In my last post, Grow, Merge, Sell or ? I was trying to decide which way to take our subsidiary Gryphon Realty Advisors.
Since then, we have met with numerous buyers of the business as well as numerous joint venture partners. We met with managers. We interviewed potential new staff members.
In the asset management and liquidation business, decisions need to be made quickly. Over the 12 years I have spent in this industry I have learned that the biggest mistake I can make in business is to over think or second guess a decision.
So, in the end, the answer to the question is GROW. Ladies and gentlemen, we just jumped off the cliff into the deep water without a floatation device. No turning back.
In the very near future you will see modifications to our website at www.gryphonusa.com. Marketing materials that are already in the re-design and printing process will be in the mail. A year long pre-defined email campaign will be rolled out. Meetings with our targeted clients have been scheduled.
We engaged additional superstar project managers for Gryphon Asset Management. We are grabbing the bull by the horns and are brining in commercial real estate big hitters to Gryphon Realty Advisors - Commercial Division. We are seeking more aggressive residential agents for Gryphon Realty Advisors - Residential Division. We are bringing in seasoned auction staff and cross training current staff members to participate in Gryphon Auction Group by sending them to the best auction academies and appraisal schools available.
I want to thank all of the people who shared their thoughts with me as I contemplated this very important decision.
Do you have questions about distressed assets, receivership or bankruptcy sales, auctions? Email me at rfk@gryphonusa.com and I'll try to answer it in an upcoming post.
Richard F. Kruse is the President of Columbus, Ohio based Gryphon USA, Ltd. (www.gryphonusa.com). The Gryphon Organization includes Gryphon Asset Management providing receivership and consulting services in the distressed marketplace, United Country Gryphon Realty & Auction Group (www.ucohiorealty.com & www.ucohioauctions.com) providing real estate brokerage and auction services throughout Ohio and OnlineAuctionUSA.com (www.onlineauctionusa.com) providing commercial asset liquidations from the Midwest to East Coast.
United Country Gryphon Realty & Auction Career Opportunities Available. Call 614-885-0020 x 17
Rich,
I'd like to offer you a few profound words of wisdom, but alas Robert Frost said it better than I could.
The Road Not Taken
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both.
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I ----
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
To this I can only add all my best wishes> You'll do well!
Bill
Way to go Rich!!! This must be a scary exciting time for you and Melisa. Sometimes the best thing we can do is just jump off the cliff. Good job.
You've probably made the best decision. My first broker, mentor and now a good friend used to say that she did business by putting herself out on a limb and cutting off the branch. It was sink or swim. She intentionally put herself into situations where she absolutely HAD to survive, or lose it all.
Rich,
Congrats. How exciting.
Good luck! I'm sure you will come out on top.
Now is certainly the time, I am see Real Estate offices as well as homes getting priced right.
Congratulations on taking a big risk with some big potential rewards! Keep your chin up!