Since the day I started my first business when I was 14, it was all about making the customer happy. Making others happy made me happy. I loved my customers and they loved me... they sought me out, because I was different.
Now, how does this title fit into all this? That first business I had when I was 14 was selling bubble gum, then candy. Bubble Yum Bubble Gum was .25 for a 5 pack then. (I'll let you figure out how long ago that was.) I was selling it at school for .25 a piece making about $40 a day. Why? Because I brought the gum to them, they didn't have to go to the school store. I made it convenient and fun, if you blew the biggest bubble of the day, you got a free piece the next day. (See? I made it fun.)
Now fast forward six years to my second real business. I had a Disc Jockey service that I owned for 16 years. I truly loved being a Disc Jockey for weddings because I got to see people at one of their happiest moments in their lives. But, like all of us, the music evolved into something I didn't enjoy and each year the equipment got heaver and heavier. I knew it was becoming time to find something that I could bring as much joy to my clients as I did at their weddings and I enjoyed as much as being a Disc Jockey.
That is when real estate all but fell in my lap. I was looking to go back to school, but wasn't sure what I wanted to do. But, I did know whatever it was I wanted to be independent and it had to be in a service industry where I could help people and make them happy. I knew if I brought others joy, it would bring me joy, that was all that really mattered. But, it also (in theory) gave me the chance to spend more time with my family. (This one is still a struggle.)
So as I was looking through the college class catalog while doing the music at a wedding, I overheard a couple talking about how they loved their new home, but didn't feel like their agent cared about them at all. He just made $18,000 off them 2 months ago and they hadn't heard or seen him since the day of closing when he handed over the keys to them.
I looked through my college book and there it was, 7 real estate courses that I could take while working full time during the day to support my family. I knew what kind of agent I wanted to be, but I still didn't know what it was going to take.
I knew if I mixed it up with love like I did some 20 years earlier that it would work, but how did I put that in to a business plan? The teacher was amazed on day one when he had a student who had a 30 page business plan already put together and hadn't taken the first class yet.
I love real estate because:
Everyday I get the chance to meet new and exciting people from all walks of life. Many have become life long friends and have given me life changing moments that were far greater than I ever thought could happen in real estate.
It has given me the ability to give back to the community like never before. I can volunteer. I can donate things and truly give back way more than I ever could have before.
I get to see the joy of a family when they realize their money is going to them instead of a landlord when they buy that first home.
I love being invited into these clients' homes as a member of the family. After the close I've been invited to birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, hospitals to see new family members, and have even been given two new family members ourselves, because of wonderful people I have met through real estate.
Then, almost two years ago, I joined a group of real estate professionals that were not only the best and the brightest in the business, but were also the friendliest. I joined Activerain and now I was meeting new friends outside my local area. I'm planning a trip in the next couple years that involves traveling the United States and meeting many of my new friends that I've talked to via the phone, but haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting in person.
I love real estate too!! And you know what, for many of the same reasons that you listed. It's been tough with this craziness in the market right now. But I really do like what I'm doing :)
Bethany – Oh, good my main goal was to get that song stuck in everyone’s head and make the world go crazy, so I could take it over.
Ryan – I do love my profession and I’m glad it found me!
Li – Maybe you can post one, we would love to here why you love real estate as well.
Samantha – I do have to agree it has been pretty rough the last six months or so, but we will survive. (I think Gloria Gaynor must have been a Realtor - lol)
Helping Families Home is a blog set up to teach you to invest your money and maximize your profits in Real Estate. Starting with your first home all the way to your 150th investment property. Creating wealth through real estate is the best way to financial freedom.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Since the day I started my first business when I was 14, it was all about making the customer happy. Making others happy made me happy. I loved my customers and they loved me... they sought me out, because I was different.
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Great post, thank you for sharing.
Oh, and now that song is stuck in my head