Business

Q&A with co-founder of @toptree, Layne Schmerin

Published

5 years ago

April 18, 2020

Tell us about Top Tree and what was the idea behind Top Tree?

Basically Top Tree is a digital marketing agency through which we help people to grow and sell their products to the target audience . We design ads campaigns in such a way that it targets the audience and the ads are interesting so it attracts the audience. At Top Tree we use creative medium of ads which includes memes as you can see on our Instagram and other social media accounts.

I am from music background and before Top Tree I was working with big names like Macklemore and suddenly my brother Brandon passed away and at that point of time me and my brother Jonathan decided to start our recreational medicine company and to make people aware about medical benefits of recreational medicines we started Top Tree.

When you realised that you can work with other people and can help them out?

After initials days we realised that our techniques are very effective and the way we were promoting our recreational medicines brand was working for us . And at this point we realised that we can help out others and look at us now , we are having a network of more than 1o millions and I am glad that we are helping people in growing their brands. It feels good to be the catalyst of positive change.

You follow same ways for your every clients or you have different strategies for different clients?

Our strategies are according to the needs of our clients . All the ad campaigns are designed according to the need of the client. We target the audience according to the need of our clients and ads are basically memes and other funny contents which catches the eye of audience. The ads are planned in such a way that it delievers the message which we want to deliever andin this we attract our target audience . And this is working for us . Top Tree is having more than 1 million followers across social media platforms and people praise us for our contents . Right now we are working with many different people which includes music label “Columbia Records”, e-commerce brand (featured on Shark Tank) and the way of working is different for every project as we are working with people with diverse background and this challenges our creative mindset .

How you work and what is your approach when you get any work?

As the creative head of Top Tree whenever we get any project I like to do research about the product . Then I start to plan ad campaign and while planning everything I try to think like the target audience , like what would be catchy content , what kind of ads or memes will attract me and what I will find interesting and what will be engaging for me.This is how I work and whenever I get any project I get excited like that is my first project and I give my 100 percent .

So what is next for Top Tree?

We are going to work the way we are working and will keep on trying to do something new as marketing world keeps on changing and we can not stay stagnant thinking that we are successful now. We are working twice harder everyday as the competition is increasing day by day and we want to stay at the top of this chain .

Any piece of advice for upcoming digital marketer.

Keep on learning as it keeps on evolving . Don’t get disappointed if you are not getting success as this world takes time and you have to work hard and need to keep calm and need to have faith as your hardwork will pay off eventually. Most of the young entrepreneurs thinks that they will get instant success and when they don’t get it they loose hope and they give up, but this is not how it works keep on working you won’t get instant success but you will be successful eventually if you continue to work hard as it is a continuous process .

Business

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

Published

3 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.