Q. 1. Please 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.
Ans : Trust Probate Realtor is a website for Beverly Hills, CA based Real Estate Agent Andrea Shink of Teles Properties. Through TrustProbateRealtor.com, Andrea focuses on providing services to estate property representatives and trustees to help them liquidate real estate in a dignified and compassionate manner.
Q. 2. Please give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans : A twelve year veteran of the advertising industry, Shink now finds a sense of purpose in her work as a realtor, saying “I take a holistic approach…it’s not about the “bricks and the sticks” for me. It’s about how I can help each family or individual fulfill their long-term goals.”
She prides herself on bringing that sense of purpose to each and every interaction with her clients, saying “My nature is to be both fiercely protective and dig until I find the gold.” And Shink has managed to do exactly that, having closed over $100 million in sales in her career. Her real estate designations include Certified Trust and Probate (CPRES) and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Shink also works with attorneys, accountants, business managers and families.
Q. 3. 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?
Ans : I have been a realtor since 1997. Over the years, I started seeing certain demographics not getting the representation I felt they deserved, so I earned my SRES and CPRES designations. I now focus much of my business in this area.
Q. 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans : Get a coach. 2. Find a niche. 3. Integrity above all else.
Q. 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans : Scheduling & Time Blocking. 2. Continuing education to perfect your craft. 3. Love what you do!
Q. 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans : Generally 9-10 hours a day, sometimes more or less depending on what’s going on
Q. 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans : I have had some wonderful business Coaches along the way, and I’ve been blessed to see opportunity, and ACT on it, when opportunity presents itself.
Q. 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans : I was taught to prospect Daily (AKA Cold Call) which I still do, Every. Single. Day. I am now marketing myself online as well.
Q. 9. Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans : (not really applicable)
Q. 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans : Create a business plan, and don’t be afraid to review results and correct course.
Q. 11. Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans : I am growing my Team, and intend to have double-digit growth each year.
Q. 12. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans : This is key: I am currently growing and developing my Team, and am looking for people who are:
*Hungry
*Humble
*Smart
Q. 13. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans : Depending upon what it is, I test and review the data, and then make a course correction as necessary.
Q. 14. What motivates you?
Ans : This is a long answer about why I became a probate & Trust specialist, but I saw other agents not acting in the best interest of the clients, and I needed to do something about it, so I turned my attention to prepresenting Estate Representatives and attorneys.
Lately, its been Traveling with my family which drives me to do a great job for the people I work with
Q. 15. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans : I’m in ongoing coaching and continuing education, so I’m constantly hearing new, and up to the minute stuff.
Q. 16. How do you define success?
Ans : Doing what I love, with people I enjoy, and providing excellent service to Families in need, while having fun and learning along the way!
Q. 17. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans : Provide great service and keep in communication with them.
Q. 18. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans : My time is my own, and what I’m building is for me and my family.
Q. 19. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans : Jeez… this is a loaded question, and probably different for everyone you ask. For me, I’m willing to trade my time and expertise for the security of a regular paycheck, but under someone elses direction. I’m growing my own business, not someone elses, and that’s exciting to me!
Q. 20. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans : Do the right thing, no matter what.
Q. 21. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans : Fulfilling!
Q. 22. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans : Get with my current coaching company and Brokerage sooner!
Q. 23. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans : Taught my kids the value of work.
Q. 24. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans : Mine is Demographic vs Geographic, but I do business only in areas I know…
Q. 25. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans : I’ve got to believe each persons path differs based on skillset and contacts.
Q. 26. If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Ans : ???? nobody comes to mind.
Q. 27. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans : I don’t think there is a single person who inspires me, but more like a composite of people and the characteristics that have become important to me. By incorporating a character trait I admire in particular, each day I get a little closer to greatness.
Q. 28. What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans : Relationships are very important to me, and I read the Five Love Languages really helps to understand how people tick, and when you understand that, it makes it easier to understand people, and be a more compassionate person.
Q. 29. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans : Staying in companies or offices that have been uninspiring, due to inertia. Don’t wait for the “Cosmic Boot”!
Q. 30. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans : Communication is key, and take responsibility for a mistake. I come from the school of measure twice, cut once, so Double-check your work, especially contracts!
Q. 31. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans : Design and Décor. I read a lot, and enjoy learning about non-traditional approaches to health, as such, I do a lot of cooking!
Q. 32. What makes you happy?
Ans : Mostly spending time with my family and friends in our home.
Q. 33. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans : I wish I had more time with my kids when they were little.