Sales And Innovation Secrets
For MSPs
From The Queen Of New York Real Estate
Barbara Corcoran can still remember many of the sweat-inducing moments in her climb to becoming the Queen of New York Real Estate . Business leaders look to her as someone with a mind for sales-focused growth and innovation , while Corcoran claims she used childhood lessons from her Irish-Catholic parents and a competitive spirit spurred on by insults and undiagnosed dyslexia to push herself to innovative ideas that would serve as her lifeline .
Whatever the case , something worked for the self-made millionaire who transformed from waitress to business powerhouse .
Corcoran has faced many recessions during her decadeslong rise to the top of New York City ’ s real estate market , and whenever the challenges seemed unrelenting , she always had an idea to surge her company , Corcoran Group , forward .
“ I don ’ t think you can sharpshoot in business . I think you have to throw a heck of a lot on the wall and see what sticks ,” Corcoran said . “ If we could all sharpshoot , we could all be geniuses . A lot of stuff didn ’ t stick , [ but ] I was willing to keep going and going .”
Her success was founded in the roots of her family ’ s small home , where she shared a room with her five sisters . Later , it was ignited by a former business partner turned ex-boyfriend . With many dips in the market , Barbara still managed to sell Corcoran Group for $ 66 million , and she continues her business ventures through ABC ’ s “ Shark Tank .” Corcoran has invested in more than 80 businesses , books , and talk shows , and she gladly shares her expertise with fledgling entrepreneurs whose shoes she once shakily stood in .
Robin Robins and Corcoran recently discussed Corcoran ’ s climb from a communal sock drawer with her siblings to a $ 10 million penthouse overlooking the very home she grew up in and the city she dominated . Corcoran shared her secrets with exclusive members of Robins ’ Tennessee-based marketing company , Technology Marketing Toolkit .
Corcoran ’ s unique sales tactics and “ throw everything at the wall ” attitude positioned her real estate company in the best spot for a future acquisition , and her legacy continues with the group ’ s ever-expanding national influence . For MSP leaders and business owners in need of a jump-start for their sales team and a foundation on which to build a legacy , Corcoran ’ s experiences and expertise can serve as the guide to lasting success .
From Pigtails To The Crown
As her class took turns reading aloud , Corcoran could feel the pit in her stomach grow . She was just a kid , but it seemed like everyone else her age knew how to read . It was like deciphering a code for Corcoran , who was called “ stupid ” by one of the nuns at her Catholic school in seventh grade because she couldn ’ t read .
Later , Corcoran was diagnosed with dyslexia , but in school , she maintained a D-average and mastered observation . Bubbly and expressive , Corcoran has always had a way with people , and she used these skills to learn about her surroundings and watch to see if people noticed she was struggling to read . She didn ’ t want to face humiliation yet again for her academic troubles .
After high school , Corcoran earned her teaching degree , but after one year , she found herself bouncing from job to job . By the time she was waitressing at a diner , she was on her 20th job at just 23 years old .
Waitressing energized Corcoran , who is a people person , but in a job that ’ s all about getting tips , she was losing . Her competition was the Dolly Parton-type , whose large breasts attracted men and increased tips . Feeling defeated , Corcoran thought her self-described “ plain ” look could never compete . Then , her mom gave Corcoran her first lesson in marketing .
“ My mom said , ‘ Why don ’ t you braid your hair and put red bows in to match your uniform ,’” Corcoran recalled . “ And I did , and son of a gun , that was exactly the night that Ramone Simoné walked in and offered me a ride home .”
Simoné and Corcoran immediately hit it off , and for the next
16 | MSPSUCCESSMAGAZINE . COM • VOLUME 1 ISSUE 9