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Agent Spotlight: Ben Domagala – Fresh Start Leads to Success!

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What industry were you involved in before real estate?

I came from a hospitality background… started as busser and worked my way up from different restaurants to head server/manager.  Eventually I wound up at some really cool spots where they focused on bringing in talented chefs and incredible minds for all things food and drink. I cocktail bartended and met some incredible people that are some of my best friends today.  I found out I loved the idea of helping people and service, and that was one of the foundations that led me to real estate.

Why did you decide to give real estate a shot?

It’s very empowering to be able to say I’m in control of my career.  There is absolutely no ceiling to what I can accomplish in a given year where you can’t say that for very many jobs.  Is it scary and was there times that I was running out of ramen noodles? Absolutely! However, I knew that if I did everything right and strived to be the hardest worker in the room then I would get rewarded.  Here we are 4 and a half years later and I’m coming off a career record year and have bigger goals for 2021!

You joined Own NY Real Estate from a bigger brokerage, why a boutique brokerage?

The bigger brokerage and team structure just wasn’t for me.  That’s not to say I’m not incredibly thankful for the last brokerage.  I learned a lot of what I know about how to handle myself, my clients, how to make a deal better, the laws of New York state all from my past brokerage.  They’re wonderful people, I just felt I was headed in a new direction and my goals didn’t line up.  I’m incredibly young and passionate and have grand ideas and I just needed the space to put it all out there for myself.

Just under 30 deals sold and pending last year (almost a 900% increase!) how have you been able to achieve this?

I believe it has a lot to do with the brokerage giving me the help and resources I needed to constantly grow, and create my own process.  Own NY prides themselves on helping you increase your business; and they did not disappoint! I constantly feel like I am meeting new people and forming new relationships in the industry!  But at the end of the day, you can lead a horse to water but not make it drink.  I took a huge step in my own process and how I handle clients.  From first impression to following up, even after I hand them the keys, I’ve done everything I can to be better for my clients and truly be their rock in an incredibly difficult market.

Any advice for others that are getting started in the business?

-Patience, patience, patience.   80% of realtors starting out do not renew their license after the first term.  That’s a scary number to look at, but think of it as a rite of passage.

– I recommend joining a brokerage whose focus is to grow your business, like Own NY.  Somewhere that really teaches you every aspect of the business! Own NY values and invests in their agents and that makes a huge difference!

-Find a broker, agent, or colleague who will put you in their back pocket and show you everything.  I cannot understate how much it helped to have somebody to learn everything from in my first couple years. I was so much more confident to go out on my own because of that!

I’m always available if you want to know more about me or the real estate industry – or if you are looking to buy or sell!

Benjamin Domagala
Real Estate Salesperson
716-783-0779
[email protected]

 

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