Richer of RealtyUSA advises new brokers to seek mentors

During the last 10 years of your career, which professional accomplishment, honor or achievement was most meaningful to you and why? The professional activities which make me feel a great sense of accomplishment are assisting women who are either starting their own businesses or expanding existing businesses. Helping to identify the right location, negotiate a favorable lease or acquisition, being part of the professional team to support their business development and seeing these businesses thrive provide great satisfaction. Which project, deal or transaction was the 'game changer' in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? Assisting an international company to identify the location for their new corporate headquarters, creating a Request for Proposal (RFP) process and then assisting with the lease negotiations for the corporate headquarters space. How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry? I am on the board of directors of the Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (CIREB) and serve as chairperson of membership and co-chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee. I am a member of the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) and participate on the Commercial Issues Working Group and the Legislative Policy Forum. I am on the board of directors for the Capital Region Chapter of the New York State Commercial Association of Realtors (NYSCAR) and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). What advice would you give to women just starting out in commercial real estate? Find a mentor and work with someone who will help you to learn the business. Take educational training programs in commercial real estate that will enhance your understanding of business transactions. Invest in technology including equipment and software that will enable you to be at the cutting edge of providing the best possible information and service. Be patient. It will take time to get established. How do you manage the work/life balance? This year our family has dedicated Sundays as family time. We try not to do any school or work projects and to be together for family activities. For me, that means saying "no" I am not available 24/7. I try to work smarter and to be more organized. Between showings, calls and meetings during the day time hours and then family obligations in the evenings, I often do emails and research later in the evening after my family has gone to sleep. It is a continued challenge to balance work and family life. Where would you like to be 10 years from today? CEO/leader of my own commercial team. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? My family has been the strongest influence in my life and my career. First, I have been blessed with an upbringing where unconditional love provided a strong foundation of confidence. My family has always been there to support me. My parents, my husband and my siblings have the highest integrity and they lead by example. Second, becoming a mother has grounded me and enriched my life in so many ways. Being a mother is the most important job I have ever had and it helps keep everything in perspective. How are you using social media to promote yourself, your products and / or your firm? Social media is an area where I need to spend more time promoting myself and my business. I will be investing time and financial resources to help enhance my presence via social media this year.