Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their work and personal lives.
Chad Goldwasser and Goldwasser Real Estate are hosting the 9th Annual "Rock 'n' Restock" Concert (Benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank) on Friday, June 22, 2012. (7Pm at the Zilker Clubhouse in Austin, Texas).
Chad, one of the country's most successful real estate brokers, has a huge love of live music. Nearly a decade ago he began producing this annual concert to take his passion for cool bands and turn it into something that can help the greater community.
I have attended the event for several years, and not only is there always great music (This year featuring Quiet Company and Matt the Electrician), but it is also fun to see Chad both host the event and revel in the fun.
The more I learn about my business the more I find that it really is important to remember to always get back to the basics. People often wonder how they can reach the pinnacle of their industry and stay there, I think the answer is to be innovative and creative, but also remember that it always comes back to doing the good old fashioned basics, and doing them well! So, what are the basics?
1. Work Hard- No matter how far along I get in my business, I find that there is one thing that always remains a constant with seeing great success, working my bottom off! I remember starting my real estate career at the age of 24 and not stopping for anything. If someone wanted to see a home on a Friday at 10pm, I was there. Open houses, every single weekend, Saturday and Sunday. Hours, Monday through Sunday open all day-and night! It was necessary to create the momentum that I know get to feel. Even now, as we experience this tumultuous time, I have found that one thing pays great, hard work!
2. Serve people from the heart -If you do not have a servants heart, you will never truly reap the rewards of life. People love to feel your energy, your passion, and they love to feel that you care-ABOUT THEM! I think that you should look at every person you serve, not as a paycheck, but as an opportunity to give someone the greatest experience of their life. To show them that you are a true professional, with a heart. Do this and you will survive in any market.
3. Develop your skills-Be a life long learner, and practice your craft. If you had the great opportunity to watch Shaun White at the Vancouver Olympics winning the half pipe event, you were watching someone who stood head and shoulders above his competition. He made the other competitors look like amateurs, and how did he do it, a huge dose of courage and lots of practice. If you have the opportunity to read about this great athlete you will find a hard working guy who is constantly practicing his craft. Are you in gold medal form? If not, maybe it is time to put in some more practice!
4. Become a lead generation machine!-Let’s face it, no matter who you are or what you do, your ability to generate business will be the main key to your success. Whether you are an actor, a doctor or a real estate salesperson, you need to be able to find leads, and once you do, close them! Business is about sales, and once you figure out how to create lots of sales, you are good as gold. There is nothing of more importance than becoming a lead generation machine, finding and acquiring new leads at all times. What you did yesterday is done, each day you must start anew, looking for those precious leads!
That is it for now, let’s get back to what makes people successful, the basics!
March 1, 2010 is the official release date for my newest book, "Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Real Estate". Co-written with top real estate entrepreneur Chad Goldwasser, this is the third book in the Some Assembly Required series.
If you are a Real Estate Professional, or know someone who works in real estate.... be sure to buy this book on Amazon.com or at the Goldwasser Institute Bookstore.
Co-authored with one of the country's top real estate brokers, Chad Goldwasser, this book will help those in the real estate profession jump start their business relationship efforts.
6th Annual Rock 'n' Restock benefit concert back to the intimate Zilker Clubhouse!
Grab your partner, your friends, your co-workers, and your funky dance moves and come out for a night that you will not soon forget. All food, drinks and music are included in your donation ticket price.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 P.M. • MUSIC BEGINS AT 7:30 P.M.
The Austin Under Forty committee has announced the 2009 Finalists for the 11th Annual Austin Under Forty Awards! Five finalists were chosen in each of the ten categories and are listed in alphabetical order below. The finalists will be formally recognized at the awards presentation scheduled for February 27, 2009 at the Austin Music Hall. Finalists were selected on the basis of excellence in their professional field and commitment to the Austin community.
I am proud that several of my friends, including four of my classmates from the 2008 Leadership Austin Essential Class, are finalists: Jay Ellwanger, Trey Halbert, Adrienne Longenecker, and Rebecca Bray.
Additionally, my co-worker, Corey Blahuta (Managing Director of vcfo's Austin Office) is also a finalist!!
I was a finalist years ago when I was young enough to be part of this very cool program. Now I sit in the back with the over 40 crowd and drink cocktails and cheer for my friends!!!
When we think of hot Austin start-ups and entrepreneurship we do not often think of the Real Estate Industry! However, last week my friend Chad Goldwasser announced that his real estate team was leaving Keller Williams and was launching a brand new national brokerage firm: Goldwasser Real Estate.
With the horrible state of the economy and the residential real estate business struggling, many would shy away from stepping out on their own. But not Chad. He is a visionary who sees this as the perfect time to launch a new model real estate company that can change the national real estate business.
Chad has consistently been one of Keller Williams top agents and the leader of the top team of agents in Austin.
Over the past 10 years, the real estate industry has been hurt by an influx of under-qualified agents looking to make a quick buck in a profession that emphasized volume and commissions over quality service to their clients. Consequently, many home buyers and sellers have been frustrated with the lack of consistency, service and market knowledge of real estate agents, ranking them just above used car salesmen. Goldwasser Real Estate seeks to transform the industry by moving away from the prevalent franchise-based brokerage structure to a service-based model that offers agents unprecedented training, revamped compensation packages, and powerful tools and technology that enable them to provide extraordinary value to home buyers and sellers.
"We want to be the Nordstrom of the real estate world in terms of quality and service and the General Electric in terms of systemization," said Goldwasser. "Goldwasser Real Estate balances these two ideals to create a unique value proposition for our clients, partners, agents and employees."
Chad is also working with me on the newest book in the "Some Assembly Required" series: "Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Real Estate Professionals" (New Year Publishing, 2009).
I expect to see big things from Goldwasser Real Estate. It is in down economies that great companies are born. Chad and Tara Goldwasser, along with their business partner, Greg Cooper, have stepped out into new territory... and I am proud that they are here in Austin, Texas! They are a good example of how entrepreneurs face a tough economy head-on.
