREAM of yours Allen. You wanted to bring everyone to the same plate at the higher playing field. You instinctively knew that by pulling some great people together you could lead us to the people and they could feel and see that anyone can do this stuff.... at least the basics needed to improve business delivery through technology. I am grateful to be a CyberStar. Your Idea or should I say ideas and for Your forward thinking has caused a great group of people to become one..

Ideas Logo GREAT IDEAS Make the world a better place.

Jan 17, 2007 07:57 AM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

My experience was similar to Wynne's, but at NAR in New Orleans, I think in 1996. I attended a breakout session that CRS put on at NAR, on technology, and it was Allen speaking. Unlike Wynne, I thought I was "hot stuff" in technology at that time - I had a personal website, I was using e-mail, etc. But however ahead of the crowd I was locally, when I heard what others were doing, my world exploded and I was a neophyte. I became one of the first 10 or 12 members of Allen F Hainge's CyberStars® and the world hasn't been the same since. Every year I'm stretched further, and in the meantime have become part of a wonderful family.

Jan 17, 2007 09:43 PM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Great post Wynne because you capture the uncertainty and angst most of us faced in venturing into this brave new world called cyberspace.

Lola Audu CRS GRI

Audu Real Estate

Jan 18, 2007 05:30 AM

Karen Villa Schweinfurth

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, Inc. 425-308-3669 - Everett, WA

ABR, CRS, SRES, CyberStar

Wynne, you are our "mother" of the group. We respect you and love you. Thanks for sharing all your ideas and thoughts and for just being you. I'm so proud to be a member of this group.

I took a CRS class Allen was teaching and found out about CyberStars®, the rest is history.

Jan 20, 2007 03:28 AM

Geri Sonkin

Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY

Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Considering the fact that I bought my first computer not that many years ago and only after my son assured me it was in my best interest since "I'd hear from him more often," I'm amazed by how far my business has travelled down this cyber road. It was after I attended a Long Island tech fair years ago and was appalled by what "the expert panelists" were telling an information hungry audience about the Internet and its effect on our business. I stood up at one point and asked a question that they couldn't answer. The more I probed, the more uncomfortable they became, but interestingly, after the session was over I was surrounded by agents asking for my business card and seeking advice.

It was right around that time that I spoke with Allen about the CyberStars(r). What a great fit this incredible group has been for me. In a sharing atmosphere unparalleled in my experience, I found an extended family. The group has been a gift to all of us, certainly in the best of times and perhaps even more in the worst of times.

Jan 22, 2007 04:38 PM

Debi Braulik

www.roundrealestate.com - Maple Valley, WA

Selling Maple Valley to Fife WA Homes For Sale

Wynne- You've really piqued my interest. I am really looking forward to researching Cyberstars®,

Jan 22, 2007 04:48 PM

Anonymous

Wynne

Debi, Anything I can do to help you just let me know. My direct line is 810-765-8167. Hopento hear from you soon.

Here is an excerpt from our last Summit "

Aloha Allen!

As always, the Summit is an absolute must to attend and was fabulous. I am always surprised when others do not attend. It's the absolute best event of the year. We are in the process of implementing blogs and lead calling as a result of the Summit. We have already implemented one idea that was worth the price of admission. One of the best things we got from the Summit was logmeon.com which allows us to remotely access and print onto another computer. Mary Beth, my VA (another Summit idea from Phoenix) who is located in Florida, Lois, who is located in Texas and Rose and me in Hawaii are able to log on to each other's computers and actually use the printer to print to the person in the distant location. You have an incredible amount of power which you humbly understate. The information gathered at the Summit is cutting edge and invaluable. Thank you for all you for all of the great things, big and small, to get us together and to assist us."

Hope to see you all at Summit VII!

Jan 22, 2007 08:49 PM

#11

Sam Miller

RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH

Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Ira Serkes was my inspiration to join the Cyberstars. I would always talk with Ira at the annual Star Power Conferences and I remember always being impressed with Ira's tech knowledge and thought there must be something to this Cyberstar thing. I attended a state convention and sat in the front row in one of Allen Hainge's events and I became equally impressed with the way Allen presented different uses of technology. Following the convention I called Ira up and asked him if he thought I would be a good fit into the group and he gave me many positive words of encouragement. The information exchange of the Cyberstar network is very powerful and I have found that the friendships that are forged within this group are equally amazing.

Jan 23, 2007 12:38 PM

John Occhi

AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ

Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

1995 was a great year for the internet. that is how and where I met my wife!

Now Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR
http://www.johnocchi.com/

Jan 30, 2007 04:51 PM