Brady of Concierge Auctions named one of most influential leaders

Name: Laura Brady Title: President & Co-founder Company Name: Concierge Auctions Follow my company on Twitter @followconcierge What year did you start your career in real estate: 2002 Real Estate Associations/Organizations: * Follow me on Twitter @LauraHBrady * View my LinkedIn Profile @LauraHBrady * National Auctioneers Association * Young Presidents Organization What recent project or transaction are you most proud of? In May 2014, we sold the largest private island in the Bahamas named Innocence Island during a live auction conducted from the Trump SoHo New York hotel. Not only are private islands of this caliber few and far between, but they also have a very small niche of potential buyers. In only six weeks, our expert marketing, sales and technology teams were able to expose the property around the world, identify qualified potential buyers and generate a cash sale for $18.7 million. Our outreach campaign drove over 30,000 website visits from 47 US states (led by California, Florida, New York and Texas) and 129 international countries (led by Canada, Sweden, the UK and the Bahamas). The online property videos and photography went viral, reaching over 290,000 views and generating over 20,000 engagements. What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why? We've been lucky to receive a number of recent honors, and it's hard to choose one favorite. In 2014, I was named "One of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Real Estate" by Inman News. It was humbling to be included in such a prestigious list, especially only six years after starting a business that in many ways goes against the grain of traditional real estate sales. However, I'm equally proud of my marketing team's 2014 award for "Best Overall Marketing" by Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate, a global collection of more than 130,000 real estate professionals in more than 60 countries. We have an amazing team of marketing creatives, and it's fulfilling to know their expertise is certifiably the best in the industry. When you launched your own business what were some of the initial challenges and how did you overcome them? Our business model is blazing a new trail in the real estate industry. We're going against the "norm" of the traditional sales model and from day one have had many naysayers. Traditionally, the auction model in the United States, as it relates to real estate, has been associated with distressed properties. When we started our firm in 2008, many sellers and agents were worried about this stigma — "What will my neighbors think if I'm auctioning my home?" and "It's going to make me look like I'm desperate." We're now in our seventh year of changing that perception, and the question is rarely asked any more. With each successful sale, we're demonstrating that property auctions can be performed in the same manner as fine art, classic cars and antiques. We're selling the finest real estate assets around the world and consistently achieving record prices. This success is speaking for itself. What has been your experience with having a mentor or being a mentor yourself? I'm blessed with a family of powerful women who've always inspired me, but recently Barbara Corcoran became another life-changing mentor. She helped me instill a schedule that allows me to take more personal time and make my workdays more efficient. Please reflect on a recent achievement and/or milestone for your company: Our firm has received a number of public accolades recently, and we've surpassed sales goals beyond our expectations. However, the one achievement I'm most proud of is our people. While we've nearly doubled our employee count year-over-year for the past six years, we've been deliberate about our hiring. Not only is each of our employees an expert in their field, but they are also team players. We value everyone both personally and professionally, and we're friends both in and outside of the office. Our hiring efforts have weighted heavily towards internal referrals, and we've mostly promoted from within. It has been a pleasure to watch everyone grow and thrive. My greatest hope is that we can continue this culture as we reach even higher heights. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? I've had many family members, friends and business partners who have encouraged and mentored me along the way, but without a doubt, my husband Corbin has been the strongest influence on my career. Corbin believed in me when we invested every penny of our savings (and more) towards starting this business. What is the first thing you do when you arrive in the office in the morning? The literal first things I do are say "good morning" to the room (we work in an open-concept office) and drop my lunch in the fridge. I then sit at my computer and survey my day. Inevitably, items shuffle around during the day, but I at least have a starting point! What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you? While I'm always available for any employee to approach throughout the day, our company standard is to schedule a time for specific discussions. That way we mitigate being pulled to/from tasks constantly. What is the best advice you have received and who was it from? My mentor Barbara Corcoran pushes me to make time for myself. I can't be a successful leader without being happy and healthy. And, I can't further my leadership skills or broaden my thinking without time away from the office to study and think. List 3 women that you would like to have drinks / dinner with and where would you go? My mom — her kitchen table; my mentor, Barbara Corcoran — a quiet, off-the-beaten path NYC restaurant; and my best friends from growing up (4 of them, all together; can't choose just one) — a casual restaurant in our hometown of Corpus Christi, TX. What is your favorite quote? The Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." What did you want to be when you grew up? A newscaster. I remember taking a test in high school that suggested a career based on my attributes, and that was my result. I was thrilled. Ultimately, I chose a different path, but when I have PR and speaking opportunities, I fulfill the itch.