Business

Manuel Suarez, the marketing ninja who overcame life’s setbacks

Published

3 years ago

September 5, 2021

Manuel Suarez, founder of Attention Grabbing Media, was born to a working-class family in Puerto Rico and got his start in the public eye as a professional tennis player – a far cry, he says, from the life he leads now.

“I navigated poverty, drug addiction, and bankruptcy to get to where I am today,” he said. “It’s a crazy story when I look back, but it made me who I am today, and for that, I’m very grateful.”

Although he lacked any formal education, he still managed to turn his life around by founding and scaling AGM, which has grown by leaps and bounds during a moment in time when many businesses are struggling to survive.

“Often, we need only to look at ourselves for salvation,” he said. “From the moment I learned that waiting for something that won’t ever happen without effort on my part was an excuse to never be successful, I started doubling down on what I knew I was good at in order to create and scale a company that would enable me to do what I love.”

Suarez said his knack for understanding what people want and need has helped him bring in and serve top-tier AGM clients looking to amplify their voices and make a lasting difference. He also attributes his success to his willingness to listen and learn about what others are looking for while networking with successful entrepreneurs.

“When you come from a life of poverty, it’s easy to feel like you’re never going to make it,” he said. “But that wasn’t enough to stop me, and it still isn’t. I wanted more for myself and did everything in my power to get it.”

For those who want to find his same success, Suarez has one piece of advice: find your passion, and let that fuel you.

“You will find out just how far you can go when you refuse to let obstacles deter you from your goals,” he said. “Working hard pays off, and I’m living proof of that. It sounds cheesy, but there’s a reason why it’s said so often. By investing in yourself and ignoring the noise – including the voice in your own head – that says you can’t make it, you will be able to build the success you dream of.”

Business

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

Published

1 week 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.