Zere of Zere Real Estate: Honored to learn from mother Marie

Name: Michelle Zere Title: Vice President Company Name: Zere Real Estate Services Follow my company on Twitter @ZereRealEstate What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: 1986 Real Estate Associations/Organizations: CIBS;LIMBA When you launched your own business what were some of the initial challenges and how did you overcome them? What has been your experience with having a mentor or being a mentor yourself? I never thought of my mother, Marie Zere, president & CEO as my mentor but, in fact, she is. She is one tough broad, that lady Marie is, almost like a Navy Seal with her grit and determination. I grew up with her negotiating deals at my kitchen counter, on the hood of our car or on a napkin at a diner as a child. She can cut off her competitors or a wise guy at the knees at a conference table when structuring a deal. I remember her love of gardening and flowers her whole life that brought her closer to being a land maven more than anyone else on Long Island. She had relationships with the farmers and all of the nursery family owners on the East End that led to the recent large solar farm deals. Northrup Grumman Corp. selected her to represent the Calverton Enterprise Park before its very own existence. She brokered over 700,000 s/f of deals and sold more than 400 acres in Calverton. I learned by watching, being active and present at high level meetings my whole life. Commercial real estate is a natural for me and my brothers Michael and David Zere. We are hands on and look our clients straight in the eye, and with a firm handshake our word is always our bond. Measure for measure respect is always key. The funny thing is Zere Real Estate Services is not a giant conglomerate real estate firm. As I would like to say, "Marie is one of the last of the Mohicans," the real deal, her energy is unsurpassed there no gimmicks or reality shows or giant ego, a true innovative upstart and pioneer in development, sales and leasing deals in both Nassau & Suffolk Counties. International clients adore her for her gracious hospitality and in-depth knowledge and have respect for her businesses acumen. Every day I am still humbled, astounded and honored to learn from the best of the best, my mother, Marie Zere. What is your favorite quote? "There are only two days in a year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, and mostly live." - Dalai Lama