Interview with Yvonne Coviello -- Real Estate Agent

This week's Mom's Inc. Silver Spring featured member is Real Estate Agent Yvonne Coviello. Below, Yvonne shares what inspires her to succeed in her business.

What is the nature of your business?

I am a Real Estate Agent. I help buyers and sellers with their real estate needs in the state of Maryland. As a Real Estate Agent, I commit to do a superb job for each of my clients and to stay ahead in a very competitive market. Being a Real Estate Agent means more than just selling homes. It is about building lasting relationships based on trust, knowledge and expertise. I strive to help my clients achieve their goals while exceeding their expectations.

How long have you been in business?

I have been in business for over 4 years. Prior to selling real estate, I practiced law in a large New York law firm for 6 years.

What inspired you to go into your particular field/service/product offering?

I practiced law for 6 years and wanted a career that I could spend more time with my family and still contribute to the household. I find this job so much more rewarding than I ever did when I practiced law.

What has been your greatest business challenge?
My biggest challenge right now is keeping my business growing as the market continues to change.

What has been your greatest business success?

Every transaction I have with a buyer or seller is a success to me. The best part of my job is hearing how happy a client is in their new home – for me that is the greatest success!

How do you balance work/family/personal time?

I balance work and family life by keeping to a strict daily planner. I try to time block each week and do my best to stick to it, always putting personal/family commitments into my calendar first.

Where do you see yourself and your business in the next 5 years?

I see myself in 5 years doing the same thing – helping buyers and sellers in the real estate market. My goal is to have my business grow every year so that in 5 years my profitability will be at least 5 times what it is now.

Thank you, Yvonne Coviello.

For more information please contact Yvonne at: Yvonne.Coviello@comcast.net or visit her online at www.YvonneSellsMDHomes.com.

Business Card Tips

As you've seen in my last post, I network rather frequently and as a result collect lots of business cards. So many business cards in fact that I've actually developed a few business card design pet-peeves. And yes, I'm going to share those pet-peeves with the world!
1. Laminated/Plastic Business Cards. First of all, what's the point? Water-proofing? Tear proofing? Why do I hate them you ask? Well, it's simple: I can't write on them! I am a note taker by nature and I like to write notes on your business card. Notes like where we met, when we met, what we discussed and how I can help you. This also goes for cards that are glossy on both sides.
2. Dark Colored Business Cards. Yes, cards done in lively colors and prints do stand out from the crowd, however keep it on one side of the card. Why? Because I don't carry pens that write in white!
3. Oddly Sized Cards. They don't fit into business card holders or Rolodex's. They're inconvenient to the person your giving it to. They don't stack nicely with the other cards that I collected that day. Leave that level of creativity to your website or perhaps make a refrigerator magnet.
4. Cards that don't say what you offer. Ok so you're a Realtor. But what makes you different from every other Realtor that I meet or sends recipe cards to my house? Tell me on your card! I recommend 3 bullet points of what you do right there on your card. That's what will make your card memorable and worth keeping!

Ok so 4 is an odd place to stop but that's all I have for now. Until the next networking event.