While Compass Commercial is only a little over two years old I worked as an independent contractor for 10 years where I watched how they ran their business.  When I made the decision to leave my former employer I spent over a year talking with different people to determine the next best step.  It was interesting that so many opportunities presented themselves to me over that year. In the worst economy in my lifetime I was offered jobs, partnerships and business ideas.  I am a firm believer in coaches and hired a coach named Rod Santimassimo who specializes in working with commercial brokers.  I can’t tell you how much his guidance helped me.  I also took a class thru the SBA called FastTrak which was meant for businesses with revenue of over $1M per year.  I talked my way into it because while I felt I was on the right course I didn’t know what I didn’t know.

In the year I spent preparing to open my business I had completed a full business plan, a marketing plan and a budget.    I had no idea that most people never do this type of homework before opening a business until I got into this class.  Taking the class allowed me to refine my plan and develop some very strategic goals. At the close of 2011 with 18 months of business under our belts we have hired more people, moved into a new office and are ready to move to the next level in our business.  I can’t tell you how grateful I am for having had the opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers out there.  While some people will be successful without the business plan and coaches having professional help can really propel your business much quicker.