Networking for Real Estate in Hawaii

Networking for real estate can be more powerful than you think. They say “no man is an island”. And that holds true, especially on this island or any other in Hawaii. A lot of people, when going into business for themselves, want full control over everything. I fully admit that I fall into that lot. But only the most foolish among us would think that we know all we need and that there are no true benefits to engaging with others in the business (or even outside of it). There’s a synergy that only comes with combining forces with others. Or, to use a standard cliche, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

I write this post today because this evening at Oceans808 in the Restaurant Row area of downtown Honolulu, I’ll be joining a group we’ve dubbed The Action Takers, a real estate investor and entrepreneur Meetup group started in early 2010 by my friend Jon Kutsmeda and that’s been “rebooted” this past fall. Jon and I are now the co-organizers of this group which includes real estate investors, attorneys, contractors and handymen, realtors, financial asset managers and more. Furthermore, no ‘experience’ is needed. We’ve had quite a few beginner investors join our group and they often have just as much energy to contribute as people who’ve been investing for years.

So why are we meeting at Oceans808? Isn’t that a bar? Yes it is! Ok, it’s technically a club, not a bar. Hey, I like my evening Miller Lites and kalbi pupu plate. The real reason we meet there is that Jon and I are trying to do something different than what people get at other events. Our idea of a bi-weekly “investor happy hour” stems from the idea that people will really only do business together if they know each other at a deeper level. That means understanding someone’s demeanor, their take on the local market, their background, their energy, their objectives, get to know about their past, their family, etc. Basically, everything that goes into developing TRUST. After all, partnering on a deal in Hawaii could involve each person raising or being responsible for easily over $100,000 — would you do that with a stranger? I wouldn’t. So we’re making this a totally social event to encourage nothing but pure networking beyond the typical swap of business cards. Plus, Oceans808 has free validated parking, plenty of room to mingle and the food is good. 🙂

Networking is about not just synergy but also about filling in our gaps. No one can know all there is to rehabbing, foreclosure and contract laws, trusts, wholesaling, marketing, etc. Just the rate at which social media and all things ‘tech’ today are moving prohibits anyone from really knowing everything out there. But if you truly believe in the abundance mentality, that there are profitable ventures for everyone, then by sharing your knowledge and, in return, receiving as well, then coming to an event like this is a no-brainer.

And did I mention they have a good happy hour? I did? Ok, well just making sure.

TheActionTakers.com — meeting every other Wednesday at Oceans808 in Restaurant Row, Honolulu HI from 5:30 to 8:00 (more or less).