Gail Lewis, Gail & Co.

Name: Gail Lewis Title: CEO Company/firm: Gail & Company Years with company/firm: 16 Years in field: 16 Years in real estate industry: 12 Address: PO Box 3523 Mount Vernon NY 10553 Telephone: 917-873-9660 Email: [email protected] URL: www.gailandco.com Real estate organizations / affiliations: American Marketing Association (AMA) What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2010? I created and executed an aggressive marketing plan that enabled me to reach a new marketplace. My firm grew 3% in 2010 as we expanded our reach throughout the tri-state area and beyond. What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2010? I re-invented my firm and re-branded to reflect our new philosophy, which enables us to service our clients in a variety of areas from print to web. My firm "Gail's Graphic Designs" changed its name to "Gail & Company" to leverage the expertise of a variety of marketing professionals. Our clients now have a single source, a stable of specialists to meet every marketing need. How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry? I am a speaker at networking and industry events. I don't believe in trade secrets. As an industry we're growing, changing and developing rapidly and by sharing our experiences and knowledge we help the entire industry. A rising tide raises all boats and I constantly want to be a part of the success professionals in our industry experience. What advice would you give to women just starting out in commercial real estate? Hone your craft. It is vital that your customers and potential clients see you as a knowledgeable, dynamic resource. It is so important for women to be respected for their skills, talent and ability. We often don't have "the ol' boys network" to get us in the door but if we make an excellent impression and back up our passion with hard work and diligence you will succeed. How do you manage the work/life balance? I have a son that left for college last fall and a daughter in high school. I schedule meetings and events so that I can attend my daughter's basketball games. It also helps that I have a very supportive husband who makes it easier for me to keep family first. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? My parents. Both mom and dad were entrepreneurs. My dad owned a furniture-manufacturing firm where he taught me to keep rolling with the punches and alter the game plan when circumstances change. Mom owned a beauty salon where she taught me customer service. What impact has social networking had on your business? A tremendous impact-through LinkedIn I can see when my clients change roles or companies. It keeps me in the know! On Twitter, I have the opportunity to begin a conversation and continue that conversation at an event with my "Tweeples." I've used Facebook to connect with my schoolmates. January 1st we rebranded the company and created a company Facebook page. I do not have any personal stats on the effectiveness of Facebook yet. Of the three platforms, LinkedIn has been more successful for me because it gave me booked business.