5 REASONS WHY

5 Reasons Why You Need a Mentor

As great as it might feel to start your own business, and be solely responsible for its success, at some point, every entrepreneur reaches the limit of their potential, and needs a boost that only experience can provide. But how do you get a lifetime of experience when you’re just starting out? Sure you can read countless books, but no book can replace the real life experience and advice of a mentor.

Mentors not only provides valuable insights, but they also have access to valuable connections as well. In fact a majority of the most successful CEOs and entrepreneurs in the country have said that having a mentor early on was instrumental in their success. Here are some of the reasons why.

1. They’re able to see where you need improvement, when you can’t

When you’re working non-stop to get your business off the ground, you might feel sensitive to any criticism from people who aren’t going through what you are. A good

mentor knows exactly what you’re going though, and has probably made every mistake. When you’re in the thick of it, you might not be able to see where the problems are. A knowledgeable outsider, who knows exactly where you’re at and has only your best interests at heart is just what you need. When you have a trusting relationship with someone like that, you will be more willing to listen to that brutal honesty, even if that constructive criticism stings. 2. They will encourage you to think outside of the box Years of experience can give someone a great idea of what works and what doesn’t. They’ve seen things first hand, not just in theory. At the same time, mentors recognize the importance of taking chances, calculating risks, as well as cutting losses and moving on. A good mentor isn’t trying to encourage you to be a carbon copy of them, they are trying to create the best ‘you’ possible. That includes encouraging you to take chances, and then being there pushing you to keep going forward if it doesn’t work out. A good mentor knows that even failures can be opportunities. 3. They take the emotion out of decisions and help set boundaries Unlike you, a mentor has no emotional investment in certain business approaches that you might have decided to try. There’s nothing harder than admitting something isn’t working when you’ve put a lot of time and energy into it. They can see things in a completely logical way and guide you based on the facts rather than emotion. A good mentor helps you work smarter, not harder. They help you focus on your goals and how to get there, as well as setting boundaries for you so you don’t overextend yourself. They teach you how to say no and help you let go when you need to move on from a setback.

4. Networking In addition to expertise, building a strong network is something that can only come with time. A mentor will most likely have that already, giving you access to people and resources that would take others years to gain. These connections will lead to opportunities that might never have happened otherwise. It’s also a great confidence boost knowing that your mentor trusts and believes in you enough to invite you into their inner circle.

5. Encouragement

At the heart or it all, a mentor offers you encouragement and motivation along the way, in good times and in bad. After a failure, it can be hard to get back on track and keep forging ahead. It helps to have someone who has spent year getting back up after being known down and coming out stronger than ever. It’s during those moments, when you feel alone and isolated, that having someone around offering you advice and positive feedback will be a much needed salve. They’re your cheerleader, they want you to succeed, and hopefully, you’ll pay it forward one day when you become as successful as them.

DIANE BELCUORE

Diane Belcuore began her real estate career 24 years ago, when her kids were young. “I had a business background and I wanted to work from home,” Diane recalls. “Real estate was moving online at the time and I had a technical background, so it was a perfect time to get into real estate.” Diane has been in the business full-time ever since, providing her clients with thorough, hands-on service that makes it easy for them to achieve their real estate goals.

Diane serves all of central New Jersey, including Hunterdon, Somerset, Morris, Union, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties. For the past 10 years, over 90% of her business has been coming from repeat and referral clients, an impressive feat that speaks to the loyalty and trust she inspires. “I do everything I can to support the transaction and make it smooth for my customers,” Diane says. “If there’s something I can do for them so they don’t have to take time away from their busy lives, I will do it.”

Diane’s thoroughness sets her apart. “I perform all the due diligence to determine the material facts about the property and the community,” she explains, “to give my customers as much information as possible. That way when they’re ready to make a decision, they can make an informed decision.”

Another big plus Diane’s clients get when working with her is the level of support she provides. “I’m available almost 24/7,” she says. “I’m very dedicated to making it a satisfactory closing for my customers. Once the property goes under contract, I provide 100% support, just as a project manager would in any other industry. I work to make sure the buyers and sellers are complying with the contract requirements and make sure we get to the closing table.”

When it comes to marketing her listings, Diane takes an aggressive and comprehensive approach. “Regardless of the commission paid, I provide full-service marketing. That includes a full array of social media and real estate websites, as well as my blog and even print marketing— which I find is very worthwhile, because it still works.” Diane’s print ads are especially useful because they’re linked to websites to give added internet exposure as well. “I’ve also stepped up digital marketing and now for every listing I provide online floor plans, aerial photography, virtual staging, virtual tours, and a unique domain name for each property’s address.”

Community involvement is important to Diane, and in the past she has served on the board of directors of the New Jersey Ballet. She has also been very active in the schools as a volunteer, and was a Girl Scout leader for 20 years. Now Diane is involved as a donor in Habitat for Humanity and local food banks. When she is not working or giving back, Diane enjoys going to the beach, spending time with her two grown daughters, and traveling with family.

In the future, Diane plant to continue emphasizing “quality over quantity,” and providing personalized service to her clients. “The biggest thing about working for myself is that when I make promises to my customers, I know I can deliver on those promises,” Diane says. “Because it’s my own business, I’m completely empowered. I have the flexibility to keep my customers happy and make the deal work, and that’s very important to me.”

To find out more about Diane Belcuore,

please call 908-872-5473, email dianebelcuore@optonline.net, or visit www.belcuoresellshomes.com

CORY & MARY CHERAMIE

Cory and Mary Cheramie have brought a wealth of experience to the real estate industry. Having both served in corporate America, the couple possesses a unique insight into financial analysis and business management. For Mary in particular, real estate is a family business: Her family has owned and operated a brokerage in New Orleans since 1956. In 2017, the Cheramies went seeking a career that better spoke to their communal values. After finding fast success in the real estate market, they purchased a RE/MAX franchise along with Mary’s parents, Kevin and Diana Alfortish, and RE/MAX Generations was born.

Today, Mary and Cory serve New Orleans as a husband and wife Realtor duo, the Cheramie Team, and are co-owners of their brokerage, RE/MAX Generations. By combining Cory’s knowledge of residential real estate with Mary’s specialization in commercial properties, they have developed a comprehensive process to negotiate even the toughest transaction. “In corporate America, we had to be extremely detail oriented to succeed,” Cory says. “We’ve carried that work ethic over to real estate to make sure our clients are taken care of.”

When listing a property, Cory and Mary offer a diverse set of marketing strategies. On top of sharing a home over the latest MLS technology, targeted digital and social media campaigns and listings over their website, they also utilize their extensive network to connect clients with even more prospective buyers. “We don’t just leave a sign in the yard and hope to sell a house,” Cory says. “Instead, we’re constantly searching for ways to add value and boost our clients’ visibility.”

The Cheramies are equally locked in for their buyers, standing as trustworthy advocates throughout the entire

transaction. Beyond applying their years of professional experience to ensure a deal runs smoothly, they understand the significance of being there when needed most. “We’re not cold callers,” Mary says. “Real estate is all about building personal relationships with your clients and leaving a meaningful impact on their lives. That sense of purpose drives us every day.”

Mary, meanwhile, has an unmatched skill set when it comes to handling commercial properties. A certified public accountant, she is an expert at putting together commercial leases and contracts. “No matter the deal, we strive to go above and beyond for our clients,” she says.

Outside of their career, the Cheramies are both active in their community. Cory serves on the Board of Directors at the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, a non profit organization that develops leadership in the city while giving back to the community; meanwhile, Mary is the President-Elect of her local Rotary chapter. When they aren’t assisting clients or giving back, the couple can be found spending quality time at home with their newborn son.

Cory and Mary have strong ambitions for the future. In the months ahead, Mary will be pursuing her CCIM designation. Elsewhere, the couple will continue growing their brokerage, recruiting agents and expanding their portfolio of commercial rental properties. But through it all, this power couple will forever raise the bar of client service in New Orleans. “Buying a home is the most significant financial decision most people make in their lives,” Cory says. “Above all, we are honored to help our clients navigate the nuances of a transaction and find the perfect deal for their needs.”

To learn more about Cory and Mary Cheramie, email cory.cheramie.remax@gmail.com or mary.a.cheramie.remax@gmail.com, visit www.cheramierealtors.com or call (985) 804-5093