Question : Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Answer : MountainPeaks Real Estate is a full service real estate company located in Colorado Springs, CO. Besides representing our clients in buying and selling residential real estate, we specialize in leasing and property management services.
Question : Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Answer : My name is Jerry Lundberg and I am the CEO and managing broker of MountainPeaks Real Estate. I have a Business Degree from Moorhead State University, was a licensed CPA for a few years after graduating, and have held financial positions in the radio broadcasting and real estate brokerage industries. I have held a real estate license since 1996.
Question : What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Answer : As the real estate recession began in Colorado Springs in 2008, I realized the tremendous need for property management services as owners who were transferring for their work could not sell their homes without sustaining a financial loss. I was involved both in the financial oversight and management of the property management division of the company I worked for from 1992 through 2008. In February 2009, I formed MountainPeaks Real Estate to specialize in property management.
Question : What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Answer : Develop a long-term goal, prepare a plan, and be prepared to work long hours executing the details of your plan.
Question : What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Answer : Organization, judgment and technical ability to handle the details.
Question : How many hours do you work a day on average?
Answer : 50-60 hours per week, being flexible and working weekends.
Question : To what do you most attribute your success?
Answer : Associating with experienced sales associates and staff in order to grow the business; that has been monumental. We normally hire real estate associates with many years of varied experiences, who have shown the ability to do more than the minimum for their clients.
Question : How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Answer : From the beginning my main goal was to foster referrals from real estate peers and others in the business community. Our business grows mostly from these referrals and our clients.
Question : Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Answer : I grew the company very conservatively, using only personal savings.
Question : What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Answer : Having an ability to see the big picture.
Question : Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Answer : While our leasing and property management services will continue to grow, it is not our desire to grow it beyond our ability to provide prompt quality service. Our sales division is growing quickly now that the sales market has improved significantly.
Question : Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Answer : Tesla, which was formed many years ago with an extended, long-term plan to bring attractive, fast, and safe electric cars to the general public.
Question : How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Answer : If it is difficult to plan the details, then move on.
Question : What motivates you?
Answer : New clients with new needs and challenges.
Question : What are your ideals?
Answer : Would like to spend more time helping those less fortunate.
Question : How do you generate new ideas?
Answer : Get up early when it is quiet and drink coffee!
Question : How do you define success?
Answer : Simply enjoying your work enough that you no longer count the number of hours you actually work. Instead, feeling satisfaction that the project is completed.
Question : How do you build a successful customer base?
Answer : Referrals from Realtor peers and from our current clients.
Question : What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Answer : Time Flexibility
Question : What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Answer : Achieving our goals for the first year in business.
Question : What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Answer : Goal oriented, enjoying work versus watching the clock.
Question : What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Answer : Exceptional service and prompt communication. I specifically organized our property management services with sales oriented Realtors rather than agents who worked a specific 9-5 shift.
Question : In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Answer : SATISFYING
Question : How did you decide on the location for your business?
Answer : Because we spend a considerable amount of our time in a car, it is important to be centrally located next to main arterials in the city. I also wanted an office environment where we would enjoy going to work every day.
Question : Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Answer : My wife, for her daily dedication to our children as they grew up.
Question : What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Answer : Hiking, Golf, Pickleball
Question : What makes you happy?
Answer : The success and happiness of our children and grandchildren
Question : What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Answer : Adjusting personal time for the needs of clients.