Business

Mac Angelo on Team Building and Communication

Published

4 years ago

December 9, 2020

Perhaps there’s no better place to learn leadership, responsibility, and management than the United States Army. Mac Angelo, a successful digital investor, founder, and entrepreneur, knows that firsthand. Mac is currently the owner of LevelXstream, a financial and investment agency that serves as a one-stop-shop for clients’ needs, from credit repair to funding and investment. Mac wasn’t always as disciplined and strategic as he is today, though.

“When I moved to the United States, I enlisted in the Army. I served for six years there. When I first entered, I didn’t have the value system that I do today built up yet. The army taught me so much about strategy and leadership. Believe it or not, but many of the principles that they taught us there apply directly to my business today,” he shares.

A core principle that Mac picked up in the army is dividing teams into small units for better management. “We divide our teams into smaller entities and pair them up with affiliates. Besides our in-house team, we have hundreds of affiliates that do much of the heavy lifting for us. Look, I haven’t even spent a cent on advertising or Facebook ads. It all comes from these affiliates. The affiliates are a major traffic driver for the company,” he explains.

Within LevelXstream, there is a Credit Repair Department, a Communications Department, a Business Department, and a Tradeline Department. Each of those units is focused on its own tasks first and foremost, but they are always in touch with the rest of the company and aware of what’s going on.

“This is how we’ve managed to streamline our work: division and specialization,” Mac notes. There is never any disconnect in the company, as departments function together like a well-oiled machine. Communication at the company is optimized with the help of technology. “We like to use Slack within the company. It’s quick, clear, and efficient,” remarks Mac. His future plans include developing an app where communication will play a crucial role.

Fulfillment is another central component of Mac’s company. “We have a giant third-party CRM. This is what helps us manage information and tasks effectively. For example, CRM comes in very handy in the process of credit repair. You have to be extremely organized and diligent with these things. I’m building my own CRM because I know that I can create something even more efficient than what we already have,” the entrepreneur points out.

Thanks to Mac’s impeccable leadership and strategies, LevelXstream continues to grow exponentially. Clients come in droves asking for the company’s services. It’s not at all uncommon to come in as a client with a dismal credit score hovering around 500 and come out on the other side with a clean slate and funded with $100,000 in a few short months. Clients hail Mac and his team as experts and are excited to refer friends and family to the company.

For more news, information, and tips from Mac Angelo, follow him on Instagram.

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.