Cheng of Avant describes values of using social media

Name: Amy Cheng Title: Chief Underwriter Company/Firm: Avant Capital Partners Years with company/firm: 6 Years in field: 11 Years in real estate industry: 11 Telephone: 212-231-9778 Email: [email protected] URL: www.avant-capital.com Real Estate Associations/Affiliations: Real Estate Lender's Association (RELA) How do you and/or your firm use social media? Our firm strongly believes that social media is important for staying in front of clients and enhancing our visibility and brand name. We use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to stayed connected with colleagues, clients, friends of the firms and business partners, as well as to share news and grow our network. What is your biggest leadership challenge, other than the "glass ceiling"? Technological and digital advancement is changing the world at such fast pace that one of the challenges we face, as leaders, is to fully embrace it and explore how we can incorporate it into our business. We have a strong summer internship program to recruit bright young minds that enable us not only train them in the field of commercial real estate finance, but also to learn from them and listen to their ideas as to how to improve our operations. What is the most daring thing you've done for your career? How did it turn out for you? The most daring thing I've done for my career was to leave a salaried job as an Analyst to start my own business as a commercial loan broker. That was a life changing event because I had to work harder than ever in order to succeed and learned that I truly loved what I was doing. It was a serendipitous move because it was during this time that I met and established a working relationship with my future business partner, with whom I later co-founded this firm. Which project, deal or transaction was the "game changer" in the advancement of your career? Everyone has that one deal that they always remember, whether it was because it seemed like an impossible task, or because it involved challenging personalities or unexpected surprises. For me, it was one of the first that I closed. It involved real estate investor with severe credit issues who was also a man of God. My partner and I worked tirelessly to win the client over and structure a loan that overcame all the issues. On the day of closing, the client got in his car to drive over 100 miles without knowing if he had enough cash to close because he left it in "God's hands". Luckily for us it worked out! What do you consider to be the most successful way to increase referrals? In my experience, the most successful way to increase referrals is to do a good job and really go the extra mile for your clients. Those clients won't forget what you've done for them they will be quick to share your name when someone asks them for a referral. What is the BEST advice you have ever received? The best advice I've ever received was from my mother, who told me at an early age that it was more important to be a good person than to be wealthy or powerful. That advice has helped me make good choices in life and in my career, and proved to me that being successful doesn't always have to come at a price. What is your favorite tip for balanced living? Commercial real estate is an exciting industry to be but winning and closing deals requires a lot of time, energy and problem-solving skills. It is important to maintain a balanced life to keep stress at bay and maintain a sharp focus. I believe in setting aside some time everyday for exercise and family, because they are critical to your physical and mental well-being. Where would you like to be in 10 years? In 10 years I would like to be mentoring younger women who are seeking to enter the commercial real estate industry, as well as applying my knowledge and experience in a more academic and research-oriented environment.