Part Two - The Genesis....Wait, doesn't that come first?

So, my dream of creating a real estate database for the city of Prince George was almost squished by 'the man'. Thankfully I had convinced the folks at Community Futures that my business concept was a good'un, and to top it off, I had obtained letters of intent from a few of the biggest names in the business, which I was told was the only thing that got my proposal approved.

So big hooray, I was approved, what exactly did that do for me and my infant little business sprout? Well, it allowed me to collect EI while developing the business and paying startup costs, which are higher than you might think. When you really sit down and think about the fees for processing business applications, obtaining a website and hosting service, acquiring new equipment, and all the other little bits and pieces you might need, it adds up.

After the final approval, off I went into the world of business with my shiny new marketing plan, and eyes wide with wonder and hope. Being a home based business, risk and overhead were quite low, and since business doesn't exactly come knocking on your door when you are a real estate advertiser, I hit the phones.

I must pause now to gather my strength before describing one of the most humiliating and painful experiences I have ever gone through - the cold call.

Those shiny eyes full of hope that I was talking about earlier? Well, they quickly became misty after trying to solicit business from what seemed to be jaded, angry, and altogether inhospitable real estate agents that were apparently going to be my customers for the foreseeable future. I sympathize with call center workers now, opting to simply put the phone down and go make a sandwich instead of performing a more vulgar act in response to their offer of a new cell phone.
Let it be known across the land, that the act of cold calling is not a happy affair, often resulting in lowered sex drive and reduced self esteem.

I persevered like a horny chinchilla, and after a few weeks had some agents who were willing to grant me twelve seconds to prove my worth. This was my chance to deliver my message with force and verve, to show my strength of character and colonic fortitude - the mighty agency meeting, where 25 potential clients would all be staring at me.

So ends part two of our dear hero's adventure, be sure to tune in next time for more tales of grandeur and impish hilarity.
Daniel Abraham of PG Listings
www.pglistings.ca