Special offer

Westchester Meetup - a mix of old and new and mix of backgrounds

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

On Thursday, we had an EXCELLENT Active Rain Meetup,   It was so great meeting so many new faces.  One of the things I was most impressed with was the diversity of our gang. (scroll over pictures for names)

 

  • Janis Borgueta, Anthony Cioppa, Vanessa Saunders, Barry GoldenbergWe had both old and new members - Ruthmarie Hicks wrote her first blog post in Sept 2007 and Thomas Santore wrote his first blog in Dec 2007...then a whole bunch of us tweeners...all the way to newbie Anthony Cioppa who just started in 2013
  • We had members from 5 counties! - Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Nassau
  • We had a broad variety of professions: - real estate agent/broker, mortgage broker, decorator, professional business coach, inspector, contractor
  • And, of course a wide range of personalities.

 

 

Thomas Santore, Anthony CioppaI was so glad that this time I got to really meet and spend time w/ some new faces.  I finally got to meet Thomas Santore - someone who started before me and then "disappeared" before I got to meet him.  But, now he's back and we've been commenting on each others' blogs and it was so nice to finally meet him. He's a funny guy and has a creative way of doing things.

 

I was glad to have some more time w/ Anthony Cioppa, a home inspector who is new to Active Rain.  He got to meet several people here and I think he's starting to see what a wonderful place Active Rain is and how it can really help his business.

 

Vanessa Saunders, Barry Goldenberg, Vanessa's clientI was also thrilled to finally meet Vanessa Saunders from Rockland.  She's the one with a profile picture w/ her on the phone, and of course her phone kept ringing so I had to get a shot of that.  She has a beautiful British accent.  She was super smart and invited one of her clients who joined us at the end and then they had dinner to discuss her upcoming purchase.

 

I was glad to have some time w/ Mark Boyland who is a top producer in our county and specializes in short sales.  A lot of agents look up to him, and you can see why.  He is one class act. He is friends w/ Phil Faranda and he has seen how much blogging has helped Phil and he has just started to dip his toes in the water. 

 

Debra Walsh Janis BorguetaAnd, I absolutely loved loved loved catching up with my good Active Rain buddies.  We are just like family and I feel that I've known them for years.  Debra Walsh and Janis Borgueta made the trip down from Orange County and I was so happy to see them.  Debra was one of the first people I met in the Rain and she provided a lot of encouragement. If it wasn't for her and her wonderful comments, I don't know if I would have stuck it out.  Janis is always lovely, and I've seen her at several meet ups now, and have added her to my speed dial.

 

Ruthmarie Hicks came as well.  Many did not recognize her as her profile picture has 2 huskies. It was great talking to her as well. She has given me such great advice and I always love talking about marketing ideas with her.  She's been doing a lot of professional photography for real estate, so that was exciting.

 

Joanna Cohlan and Ruthmarie HicksAnd, of course my great buddy, Joanna Cohlan.  I've known Joanna for a few years (before she joined Active Rain) and she has become such a great friend.  We have worked many projects together, and it is an absolute pleasure to work with her and her clients.  I love spending time with her.  And, she was absolutely radiant!  Her business is on fire.  She is so incredibly busy from the combo of her website and Angie's List and she seems to have so many wonderful clients lately.  I'm so happy for her!

 

Grant Schneider came as well, but he could only stay for 15 minutes as he had a conference call/webinar that he had to attend.  But, the fact that he showed up shows how dedicated he is to the Rain. He recently surpassed the 100,000 pt mark and I'm so thrilled for him.  He is getting found on the internet, too!

 

Mark Boyland, Thomas Santore, Joanna CohlanBarry Goldenberg, a mortgage broker from Long Island also attended.  He does a lot of loans in Westchester.  While I didn't get to spend much time with him, I know that Thomas Santore made a great connection and he may be able to provide him w/ the ability to get some specialized types of loans he was looking to find for some of his clients.

 

We gathered at Uno's.  Last year, we were able to eat outside, but this year, it was a bit chilly and rainy.  But, the company was amazing, the food was good and the staff was very accomodating.  They sat us down right away (even though only a few of us were there).  And, by accident, one of the staff took my left over "doggie" bag, so they made me a fresh new dish to take home for left overs.

 

I'm sorry that we didn't have a chance to get a group shot.  We were too busy chatting and having fun.

 

I'm constantly amazed at the community we have on Active Rain and how we are all willing to help each other out.  I'm looking forward to the next one!

 

Comments (12)

Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Debbie... It is always fun to go to AR meet ups just for that reason.  Plus, it seems like the perfect opportunity to discuss business, and perhaps learn something new.  Glad you had a good time... looks like everyone did.

Apr 13, 2013 11:16 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

valerie - yes, i so agree. and, yes i believe everyone had a great time and made some good biz connections.

Apr 13, 2013 11:27 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Debbie,I have so enjoyed hearing all the details of the MeetUps across the country. There are so many familiar faces and happy faces at that.

Apr 13, 2013 12:07 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hi Debbie, thanks for the wonderful words-wish my eyes did not come out like a she-devil!!!

Apr 13, 2013 01:28 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Debbie - Yes, me, too.  It has really been fun reading all of them and seeing the pictures.

Joanna - You're welcome.  I don't think you look bad in the pictures. 

Apr 13, 2013 08:23 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Debbie. Terrific post with great people, insights and pictures. Looks like a very good time and a special time. Well done.

Apr 13, 2013 09:48 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Sheila - Thank you so much.  Yes, it was a great group and fun time.

Apr 13, 2013 09:51 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Debbie -- even though there wasn't a group photo - your insight and various photos from the meeting makes all of us feel as if we were there.   Thanks for sharing -- did your cat ever return your camera?

Apr 14, 2013 01:43 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Michael - LOL...yes, I found it right before...it was under a towel

Apr 14, 2013 01:59 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Debbie I was wondering when you were going to post picture of you MeetUp.  Looks like everyone had a great time.

Apr 14, 2013 08:26 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

George - Yes, sorry, it was super busy week, esp w/ both the meetups.

Apr 14, 2013 08:34 AM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

Looks like a fun time Debbie!  I always wish I could go to the other states to their meetups.

Apr 14, 2013 11:31 AM