As an evening endeavor to mend my real estate beaten mind, I recently took shelter at Arte on 9th & University Place and nursed a really big glass of red. There is something about listening to Bobby (the bartender), that makes me forget just about everything that is troubling me. His thick Brooklyn accent usually makes me smile and wonder if I will ever lose my Ohio accent that carries that nasal “a” still to this day.
Unfortunately, my sanctuary of the Brooklyn tone, Barbaresco and numbness of thought came to an end. There is a television near the bar which does not enhance the atmosphere; but, I guess it helps the Barflies pass time. From that television, an announcement of Wall Street bonuses fueled Bobby’s guests to rant like there was no tomorrow. Now, I usually like to keep to myself: I do not like people to bother me and I enjoy Arte because it is not necessarily a happening place; and more importantly, it is not a “pick-up” kind of place for singles. As the anti-banker conversations grew layered, I was weighing if I should intercede on the banter of bonuses. Upon hearing, “The Government should take all of that bonus money from bankers and give it to the poor!” with a chorus of agreement — I jumped right in to the mix and said, “I do not agree at all!” So, there I was, a thirty-seven year old woman being questioned by much older men why the bonus money should not be given to the less fortunate. Well, I went into my pitch as if I was Vincent de Gournay, stating that I am all about a free market and that we all choose the profession in our lives and its course. The bonus bashers said they agreed in a free market too. I said “Really? Well, that is hypocritical don’t you think? I would have guessed you were Keynesian groupies!” And then they asked that dreaded question…What do you do? With effort to escape the foreseen bruises that maybe afflicted by acknowledging that I was a real estate broker, I responded: “I am in sales.” Well, they were not letting me get away that easy, they asked “What do you sell?” With a very slow slip of red, I said, “real estate.” The gates of wrath were now wide open: they said of course I liked bankers- they made my life easier and richer; and brought up the recent article in the Wall Street Journal about Brokers profiting from Bankers. And they said: “Real Estate Brokers are rich in New York. Of course you like Bankers – you are just like them. It is ridiculous what real estate commissions are here!” Now the Barfly Bonus Bashers of Arte found a new outlet for their “blues” – real estate brokers!
My Retort while Promoting Green $…
Odd it to me is that the masses think that if you are a real estate broker — you make a lot of money. Not the case for most of us —especially in the beginning. Look, I am not going to lie; I became broker to make money – a lot of money. But, it is not as you assume— instant fortune.
When I was 33, I worked for a Fortune 500 company handling real estate (as a third party) for many corporations across the country. My life was good and even though the pay was not great, I was able to pay my bills the majority of the time and I considered it an education that I got paid for. I handled some pretty over-the-top pieces of real estate for some extremely wealthy individuals. I have to say, I was never envious or judged them for having a wealth that I did not have. Actually, it gave me hope to have interactions with these wealthy individuals; it proved to me that none of us have to settle – even professionally.
So, I packed my bags so to speak and headed for New York. I gave-up comfortable… for a commission only profession and struggled for a long time (and never complained). The journey was tough; but the possibilities were endless. The “idea” of possibility was exciting to me no matter how bad things got (and they were BAD). I just worked and worked; and worked more. If I did not have appointments or clients at certain points: I read, I did research, I created charts; but, I worked while keeping my eye on that great possibility of prosperity. And I never expected anyone like the government to help me – I simply do not believe in it for myself. I believe that one must always earn money —it is not something to just take without earning.
That driven focus of “the possibility” has recently turned a corner in the reality of prosperity for me; and yet, I keep it moving forward while earning with integrity. I guess, I could have stayed comfortable; but, I decided not to. If you are not happy about the money you earn – do something about it instead of complaining about it. Or halt the complaints while staying comfortable where you are. It just takes some courage…and no fear.
So much for the calming evening at Arte…As I left, I said to Bobby: My evening was reminiscent of that Miles Davis tune, Blue in Green—with a 21st century spin and yet, there was that great red, RED wine! No surprise, I still LOVE New York…Bankers, Bonuses, Brokers and even Barflies.
