Asking friends and family to support your business I believe is a typical standard and a must when evolving your business and relationships. What I don’t believe in is forced support.

It’s important to know and understand your audience and your true support system, but it shouldn’t be your only means of advertisement and communication. When starting my business, some knew ahead of time and some found out after, but at the end of the day EVERYONE knew that Myk Self was not only a Realtor but a baker as well. How can anyone utilize your services if they don’t know they exist? Business nowadays progresses through word of mouth and social media so it’s paramount to advertise as much as you can, especially if your goal is to reach the masses.

My focus has never been on those who don’t support, just those who do. Becoming an entrepreneur has allowed me to gain friends and many resources, but it has also pushed those who I thought were close further away. When running a successful operation, I believe you have to do what is called “checking your emotions at the door.” Focusing on the lack of support from others is a huge distraction and causes one to lose focus on the goal. I solely focus on the family, friends and clients who support me and are in need of my services. This goes back to knowing and understanding your audience.

The most important understanding with life and business is knowing that things can become a little messy when crossing the two. Establish boundaries, understand no one owes you anything and to attract and focus on those who want what you have to offer.

My name is Michael Self known as Myk (Mike) Self. I am a realtor in Orlando, FL with Combs Premier Realty Group. As a realtor I service all of Florida, but my main targeted areas have been all of Central FL and Miami. Not only am I a realtor, I am also a baker and owner of Self’s Kitchen. My specialty at the moment are cupcakes and large and mini bundt cakes. I am currently moving in the direction of creating personalized products.

I became a realtor back in December of 2019 during the pandemic. While being furloughed at my previous airline as a flight attendant, I decided that it was time for me to make a career change that would allow me to obtain more freedom while making money. I can recall the exact moment when I was sitting in the living room visualizing my future and the direction I wanted to take. Once I made the decision to move forward with the process I called a few resources and dove right into the class. While completing my class; to settle my nerves of covid and how it was affecting the world, I started back baking. I began selling products after noticing many inquiries from my food photos on social media.

As I’m pushing into my 2nd year as a realtor so much has changed with business and my own mindset. I’m grateful for the place that I’m in because I now feel there’s purpose with what I do. I am an entrepreneur who guides others into manifesting their dreams such as purchasing their dream home or an investment property. This allows me to help others gain generational wealth. While providing the service of purchasing or selling a property, I have the advantage of fulfilling their sweet tooth by supplying many with some of the most moist cakes you’ll ever eat in your life.

What makes me stand out from others is my personality and my love for people. When working with a client, I am very patient in every part of the deal. I feel it’s important to treat others like human beings and not a transaction. The transaction is the purchase of the home, but my interaction with the buyer or seller is the part of the deal that needs to be nurtured. I’m a teacher at heart which comes with an understanding that emotions could go left or right. My job is to stay the course, understand the situation and make sure we get the deal completed.

The one major thing I want clients to know about my brand is the word Family. Most of my clients have somehow become close friends or family to me. Purchasing a home is not an easy process, depending on the situation. When working with me I am your realtor, brother, BFF, father, therapist, lawyer and whatever other title you want to give me. I’m a man of many hats, which helps create that feel of family. This business is huge on relationships and I am a sucker for genuine interactions.

A lesson that I had to unlearn growing in this business is that I didn’t know everything and that a response isn’t always warranted even when right.

As a new agent, you want to soak up as much material as you possibly can because there is so much information and experience to retain. One of the issues I noticed earlier in the game is that just because I knew a part of the solution doesn’t mean that I was entirely right. Also, I had to learn that just because a feeling came to me about someone didn’t mean I knew who they were. I felt that I knew how to read people and that certain people were going to be up against me. This caused me to walk around with this wall that I had built. I later discovered that my focus was in the wrong place and I needed to cleanse myself from the negative thought process. After realizing who my team actually was and that I had the proper resources behind me, I then realized that I was not right.

When working with clients, I had to learn I couldn’t always say what I wanted to say because I now am the entire business. There is no HR department, there is no manager to report to when having issues and for them to take over. Everything was all on me. When dealing with clients, everyone has a different personality and you have to learn how to adjust quickly. There are going to be moments where you have to choose your battles and some where you have to be straight up with an individual, but in a professional manner. I’ve always held leadership roles, so working with others has never been an issue especially when resolving conflict, but I feel the difference now that it’s all on me.

Thank you for this amazing opportunity and allowing me the time to complete this interview. For those who would like to reach me, please feel free to contact me.