Mixer with one guest

Beautiful restaurant right? Art deco interior, great drink and food list, named "The Tobacco Company." Let me tell you a story of how this was a major flop that turned into a success. In my business, we are tasked with growing markets, networking and engaging with clients. Nothing new. In this specific case, the companies and clients I was working with had a problem. Half of them loved the platform I sell, the other half despised it, along with not loving my presence. Without sounding too cheesy, I embraced this as a challenge. I persuaded the main operator of the Richmond HomeVestors franchise to let me speak to their group. Typically not hard to book a meeting with these guys, but this group was very challenging because they were so divided.

I arrived, gave my speech and walked some properties. Interesting that it was purely bad taste that stoked the flames for this group. The Richmond market had fantastic outcomes for our business, I was at least armed with numbers that backed up my proposal. After the speech I offered to take the group out to "The Tobacco Company" as a peace treaty. Speaking in front to the group went well. There were major objections some hurled my way but its nothing I'm not used to. Shield the attack, counter and the other side gets quiet since their ammo is depleted.

Evening approached, I printed a market reports with our outcomes and active PadSplit locations on a map. Outlining great results and plenty of demand to address on their end. It was dim in the restaurant but the candle light was enough to glance at the pamphlet.

6 pm approached, no one showed up. This is normal for mixers, not many want to be the first person to walk in. Also, sitting an a restaurant and having the waiter keep asking "when do expect your guests to arrive?" is painful. I've done these events both ways - party atmosphere, where tons of guests come and drink but the quality usually isn't there. This was a more intimate setting for tangible conversation with the group. 6:30 rolls around and finally the AD of group, Mike shows up.

Mike is great, has done massive volume in the market so if he's the only one that shows, I knew there was some momentum. Indeed Mike was the ONLY HomeVestor that showed up. Maybe it was a protest, maybe it was out of spite either way I pressed on. Mike ordered the filet, he's got good taste and we had a great night. ( I didn't ask him to help pick up the 20 additional flyers I set on each table). Mike went on to buy and renovate a PadSplit property in Richmond, with great success. The 6 bedroom is still 100% occupied, generating over $5,400 gross profit a month.

Fast forward to now, I have 3 other HomeVestors who have seen Mikes' success and have walked in to the PadSplit arena. Maybe the case studies I provided didn't move the needle or maybe they needed to see one of their own have sustained success? Either way, hosting a mixer with one attendee created momentum that is still bearing fruit today. It's been a slow process in this market but I am happy we have established an advocate that is growing our market share in Richmond. Mike receives a nice referral fee as well for each host he brings on. Funny enough, he waited until the referral fee was increased from $1000 to $3000. Diligence and consistency brought this result, sales can be challenging when you don't have immediate outcomes but keep pressing if you have a product worth investing in. -Nick