 Thanks for joining us on the life of the land is in its real estate. I'm Keena Nisley and I'm an agent at Keller Williams in Honolulu. I am an entrepreneur. So as we start 2021, I want to focus on entrepreneurs and the impact that COVID had on them. So today I have Tara Fojie with Rush Hite Waihini here to talk with us about Rush Waihini and how did, well first, Tara, I'll just let you tell us about yourself. Thank you so much for having me. First of all, today of all days, so honored to show up in the space with what's happening around us in the world. Huge, huge, huge marks for Waihini around the world and just so grateful to be here to witness it. So thanks for sharing and having me on today I really appreciate the time. I'm Tara Fojie. I am an agent by trade as well, but I am also the founder of Rush Waihini, which is a locally owned business who membership business who caters to women entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs really. And the reason why it was founded in 2014 I left the hotel industry after about 15 years, and I started my first events business and I think it's standard for a lot of people normal I should say to start a business from an industry you came from because I was the most comfortable in its home. And I was as I was navigating this new space as a business owner I was attending all of these events that really targeted the new business owner the small business owner the women owned business the minority business owner who needed the tools and all of these things and and I was networking in that space like I was accustomed to but I really realized as a business owner versus a hotel you my my needs was much different in that space you know the networking space as a new business owner and so I didn't find a community that really I could sit and talk and really unmask with and really share my wins but also my fears and all of my losses and just this the path that I've been on and where I could learn and share. So that's how I found the grocery in a really wanted to bring a space a safe space to women entrepreneurs that are non competitive. That you know we can really thrive on learning by sharing versus selling and truly lean on each other to be mutually beneficial and mutual mentors. So I high level principle about the lean and the factor where it's really set up for CEOs level and higher and I think in Hawaii we have such a wider breath of experience industries and really personal lens and experience and so with that, I without forcing anyone into how sad we are or experience more so how can I learn from what you've been through and what can you know what mistakes can I prevent. In addition to that providing business ownership education through workshops, as well as all the tech tools that we use to sort of like help us get through navigating today's work landscape which is obviously have you has evolved from small but small business ownership as a whole and then more importantly and obviously most recently through coven. So I found your group and was invited by another member and did find it to be just a great place to connect I wasn't there to necessarily sell real estate, I was there to, to just learn and be with others and there were other agents there and it was kind of you know they got tips and tricks. And even through this last year of a lockdown it's been nice to have, I guess a home to come back to. And we have had to do things differently. So how, how did entrepreneurs that you know, handle the situation for the last 10 months. I mean it's been such a roller coaster I think between. You know, excuse my language but you know, fuck it we're going to get through it and we're super gung ho and we're not scared. And also we shift to a lot of feared emotion and distress that comes with just the, the noise from outside politically, and then from a business standpoint and you know for those, the businesses who were sort of already on the verge of merging the life of, you know, working from home, working remote automating business or, or doing virtual connection like we have for the past several years. I think we had a little bit of an advantage because it wasn't so much of a shock value of like shifting systems hard copies or anything like that. And also we were already communicating virtually and remotely so we know how to delegate and communicate to friends which is completely different from being able to knock on someone's door to talk about anything or strategize or even to have a sip of coffee with someone right so I think more the biggest and most obvious pivot, if I can use that word anymore which we're all sort of burned out from I get it has been obviously just a transition to more virtual online communication, really increasing engagement virtually providing opportunities to remain relevant. But for those who have really been able to say okay, you know, what the fit without the physical boundaries that that we're limited to because of what's happening how can we still find a space to evolve, and not just evolve but continue growing in the space and most of the entrepreneurs especially our, our, our members have really been supportive and loving through it through it because it's not easy for everyone to continue showing up in this space while just really being emotional and and sort of like heavy political cloud that's been really looming outside of outside of the health risk of COVID and deaths and and all of that. So I think obviously just shifting from physical, any type of connectivity to online, and then showing up in the right space I mean you've developed this show during that time you have another thing going in that time so just finding a way to remain connected through this space has been the biggest shift, I think. Yeah, just ways to overcome it. So are there any, you know, examples that stand out to you success stories that you saw where people, you know, totally did again pivot we hate that word now, and overcome to stay on on the path of success. We all find our own length, you know, sort of, I don't have one rock star story. What I will say is that we've all sort of found our own voice in our own space and that's successful in itself. And what I mean by that is, there's people and you know women are some of our members and business owners who never even scratch social media before this and I'm not just talking about membership of ours and business owners that we have connections with but small business owners, you know, who didn't rely on the lifeline of Wi-Fi and that virtual connectivity and so I think anyone who's been able to withstand this and just, you know, we're not all, we might not all be green and banging it out this year but at the minimum still being in the proper mindset and the space of trying a persevering of really understanding that there is tomorrow and really finding success in that way so that you can show up your best self every day. Yeah, it was just those that still show up and didn't just give up. Yeah, and I've seen a lot of, excuse me. Yeah, go ahead. I've just seen a lot of reinvention of oneself and you know for rush our year, our word power word this year is reinvention, reinvention of oneself and one's business and that's so important as we climb out of what we just came out of and really dive into something greater beyond probably what we've been manifesting, you know, all this time and just wishing and hoping that we could still have that we don't have anymore and seeing what that sort of culminates to this year and see, you know, what would it be to life into but I've seen complete shifts of businesses shut down and start up again with new passions and things that they may have been doubling on and finally have the opportunity. People are being forced to choose themselves. People are being forced to choose. What makes you happy, you know, where you want to spend your time and energy we're being forced to not look at the monetary attachment anymore. It's so important that we develop fine piece and protect that. And I think, you know, that in itself is such a huge leap in just finding gratitude of the present. Yes. So I know in in our industry in in the real estate industry we saw a lot of people go to virtual open houses lots of video tours, lots of videos by agents sharing myself included sharing topics and ideas and what other shifts have you seen that people have been doing. Is there anything that you know pops out at you that says wow they weren't doing that before, but it seems to be working now. I think the biggest lens on our industry, if it hasn't already happened to you as an agent or any other agents out there, brokers, anyone in our industry would be to how can I say this, help each other grow, being more of a mentor to each other and not not holding things so close to our chest and protecting that that probably is is outside of anything you know all the digital stuff happening and all the cool stuff happening from the tech world that technology hates me so I can only speak to my Instagram account now I'm kidding but for real it's it's such a that in itself is such a skill set that that we we've come to over time really underestimate the advantages of the handy tools we have at our fingertips. Right. So, photography, digital work digital art film, everything from having models now come into play, you know you're seeing these really extravagant productions I would say, you know less time on the everyday connection person more time on the marketing and more time on really creating the feel from afar right being able to connect and and virtually play someone there while they're not present and so a lot of energy I think is taking place more on that in that arena on the digital marketing side obviously where we spend our money is obviously, you know changing, and not not by our own choice either by the way there's huge companies who are now fumbling their way through it. You know, I will speak to it Zillow and the most recently has made some huge changes in fees for agents and how they really interact with our MLS system how we can continue posting on there at a certain level of investment membership relation or not and and so you know, when we look at the models in that space and we think we're one agent from these huge monster corporations who are still trying to navigate. We just have to sort of lean on each other in this way and see what has really worked for you and, and sort of just erase the competitive sticker that we've always had in us and look that's never going to go away. We need that in us that's part of our that's what makes our blood pump we know it you know from a sales from a sales perspective, if this is this is my, this is my, this is my skills. This is my strength it's my wheelhouse and it's innate it's in me right it's not something you can really develop or teach you can master it you can you can definitely master it but I do think that outside of the obvious technical tools that can can enhance the experience of really bringing someone virtually into the homes or the property which are the commercial space whatever you're trying to show them is really an agent agent connectivity and the agent to agent enhancement and that's where my focus and energy goes to. Yes, so I, I mean I for one do this though the one on one the personal connection. That is how I, I thrive. I was able to still stay on track, even without it. Now we do know those of us that did stumble, we had colleagues that stumbled we had other industries where they stumbled. So, do you think they can recover. And really, you mean those who may have closer on the verge or what would you. Yeah, the, the entrepreneurs that they couldn't make it through coven is there a chance for them to you, you know, in your opinion, 2021. Oh yeah, I mean, you know at the end of the day, I think we can all agree that irrespective of industry respective a product irrespective of platform businesses businesses business. Right. And so when you have that understanding the functional foundational pieces of operation and managing and, and helping a business grow you can redevelop anytime, really reinvent anytime, because it's not industry related all the time to learn those things. It's truly the mindset of being able to elevate yourself to the 50,000 lens bring yourself down 3020 ground level. Right. Learn, develop, strengthen your skill set. Go back out teach grow mentor I mean it's a cyclical success formula, if you can get yourself out of your own way thinking that you're only supposed to do this or what you think you're supposed to be doing. Absolutely. Now, while might not be in the business model that has failed through this time these times it doesn't mean that's the end of the business owner, or the entrepreneur that's just three, just a start of something new really. There are certain steps that you would recommend. I mean, being that you started a business. You basically started over. Is there steps that you can recommend someone would take. Absolutely. I mean, you know, outside of the standard process of you know going through your mind maps and what you're passionate about and sort of developing finding those tools along the way that can help create a clear path for you. You're able to reset and really revisit what's important to you and and what you want out of your next 10 years right so you start looking at a little development plan for yourself or what's important now. I know that in the start of the year a lot of businesses and people and we all do we look at our goals and we set them up and then we work throughout the years to really chunk them down and while they're you know for me a simple success formula for the goal setting and meeting is is to identify for high level goals throughout the year. Break them down per quarter so if you're going to develop them keep it simple but all it should be simple but but it should be it should take your business to the next level. Throughout what I'm saying is, if you don't have a website yet make that q2 or q3 and really use that quarter that three months to punch it out so at the end of the year, you have all of these four huge goals that will really take your business to the next level completed. So, that's a simple formula of identifying now you can do eight goals whatever you want but make sure it's attainable because that's what we're doing we, we, we don't want to be. We want to keep it attainable for us and keep it realistic for ourselves so identify smart goals, specific measurable attainable. Yes, you know I don't know the rest of that kind of talking about and then secondarily. That's obviously one side from the professional lens and then I think you know this year we're rush is really focusing on what they call our labs are lens of abundance and what does that look like outside of your professional or business schools. And that breaks down to five different categories that really make your life whole family relationships personally development spirituality finance and in that scope so adding another touch to your personal side to ensure that you're filling your entire gap and not just focusing on these business goals and, and I think that, especially if you're in a, in a position, any, any point even if you're rebuilding or if you're continuing to build is is always a good thing to check within self and just do an assessment and make sure that all the efforts and things you're working on are working and meeting towards these goals or, you know, lens of abundance meeting points that you want to attain. Alright, so, through all that through the goal settings you're trying to get where you know you want to go. Sometimes it's really hard to stay positive. So, how, how do you help people stay positive. Are there networks or groups they can connect with to stay to keep that positivity going. I think the biggest thing that has helped so many of our members throughout this time has been, like you said there's been a home for us steady that we know we can come back to. And outside of that really to make sure that the community you're continuing to go home to is a community that's going to continue to make sure to hold you accountable as well, make sure you show up and and push you to to challenge that sort of succumb to, you know, sort of the cloud that a lot of us has been living through over this past 10 months and I think that, you know, setting yourself up with, you know, mandatory business meetings for yourself seal meetings that we call it for ourselves but masterminds with with other entrepreneurs that can really help you grow is key in staying connected through this time, not just that that you're just showing up and making more friends online but really making sure that the connections that you're creating are going to be on this time and then you can really start doing work together you know specifically for rush behind a we offer masterminds for our members year round and so we set up goals, challenges throughout the month so that we're on the same page. We meet online virtually twice a month and and and every month there's one business that gets basically within that pod there's only four business owners per group and and that keeps it honest and that keeps it keeps us present. And it holds us accountable to really meeting our goals and identifying that so we really act as each other's advisory boards right when we're solar paneer is yourself myself working from home, as much as we can have an extended team of ourselves so that we can operate and do support in logistics from the planning side from the business planning side and and from the CEO mindset like who's really operating your business. We're not having the everyday discussions about finances. We're not having the everyday discussions about P&L. We're not looking at forecasts we're not talking budget we're not doing all of those things and so I think you know the the format we've set up in the platform we set up to provide support for our members through this mastermind program has been probably the greatest key and success factor for us to continue showing up and making sure that that we're being held accountable and still make still reaching our goals and more importantly creating them. So, with all of that, if there is someone out there who was thinking that they may start a business in 2021. What, what would you recommend would you recommend starting the business. I'm always going to say yes to and at any year, you know, and I'm going to always say yes to that because I think that if you, if you have enough passion for it if you. If you have enough tenacity if you want it bad enough you can create it so without the year you without COVID. Even with COVID I do encourage anyone to who wants to establish a legacy beyond them, really find financial stability for themselves, financial independence. And probably the greatest gift from from rush to other women business owners is that we're providing the tools of so that you are never really relying or dependent on anyone beside outside of your immediate self and now it's not to prevent you from leaning on your spouse or really engaging in your marriage and our relationship and being present or you know, I'm separating it's really to never have to. And I think anyone who's experienced loss through COVID, whether it's personal business, financial, I think it's all hit us somewhere in our core. And if that sparks something in you to explore business or just the sheer fact that you never want to be in this fucking position again be on your means and control of like being furloughed or laid off, then the short answer is yes, because then only you can protect that. Onward. So what support is out there. I know there's there's rush right here how can they get involved and get the word out that they have started a new business. You know, well, rushing out this is is one community and resource for women business owners. There's so many others that we work with we connect with we support. We have organizations like ourselves and then obviously there is the YWCA as small business association there's scores mentorship. There's a lot of organizations and resources out there for small business owners are member in piece organization is a nonprofit based out of the workshops, financial education. And, and just all the resources and tools for you for anyone to start the business specifically for rush what he may we, you know, we cater to women who are professionally driven who want to explore beyond their vantage point now, whether you're budding, curious or savvy. There's a space for you. So it really is about meeting you where you are, and helping you elevate and grow from that point through education empowerment and encouragement. I feel like you might ask me where that is so absolutely you can find us in all of the social media feeds but most importantly, I don't sell membership and maybe that's why this might be a little awkward for me but I always say I'm not I don't sell membership even as a founder and as a CEO of rush we are members share our membership based on their success. So maybe you can tell any woman or business owner entrepreneur looking to jump in or explore rush to see what what they would gain as a member. Yeah, you you basically offer relationship I never felt like you were trying to sell me a membership. So is there anything else that you want to add we have just a couple minutes left any inspiration for folks out there. In what sense I have a lot let me pick. Oh, what I want to say is, you know, to really try and find something not resolution and not, you know, anything like that but really fine and your avatar for the year, you know, who do you want to be this year. For me, I came up with who, you know, who's the rush right here this year, and the rush right here is a woman of action who's building beyond tomorrow, and that is important to explore and dive into because I think so often, we are present for the immediate gratification and there's there it doesn't exist anymore outside of tangible and we have to look beyond what our currency is in our relationships and where we spend our time. So whether that's with another organization membership group that you spend your time with that we've you pay dues to subscribe to ensure that they're feeding yourself that they're serving you and that you are getting something out of it true partnership and reciprocation. All right, well thank you so much for joining us on the life of the land is in its real estate. It's great to be back for 2021. Yes, and I will see you all in two weeks, where we hope to have an economist to talk about where's the economy going after all of this what can we expect in 2021. So thank you so much. Thank Tech Hawaii. Thank you everyone. Thank you Tara, and I will see you all in a couple weeks.