debated closing . The funds they had left were far too small to pay off their debts , but those 88 units kept ringing in Corcoran ’ s head . She had been in a tight spot before . Corcoran ’ s style of spending money once it was in the door sometimes worked and sometimes left her scrambling . She had always found her way out , and now , something about those 88 units was beckoning to her .
Corcoran ’ s mind flashed to a seemingly mundane memory from her childhood . As the second oldest of 10 children in a two-bedroom house in New Jersey , Corcoran didn ’ t grow up in luxury . Her father was fired nearly every year for insubordination , while her mother was a meticulous planner with a gift for bringing out the best in each of her children . That memory landed Barbara on her grandfather ’ s farm , where , just across the street , a neighbor was selling Jack Russell terrier puppies .
Sleek new vehicles pulled up the remote road one by one as women in furs and dripping in money stepped out . Corcoran watched with fascination . She had never seen such riches in their neighborhood . Hand-me-downs comprised her wardrobe , and the only vacation the family took was to Atlantic City after her father had received $ 1,000 from a three-month business venture .
“ When he got his $ 1,000 check , I remember the excitement of my father being in business for himself . Like John Wayne himself , he ’ d pass that $ 1,000 check around the table at dinner ,” Corcoran recalled . “ Spending that money in that whole week … It was like the best memory in our whole life .”
Back on the farm , while she and her siblings were watching the lives of the rich and famous on parade , Corcoran overheard her mother compliment the neighbor , Louise , on her ingenuity . Louise knew she only had so many puppies , but she also knew the value of her puppies . If she invited more rich families than she had puppies for to her farm , she would find homes for the little pups in just one day . For the rich families , the mass attraction and desire to be one of the families who purchased the puppies was far greater than ensuring they got a good deal .
Back in her office in New York City , while contemplating shutting her doors for good , Corcoran ’ s last-minute play came to her head . The 88 apartment units were her puppies . She just needed to find her clientele .
Corcoran hosted a “ secret sale ” of the units , where 200 – 300 people showed up to look at and possibly purchase the 88 units . Even with housing interest rates at 19 % and battered apartment units on the market , Corcoran Group sold every single unit and raked in $ 1.3 million in commission . Corcoran paid off Citibank , paid her outstanding debts , and used the remaining $ 600,000 to open a new office .
The queen was back .
“ I have found that that is my gift every time ,” Corcoran said . “ I see some advantages that I could run right up the damn flagpole .” n