Memories at Active Rain... One Business and One Perception Forever Changed

This is one of the many contests that is going on Active Rain right now, Memories at Active Rain by Robert Swetz. I have never wanted to participate in "contests" especially those that require essay-writing. A photography contest, maybe. Writing is one of the most challenging thing I do but this time, it is different. This time I want to share the most profound lesson I learnt about running a real estate business, early in my blogging life here on Active Rain.

One of my earliest posts, some 2 1/2 years ago ... Looking like a Million Dollars changed so much of me as a young small business owner. When you talk about a life changed forever more, this lesson that I learnt was truly profound and a light bulb moment that I should have known otherwise. But I didn't. So, I learnt the hard way.

My blog prior to that post have been sporadic and "all over the place". I never had a focus. I wrote whatever that came to my mind. Whatever the reason for my blog was, I received my very first LEAD from blogging - 3 months after my membership on Active Rain. I was the Top Agent in Frisco TX and have been since then. So, I definitely think this phone call has to do with it. With enough reading of other bloggers by that time, I knew my first objective was to get an appointment with the potential client - which we did some 4 hours later. (I knew to get the appointment down as early as possible too).

2pm rolled around. She and I met at Starbucks coffee and it seems that our meeting went well. We set another appointment to meet for actual showings in the neighborhoods she wanted 3 days later. That would give me 2 days of previews to get ready for my very first Frisco TX luxury home buyer. Her budget, $700,000. That was an awesome day for me - especially just being on Active Rain for 3 months.

On Preview Day, I made appointments to preview several homes in the community she was interested in. In one of the homes that I walked into, I saw that lady with another Realtor(R). He was in a suit and he chauffeured her in his Mercedes Benz. They were looking at the backyard and when I saw her, my heart crushed and I quickly sneaked out of the house so that she wouldn't see me. Confrontation is definitely not my style, and I didn't want to put her in an awkward difficult situation caught between 2 realtors.

It was a mind-boggling day for me. Instantly, my mind played back the events of our first meeting. I showed up in an Old Navy sweater, jeans and running shoes. She was a fine, shinny lady with a very nice hair do. Her dress was spectacular. It was only at that meeting that I found out her budget was $700,000. At that time, I didn't think too much about my appearance or my grooming because ALL I thought to win in this business was MARKET KNOWLEDGE. I knew my market like the back of my hand. Surely, everyone would want to capitalize on that knowledge that I have.

I cried the entire weekend because I didn't pay attention to the other "stuff" in the business. I wrote to a man I highly respect that I knew he would have an answer who would change my mindset forever more:

I'm never a believer of Fake it Till You Make It. I still don't like it. In the past, I never want to "dress up" for the sake of looking sharp. Little did I know that meeting with the lady changed my perception. Young naive me thought that hard work will take me anywhere I want to go. What was known to me prior to that incident became very confusing. I wanted to show my clients the "Down-to-Earth" me. That was an important underlying message I want to send. Oh boy, was I wrong.

I learnt that growing up and learning the ways of the world is FUN. I can say that now, some 2 1/2 years later.

This business is NOT about ME. It didn't matter what I was trying to send across. The fact is that CLIENTS FIRST.

Some things I have NO CONTROL over. Some people will like me and some people won't. Even if I did everything right, sometimes it's just not meant to be.

Buyer Exclusivity Representation is important. I didn't get an Exclusive Buyer's Representation signed. I didn't educate her about how our industry works.

Minor bumps are part of the BIG PICTURE.

In business, there is a game to be played - whether I agree with it or not. Polished and professional are part of the game especially in the Real Estate world.

I can still honor God in my Million Dollar suit and be a testimony for Him. I dont have to be someone I'm not.

When someone gets to know me better, what I wear becomes less important. The opportunity of whom I am will slowly unfold itself.

Making a good first impression is the first step in this business world whether I like it or not.

Dress UP out of Respect for My Industry. Just so you know, everytime I put on my best suit out there, I am representing you too - fellow Realtor(R). Part of what I learnt when I dress up is no longer, Fake it till I Make it, but to Yes, whenever I put on my suit, I'm going out there to be one of the best representations of our Real Estate industry. This lesson is so deeply engrained in my DNA now, I no longer go any where with a T-shirt, shorts and flip flops. If anyone catch me anywhere, at least I would look like a professional.

Sales can be FULL of DISAPPOINTMENTS if I don't choose to celebrate the small victories in my life.

So, that Million Dollar post was by far the hardest post I've ever written on Active Rain. That makes it the most memorable lesson on how it changed every fiber that I am. It changed the way I think. It changed the way I operate and it certainly changed the way I look forever more.

PS: Since then, I've never had another $700,000 Frisco TX home buyer called me. It's a matter or time though. But you bet I'd be prepared when my opportunity comes.

PPS: This may not mean a whole lot to you and it may be a subject that's so clear to you. But it wasnt for me. Now, I never leave my house looking like a million dollars.

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Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY).
Memories at Active Rain... One Business and One Perception Forever Changed.