Business

How CEO Barion McQueen Uses Social Media to Inspire Younger Entrepreneurs

Published

5 years ago

April 17, 2020

Everyone who still thinks that social media isn’t a crucial aspect of the business game is just doing it wrong, okay? While there are still a few old school businesses that refuse to accept this, social media platforms have grown to have an immense conversion power for pretty much any business. And as a CEO, it’s vital that you understand and embrace this power, otherwise you risk losing valuable customers.

Barion McQueen, CEO of The Brand Castle, has learned to use his social media presence to his advantage. Building an online persona in keeping with his real self, kindly but confident, Barion has managed to attract both a healthy stream of new customers to his branding and marketing agency, as well as a following of young entrepreneurs.

Looking for inspiration from someone who gets it, more and more young men and women at the start of their creative journey credit Barion, either directly or indirectly, with giving them much-needed advice and offering words of encouragement.

“Everyday is an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday. Do not ever put limits on your potential. I would have never thought I’d be a best selling author, but with some hard work & faith it was possible. Keep going and keep pushing to do all the things you’ve dreamed of.”

This is the message that greets you as soon as you access Barion McQueen’s Facebook page. What immediately strikes you, scrolling through his social media posts is the upbeat and daring tone. He immediately comes across as an optimist and a dreamer, a man who believes in being creative and dreaming with your eyes open, but also believes in going the distance.

Bringing together a rare mix of creativity and ambition, Barion McQueen manages various businesses – from a hip-hop magazine, the “Hip Hop Dose”, to a profitable real estate business, “Real Estate Captured”. On his social media, he talks openly about his varied interests, plans of the future, as well as some personal musings about past failures and successes. And thus, combining advice with tales of his own experience, off the wall ideas with success examples, Barion serves as a constant source of inspiration.

By being honest. By never concealing the failures, but rather embracing them as a natural part of the road to success and learning from each. By offering his advice, not in a condescending tone, but rather in a humbling manner.

If asked, Barion would tell you he is trying to be the voice of inspiration that he would have liked to have at his side, when he first started on this road.

An encouraging pat on the shoulder that says “You’ll be alright”, that’s what Barion McQueen strives to be. And ultimately, that’s what Barion McQueen is.

Business

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

Published

5 days 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.