Moving On
Realtor writes the book on reinventing one’s self
Nearly two decades ago, Valerie Fitzgerald (left) embarked on a career in real estate. It was not so much a choice as it was a necessity.
Fitzgerald was a former model who left New York for her childhood home of Los Angeles, in search of a fresh start. She brought with her an infant daughter. She left behind a violent ex-husband and failed relationships. Her plan was to work for a cosmetics firm, but the job fell through a couple months after she arrived. A friend suggested she would be good in real estate.
It changed her life.
“I didn’t know one single thing about real estate. I didn’t know the first step,” Fitzgerald said. “I had to get busy and figure out how to make it work. I had a child and no money and no help. But if you have the interest and the drive, you can reinvent yourself.”
The reinvented Fitzgerald became one of Coldwell Banker’s top worldwide agents, a mentor to young women, and a philanthropist. She also is an author; her “Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business,” was released in May. The book is part memoir, part business guide.
“I made every questionable choice in the world between money and men and career and doing things alone,” said Fitzgerald, who operates the Beverly Hills-based Valerie Fitzgerald Group. “I want people to understand it can come out all right.”
Fitzgerald’s charitable involvement includes work with Children Uniting Nations, which offers role-model support and guidance to at-risk and foster children. Fitzgerald is vice chairperson on the board of directors. The group’s mentoring program, pioneered in Los Angeles, has been copied by organizations around the nation.
“One of my favorite expressions is that only by giving do we gain the things that really matter,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s really true. It’s just part of my life.”
—Ken Weingartner
Making A Difference
As a child, Debra Duneier (left) remembers selling lemonade to help the Helen Keller Foundation. Now, as a senior associate broker with The Corcoran Group, Duneier still finds the time to give back. “No matter how hard our day may be and how hard the economy may be, there are people out there suffering much worse than we are,” she says.
Duneier offers her contributions to a number of philanthropic organizations, but is very active in ThinkQuest, an organization that teaches inner-city children how to be technologically savvy. ThinkQuest hosts an annual competition in which groups of students pair with a teacher to build a Web site. “It is incredible to see what these young people come up with,” says Duneier, a proud judge of the competition.
Looking to establish a sense of community in New York City and raise awareness for a local non-profit organization, Espais—the developer of Twenty9th Park Madison—teamed with The Gabarron Foundation to help promote emerging artists.
“The Gabarron Foundation is a natural fit,” explains Andres Hogg (above), U.S. general manager of Espais. “Its mission is to ‘promote the cultural wealth and identity of both Spain and America.’”
Twenty9th Park Madison—a luxury condo building where The Gabarron Foundation has staged an art exhibit—is home to a culturally diverse group of owners. “The art gallery also gives residents a unique bonus amenity and a cultural experience inside the building,” says Hogg.
—Lauren Varga
Ground Breakers
To Craig Studnicky (left), sales are three things, “Prospecting for new buyers, perfecting presentation, and follow-up, follow-up, follow-up.” He would know. Studnicky, president and partner of International Sales Group (a fully integrated sales and marketing organization), sold 25 condo units in January 2009 alone.
Five of the sales Studnicky made were in the Atrium at Aventura, a high-rise condominium in Aventura, Fla., for a combined total of $12.5 million. Studnicky attributes his success to a strong broker network, an “amazing” director of sales and a best-value, new construction product.
Along with an impressive sales record for 2009, Studnicky has grown International Sales Group into the 125-employee firm it is today. Currently, the organization holds offices in Miami, New York, Las Vegas and Bogota, Columbia.
For real estate marketing and sales personnel trying to wade through a tough market, Studnicky gives some clear advice. “You must have a well-located and competitively priced product, access to end loan financing, and examine the solvency of the condominium association.”
—Lauren Varga
Marketing Innovation
With a charged iPhone and honest business practices, Realtor Susan Breitenbach (left), alongside her son Matt Breitenbach (also left), was ranked No. 15 in The Wall Street Journal’s list of ‘Top Agents in Volume’ in 2007 in the U.S. Now, the Breitenbachs are using innovative marketing to stay ahead of the competition.
“I just want to keep the Breitenbach name and brand growing,” says Matt, a licensed sales associate who joined forces with his mother to begin Breitenbach Real Estate, which focuses on Hamptons real estate under the Corcoran name.
Using print advertising and the launching of a new Web site, the Breitenbachs are hoping to stay ahead of the media curve. “The competition in the Hamptons real estate is fierce and forever growing,” says Matt. “I want us to be the most innovative real estate tandem in the Hamptons.”
The Breitenbachs are looking forward to utilizing new marketing resources by releasing a new e-newsletter and an online brochure. “The challenge of staying ahead of the advertising and marketing curve is tremendous and I love it,” says Matt.
—Lauren Varga
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