Road to Success with Mirna Bard...

I have been following Mirna Bard on Twitter and Facebook for a little while now. She is someone who I deeply admire for her professionalism and great knowledge. So, when she accepted to be part of the Everyday Entrepreneur Series, I was thrilled!

I had the chance to win a free consultation a few weeks ago from a contest she runs on her Facebook page (by the way, I encourage you to check it out-she has a huge contest giveaway going on right now). Not only was I happy to finally speak to her on Sype, but I also got to benefit from her expertise! Mirna is putting her mark on pretty much everything she can from being a finalist for the next social media advisory board member for SmartBrief (voting is still going on) to being a mentor for the Visa Business Network and is a great contributor to the online community.

Here`s what Mirna had to say...

Question: What are your expertise and your main area of business?

Answer: I am a business advisor, social media consultant, author, speaker and instructor of social media at University of California, Irvine.

Question: Who is your ideal client?

Answer: My ideal clients are c-level executives and successful entrepreneurs who have an open mind about the Internet, a willingness to learn, and ready to do whatever it takes to succeed on the social web.

Question: Your industry is huge, how do you manage to stand out amongst other people in your field?

Answer:  I am myself and don’t try to copy anyone else. Given my extensive business background and experience, I am able to go into a company as a business advisor, not just a social media consultant.  I have created comprehensive 12-month strategic media and advertising plans for major brands with multi-million dollar budgets.  Thus, my strength is strategy and integration.  Every single business I work with will get proven hype-free advice from me. Everything I do is based on honesty, integrity, and results.

Question: What has been your favourite and most successful marketing platform or method?

Answer: For me, it is really not a matter of having a favourite.  I understand that marketing takes experimentation and lots of dedication.  The most successful for me as been integration traditional offline strategies with social media, search engine optimization, and e-mail marketing.

Question: Technology is constantly changing and evolving at amazing speed. How do you keep on top of your game and how do you suggest that the everyday entrepreneur keep up with it?

Answer: I am a student of my work and I love to learn and share my knowledge. So, doing lots of research and reading is always a priority for me.  Entrepreneurs have a tendency to jump into things without conducting research or taking the time to learn.  I always suggest putting time aside everyday to learn to do one new thing.  In the long run, it will make a difference.

Question: What has been your biggest challenge in your business?

Answer:  The biggest challenge has been educating people to stop following all the online hype and helping them trust that the Internet can grow their business if leveraged and used properly.

Question: What has been your greatest victory so far?

Answer: In last few years, I’ve had more victories than I’ve ever dreamed of.  I would have to say overcoming many fears and getting out of my own way in order to accomplish all my goals has been the biggest victory for me.

Question: How do you define success?

Answer:  I think success comes from within.  It is not about having a specific amount of money or fame.  When you are confident that you can achieve anything you set for yourself, comfortable in your skin and feel content with whatever you have in life, then you have truly succeeded.

Question: If you could give one piece of advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Answer:  Take the time to find out what you are truly passionate about, believe you can do it, go for it with full focus and commitment, be patient, and never give up. 

Question: Fast forward five years…what do you see?

Answer: I see a greater global shift due to social media, huge improvement in this crazy economy and hopefully more entrepreneurs achieving big dreams.

You can find Mirna:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Youtube

Road to Success with Maya Paveza...

How can anyone not love Maya! She’s lively, honest, and down to earth. I love to hear about her two kids and her adventures in real estate on Twitter. She has so many great ongoing projects; I really wonder how she can manage it all and keep her sense of humor! She's the kind of girl that would be the life of the party yet always there for you when in need. Her passion and love for people really shows in this interview. Keep an eye out for her; I think it’s safe to say that we’ll be seeing a lot more of Maya Paveza in the future!

Here is what Maya had to say...

Question:  Could you describe your main business and what services you offer. 

Answer: My primary business is real estate sales. I “retired” from high tech in 2001 at the grand age of 31 after the dot.com downfall and went back into real estate. I have had a great deal of success and absolutely love real estate but social media has drawn me back to technology and communications.  I started using bulletin board systems in 1980 and grew with that as it evolved into new systems and platforms like most of today’s social media sites.  I also do social media consulting for the real estate industry, speaking and education, as well as for other business and government offices here in Delaware that seek my assistance. I work a lot with the Delaware Department of Economic Development; they have a great entrepreneurial program.

Question: Who’s your primary market?

Answer: Primarily the real estate as it combines my two passions. I also will help anyone who asks if I have time. I do love general social media and totally get it, but there are far too many people running around claiming to be “the authority”. I am happy with my niche but step out when asked.

Question: The median age for Real Estate Agents is approximately 52 years old. Would you say that they’re pretty "set" in their way of marketing their business or they accept and use social media has part of their marketing plan?

Answer: I think age has little to do with whether they are set and complacent in their ways. I find that some of the most successful agents are complacent and don’t see the need to grow. But they all laughed at cell phones once too! The reality is that social media is WHERE the consumers are and how they’re searching for homes. If they don’t realize this, they will be the next dinosaurs in the industry! I think the agents who are passionate about the industry and personal growth are open to the new frontier and are ready to step forward. The problem I think is, as it is in general social media, anyone who has vague understanding of social media believe that they have experience and is out there trying to teach it and preach it.  I think very few really are well qualified, and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. This is one of the reasons why I’m working with Chris Brogan and Human Business Works on a real estate community site.

Question:  Do you use any other marketing strategies other than social media?

Answer: I used to do mailers, but not anymore. I do call my sphere, I do open houses, but primarily I am doing all my marketing online and via social media. Very little is classic media anymore for me. I get great results from being online, but always have – I came from technology so it has been second nature for me.

Question: How much time do you spend on social media sites and what’s the most important aspect you have used to be so successful?

Answer: I spent a lot more time on them than I would ever recommend to a client. I have gone beyond what I tell agents to do, I transcended into a “persona” as some people tell me.  I dip in and out of twitter all day and pop on Facebook. I try to blog at least three times a week. In reality, I am always doing something else at the same time. I don’t have as much time as I would like to explore other sites to see what great stuff other real estate agents are doing and to help promote them. That is one of my goals.  Truthfully I think if I actually added up the hours, it would be less than 1.5-2 hours a day. For me the most important aspect of my success has just been to be me, be genuine. I meet people for who they are and like that, I don’t try to have any pre-conceived notions or information, I just love people.

Question: What has been your biggest challenge in managing your family, your many projects and business?

Answer: I have been traveling a lot this year and my girls (Katarina 7, Lindsay 4) get upset sometimes.  I just try to explain to them that Mommy loves them and I am always here for them. Keeping them strong and confident is my first priority; they always must know they are number one in my book at all times. Prioritizing them, making sure they know I love them even when I am busy and I am doing this all for them.  They are great kids and make it all worth it.

Question: What has been your greatest victory so far?

Answer: Oh, the chances to do things for charities or to help people in need. I did something for “Mothers Fighting For Others” in April. Lots of great people helped and pitched in and as a team we raised $20,000 of a $50,000 goal. Pretty darn good in just about 2 weeks! Then whenever I can, I try to help people out no matter what. I got some people together to try to get a stroller wheelchair for a friend’s daughter. It was amazing what everyone did!  Being able to have a network and friends who are so thoughtful and considerate, all who I know through social media. That is the best victory! Giving and helping!

Question: How do you define success?

Answer: Success is when you are confident in yourself and your abilities. Comfortable with whom you are and able to help others to become what or who they want to be. Giving back, helping others, being able to do something to make the world a better place – no matter how small, to me that is success. And watching my girls grow up. 

Question: If you could give one piece of advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be? 

Answer:  Read, plan, seek advice and find programs in your area that might help entrepreneurs (like the State of Delaware does). Don’t be afraid to do it! The biggest problem is American colleges and universities don’t teach people how to think like business people – especially the liberal arts schools. So, you turn out Fine Art graduates with no sense of how to turn that into a business. Find the resources and take business courses. Surrounding yourself with smart people can’t hurt either. Don’t just stick to one thing. Trying many things at once so you don’t miss the boat and if more than one hits, that’s great! That’s more than one piece. So one piece…read a lot!

Question: Fast forward five years…what do you see?

Answer:  Five years from now, I am sure I will still be active selling real estate. I just love the industry and working with my clients. There’s nothing as rewarding as helping people in the largest financial transaction of their life and making sure they get the respect, attention and support they deserve. I also hope that the upcoming real estate education site will still be running strong and growing as the technologies change, educating lots of agents and providing a community for them to grow and share their experiences. I also hope I will have had lots of opportunities to speak and present in a variety of places, to talk about new media/technology and real estate. I hope to be a published author at least twice by then. I have two projects in the works one is completely unrelated to real estate and I would love that to do well and allow me to help a lot of people who have self-esteem and perception issues. I also hope I will be in a position to do a lot to help others realize their dreams and attain their goals. Success isn’t worth much if you can’t help others to find the same in their own life. I really can’t wait to see who my girls have grown into in five years!

You can find Maya here:

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Coldwell Bank website

Road to Success with Leah Coss...

As some of my clients are in the real estate industry, I first stumbled on Leah Coss’s website one day looking for interesting articles about Real Estate. What I found was her really entertaining blog about (sorry Leah...) a usually pretty boring subject (however, really important to anyone who owns a home), mortgages. I was amazed how she had managed to use video blogging (vlogging) to talk about her business as a mortgage broker in a way that totally connected with me and made it really interesting. She’s natural, energetic and provides valuable information. She’s definitely knowledgeable about her trade and she knows how to use her personality and skills in her videos to connect with her audience. I encourage you to check out her website to see what I'm talking about. 

Here's what Leah had to say... 

Question: What is a Mortgage Planner and what is the difference between doing business with you versus a local bank?

Answer: A Mortgage Planner (or Mortgage Broker) is someone who specializes in strictly obtaining mortgage products for consumers. It is just like going to the bank for a mortgage, except when you go to a Mortgage Broker you are going to 40+ banks.

Why is this a good thing? As a Mortgage Broker, I like to think that we keep banks honest. Mortgage Brokers create competition between not just chartered banks and credit unions, but also specific mortgage lenders (many owned by banks). With competition comes better products and better rates.

It’s important to remember that a bank is a “for profit” business. Their objective is to make money.

Often times if you get a rate from a specific bank, I can go to that same bank and get a better rate. The reason is that the bank knows that I have 40 other lenders all competing for your mortgage and therefore they have to give me their best rate or they won’t get the deal. When you walk into the bank, chances are you will only go to 1-3 banks so they know that competition is slim and they can offer high rates or less appealing products.

The other nice side of using a Mortgage Broker is that, at least with me, I work when you’re available. I am mobile and am available from 9am to 9pm by phone, email and text message. So when you’re making an offer on a home at 8pm when the banks are closed, you can always get a hold of me to get you answers. Convenience is a huge selling point.

Question: Is your market local or can you service clients outside your community?

Answer: I am very fortunate being in BC. Our regulations and ethical committees are very strict out here and therefore I can service those in other communities and even other provinces. My website, allows me to offer 24hour in-depth and current mortgage information to those anywhere in Canada.

Question: Most people would say that in order to be a successful entrepreneur, you need passion for what you do. Where do you find your inspiration to stay passionate about your business especially during the tough economic times?

Answer: I am very fortunate in my profession in that no matter what the economic state, people will always be buying homes and renewing their mortgages. Therefore, no matter what the media says, a Mortgage Broker can always stay busy. I keep focused quite easily as my job requires me to hold other peoples livelihoods in my hands. If I don’t come through, my clients will feel it. Pressure like that keeps me on my toes.

I also have a special place in my heart for helping families who have hit hard times or just haven’t been told how to save up money or manage credit in a way that will allow them to own a home of their own. By setting time aside to really help these people it makes me want to get up in the morning and keeps me passionate about what I do.

Question: How do you use the internet and technology to market your business and can you say that it has helped you increase your business?

Answer: I love technology, and for many of my clients, they appreciate the convenience that I offer by utilizing technology through my website, e-fax, text message and email. My website is especially the key which separates me from other Brokers. I always encourage Realtors to refer their clients to my website first so they can see me, hear me, and judge me.

If they like me they call. If they think I know what I’m talking about, they call. If I rub them the wrong way they still might call simply because they know what to expect from me as opposed to another broker who has no web presence with which to judge them by.

Question: What is the most important element in your opinion about doing video blogs?

Answer: Content! Short, sweet, specific, and relevant content. If you are looking to have raving fans, create credibility for yourself and establish long time readers then you can’t waste their time with a lot of filler or useless content. Don’t show boat or be fake. Just offer answers and be yourself.

Question: What has been your biggest challenge in your business to date?

Answer: Competing with Big Bank advertising budgets and consumer loyalty. When you have been banking with the same bank for years and years, it’s hard to believe that they would do you wrong. A bank is a For Profit Business and no matter what the commercials say, they are in it to make money from their consumers. It takes a lot of time to inform consumers that they can save a lot of money by using a broker. And if the broker is like me, it will also save them a lot of time and potential heart ache.

Question: What has been your greatest victory so far?

Answer: Every day has its little victories but the ones that stand out the most for me are those people who find me online and contact me just to say thanks. I have never met them before, but they feel like they know me because of my videos. By offering so much information about mortgages online, in some way, I have either saved them time, money, or in some cases, saved them from losing their family’s home.

Question: How do you define success?

Answer: Just this year I was invited to one of my clients’ wedding. That is success. I have impacted their lives and they are so happy with my services that they want me to share in one of the most important days in their life.

Not to say that if I don’t get invited to a clients wedding that I am not successful, but really, if you float day to day and never impact another person’s life in a positive manner then you are missing out on a large part of what makes life worth living.

Question: If you could give one piece of advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Answer: The true test of an Entrepreneur compared to someone who works for themselves, in my opinion, is their vision for the future of their business. Not just a year from now, but their ability to see the big picture of where they want their business to go and the unwavering faith in themselves that it will get there. It is that faith and vision that will help you through any tough spot that is inevitably going to hit you and your business at some point.

Question: Fast forward five years…what do you see?

Answer: Hopefully more happy clients, another dog, and completed renos on my home!

You can find Leah Coss:

Website http://LeahCoss.ca

Youtube

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn