So, I started selling online in 2006. (June 6, 2006 to be more accurate)
I started my brand 1-800-SELL-NOW on that day… a little over 10 years ago.
It took me 11 months to sell my first $100,000.
It took me 3.5 years to sell my first $1,000,000.
It took me 7 years to sell my first $10,000,000.
And, it took me 10 years to sell my first $35,000,000 (almost to the day….just a few weeks ago).
Pause for a little perspective…
3.5 years to reach $1,000,000….. Today, that’s a good month.
7 years to reach $10,000,000…. Today, it’s a good year.
Wow, how times have changed.
Back when we started there were a lot of sleepless nights. I worried about everything.
Could we pay the bills?
Would we make it?
Was this idea going to make it?
Did I have what it took?
Social media didn’t exist. I had never sold a thing online. I was a nobody. No list. No followers. No business. No name.
In fact, we were doing something new and we had no idea how to do it. We had to learn and improvise as we went along.
Unbelievably, we didn’t falter or let the obstacles stop us. We just kept going.
As more and more distance is cast between today and our raw beginnings, I wanted to just stop and say “Thank You” for being a part of our journey and to also share a few thoughts about what I’ve picked up along the way.
My hope is that something in here is a good reminder for you…
So, what are some of the biggest things that I’ve learned on that journey?
- It takes a village. I get the credit because I took the risk, but there are hundreds of people that have created this business, this organization, this community, and this family that we call Real Estate Worldwide. Their efforts and desire to help have been every bit as important as my own.
- It isn’t about how you start, but about how you finish. Never stop. Stay committed to the journey.
- It isn’t about the money. Find purpose in what you are doing and the journey is much more rewarding.
- It’s never a lack of resources, it’s a lack of resourcefulness. Work the problem. Find the solution. It’s always there. Sometime’s it’s easy to find, but most of the time – it’s not.
- Go get around the best. Join masterminds, local business groups, and get the best to coach you. Their wisdom will compress your timeline significantly.
- Evolve. Constantly strive to solve real problems and there will always be a market for you.
- Make your customer experience exceptional and they will become your biggest advocates in the market. Your customers are buying you. You are the real value in the equation. Own it and make it matter.
- Remember what you’re good at and stay the course. I’ve strayed from time to time – and it’s almost always cost me.
- Invest in people. Best investment ever.
- Hire the best. Don’t waste time with people that don’t deserve your time.
- Selling and effective communication are skills that few understand. What we do is “magic” to almost everyone else. Taking the time to understand sales, marketing, communication, persuasion, and advertising will always pay huge dividends to you as a business owner.
- Be the leader that you would follow. People are looking for leaders and want to belong. When you make it about something bigger than you and money – it just works.
- Remember, you will die someday. Go!
- Embrace the struggle. It sucks, but it is part of it.
- Don’t underestimate what you can do in 5 years, 10 years, or 20 years. And, don’t overestimate what you can do in 1. Be in it for the long haul.
- Gimmicky shit sucks.
- Be real. Your customers will love you for it and your “haters” will hate you for it. Figuring out who loves and hates you as fast as you can is a BIG DEAL. It allows you to focus on the right people and remove the wrong ones efficiently.
- Go BIG! Get the life you really want. Don’t settle and become another statistic.
- Own a business, not a job. Focus on it. Systems, processes, people, trust, and empowerment will make this work.
- Be willing to get hurt and to get humbled. It sucks when it happens, but the lessons are invaluable and will make your journey back up so much sweeter. Take the risk.
- Don’t be an asshole. There are plenty out there in every industry that I’ve come across. So don’t be another one. In fact, there is just something that’s really great about knowing that you are the “good guy or good girl” in the industry – that has always mattered to me. I try to help anyone that asks. I try to do the right thing by everyone and we are genuinely trying to help as many people as we can.
- Family first. My family and I have struggled immensely in our ability to do business while maintaining our collective sanity. I am so proud of my wife, my son, my brothers, my father – and everyone else in the Clothier family that just makes it all work. In the end, it is amazing to get there arm in arm.
- A “scarcity” mindset is a sign of weakness, not strength. I have challenged myself to “share it all” and I believe it is a big reason for my success. An “abundance” mentality is a lot more fun.
So…10 years to $35 million. Who would have thought?
So…how long to get to the next $35 million? God only knows. But I suspect it won’t be long before $35 Million is down to being a good year and we have our sights set on the $100 Million mark.
My hope is that I’ll be right here, sharing the journey with you – step by step.
Thanks for being a part of it all!
Kent
