We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonathan Marks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonathan below.
Jonathan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.
At Marks Realty Group, we recognize that the top 1% of the wealthiest people in our country have a disproportionate share of capital, political influence, and the means of living a life of privilege and comfort, education, and health. As a result of this wealth inequality and in line with our ethos on beneficence, we developed our 1% for the 99% Initiative which annually gives 1% of our total commission to nonprofits committed to making a difference in their local communities, with particular attention paid to social justice and environmental issues.
Jonathan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have been a residential realtor here in the San Francisco Bay Area for close to 19 years now. Unbeknownst to most is the reason that I got into this business. Prior to becoming a realtor, I had bought and sold a number of properties in and around the area, and not surprisingly, I always felt like I was just another transaction to the realtors with whom I was working. It felt to me like there was no heart or soul in the business, at least not with those I interacted. After deciding that it was time to move on from my career at the time as a licensed merchandiser for the Grateful Dead, it struck me that real estate would hold a special place in my heart, as I would consciously approach it from the place of ensuring that my clients felt that my business and the business of real estate when working with me would be relationship-based and not transactionally-based. In addition, I have always been one to foment the sharing of success with those in need, and in the case of my real estate business, I have made beneficence a big part of what I do, hence the reason I came up with our 1% for the 99% Initiative.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Sincerity, honesty, care, integrity, compassion, attentiveness, empathy, understanding, knowing when to say I am sorry, knowing when to say I don’t know but I will pursue the answer for you, knowing when to talk, and most importantly, knowing when to listen. As Warren Buffet once said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it”.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I have found that the most helpful tool for me to manage my business life is to manage my personal life with balance and conscious thought, namely exercise and meditation daily. Oh, and a good strong mug of black coffee! If I am in a good place, feeling together and positive personally, the interactions I have professionally with my team, colleagues, and clients go that much smoother.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marksrealtygroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marksrealtygroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marksrealtygroup/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/34720396/admin/
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en-US&gl=us&q=Marks+Realty+Group,+1601+Second+St+Suite+100,+San+Rafael,+CA+94901&ludocid=910730491441534762&lsig=AB86z5UX_D9dkrc_tAxZAD0iijTT&mat=CaW3iS4e8GgYElcB8pgkaHv5Lv-cp5Ad5zZdIopClBW0KqenIvZG_7T_9Un738In0drtmW6c-4VRFIzToGilHNvKvhcIwVur0xljm2zevNm2HXMBEqonkL13Bpx1-QinPTk#lrd=0x808599fd6e06b747:0xca3908e847d572a,1
Image Credits
Open Homes Photography (for home images) Kathleen Harrison (for team and individual shots)