Business

3 Top Tips For Entrepreneurs, From Ali Siam CEO Of Siam Sports Management

Published

4 years ago

June 10, 2021

Ali Siam, CEO of Siam Sports Management in Los Angeles, knows a lot about entrepreneurship. He watched as his parents worked their way up from nothing to own two highly successful businesses, and took many lessons from that experience. He successfully broke into the professional sports industry as an agent, and now owns his own company representing NFL athletes. Now, Siam wants to share some of the things he learned along the way that might help other entrepreneurs build a successful business.

1. Treat others like people, not investments – One of the key lessons Siam refers to in his life is learning how to treat people. His parents, who came to the United States from Iran, started at the bottom, making very little for long laborious jobs. They worked hard and now own two very profitable businesses. Siam credits that success to how they treat people as individuals, not investments or dollar signs. He has taken that and applied it to his own businesses. Treat people as people, get to know them, understand their story, this will help build a better relationship, and they will trust you, leading to a better business connection long term.

2. Be honest – Next to treating people well, Siam points to honesty as the next top thing entrepreneurs should focus on. This means being an authentic person, presenting their business for what it is. People are going to see through any kind of fake front or claims, you do not want to be known as the person who lies, makes empty promises, or cannot deliver when the time comes. Your reputation is your brand, and building a strong reputation, as an honest business, is going to yield a much more positive return for your business.

3. See things from others’ perspective – This applies to others in the industry as well as potential clients. Talking with others, those who have been around the field for a while can give amazing insight into customer bases, products, and how the industry works. This perspective can be incredibly valuable when navigating the different challenges that come up. Understanding where the client is coming from, what they need and want, helps entrepreneurs build the best services for clients, and meet their needs.

Siam stresses that people are the key to entrepreneurship, so treating them with respect, as individuals, and as people, not dollar signs will go a long way in building professional relationships that last and benefit your business. Learn more from Siam on Instagram and through his company website.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

4 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.