Approaching Business With Kindness
BY MADELEINE PEREZ
Tell us who you are and what you do.
I moved to LA from New York almost ten years ago…up until that point I was a journalist for ABC News and a lifelong New Yorker. I always had a love for real estate but I didn’t really pursue it till six years ago when I took a leap of faith and got my real estate license. I saw how the market in LA was booming at a pace unlike anywhere else in the country and wanted to seize on that opportunity. It was a total career change for me and while I was nervous to suddenly become an entrepreneur, my only regret now is that I didn’t do it sooner. I’m currently a residential real estate agent at Compass.
Tell us about an experience that is memorable to you and that you carry with you today?
Right at the start of Covid, I had shown a house to buyer clients of mine who fell in love immediately. It went on the market at 9am and they accepted an offer two hours later, right before we could submit ours. The realtor was hosting an open house and people coming in were screaming at her for taking the first offer. I took a different approach - helped her out of a hostile situation, and in turn she took us as a backup offer ahead of seven others. A week later she called me… her deal had fallen through! My clients are now living in that dream house and said it literally changed their lives. It was a great lesson: always be professional and kind because it will come back to you.
How have your early career experiences influenced you?
My early career experiences taught me a lot. I’ve worked for a lot of strong leaders and in jobs that were extremely high stress. So I had to learn people skills very early on - how to manage different personalities, how to lead by example and not force, and how to guide clients in the right direction with a tailored touch. Each client is different so there is a lot of on-the-go decision making, and being flexible is essential. Having said that, I make sure I trust my instincts. If I see red flags I will stand my ground or walk away if necessary because believing in myself has always kept me on track.
What is your strategy for accomplishing what you set out to do as well as motivating those around you?
Staying on task can be hard in a business that is constantly in flux. My days are always unpredictable so I make sure to have an annual business plan, set weekly and monthly goals, time block and hold myself accountable. I think motivating those around me comes naturally because I love what I do. I also enjoy teaching new realtors about our business and try to make sure those on my team feel their needs are met and they have room to grow in their own careers so they are fulfilled too.
How has your business shifted over the last year?
My business has never been better so it’s less about obstacles and more about growth. Certainly Covid has impacted real estate and it’s changed the way we function. Logistically there is much more paperwork, prep and cleaning protocols, and stricter lender guidelines to name a few. But by far the biggest and best shift has been my new partnership with my friend and colleague Jennifer Shor. At some point in any career you realize you can’t go it alone to get to the highest levels of your industry. Having another amazing agent by my side is a win for everyone, including our clients.
“Magic happens when we focus on the part of ourselves and our business that brings us joy." What is one tip you can leave with us today about how you find and live your joy - in your life and business?
I find so much joy from helping my clients. Getting someone the perfect home and handing them their keys, or selling someone’s home so they can move onto their next phase is a life-changing experience and it’s a huge honor to be a part of it. I also find joy in having a great support network. My family, my friends, my co-workers - we really all have each other’s backs.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the She Built It™ Community?
What I love most about this community is the opportunity to meet and network with other women that I may not normally cross paths with. Someone may work in a totally different industry than me, but we still have so much common ground and also so much we can learn from each other. She Built it provides that platform to help us all grow in both our careers and personal lives.
I hope my post inspires others to see that you can switch paths at any time in your life and find great success. Working for yourself comes with challenges, but it’s also the most rewarding career I’ve ever had. If someone out there is feeling the need for a change, my hope is this may inspire them to take those first steps towards something new.
ABOUT MADELEINE PEREZ
Madeleine Perez is a poised and tenacious real estate professional, who provides the highest level of service to each client. She acts with honesty and integrity, making sure her clients are fully supported and informed when buying or selling a home.
Born and raised in New York City, Madeleine was educated at Wesleyan University and Columbia University’s School of Journalism. She was an award-winning producer for ABC News, covering politics, business, and real estate. Later, she became a freelance editor for Los Angeles magazine. As a journalist, Madeleine learned valuable skills that she would apply to her real estate career: gaining people’s trust and respect, excelling in high-pressure situations, and reacting with speed, composure, and precision.
Madeleine combines her expertise of real estate trends and passion for exploring the very best in Los Angeles to give her clients an educated and well-rounded viewpoint, and an unmatched caliber of market knowledge. Her personalized approach – asking poignant questions, listening to individual needs, and delivering comprehensive advice – has earned her a stellar reputation in the business.
In her free time, Madeleine enjoys volunteering for The Concern Foundation for Cancer Research and City of Hope. She is a resident of Sherman Oaks, where she lives with her husband, son, and sheepadoodle.