Tara Curley Rudden, Conley Associates

Name : Tara Curley Rudden Title : Real Estate Consultant Company/firm : Conley Associates Years with company/firm : over 1 yr Years in field : 1 Years in real estate industry : 5 Address : 194 Washington Ave Suite 620, Albany NY 12210 Telephone : 463-5500 x241 Email : [email protected] URL : www.conleyassociates.biz Real estate organizations/affiliations : CCIM, CIREB What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2010? My biggest accomplishment was becoming a resource for my clients even when they don't have an immediate real estate need. For example, connecting international manufacturing clients with each other through the Tech Valley Global Business Network. What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2010? There is a local Fortune 500 company that needed an in-depth real estate analysis. The issue was specific and complex involving sub- spreadsheets analyzing other spreadsheets. This report resulted in the ability to attract new investors. How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry? I contribute to my company by being resourceful and fearless in landing appointments with decision makers. I leverage my COI and I'm team player. Anyone can get a license to practice real estate, but I've elevated the perception of my industry through maintaining integrity and proving you don't have to be a good ol' boy to know what you're talking about. What advice would you give to women just starting out in commercial real estate? First, understand the perceived disadvantages, then push them aside. Make a committment to learn all there is to learn. Try harder than everyone else. That's what it takes to be a woman in real estate. How do you manage the work/life balance? It's difficult, to be sure. Every day there's a mental cost/ benefit analysis. I've missed dinner with my daughters because of working late and I've rescheduled business appointments because one of my daughters was reciting her poem at school or was home sick. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? Robert Kiyosaki, Bob Gineicki, Mike Lipsey, Bob Ungerer, Joe Larkin, and Tim Conley. In that order. They are successful real estate professionals and investors. It is because of them that I am where I am. What impact has social networking had on your business? I am a natural networker. It helps leverage relationship building. People need people.