We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marinus Leach a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marinus, thanks for joining us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? We’d love to hear the backstory the illustrates how you grew the firm

I started in Real Estate with no sphere or tons of connections in the Raleigh area. After onboarding I had that “what now?” moment. Prior to real estate I have been working in the hospitality industry for years, Cruise Ships, Disney Company and Regional Manager for a Hotel Company, I realized that in Real Estate it’s all about customer service as well, not just selling a home or helping somebody buying a home. When I had my few customers and started to show them homes, I told myself “just like hotel guests, nobody is loyal to you until you give them a reason to be”, which meant for me that I had to provide the customers with some kind of value that others would not. Working long days, 7 days a week was the new norm, I was always available and responded to their questions within minutes, not hours or days. I always made sure that the customers understood that they were my priority and provided them with alternative listings, market data etc, always a step ahead of them. That hard work and always being available for them created a trustworthy relationship with clients which turned into a referral business platform. Clients started to connect me with their family members, friends during we were under contract of their home or shortly after. One client connected me with 9 new clients. At that moment I realized I had truly created a brand for myself. Although being with Compass and being part of a team, I always keep in mind that besides the company name, I represent myself, my own brand. Clients work with you because who you are and what you provide them, they most of the time do not even know what firm I am with. When is comes to strategies these days, I work very efficient, by a calendar, I have a routine for almost everything on a daily basis. Starting at 6:30AM with a “good morning – local news” post on social media until the end of the day when I do my follow ups after business and after dinner hours. That’s the key to my success, being available and work when your clients dont!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Marinus Leach is a seasoned real estate professional with a diverse background that spans across continents. Originally hailing from the Netherlands, Marinus embarked on a journey that led him from the enchanting streets of Paris, France, to the bustling metropolis of New York City, before ultimately settling in the vibrant community of Raleigh, North Carolina in 2015.

With a keen understanding of the challenges and excitement that come with relocating from out of state or abroad, Marinus takes pride in providing his clients with exceptional guidance and support as they navigate the intricacies of the real estate market in the Triangle area.

Specializing primarily in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Cary, Marinus has honed his expertise in Mid Century Modern homes and new construction projects. His dedication to excellence is underscored by his CLHMS-Guild Global Luxury Marketing Certification, which affords him access to an extensive network of resources and opportunities for clients seeking something truly unique.

Marinus is proud to align himself with Compass and Chappell Residential, renowned for their innovative platforms, remarkable new development projects, and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Marinus finds joy in spending quality time with his family. Whether embarking on a local adventure or exploring new destinations abroad, they cherish the opportunity to create lasting memories together. In his free time, Marinus can often be found hitting the gym or indulging in culinary delights at the latest restaurants in the area, further enriching his connection to the vibrant community he proudly calls home.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I created loyalty by connecting with my clients on a more ‘no pressure’ level and yet providing them with excellent service. I have a large network of vendors that are always available to work with my clients, whether it is an attorney, handyman, crawlspace mold remediation, staging or whatever the scenario is, I have somebody available and they know as well that they represent themselves and me so that excellent customer service is important.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My reputation in the market has been created overtime, I am organizing mastermind events where brokers from any firm can join and participate. I enjoy collaborating without ego, there is no recruiting benefit for me, I just enjoy sharing knowledge with others as that is how we grow. On another level, I go above and beyond when it comes to marketing, I collaborate a lot with luxury car dealerships for photography or videos which sets you apart. Lastly, being available for people and understanding that everybody started at day 1! I am learning every day myself, be humble, be yourself and you will create an entire new kind of real estate advisor in a world where so many things are being seen differently.

Contact Info:

• Website: marinusleach.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/marinusleach
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinus-leach-305b07274/