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Fakes, Cheats and The Such

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Small Business USA www.SmallBusinessUS.com

Last night a fellow entrepreneur posted a very upsetting post. She went on to say how she was done with fakes, cheats, liars, and so on and so on. This was no ordinary rant, it smelled of an entrepreneur scorned. Unfortunately, it left far too much to the imagination and was not a very savvy business move. 

We've all been there, frustrated by someone's ingenuity and false promise. When I read her post I was quick to think of 3 different situations where someone befriended me to steal an idea or get free information on the pretense of leveraging my services. I then jumped immediately to 2 people who I inexplicantly was blackballed from their list even though I had referred and promoted them (in both cases, they were threatened by the idea we may compete with them.)

Guess what? Cheats happen.

It's part of business. There are some who compete on their own merit, differentiators, brand and hard work. There are others who will always be led by the green eyed monster and will always work against those who they believe are their competition. 

Instead of rising to their level and casting doubt on your own intuition and ability to discern champions from cheats, just hold your head up high and zip it. They'll get their day. 

As for those who let you down? I love what Indra Nooyi (CEO of PepsiCo) said was her greatest life lesson. 'Assume everyone has positive intent.' I'm not telling you to be naive, but truth is, the most amazing well-intentioned people in the world over-commit and miscalculate.

As we see a backlash towards the phrase "Fake it till you make it," I would also challenge entrepreneurs to "Fake it till you become it."  We were all there; all in, cash strapped, great idea/franchise, working like a madman and desperately seeking the  first few clients that would get us to the break even point. You can't go in saying you don't know what you're doing, but you also must be authentic and true. Don't lie, but put on the hat you want to wear the day you start working towards your goal. If you want to be the CEO of GE, start acting like the CEO of GE today. From my entrepreneurial friend's side, don't cast judgement because they haven't got there yet. You may be working with the next Zuckerberg or Gates. 

Everyone has to start somewhere.

Lastly, in your path to success, you're going to find many obstacles and frustrations that you must overcome to achieve your goals. I thought sharing the cover of this month's Entrepreneur Magazine would be a great way to end. The front page loudly declares:

 

The Successful Entrepreneur's 

SECRET 

WEAPON

WILLPOWER

Get past the inevitable challenges on your way to long-awaited rewards.

 

It is YOUR own will and determination that will get you to the success you imagined. Stay strong and don't allow anyone to take that away from you!! Move forward and don't get stuck in the murk and muck created by those of lesser character or skill.    You've got this.

 

Colleen Ferrary is the founder and president of Small Business USA. Small Business USA (www.SmallBusinessUS.com) has successfully driven unparalleled results for business owners throughout the US. While maintaining their mission to keep their services affordable and leveraging a proven marketing program and teams of consultants, Small Business USA is changing the success rate of small businesses. For more information or to set up a free consultation or learn about our affordable marketing workshops, please email Info@SmallBusinessUS.com.

Comments (38)

Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Colleen, if we get too bogged down concentrating on the shortcomings of others we will miss opportunities that are right in front of us.

Jul 08, 2015 12:57 AM
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

Coleen, 

If we spend our energy worrying about the motivation of others, we'll have none left when we need it.  Be judicious in what we offer, hold the best back for the most committed, but we still have to show our value to earn the business. 

Jul 08, 2015 01:24 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Everyone has to start somewhere!  It's the path they choose to take that determines where they end up! 

Congratulations on the Feature!

Jul 08, 2015 01:44 AM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

When I was first licensed it was a much more fun type business. You still had to work. Now it is stressful everyday. Geta listing. Great!. Get a sale. Great! But don't spend the money till the closing happens and your check clears.

Jul 08, 2015 01:44 AM
Thomas F. Scanlon
Borgida & Company P. C., CPA's - Manchester, CT
CPA, CFP

Colleen Ferrary - Well Done.  Everyone does have to start somewhere.  Begin where you are now.  Set your alarm clock early and just put one foot in front of the other.  There will always be folks from the dark side.  Accept it and work around it as best you can. 

Cheers,

Tom

Jul 08, 2015 04:11 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Here's the thing . . . most "cheats" don't even know they are!  How can you deal with delusional people, is my question?

Jul 08, 2015 04:22 AM
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Someone told me never to waste my time or energy on those who don't deserve it, otherwise, I am being pulled to their level.

Focus on your goal and those who you will be proud to call your mentors.

Jul 08, 2015 06:42 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I like what Sarah and Les had to say -- this makes sense to me.

 

"Someone told me never to waste my time or energy on those who don't deserve it, otherwise, I am being pulled to their level.

Focus on your goal and those who you will be proud to call your mentors."

Jul 08, 2015 12:38 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I trust everyone until they give me a reason not to. yes, I've been burned too and I am sure I will be again, but I won't be jaded.

Jul 08, 2015 01:07 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Colleen Ferrary - wow! what a powerful post!

Love the reference of Indira Nooyi's quote.

Not to forget about this one...

"put on the hat you want to wear the day you start working towards your goal. "

Jul 08, 2015 01:26 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Success doesn't happen overnight but rather by doing your very best, day after day after day.  Keeping your eye on the goal regardlesss of the obstacles thrown at you will ensure you get there!

Jul 08, 2015 03:46 PM
Colleen Ferrary
Small Business USA www.SmallBusinessUS.com - New York, NY
Delivering Affordable Success-Critical Tools

Virtual Realty Consultants - Thanks! I couldn't agree more. Great example (and thank you for reading and commenting!)

 

Amen! Richard Robibero! It's too easy for a business owner to get distracted by other things - why put negative people in the mix?!?

 

Jul 08, 2015 08:45 PM
Colleen Ferrary
Small Business USA www.SmallBusinessUS.com - New York, NY
Delivering Affordable Success-Critical Tools

San Shueh, thanks for posting. I personally appreciate an educated consumer. I'm not sure this is an industry specific epidemic, but moreso the result of folks going after business the wrong way. :(

 

Anna Hatridge, I'm so happy to strike a nerve but love your comment even more-  'Finding success is the result of digging deep and sharing the treasures we find.' Well said! 

Jul 08, 2015 08:52 PM
Colleen Ferrary
Small Business USA www.SmallBusinessUS.com - New York, NY
Delivering Affordable Success-Critical Tools

Matt Brady, Andrew Mooers, Mike Cooper, Sara & Les Oswald, Dan Tabit, Sharon Tara, Thomas F. Scanlon, Maureen Bray Portland - thank you all for your kind words and also your words of wisdom. I hope everyone will also go back and read your comments to stay inspired. Well said!

 

John Muessner, very true! Praful Thakkar, thank you for your kind words!! I enjoy reading your posts as well!

Jul 08, 2015 08:59 PM
Colleen Ferrary
Small Business USA www.SmallBusinessUS.com - New York, NY
Delivering Affordable Success-Critical Tools

Tammy Lankford - Love your message around resilience and shaking it off!

Joan Whitebook - I agree! Great comments!

Carla Muss-Jacobs - I'm not sure you can deal with delusional people. I guess my message is not to - assume their trying their best but move on and don't waste valuable energy getting wrapped up in it.

Jul 08, 2015 09:03 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The less than honorable by reason of their being just that help to promote the honorable. Contrast has value that when put to work, does what we want it to do

Jul 08, 2015 11:24 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Be true to yourself and integrity is something you cannot buy. Thank you for sharing your ideas on the subject. So true.

Jul 08, 2015 11:25 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I've got so much willpower it should be tattooed across my back if I were the sort of person to wear a tattoo, which I am not. And I agree with Carla #24, I've known a lot of snakes-in-the-grass in my life, and those guys don't view themselves that way. They exist within their delusions and they believe their own lies.

Jul 09, 2015 02:38 AM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Colleen Ferrary 

 

A very good post. I have to agree with your insights. I have found there is nothing truly new under the sun. It's not about coming up with the mouse trap its about making it better, easier to use and more effective. 

Jul 09, 2015 12:19 PM
Colleen Ferrary
Small Business USA www.SmallBusinessUS.com - New York, NY
Delivering Affordable Success-Critical Tools

Richie Alan Naggar for lending your insight!

Thank you Debbie Reynolds - I love your comment "Integrity is something we cannot buy." TRUE!

Elizabeth Weintraub - still laughing! Thanks!

Thanks for your kind words Alan Kirkpatrick!

 

Jul 14, 2015 01:49 AM