Setting goals and then breaking them down into action steps. What tasks do I need to do each month, each week, each day to reach my goal?
Tammy Mazzocco began her real estate career as a secretary with The Edwards Realty Company, a commercial real estate firm. There she worked with a team of 9 commercial agents under the leadership of Mike Zelnik, a dynamic commercial Realtor. Tammy spent the next seven years in condominium management at Scotland Yard Condominiums during which time she also became a licensed real estate agent in 1995 at the suggestion of Ken Cook, Broker/Owner of Cook Realty and general manager of Scotland Yard. Ken was instrumental in teaching and encouraging Tammy early in her real estate career. After Scotland Yard, Tammy went to work for T&R Properties as a multi-site property manager for two apartment complexes and an office warehouse complex. In the summer of 1998 Tammy became a licensed personal assistant for a top RE/MAX producer, Joe Armeni, in the Victorian Village area of Columbus. Working with Joe and seeing the day to day operations of a highly successful real estate agent and developer inspired Tammy to pursue real estate as a full-time career in 1999. In the summer of 2000, Tammy joined the team at Judy Gang & Associates in Pickerington, Ohio. Judy Gang has been a mentor, friend, and an inspiration to Tammy ever since. Tammy sells residential real estate in Franklin, Licking, Delaware, and Fairfield counties in Central Ohio.
Her website is www.tammymazz.com
Where did the idea to be a real estate agent come from?
The idea to be a real estate agent really found me in a way. A manager I worked with was also a real estate broker, and he encouraged me to get a license in 1995. Real estate encompasses my entire career and is my passion!
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I like to start the day with meditation and some light stretching. If possible, I get the most important tasks out of the way before opening emails and getting on the phone. I time block things that I don’t enjoy doing such as prospecting/cold calls and make myself do them. This got easier with practice and as I began to see positive results.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Brainstorming, research, and doing a business plan to test the feasibility of an idea.
What’s one trend that excites you?
In my business, I like the lead companies who are transferring live customers to interact with. If I can make phone contact with someone, I am much more likely to set an appointment. Once I get the face to face appointment, I am more likely to make the sale.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Setting goals and then breaking them down into action steps. What tasks do I need to do each month, each week, each day to reach my goal?
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t take yourself so seriously, live without fear of failure, and don’t settle.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
I would say no one would agree that I am a little shy when it comes to meeting and talking to people. I hide it by being friendly and talkative, but it’s not as easy as people think for me to be outgoing.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I treat my clients’ time and investment as I would my own. I don’t focus on the commission coming at the end of the deal…I stayed in the moment and focused on the deal and what is best for the client at all times.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Lead generating companies such as Zillow and Realtor.com have been helpful to cultivate and grow the business, but my primary strategy is customer service. Repeat business and referrals make up about 85% of my business.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
When I first started in real estate, I was uncomfortable talking to people about their finances and did not do a very good job pre-qualifying leads, so I wasted a lot of time. To overcome this, I studied some scripts that other agents were using and practiced them out loud until I felt comfortable.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Put together a gift basket with a jar of goodies and information and take to either a school teacher lounge or a fire station. Ask if it would be okay to stop back once a month to fill the jar with snacks and bring information.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I bought a Swiss Army brand rolling briefcase to help keep me organized that I like!
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Follow Up Boss to stay in contact with my clients. I find it very easy to use and can organize all of my clients in various stages of the home buying process.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I enjoyed “Life Strategies” by Dr. Phil. The ten life laws that he outlines and the stories he tells to illustrate the points are great.
What is your favorite quote?
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss
Connect:
www.tammymazz.com
One Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tammy-Mazzocco-Realtor-REMax-One-124099927638883/
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.