The Alimond Show
Welcome to The Alimond Show --join us as we share our entrepreneurial guests' stories, uncover their secrets to success, and explore the unique paths they've taken to build thriving businesses in our community.
In each episode, our host, Aliyah Dastour, sits down with a diverse group of local business owners, from the corner cafe to the boutique shop, from tech startups to family-run enterprises. We peel back the curtain to reveal the trials, triumphs, and transformational moments that have shaped their entrepreneurial journey.
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The Alimond Show
Valencia Lawrence of CL Residential - From Chemical Engineer to Real Estate Powerhouse: Pioneering Innovative Marketing, Balancing Family in Business, and Cultivating Continuous Growth in a Dynamic Industry
Discover the inspiring journey of Valencia Lawrence, a chemical engineer turned real estate powerhouse, as she shares her secrets to success in the competitive world of residential real estate. Valencia, the creative force behind CL Residential and Leverage for Legacy, opens up about innovative marketing techniques leveraging social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. She passionately discusses the critical role of education and empowerment in the industry, and the art of building trust with clients. Valencia also dives into the lifestyle choices that come with urban, suburban, or rural living, and stresses the importance of continuous learning to stay ahead of market trends.
Balancing work and family life is no easy feat, but Valencia introduces us to her husband, Marcus, who plays a crucial role in their family-centric business model. The episode sheds light on effective time management strategies and the power of overcoming fear to seize opportunities. We also explore the complex world of managing employee relationships, where tough decisions must sometimes be made for the sake of business growth. Valencia candidly shares the personal experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership, highlighting the qualities she values in her team members: a passion for learning and a commitment to personal growth. Tune in to gain practical insights and motivational stories that will resonate with anyone interested in real estate or personal development.
Thank you for having me. I'm super excited to be here. My name is Valencia Lawrence and I own CL Residential and Leverage for Legacy.
Speaker 2:Okay and what does CL stand for?
Speaker 1:So CL are the initials of all four of my children, and so I wanted to be a family business, a legacy business. I've been in real estate for over 16 years and they helped me with a lot of things and I want that to continue. I want them to take it on into the future.
Speaker 2:That's beautiful. I love that little family dynamic that you've got going on there. Thank, you. Of course, and for your real estate. Is it commercial, is it residential, is it both?
Speaker 1:So primarily I focus on residential. I'm an associate broker in Virginia, maryland, DC, and I am licensed in the state of Florida. It's my heartbeat. Yes, so I focus on residential, but I do have clients that I assist with commercial, because they're like hey, I'm a business owner, you helped me find my house. I need you to help me find a commercial space for my business.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love it. And now tell me a little bit about your story, your background, how you got started, what led you to this career and what's led you to where you are today. I love it.
Speaker 1:So undergrad. I am a chemical engineer by degree. So when I got out I worked in corporate, but I always had a passion for houses. So when everyone else had graduated and they were buying brand new cars, I had a decision to make Am I going to buy a brand new car or am I going to buy a house? And I opted for the house, and I'm really glad that I did, because two years later I actually sold that house and it had already doubled in value. So look at that, yeah, but if I had bought the car, the car did not double in value.
Speaker 2:It depreciated Right, exactly.
Speaker 1:And so I started helping my friends and they were like you need to get your license. You should be really doing this like legit, professionally, legally, like helping you know people with buying real estate. And so I did. I jumped in and got my license, I left corporate and the rest of history.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and here we are today.
Speaker 1:Yeah, here we are.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and now for marketing. What do you like to do to get your name out there, to get the type of services that you do? The clients that you've helped Are you, is it word of mouth? How are you marketing yourself online? Are you on TikTok, Are you YouTube, Instagram? Talk to me about that.
Speaker 1:So great question. I love talking to people, right? So most of my business is referral. It's people that know me, they like me, they trust me, and then at some point last year I started recording videos. At some point I was up to recording for a day, and right now I'm working to get right back there to do that, and so my favorite platforms are Facebook, instagram and YouTube to use that Like. I really like to educate people and empower them, right, because real estate can change your life. It's not about just hey, let's buy a house, let's sell a house. This is an asset that will pay you every month if you set it up the right way. So that's what I'm passionate about. I love it.
Speaker 2:Thank you, and then let's see how do you stay up to date on the latest trends and developments in the real estate market, and what resources do you like to rely on?
Speaker 1:So I am always learning, Whether I have two different coaches, one specifically for real estate. So I'm with colleagues around the country that do this at a very high level and we learn from each other. I'm always reading articles, whether they're online magazines, books. I'm a really big business book reader. That's a personal development that's really important to me. So I'm always like, hey, what's going on here? What's going on here? I'm talking to developers in our area. I like to know what's happening in the area so then I can share those things with other people. Absolutely.
Speaker 2:I love it, thank you. And then, what are some of the most important factors that buyers and sellers should consider when choosing a real estate agent to work with, in your opinion?
Speaker 1:Yes, okay. So when you're choosing an agent to work with, you want to work with someone that's knowledgeable, right, but the most important thing is someone that you have a great rapport with. You've got to know that they have your back and that they have your best interest at heart. And if you don't feel that, by questions that you ask, the way that they respond to you, how they communicate, how timely is it that probably is not the best person for you Doesn't mean that they're not a great agent. But you've got to find the right person that works well for you and with your style.
Speaker 2:Absolutely yeah, and I feel like you've got to have that trust with your agent. If you don't like I don't know that it's going to work.
Speaker 1:It's going to be really hard if you guys don't trust each other. I agree this is your probably most likely your largest financial asset that you will have, exactly so the person that's representing you. You want to know that they have your back right, that they're treating you the same way that they would treat their mom, their daughter or another loved one that they have.
Speaker 2:I agree with that. I love that. You just said that. So yeah, and then what factors should buyers consider when choosing between urban, suburban or rural living in your opinion?
Speaker 1:So what speaks to you? Where do you really want to live? What lifestyle do you want to have? Do you want to be able to walk to shops and cafes and restaurants? Do you want to drive? Do you want to be able to walk to shops and cafes and restaurants? Do you want to drive? Do you want to be able to see the stars at night, Like? Do you want to hear animals? So all those things are factors. And another thing is your commute. I tell people, like you know, now we're in the age where people are really working remotely a lot, but some of that's starting to change right. We're hearing about companies mandating people come back to the office five days a week next year. So you need to be realistic with what type of commute time are you up for? Yeah, and what I tell people is you want to live as close as you can so that your lifestyle isn't affected, especially if you have kids or other responsibilities that you have to do. So you really want to take into consideration that commute time. Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 2:What have been some of your most memorable stories or situations that you've had with your clients? Like maybe something you were able to help them accomplish. Some people, like never had a home and you literally just like open that door for them, literally.
Speaker 1:So a couple come to mind, but one is a young lady who really thought it was impossible for her to purchase a home and I said, okay, let's sit down and let's do your chat about this. And so we strategize, and what ended up happening is she bought something that was higher in budget than she even anticipated and here's why that was higher in budget than she even anticipated, and here's why she bought something that was a three bedroom, three bath house. She rented out the other two rooms. So what ended up happening is those two roommates covered all of her living expenses. She was the owner, or she is the owner because she still has this house, but she has no expenses. So she went from renting, paying $2,000 a month, to owning and paying nothing.
Speaker 1:The dream, yeah, it's the dream, and this is the thing. It's achievable. And I wish someone had taught me this when I was that age, because I owned a three-bedroom townhouse, but I didn't have anyone living in those rooms, so I covered all the expenses. I would be so much further ahead had someone just enlightened me to the fact of everyone needs somewhere to live Everyone, yep, right. And so you can offer that to them and it's going to help you out in the long run.
Speaker 2:Absolutely See. And now, that's why you're a real estate agent. Now you can pass on that knowledge. People are going to listen to this podcast and you're just what is it?
Speaker 1:Wealth is knowledge, or health is wealth? I don't know. You know what I'm saying. I get it. I get it, yes.
Speaker 2:Spreading that information. So I'm glad it sounds like you're in the right industry because you want to help people and, based on your experiences maybe positive ones, negative ones and now you just want to take people to that next level and help them succeed.
Speaker 1:I do, I do, and so the tagline for my business, too, is creating wealth through real estate, and so that's why I started Leverage for Legacy, and that's a coaching platform of mine where I really help coach people who want to change their entire lifestyle and help real estate to actually pay for it. Maybe they want to leave their nine to five eventually, or they just have big dreams of being able to take care of their parents in the later years, or whatever, but real estate is a vehicle that can help you to do that.
Speaker 2:I love it, thank you. And since you're into coaching, have you considered maybe doing like a coaching program or a workshop.
Speaker 1:Yes, so I was coaching and I took a little hiatus to regroup, and so in 2025, I will start coaching again once a month for a week at a time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love it. And then, where can people find that information? Will it be on your website once it's announced?
Speaker 1:Yes, and we'll announce all the dates they can sign up. What is your website? Clresidentialcom. Beautiful Thank you.
Speaker 2:And then, where do you see yourself in the next five years as a person and with your business?
Speaker 1:So with my business, I really see myself flying between here and Florida back and forth. Florida is my favorite state. I will say that we own beach rental property there and I like helping other people to do that as well, and I like helping other people to do that as well. So I really see myself going back and forth between the two and coaching people to help them to build their real estate dreams.
Speaker 2:Beautiful. I love that. Yeah, florida has some nice weather. I mean despite the hurricanes when they get scary. But like throughout that like it's ideal, like I love it. You get the beach, you get all that experience. Coastal living is the absolute best You're looking for coastal living, come to Valencia.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, they'll help you with that, that's right.
Speaker 2:And then, what do you see as the biggest challenges facing the real estate industry in the next few years, or maybe now, and how do you think they can be addressed?
Speaker 1:Well, I definitely believe that we don't have enough housing to meet the demands of people wanting to come in, come here.
Speaker 1:Exactly. We don't Like new construction. They can't keep up with the demand for housing. So I think that will be something that will need to be addressed. Right, and you see a lot of multifamily housing being developed right now, especially in this area, and then what we see lack of is more single family houses right, unless you start to get far out where you're on a lot of acreage. But we're really missing that opportunity. So I think that over time, that will definitely need to be addressed to help people, to make sure that we have enough housing for everyone, and I think we'll start to see more of some of our older housing developments being revitalized and refurbished to meet the needs of the modern individual and the modern family.
Speaker 2:I didn't think about that part too, because it's true, like times are changing, people want to upgrade, renovate refresh their home. They are like okay, I think it's time We've been here for a bit, so yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because people need more of an open floor plan. They need office space in their house, yep, which some of the older homes did not. That is so true.
Speaker 2:Especially with COVID and everything that happened. It a lot for a lot of people and like from especially that, yes, yes like before you're like, oh, we don't have an extra, but that's fine. I go to work, like why would I need that? And then it's like, wait, I have a whole bunch of stuff and I need privacy, I need space, right like I need this. So that's become like a good, bad problem exactly yeah exactly yeah, new opportunities exactly love that.
Speaker 2:And then let's see how do you stay organized and manage your time effectively as a real estate agent, especially when dealing with multiple clients and transactions?
Speaker 1:That's a really good question. So it's all about time blocking for me, putting blocks on the calendar. This is when I'm recording, this is when I'm doing lead generation, this is when I'm working on this particular client's files and things, and, of course, things always come up having an assistant. I have an assistant that helps me to stay where I need to be and doing what I need to be doing, right, so it can't just fall all on me.
Speaker 2:You need help right.
Speaker 1:You've got to leverage things out and get the help you need so you can serve more people.
Speaker 2:Exactly On that subject of having an assistant is she the only one that you have like with you, like in your company? Do you have other?
Speaker 1:employees. No, she's it for now. My husband also is a part of the business. He is licensed Awesome, let's shout him out. His name is Marcus, love him. We've been married for 19 years Congrats. He does anything and everything that I need, so he does showings paperwork when I need it. Just whatever I need done, he just does it. That's amazing.
Speaker 2:You've got your assistant and your husband like that's the dream team right there and my children. There you go. Yeah, that's it. I love it. Is there anything maybe that I have not touched on that you would like to share with our audience? Maybe you have an upcoming event coming up, maybe you're changing something up or adding something?
Speaker 1:Yes. So I would just like to say watch out for Facebook, instagram and YouTube, because there's a lot of good information that we are launching for you, to empower you and to educate you in the real estate market.
Speaker 2:Wonderful. You heard it here first, so be on the lookout for Valencia and CL Residential. Yes, they're coming. Yeah, we're coming, coming soon to a mobile phone and laptop near you. Yes, love it. And then I guess my final question is going to be do you have a quote or a saying that maybe has inspired you, or you've heard someone tell you that's just stuck with you, and would you like to share that wisdom with our listeners? Yes, yes.
Speaker 1:Yes, on the other side of fear is opportunity. A lot of times we are so scared to move, especially into a territory that's unfamiliar to us, and we get stuck. But as soon as we make that jump to the other side, the skies and the heavens open and your opportunity is awaiting you.
Speaker 2:Right, you just got to take that leap.
Speaker 1:That is something that has stuck with me, especially in times like where you're scared, where I'm scared and I'm like I just my goodness, if I had not taken this leap of faith, I would not have seen the beauty of this opportunity over here.
Speaker 2:No, I think that is a wonderful and beautiful message and I think that will resonate with a lot, even with myself. Sometimes I'm scared to do things that I don't know, or I'm like, oh my gosh, is that the right decision? That I need to do Like I don't know, like maybe it's not I shouldn't do it. But then you do it and you're like oh my gosh, thank God that I did.
Speaker 1:Thank God that I pushed myself. That's right. And then also you get to the other side and maybe things don't work out quite the way that you expect it. You learn something in that experience and you grew in that experience, so it's worth it, Right. It's all about your perspective. It's all about how you look at the journey that you're on.
Speaker 2:Yes, no. That is such a powerful message. I love that, and I actually have another question too. So when you have employees that you're looking for, maybe later on in the future, what are you looking out for, and like what type of people do you want to be around?
Speaker 1:And I know sometimes it's hard to like retain people- Like, talk to me a little bit about that as a business Awesome. So I'm looking for people who are detailed oriented and people oriented right. They may not be the best at exactly of the job description, but they're resourceful, they want to get things done, they want to please people, they want to make sure we get to the end of the journey right. So I'm looking for people who want to learn like. They thrive off learning. They want to grow, they want to develop right. They don't want to be the same person that they've been for the last five years. They want to grow.
Speaker 2:So that's what I'm looking for. Yeah, I love that, and then a little bit more on that. It's hard to, as a business owner, find that right person. Yes, when do you know that it's time to like? I guess let them go or keep them or like if it's not working out, because I know it's kind of hard. Like you have to do that, like you, I know you have, and it's not fun, it's not fun, so I know some entrepreneurs who have trouble with that as well but it's like you have to like, do what's best essentially for the company and the growth right.
Speaker 1:So I've had an employee that I just kept way too long because I'm like I believe in you, you can do this, you have so much potential. But when they don't believe in themselves or they actually want to do better, all it is is it's holding you back. Yes, so the sooner that you really come to grips with the reality of who they are and their work ethic, you just got to cut them loose, because you can't find the right person until you let go of the baggage that you got over here. And that's hard, especially for me, someone that loves people, and I want to do it all that I can for them, develop them. But at the end of the day, you just got to be honest with yourself.
Speaker 2:Yes, because you know where it's going. Yes, exactly, and like you said, you can't do that for them, like you have all the resources, but you have to meet me halfway right, exactly, you have to want it as well. I can't make you want it.
Speaker 1:No, well, I can't make you want it.
Speaker 2:no, no, that's right yeah, thank you for sharing that. These are some like wise things and like some hardships that entrepreneurs go through, so thank you so much for being on the podcast. We really appreciate your time and the wisdom you gave today was amazing thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure absolutely all right, all right, there we go.
Speaker 1:That was good okay, I was gonna ask you what you thought you know, I love it.
Speaker 2:I think that is great and I like that.