Mogull of Mogull Realty: Don't be afraid to fall/fail

Name: Kim Mogull Title: Founder and CEO Company Name: Mogull Realty Years in Commercial Real Estate: 29 What motivated you to step out on your own? My mom, Martha Mogull, was a pioneer in commercial real estate. She broke the glass ceiling for women and I jumped through it. Salesmanship and entrepreneurship is in my DNA. I learned from an early age the perks of working hard and running my own business. In first grade, I sold costume jewelry to my elementary school teachers. I purchased the jewelry with my lunch money while at wholesale trade shows with my father. By the time I was in high school, I sold clocks out of the trunk of my car (no, they were not stolen). While at Northwestern University, I became the #1 Encyclopedia Britannica salesperson in the Midwest. After graduating, I earned the Regional Rookie of the Year at CBRE. I've never received a paycheck unless I sold or leased something first so when my client, Donald Trump said, "Kim, go out and start your own business - brand yourself and make it easy for people to find you." I formed Mogull Realty the next day. Why We Want You to be Rich, by Donald Trump. What one piece of advice would you give to a woman who is launching her own business in the real estate profession? When I was younger, I was a gymnast. The most dangerous part of learning new tricks is fear...fear of falling, injury etc. That's why one of the first things you learn in gymnastics is how to fall - so as not to be afraid which can cause you to lose your focus. Don't be afraid to fall/fail. Fear of failure is why most people don't get started in the first place. Take the plunge - what's the worst that can happen? You fail? Then pick yourself up, regroup and now you're a little wiser. And on the gender front, I believe it's ok to lighten up a bit. Don't take yourself, your gender or the male gender too seriously. Nothing is wrong with being one of the guys - they're actually not so bad. Bottom line - results always trump gender.