Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carolyn Naples. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carolyn, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the early days of establishing your own firm. What can you share?

In today’s world, most people don’t view being a real estate agent and having your own business as equals. I know I didn’t when I first joined the industry, but I was wrong…very wrong. While being a realtor is different from starting your own doctor’s office or coffee shop, the underlying principles are very much the same: budget, marketing, leverage, planning, and perhaps most important, accountability.

I decided to get my real estate license during my senior year of college as a backup plan to a career in finance using my degree. Little did I know my backup plan would turn into a defining pillar of who I am. After applying for (and getting denied by) countless finance jobs, the bulk of which I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied at anyway, I turned to real estate. It was like the universe was waiting for me. I immediately heard back from Keller Williams Realty, the largest and most recognized brokerage globally. I was hired on a team/mentorship program immediately and thus began my career at 22 years old.

But my experience during my first year as an agent (which takes us to the present) represented a shocking contrast to the success I experienced during the hiring process. Being thrown into a business with zero structure was challenging. There’s nobody to hold you accountable but yourself. You decide how you want to structure your day. Nobody is paying you, period. To be blunt, you eat what you kill. Being 22 and experiencing this as my first job out of college was challenging, overwhelming, and confusing. But I knew one thing: that I wanted it and I would stop at nothing to be successful at it.

Contrary to the popular belief of my peers, it took me almost a year (11 months) of working more than full time and putting my everything into my business to get my first deal under contract. Looking back on the last year I’ve made so many changes to every aspect of my life: I’ve never been a morning person. I now get up at 6:30am every day and am striving for earlier. I’ve adopted almost abnormal levels of accountability and consistency. I started time blocking. I divided my business into the sectors that are most likely to generate leads and profit. I started listening to podcasts and reading books about real estate and business planning. I started prioritizing my business and letting nothing get in the way of the time I knew I need to dedicate to it. It was uncomfortable and it still is. It requires getting out of your comfort zone. No one is ever successful by staying comfortable. Success is simple, not easy.

Carolyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Carolyn Naples and I am a real estate agent representing the beautiful county of San Diego, California. As a fresh finance graduate from San Diego State University, I chose something that not many in my graduating class did. I’d describe myself as outgoing, talkative, wanting to be seen and heard, wanting to make some sort of difference, and most importantly not wanting to sit at a desk – all things that aren’t so typical of a finance major.

I joined my brokerage and its number one producing team at 22 years old. After applying to countless finance and real estate firms, I heard back from just one. I got called in for an interview, was introduced to the team (The Enriquez Group), and was hired on the spot. From that moment on, it’s been constant learning, growing, and picking myself up after falling down. During this I learned (and am still learning) that you should not be scared to fail, but instead to fear not trying at all. After a certain amount of “no’s” you are bound to get a “yes.”

Hard work, dedication, and perfectionism are my strong suits. I work tirelessly to ensure that my clients are happy and close their transactions with 100% trust and satisfaction in me and my team. What sets me apart as an agent is my attention to detail and my prompt nature of doing business. I am personable and care about my clients both professionally and as friends. It is with pleasure that I get to guide people through transactions that are life changing for them.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I’ve found for growing my clientele is consistency. In the real estate industry, there are countless ways to “lead generate” and “grow your database,” but if you aren’t consistent, you’ll never see your desired outcome. A prime example is one of my own pillars for generating business, referred to as geographic farming. In short, choose an area (mine being Pacific Beach) and focus your business around the community there. In your “farm,” you can do things like pass out marketing flyers, knock door to door, mail handwritten cards, hold open houses, connect with local businesses, get involved in community events, and much more. Here, consistency is key. It takes an average of 2 years to see a return off of geographic farming. The same principle applies to all aspects of growing my personal clientele, such as calling and dialing, pushing out social media content, holding open houses, attending networking events, knocking door to door, and much much more.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Arguably, keeping in touch with clients is just as important as generating new clients or growing your clientele. It’s all about remaining top of mind and differentiating yourself from others that essentially perform the same services as you. One way I like to do so is by creating deep personal relationships with my clients that span beyond numbers, pen, and paper. I also like to provide services that other realtors in the business may not provide. It’s about putting yourself in your client’s shoes and thinking, “Why would I choose her over someone else?”

I normally keep in touch with clients through a variety of recurring texts, emails, calls, direct mail, in person visits, and social media that are spaced evenly throughout the month. It’s important to note that not all of the conversations through these communication channels have to be real estate or brand related. More often than not, a genuine conversation about how your client is doing can be more effective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolynnaples.kw.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynsellssandiego/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynnaplesrealtor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-naples-san-diego-realtor-244a5b178/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarolynNaplesRealtor