Q 1. 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.
Ans: At Eldridge Home Team, we are passionate Realtors which deliver superior client experiences in the Tallahassee, FL area. By offering a complete suite of real estate services, we ensure that we meet our clients’ every need. We recognize that buying or selling a home can be overwhelming, which is why we skillfully guide you from the beginning to the end of your journey.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: My name is Stephanie Eldridge and I am a real estate agent. I graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Bachelors in Psychology. My hobbies include reading and staying fit. I love to make sure others are pursuing their dreams and living their life to the fullest.
Achievements include 2015 Rookie of the Year 2015, Top 20% Producing Realtors and the #1 Bar/NIghtlife in Tallahassee for Krewe de Gras.
Strengths I would like to mention are that I am dedicated and confident. My experience includes legal matters related to the real estate sales process. I Coordinate property closings and oversee closings with all type of properties. Personally, I deal with lenders, home inspectors, pest control operators, escrow companies, and ensure that all terms and conditions of the housing purchase agreement are met before the closing deadline.
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 wanted to pursue something that made me happy while meeting people. I help clients find their dream home. Eldridge Home Team is a woman-led business and I wanted to create a brand that was different than all the local real estate companies.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: First and foremost, every single person you meet is extremely unique. These variations may frustrate you at times. I encourage you to recognize the differences! Use these items to seize the opportunity to learn from them. Your way is not always the right way and there is room for improvement every day. Embrace the diversity and creativity of everyone and spread the positivity.
Second, If you want to be successful, you have to remember owning a business is a full-time job. It is your responsibility to own up to the failures and to reap the rewards. Gather the right team to accomplish business tasks and goals. Don’t do it alone. Network to find the right people.
Lastly, have a plan and create a structure to achieve that plan. When starting a business, you need to define your limits. Don’t limit yourself because you wearing too many hats. Outline a detailed plan for yourself and your team. Set a budget for expenses and give deadlines. Focus on what is important.
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Passion, Adaptability, and Resilience.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: I am always working on the business aside from my 9 am – 7 pm which is my business hours. Every person I come in contact with is a potential customer or partner in Tallahassee, Florida.
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: When I look back at my life in business, I have had so many people invest in me and my ambitions. Every moment and every connection you make is an opportunity for success and a moment to shine. Take heed on these opportunities and use them to the fullest. I also set out a commitment to help others. I pay it forward to others. I genuinely love helping other people succeed in what they put their mind too. Personal investment in others always returns tenfold.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: We have a team of very passionate individuals with skill sets that accompany the business’s vision. They are self-starters and professional and all uniquely amazing! We market our brand and listings on social media and blog posts. So far out best form or market is word of mouth. We go to networking events around Tallahassee to meet and greet. Socializing goes a long way.
Q 9. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Follow through on your promises. If you complete an item from your business to-do list every day for a year you will have 365 items done at the end of the year. Never give up, no matter how hard you fail. Many business owners have failed a few time before they find success. Their determination sets them apart from the others that do not bounce back. Learn from the lessons you were taught. Do not make excuses or blame someone else. Lastly, spend time on building relationships throughout your team and partners. Spend as much time on the relationships as the business.
Q 10. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: Doing what I love. If I am not a real estate agent anymore, I will continue being happy and following my passion.
Q 11. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Yes, my team are my family. They all bring something to the table that is unique. Without them, I would not be where I am today. I value my team members and hope to see them owning a business someday. My success is measured where they will be in 30 years. I want everyone to be on the same level.
Q 12. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: I will do my hardest never to give up on an idea. I normally stick to an idea 4-6 month and circle back around to see if I have met the goal. If not I will revisit it to see where I can improve or ask a peer for assistance.
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Q 13. What motivates you?
Ans: Waking up every day. Every day is a new day. We cannot predict the future and we sure as heck cannot fix the past. Live every day like it is your last. Smell the flowers and sit by the lake to feed the ducks. You will only have one life, so live it to its fullest!
Q 14. What are your ideals?
Ans: Ethics are a big part of my life. It harder to do the harder right than the easier wrong. My life experiences are very important as they teach me for the future.
Q 15. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: I sit down in a quiet room which a pen and paper. I begin mind mapping and look at the positive and negative outcomes. I write everything down in the entire process.
Q 16. How do you define success?
Ans: Success is always doing your best. Doing your best when the task is hard or when no one is watching. It goes beyond having a lot of money or materialistic items. Leaving a legacy for your family, friends and others.
Q 17. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: At the Eldridge Home Team, we believe communication is key. Making yourself and team accessible when a customer wants and how they want are a major plus in business. We Offer amazing customer service while being open and honest which are some best tangibles a small business can have. Make sure to keep your brand up to date and clean / stream lined online.
Q 18. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Teaching other entrepreneurs makes my heart happy. I love to share the wealth of what I am doing in Tallahassee. When someone has a question I am always willing to give my best-educated answer.
Q 19. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Is the day I was able to help a couple close on their first house. It felt as if I was making their dreams come true. This was the day that I also fell in love with being a real estate agent.
Q 20. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: I set my own hours and will get out of the business as much as I invest. I believe I have taken some large risk in life so far. Whereas those who work for someone else take fewer risks while being more comfortable while going to a 9 – 5. They are a bit safer. Employees follow rules (most of the time) while entrepreneurs break them (sometimes).
Q 21. 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: Our team is very resilient. We are flexible to adapt to the changes in everyday life while maintaining a passionate focus on the customer. First, we enlist our team members. Then we empower them to think for themselves while being the best real estate agents in the area. Lastly, we encourage our Realtors to do the very best they can every day. We established this tone it best fits our unique real estate company.
Q 22. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Passionate
Company Detail:
Company : Eldridge Home Team
Contact : Stephanie Eldridge
Address : 1520 Killearn Center Blvd Ste 100
City : Tallahassee
State : FL
Zip : 32309
Phone : 850-792-4464
Email : stephanieeldridge@kw.com