Interview: How Jeff Carlson is Helping People Make their Home New York

Jeff Carlson is a risk taker. He is also great friend of mine and an amazing example of what it means to be an entrepreneur. I met Jeff growing up in Minnesota – we were in the baseball team together at Osseo Sr. High. Jeff always loved NYC. Ever since I met him, it felt like he grew up in Brooklyn or something and that he was just waiting to get older and head back. Well, right when he felt like he was ready, he took the trip. I remember when our good friend and boxing champion, , and I first visited him in Astoria Queens- I loved that neighborhood! All the people were real nice but his living conditions didn’t happen to have the same charm. But, all that didn’t bother Jeff. It didn’t stop us from having a blast with him on my first of many NY trips.

As I opened my first retail location in Minneapolis, MN, I used to travel to NYC and visit the garment district to do some buying for my shop. While there for a day or two, I would stay with Jeff. Each trip I would see a new and improved version of him – Jeff with a new apartment, new clothes, with new information about the city. That new information would lead to better jobs, eventually taking him into the real estate industry as a rental broker. Now, he owns his own real estate firm, Home New York, with his longtime friend. I’m now watching him grow this new company into a customer service driven force in the New York rental and propriety marketplace. He never lost his authenticity, which kept our friendship strong after more than 15 years. Seeing his growth year after year is nothing short of inspiration, which continues to build our bond as friends. It was only right that I sit down with Jeff and let him tell his story, a story that is a complete embodiment of the 7 Days Theory.

Please describe your position at your company.

I co-own a real estate company located on Wall Street here in NYC. I share a lot of duties with my business partner. However, at the end of the day, I’m responsible for the day-to-day operations of the entire firm. I oversee quality control, training, customer relations, closing pending deals, new advertising/marketing campaigns etc. We’re about two years old, so in the business world, I would still consider ourselves to be a ‘start up’. Therefore I find myself doing a lot of little things here and there.

How long have you known you wanted to do what you are currently working on?

To be honest, I didn’t come to NYC with any particular dream or plan. I came to the city as a teenager with the idea that I wanted to discover what else the world had to offer. In 2003/2004 I was working as a bartender in a Midtown Hotel Bar and somehow managed to get myself fired. Ha! After that, a friend decided to get his real estate license and due to my ability to connect with complete strangers, he motivated me to do the same thing. The rest is history.

Why are you passionate about what you do?

It’s simple. When you work in the real estate industry here in NYC, you’re tied in with the City and the people who make up the city, in a way that regular residences aren’t. I love meeting new people from all walks of life, the history and architecture of the city – these are all reasons why I actually look forward to Mondays.

I admire people who build, people who actually provide a real service, people who treat clients as human beings and not just a dollar sign.

How did you overcome your own doubts and the doubts of other people?

Will power. There are always going to be people who will tell you that you CAN’T do something. I think they get off on it. I enjoy accomplishing new goals. Reaching something more. I read a lot of Napoleon Hill & Carnegie books. They help with keeping a positive attitude that allows me to build my business further each day.

What were some bumps you hit to get where you’re at now?

In the NYC real estate (RE) world? Well, I could go on for a long time. The RE business in this city is as ‘cut throat’ as it gets. Nobody gives two shits about your feelings, what you think or who you are. I hit a bump almost every single day with someone new on the phone or in-person. The only way to overcome this bump is to really understand what who I’m talking to wants out of the conversation/transaction. Level with them, then try and get the client/customer to view everything from my perspective, at the same time. I’m not always successful, however the more and more I run into “bumps”, the better I get.

What is one thing you did wrong in the past that you can share with people?

I allowed what I thought about an apartment, affect whether I showed it to a client or not. In my business, what you personally think or feel about a space is completely irrelevant. What’s important to me within a new home might be completely different from what’s important to you. I’ll never again allow personal thoughts on a space effect what I show.

What is a way you got your name out there?

Good, quality customer service. Word travels fast now-a-days when you’re doing the right thing.

Is there anything that almost stopped you from doing this?

Sure. I’ve had doubts in the past. Finances, support/lack of support from my piers, being comfortable in my previous position with a former company etc. I knew I wanted more for my future and just made it work for me. It was difficult, but anything worth having is worth waiting & working for.

It’s your small ‘daily wins’ that equate to your ultimate goal further on down the road. Take each day at a time, don’t accept failure, get back up and swing again, until you get where you want to be.

Is there anyone in your profession that you admire and/or model yourself after?

In some ways. I’m not too fond of most of the so called real estate professionals in my city. A large majority of them are rude, inconsiderate, self absorbed etc. Pretty much everything you see on Million Dollar Listing – NYC. FYI, the show is about 85% bull shit. I admire people who build, people who actually provide a real service, people who treat clients as human beings and not just a dollar sign. In the future, I want to create and build property throughout the city. I admire anyone who has been able to accomplish just that.

How do you continue to perfect your craft?

I mentioned it earlier, but I would say through books written by people of the likes of Napoleon Hill, Dale Carnegie, Tony Robbins etc. Their wisdom helps me navigate through my business and life in general.

How do you envision the future of your services?

Now with information being as flat and available as it is – the company you’re with is no longer as relevant as it once was. What’s now more important than ever is the information you posses, the information you offer, the quality of service you offer, your communication skills, like-ability and accountability. People want what they want, when they want it and how they want it. If you’re too consumed with other things going on, clients will find someone who will give them the attention they want/deserve.

What’s some advice you can share for anyone who wants to pursue what you are doing?

Have a goal in mind that you really want to achieve. Come up with hard numbers. Map out a game plan of how to expect to get there and start implementing that plan immediately. It’s your small ‘daily wins’ that equate to your ultimate goal further on down the road. Take each day at a time, don’t accept failure, get back up and swing again, until you get where you want to be.

Y’all got a real nice website! How much of your business is driven by online buyers/clients?

Absolutely. Without one I wouldn’t be able to market myself or different properties to the general public. A lot of business we do is done off of referrals or repeat business, however even then, clients want to see who you are before they decide to do business with you.

Where can people go to find out more about your services?

You can always check out our website if you’re looking for information regarding listings throughout the city. If you’re interested in keeping up with what’s going on in the city on a regular basis, you can always check out our facebook page, twitter or IG.

https://www.facebook.com/NYishome

Twitter is & IG is

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