We recently connected with Donnell Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Donnell , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

Our education system has long been focused on preparing students for college and their future careers. However, there is one important life skill that is often left out of the curriculum: financial literacy. With the cost of college rising and student loan debt at an all-time high, it’s more important now than ever for young people to understand the basics of personal finance. Financial literacy should be taught in schools so that students can learn how to budget, save, and invest for their future. In addition, financial literacy can help students to make informed decisions about student loans and credit cards. With a better understanding of personal finance, students will be better equipped to make smart choices about their money, will build wealth, and have a more fulfilling life and career without financial burdens.

“The Dream Manager” by Mathew Kelly is a book that explores the connection between the dreams we are chasing personally and the way we all engage at work. Although the book references an employer-employee relationship, the same fundamentals could be used earlier in student education. The book talks about how we all have personal dreams, and how pursuing those dreams can often be put on the back burner when we are juggling work and other responsibilities. However, Kelly argues that if we are able to find a way to integrate our personal dreams into our work lives, we will be more engaged and productive employees. This is an important message for students, who are often told to focus on their studies and not pursue their dream until after they have graduated. By integrating personal dreams into their education, students will be more likely to stay motivated and engaged in their studies.

Schools have the power to help shape students’ futures by introducing them to dream managers! These experts equip young minds with tools they can use for success, like setting and achieving goals, facing obstacles head-on, and finding a purpose. With their guidance, students will be able to unlock their passions in life – opening new doors of opportunity that could take them on an exciting journey toward fulfillment. By empowering today’s youth through investing in these dreams now, we are paving the way for a brighter future ahead… one where everyone can confidently pursue what sets their soul alight!

Donnell, 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?

I’ve been in the real estate industry for over 20 years. I started my career as a 15-year-old intern at a local real estate office, where I learned the impact that real estate has on wealth development. After completing my B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, I returned to that brokerage to start my career as a Realtor.

Fast forward to today, I am now the Broker and Owner of NextHome Prime Properties. In this role, I get to use my passion for real estate and helping others achieve their dreams every day! When I’m not working hard for my clients, you can find me cracking jokes with friends or spending time with family (which usually involves playing some sort of game).

I am a data-driven real estate professional who loves to help others. I have a passion for analyzing information and helping people explore their options. I want my clients to be confident in their decisions, whether they are selling or buying a home.

I leverage data along with the most advanced technology to develop a strategy that helps my clients achieve their goals. I am committed to providing the best service possible and look forward to working with you!

I am most proud of providing amazing service to clients. Developing a strategy for each and every one of my clients is something that I take great pride in. Every individual is unique, and I enjoy finding the best way to help them reach their goals. My experience as an entrepreneur has given me the ability to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions for my clients. When it comes to real estate, I believe there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach; each opportunity needs to be tailored specifically to the client’s needs.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

In the real estate industry, your past clients and your sphere of influence are your best sources for new business. Why is that? Because they already know me, like, and trust me. Think about it – if you’ve done a good job for someone in the past, they’re more likely to call when they need your services again or recommend you to their friends and family. That’s why I make it a priority to stay in touch with my past clients and cultivate relationships with the people in my sphere.

But what does that mean, exactly? For starters, I make sure I have a database of all my past clients’ contact information. This way, I can stay in touch with them through periodic emails, postcards, or even just a phone call every now and then to catch up. I also send them a card or small gift around the holidays and birthdays.

When it comes to my sphere, I keep them updated on what’s going on in my business as well as in the market in general by sending them my monthly newsletter. I invite them to events such as open houses or educational seminars. If I stay top of mind with people in my sphere, they’ll think of me when they or someone they know is ready to buy or sell a home.

Past clients and your sphere are both essential sources of business. By staying in touch with my past clients and cultivating relationships with people in my sphere, I stay on top of their minds when they or someone they know is ready to buy or sell a home.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I launched NextHome Prime Properties, I never anticipated that interest rates would rise as dramatically as they have over the past year. As a result, I’ve had to pivot my business model quite drastically in order to stay afloat. I know that I’m not alone in this; many other businesses have been forced to make similar changes.

I took a hard look at your current situation. I evaluated my cash flow and determined my fixed expenses and variable expenses that I could cut or reduce. I had to be brutally honest with myself about where my business was financially. Once I had a clear understanding of my starting point, I begin to map out a plan for moving forward.

Upon reflection, I identified that my goal was to decrease my expenses while increasing my revenue. To accomplish this, I first created a budget and tracked my spending for two months. This allowed me to see where I was spending unnecessarily and where I could cut back. Next, I focused on increasing my revenue. I then looked for ways to add new revenue streams. One way I was able to do this was by leasing out vacant office spaces. This allowed me to bring in additional income without having to make any significant investments. Also, realized that I had to change my messaging to potential clients. I had to educate potential clients about the current market. This allowed me to foster relationships, build trust and strengthen relationships with potential clients, with the hope that I can earn their business. After all, consumers need to hear from me to get the ground truth about what’s happening in the market and I am more than willing to offer that education and transparency.

Pivoting my business in response to rising interest rates was a daunting task, but it’s one that’s well worth undertaking to keep my business afloat during difficult economic times. By taking stock of my current situation, setting clear goals, and developing a detailed plan of action, I made the necessary changes without sacrificing the core of my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: donnellwilliamsjr.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnellwilliamsjr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donnellwilliamsrealestate
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnell-williams-8a3211221/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/REBrokerDonL
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@donnellwilliams4643