The Dream: A Niche Franchise
Candice Skinner, 27, expertly juggles the roles of broker-owner, military wife, and mother. She has flourished by focusing her business on military spouses and families. On top of real estate expertise, she offers a strong dose of empathy; Skinner’s husband recently returned to the United States after a year in Afghanistan and is currently stationed in Ft. Lewis, Wash. “I [work with] some spouses who are handling the entire transaction, the kids, and a career. They have no local family. They depend on my professional advice to guide them through the transaction,” she says. Skinner opened her brokerage in 2011 in a market with well-established players. She was not deterred. “I took it head-on,” she says. “It started out with me pounding the pavement and giving out a business card to anyone who would take one.” In December, Skinner opened her second office. Her ultimate aim: to create a franchise company with offices positioned near military bases.
Tip: "Go back to the basics! There are a lot of flashy marketing plans, gimmicks, and ways to go broke, but good old fashioned hard work trumps that every time."