What
factors led you to decide to attend Hudson County Community College?
The
College offered a degree program in Business (I minored in CIS) and
had a program especially for veterans. My sister, Madeline, also
attended HCCC. Other factors that influenced my decision to attend
HCCC were the proximity, convenience, and price.
What
is your favorite memory of the College, in or out of the classroom?
I
enjoyed almost all of my classes, but my favorite memories had to
include my English professor. He made you work hard and made learning
enjoyable.
How did you become interested in business?
I
had a leadership background from 20 years in the military, and I was
already running my own business as a real estate agent. It was a
perfect next step.
How
did your time at HCCC prepare you for your career/ life now?
Learning
about different aspects of business really prepared me for keeping on
top of what is happening and what might happen and what should
happen.
What
is a typical work day for you?
I
get up early and start creating new business; next, I care for my
current clients. Finally, I work on advertising and paperwork.
What
has been the most memorable project/case you have worked on?
The
most memorable and the simplest transaction I had was in 2015 when a
friend, who I had met through my Japanese language exchange class,
approached me about helping her and her husband find a home. I not
only found them a great home with everything they needed, but I save
them over $1 million in the process. I stay in touch with them even
now.
Who
are your biggest inspirations that have impacted your work in some
way?
When
you run your own business, staying focused and motivated is not
always easy. I look to people like Tony Robbins and others in my
industry who have achieved exactly what I am trying to achieve.
What
advice would you give to recent HCCC graduates?
As
new graduates, you have at your disposal the greatest set of tools
and avenues to reach higher, achieve more, and be exactly who you
want to be. Stay focused on your dreams and the path to reach them
will present itself, the more focused you are the clearer the path
you need to take will become. Technology is getting more powerful
every day; use that to your advantage and don’t let it use you.
Social media plays a major role in practically all aspects of our
lives, and used intelligently it can be our ally. Believe those that
came before you; they give you advice because they have faced the
same things you will face. There are two ways to learn, from your own
experience and from others’. One of them usually comes with a
price; the other usually costs a token of gratitude. One of the
biggest issues of our times seems to be personal finance. The
simplest way to approach this is to plan six months in advance
including fun. Be responsible and realistic towards your long- and
short-term goals. Like the ads say, “Your future self will thank
you.”
What
advice do you have for those students who are just starting their
college careers?
Take
in, take up and give in, but never give up. College life might be a
challenge, but it is designed to help you succeed. Take in everything
that is around you; one day you will look back and wish you could
re-live these days. Take up activities that you will help you when it
is time to graduate. Start filling in your resume from the semester
you attend school. Always focus on your dreams your goals like a
laser, and the universe will find a way to get you there – mind you
not in a straight line. Be strong, be stubborn and be willing to
tough it out, and in the end you will be shining like a rainbow after
the storm.