With the advent of technology and how quickly it advances, staying flexible and nimble is essential. The ability to recognize superior ways of doing things and market vacuums…is what gives small businesses an advantage over their larger, more well-capitalized competition.
Born in Poway, California, Christian Corah graduated from Poway High in 1997 before graduating from the University of San Diego in 2002. Throughout both high school and college Christian played Lacrosse winning numerous awards and seeing multiple teams win their division championships. Following college, Christian brought his competitive spirit to a career in finance as a loan officer at the Student Loan Consolidation Center where he assisted college graduates with the consolidation of their student loans within the Federal Family Education Loan Program. After excelling in the student loan sector, Christian moved into consumer finance as a residential loan officer where he worked his way up to management positions at Union Fidelity Mortgage. Following the market crash of 2008, Christian moved into commercial finance where he used his sales and marketing skills to assist business owners with both short term capital needs via small business loans as well as long term needs with U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) business loans. Christian’s broad knowledge of credit, both consumer and commercial lending, and ability to apply the latest technologies to streamline the application and underwriting process have contributed to the success of his career. Christian currently lives in Orange County, California and has an 11 year old son named, Ezra. Though Christian’s days as an athlete are over, he now enjoys unwinding from his days in the office by watching Ezra develop and excel as an upcoming young basketball player.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
My current company Fidelity Business Advisors came as a spin off name from the company I worked at when I was a residential loan officer. Though I do not want to SEO my name associated with Fidelity Business Advisors.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I start my day by checking my emails since many of my clients and the lenders I work with are on the east coast and get an earlier start than me due to the time difference. Once I’ve caught up with my email and returned all calls I review my loan pipeline and ensure that all loans being processed do not require any new documentation. I then contact my clients whose loans are processing and give them an update. Lastly I finish by prospecting for new clients by means of email and phone calls
How do you bring ideas to life?
I follow the Nike model. A lot of people tend to overthink things when it comes to the first step and find themselves with a case of paralysis by analysis. I on the other hand take the “Just do it” point of view. Get started and make adjustments on the fly. Rather than just twiddle my thumbs and think about what the ideal first step would be, I try and get started immediately and get closer to that “ideal first step” some time down the road.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Presently I’m very captivated by the potential of blockchain technology. We are now in one of those special times where a new technology has been created that has limitless applications that have yet to be identified. It’s moments in history like this where creativity and first-mover advantage really gets rewarded. Blockchain technology has the potential to transform so much in our lives and it’s utility is not yet saturated. It’s potential isn’t even fully understood, which really excites me.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
One habit that has served me well is my habit of writing any good idea I have down immediately; no matter when that idea comes to me. How many times have you heard someone say that they had some great idea in the middle of the night, but can’t remember what it was? That never happens to me because I have a pen and paper on my nightstand. If my subconscious comes up with a great idea, I make sure to pass it to my conscious mind right away by putting pen to paper.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could speak with my younger self, (now that I’m a parent) I would tell me to cherish your friendships and listen to your parents more!
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I have incredible patience.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I always recommend the utilization of lists. Lists let you prioritize and visibly quantify progress.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
With the advent of technology and how quickly it advances, staying flexible and nimble is essential. The ability to recognize superior ways of doing things and market vacuums, and have the ability to quickly pivot to take advantage of these opportunities is what gives small businesses an advantage over their larger, more well-capitalized competition.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
When the real estate market crashed in 2008, I thought I could “out work” the newly depressed market. In this calculation I was very wrong and it resulted in professional failure. Ultimately, my solution was to identify a new market that my skills were still applicable to, which turned out to be commercial finance.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Someone needs to bring square tortillas to market, complete with some kind of edible band that keep burritos from unwrapping. Whoever decided that burrito-wrappers (tortillas) should be round, must have been blind.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Though it wasn’t a full $100, my last train ticket from Orange County to San Diego was worth every penny. Trains are under rated. You glide past the traffic jams on the freeway, and if your in southern California, and a little lucky, you get to watch a beautiful ocean sunset the whole way.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
I’m very impressed with the Zoho family of products. Their free CRM has all of the features that most sales agent might need and integrates seamlessly with their other apps allowing for email and social media campaigns.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The Science of Selling by David Hoffeld has an essential place in every sales professional’s home library due the superior application of psychology to the sales process. Packed with excellent sales anecdotes, few sales books offer better insight into a buyer’s minds.
What is your favorite quote?
“Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.” C.S. Lewis
Key Learnings:
- Failure leads to growth
- Just do it
- Always be prepared
Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.