We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Oriana Lehman Wood a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Oriana, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
“Slow down to go fast” would be my best piece of advice with any entrepreneurial venture. Having owned an operated 6 business ventures over the course of 20+ years and also worked for large global corporations and Non-profits like Sotheby’s International Realty, British Airways, US Airways and The Make-A-Wish Foundation, I’ve learned a few things along the way. Setting yourself up for success takes some planning and process installation to create efficiency, personal and business uncompromisable brand standards and ultimately habits and routines to achieve and exceed goals.
If I could go back and talk with my younger self who worked at warp speeds and occasionally bulldozed paths to success, I’d say “Stop, take a minute — and do this regularly — take a minute for self reflection, evaluation what was great, what could improve and what the cost is (time or money or both) to get 1% better on the next project, client or venture. And plan to make the most dollars per hour. What do I mean by that? Find where you can contribute the most joyful value of your time and effort and get the biggest return on that time spent. Time, energy, brain powering something is the most valuable currency you have to trade.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
With 15 years of experience creating successful outcomes in Arizona real estate, I have been certified as a “Mastery Level Ninja” Realtor and nationally recognized as a Real Trends Top 1.5% producer and Lyon’s Elite Top 1% in Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. My personal brand standards commit to making your real estate transactions a pleasant, transparent and seamless process; where you will be delighted with your experience. Luxury, second homes, investment properties or 1031 exchanges, airbnb options and first time home buyers are my specialty; transacting over $30M annually in all real estate categories at any price point from $80,000 dirt lots or $10M Luxury properties. One of my sources of joy and pride is the ability to connect with anyone at any level and have vetted contacts with personal interviews and connections for referrals to qualified global real estate brokers any where in our 86 countries we serve.
I operate with one common denominator: delivering a white glove concierge style experience, where your client needs always come first.
What you should know about me:
I am passionate about all things real estate, from fixtures to finishes, architecture and staging and everything in between. If I could pick my perfect day it would be spending time with my family maybe paddle boarding, hiking or skiing with my super cool husband, 3 fun kids in college and high school, my inspirational and courageous Mom and brother and his family who lives in Europe or Facetime reading books to my nephews and niece in Ohio. In my spare time, I love going to HS football games and waking up at 4am to make egg sandwiches to secure a place in heaven for being a good mom. Travel and languages are hobbies as well as making fun videos to post on instagram. As a professional certified stager my eye for design remodeling are my joys.
With a flavorful mixture of an entrepreneurial Italian Mom, a Brooklyn born Dad, and my Tucson childhood, I bring a natural package of sensitivity, tenacious negotiator, and a friendly attitude to the service of others and the real estate industry. Speaking three languages fluently, which is a source of personal and professional satisfaction, my communication skills and relationship management are key elements to my success. I’m always open to learning new things and my formal education is extensive, resulting in an MBA and a degree in a nationally rank Entrepreneurship degree from the U of Arizona – Bear Down. My sales management experience with various global corporations; British Airways, US Airways and NonProfits like the Make-A-Wish Foundation has elevated my expertise in negotiation and relationship development. Add these skills and experiences to my innate abilities, positive attitude and mindset as well as my “get it done and done well” efficiency; my success as an entrepreneur is a discipline in exceeding client expectations.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Winning isn’t always “winning”. As a Tiger sign in the Chinese Calendar I know my traits as a person can be competitive. Learning that winning isn’t always “winning” has served me well in all my entrepreneurial endeavors. There are some that want to have the upper hand in all aspects of the deal and don’t feel satisfied unless they proverbially squeeze every last drop out of the bottle – or deal.
This isn’t a formula for winning. It’s damaging to relationships and not everyone walks away feeling good having transacted or worked with you. Early in my career, as professional sales and marketing negotiator, I often felt if I didn’t get every drop, I hadn’t done my job to the best of my abilities. While it certainly gave me great negotiation skills and I certainly won a lot – it didn’t always feel good.
Over my career, I’ve come to value the relationship and having everyone come away a winner over squeeze the last drop out. If you walk away from the deal and feel you did your best for the client and the other party is good too, the relationship can come back to you in so many ways vs hurting you the next round. If you leave everyone a mostly winner then the next time that client or that transacting partner is faced with a chance to work with you again – THEY WILL TAKE IT. Why? because they know you are fair, smart, want the deal to succeed – not at the expense of grinding it to pulverization to say you came out on top. If everyone comes out on top – then you are paving your road that leads to much future success and happiness of a great reputation for someone EVERYONE wants to work with.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
OLD SCHOOL CALLING – seriously – fancy gadgets and ticklers and CRM (Client Relationship Management) Tools help keep everyone present in your mind – but nothing like thinking of “Jim” and just picking up the phone and letting “Jim” know you were thinking of him and connecting.
There are so many who have lost the art of a simple authentic phone call with their monthly newsletters, or their autofeed systems – but a true and real call is King in my world.
Contact Info:
- Website: orianalehmanwood.com
- Instagram: orianalehmanwood
- Facebook: orianalehmanwood
- Linkedin: orianalehmanwood
- Youtube: @orianalehmanwood7628
Image Credits
Briona Mosbrucker