2016 Women in Real Estate: Denise Savino-Erichsen

Denise Savino-Erichsen, Automatic Industries, Inc.

Denise Savino-Erichsen

President: Automatic Industries – In business over 45 years

Email: [email protected]

Years serving the multi-housing industry: 26

Automatic Industries

Founded in 1971

Phone: 1-800-THE-WASH

www.automaticindustries.com

How did you get your start in real estate?

I grew up in this business.

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of?

We try to stay as active as possible with many of the different associations. Chip, Federations, LI chapters of business development. We cover a pretty large area. It is sometimes difficult to be loyal to one organization. There are so many good ones.

What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?

We have many different buildings that we are proud to include in our portfolio. It is difficult to select one favorite. We have some exquisite pre-war buildings that have laundry rooms in. We have secondary rooms in some spectacular, brand new, condominium in Manhattan.   We service some of the SUNY schools in New York. We are also proud to have the opportunity to have revitalized some NYCHA laundry rooms.

What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why?

In 2014 I was honored by the Queens chamber of commerce. More recently, in December of 2015, I was named as one of Long Island Power Women in business. It is humbling and most appreciated.

What have been some of the benefits of being a mentor or having a mentor?

I have the best mentor. My father, our founder and CEO. It has been a true treat to work besides him. He started out as a boss that wouldn’t quit. Now he’s a partner that taught me so many things.

Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why?

Both my parents were very influential on their children. They taught us the importance of hard work and a quality education.

What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you?

When you run a small to mid-sized company, you wear many different hats. Regardless of the fire I am extinguishing, I think it is always important to be honest and upfront with people. I think this holds true if it’s a customer, or an employee. Folks just want honesty and integrity. If you promise something, it is important to deliver it.  People want straight shooters.

What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?

I guess it was from my dad. Don’t promise what you can’t deliver.

I was fortunate to have a second generation business. No doubt it is easier to work on a pre-established business. My dad set a very nice foundation. Together, we have seen significant growth.

How did you overcome them?

My business was and still is very male dominated. I network on a national level with many companies in the laundry route business. When we gather at meetings, it is still the old boy network. I am accepted because they know I have an understanding of this industry. Initially, people are concerned that I do not have the same knowledge as my male competitors.

What was a significant milestone or achievement for your company?

We are competing with companies on a national level. The bottom line is; many folks still want to deal with the owner. I am proud to be very involved with the day to day operation.

What advice would you give to a woman who is planning to launch her own business? 

I tell my daughter to shoot for the starts. Just pick a profession that you enjoy. Work will inevitably have stress. When you like what you do, it makes it a lot easier to get up for work in the morning.

How do you empower other women in your workplace?

Women can do anything men can. I have a female sales person and a female field collector. These are very rare entities in our field.