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The Builder Marketing Summit has wrapped up for another year, and after two fast and furious days in Dallas, I walked away energized, full of ideas and, as always, wishing there had been just a little more time to talk with everyone. This was my fourth year joining Greg Bray of Blue Tangerine and Kevin Weitzel of Outhouse for the Summit, where they once again gave me free rein to lead the Online Sales Counselor track. That opportunity means a lot to me because there simply aren’t many industry events…
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“Everyone knows something you don’t… learn from them.” It’s a simple phrase, but one that’s resonated with me for decades. I’m not even sure where I first heard it, but it’s become part of who I am and how I approach life. Long before Blue Gypsy. Long before I was speaking at conferences or teaching classes. Before I ever became an Online Sales Counselor. It’s a mindset I’ve carried with me from experience to experience…country to country. I learned it years ago while traveling the world. Every place I visited…
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It’s finally here! My new book, Attract, Engage, Convert is now available on Amazon and I couldn’t be more excited! This book is for builders, OSCs, marketing teams, sales leaders, and anyone trying to make sense of what really works and how to set up a successful OSC program. It’s built from nearly two decades in the trenches, helping builders and OSCs create meaningful, intentional online sales programs. And it was a labor of love. Even better, builders are already buying copies for their OSC teams. That’s exactly what I hoped…
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Time flies when you’re building dreams—and helping others do the same! As I sit down to reflect on Blue Gypsy Inc.’s 15th anniversary, I can’t help but chuckle at how this milestone snuck up on me, much like that epiphany I had years ago in South Africa. I was a dive instructor in Sodwana Bay, gearing up to celebrate my 33rd birthday with friends, when it hit me: I wasn’t beginning my 33rd year on the planet I was ending it and actually starting my 34th year! All of a…
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Hey everyone, it’s Leah here from Blue Gypsy Inc.! I wanted to take a moment to talk about something that’s been on my mind since I got back from the Women in Residential and Commercial Construction conference in Arizona. I had the honor of leading a roundtable on Creating the Ultimate Customer Experience, and let me tell you—it was an incredible experience engaging with builders, remodelers, and other industry professionals who are as passionate about this business as I am. There were so many amazing speakers and thought-provoking ideas shared…
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4th Annual Online Homebuyer Mystery Shop Report In the ever-changing arena of new home building, the role of Online Sales Counselors (OSCs) has proven indispensable. The 4th Annual Online Homebuyer Mystery Shop Report, a collaborative effort between Melinda Brody & Company, Denim Marketing, and Blue Gypsy Inc., sheds light on this crucial role. This annual report serves as a barometer for industry standards and practices, offering insights that help refine the strategies of home builders across the nation. Collaboration Driving Insights Each year, Melinda Brody & Company, known for their…
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It’s funny. If you had told me I’d be doing Blue Gypsy Inc. for 13 years, my first response would have been, “I spent 13 years traveling around the world, I can’t imagine spending 13 more owning my own business, and not getting out on any adventures.” Little did I know what an adventure owning my own business would be. From the beginning I knew I was going to be an active participant in the home building industry… after all, I spent 4 years prior to starting Blue Gypsy Inc.…
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Every day this week in Florida, I’ve woken up at 2am. And then I start reflecting on the day, the week, and really this entire year. It’s amazing how much planning goes into an event like the Tropical Sales Retreat. And I also reflect on how grateful I am on so many levels. Grateful to Roland Nairnsey for taking me up on my offer to do an OSC track at the conference. Grateful for my friends in the industry – Alexis Udine, Heidi Schroeder, and Lauren Loy who helped teach…
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My LinkedIn says I joined Blue Gypsy Inc. 11 years, 11 months ago. This December Blue Gypsy Inc will turn 12 years old! And just like any tween my business has gone through a variety of transformations over the past 12 years as I’ve found my passion and Blue Gypsy Inc.’s purpose. I remember when I passed a major milestone of having been in the building industry longer than the number of years I traveled. I spent 13 years traveling around the world, and 16 and counting in the building…
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As a new home builder did you really just tell me that? Did you really just say that? The worst thing you can do in this current climate is to throttle your OSC income or change the way they are compensated because you feel like they are, “Making too much money.” Don’t kill your unicorn. There is a misconception sometimes when appointments increase – that “anyone can do this job.” Get that out of your head right now! I mean it. Your online sales counselors are over worked, and the…
2020 Vision: It’s a Game Changer – Webinar September 11
Is your follow up your weakest link? I’m a guest this week on the 2020 Vision: It’s a Game Changer series – by Kimberly Mackey Founder and consultant at New Homes Solutions Consulting and Carol Morgan Founder of Denim Marketing. Myself, and Ben Marks – President of Melinda Brody & Company – in conjunction with Denim Marketing recently completed putting together the results from a 3o day mystery shop of 50 builders across the country!…
What’s Happening: Events in September
September is always a busy time of the year! But lots of conferences, summits, webinars and podcasts have recently been released or are coming soon in the month of September, which is always great for learning and industry education. I’m lucky enough to participate in some of them! Now through the end of the year, SEBC – This year the Southeast Building Conference went virtual and has all their education available through the end of…
WEBINAR Part 6: Selling in a Time of Uncertainty: Pave The Road to Recovery
Register Here! Free Webinar: Selling in a Time of Uncertainty Friday April 24, 1pm ET (11am MT) Six weeks ago, we started on this path of discovery with our friends, colleagues, clients, and industry professionals to lend ideas and insights and provide a forum for feedback for builders of all sizes across the country during these unusual times. The interest is positive and overwhelming – and we will continue to provide support, actionable ideas and…
Singing the Blues About Blue Gypsy Bluesfest 2011
I’m singing the blues about the Blue Gypsy Bluesfest. As successful as the Blue Gypsy Bluesfest was last year grossing almost $15,000 and bringing together over 350 enthusiastic people in the Tidewater Area to enjoy a day of blues and BBQ, I had to make an executive decision. Sadly I’ve tabled the event indefinitely for the future. There are two major factors that contributed to this decision. The first is the fact that I am…
Blue Gypsy Bluesfest: Success! Planning for Next Year!
The first annual Blue Gypsy Bluesfest was a success!!! We had 350 people at the event and we were able to raise money for both charities! It was no small feat to put together an event of that magnitude all by myself, but as I’ve said before I had so much help from all the positive feedback and energy and ideas that were generated by those who participated. But only one person truly knows all…
The Energy Is Building! Can You Feel It?
It’s amazing, the positive things that can happen when people come together under the umbrella of a great cause. Blue Gypsy Bluesfest is almost here. I can’t believe this event that started with me saying, “Let’s Have A Party and give back to Habitat for Humanity” Has taken on such a life of it’s own. It’s funny. I’ve had people ask me if I’m the Promoter for the event. Well, I guess so…I mean I…
Do You Have your Ticket’s Yet? I Have Mine!
Do you have your tickets yet? I have mine! In fact I was the very first ticket purchased online for the Blue Gypsy Bluesfest, and at the rate my procrastinating boyfriend is going, he’ll be the last! Here’s the ticket site! Click here for Blue Gypsy Bluesfest Tickets. Use the discount code: habitat4blues and get 20% off tickets online. If you are a last minute shopper the code will take $15 off the prices at…
10 Days Until The Blue Gypsy Bluesfest: Giving Thanks to The BBQ Competitors
Six months of planning is coming to fruition in just 10 more days. This has been one of the steepest learning curves putting together an event of this magnitude. The thing that has kept me moving along is that it’s for such an amazing cause. Habitat for Humanity. I’ve met so many wonderful people who have put their great energy along side mine, not just for the advertising, but also because they believed in the…
Face Of Fox 43: Sirece Dugard and Blue Gypsy Bluesfest
I’m really excited to have Fox 43 involved with the Blue Gypsy Bluesfest. They are our newest media sponsor and they are going all out. We have the brand new Face of Fox Sirece Dugard coming out to the event, doing some giveaways and having some fun with us. And she’s going to be announcing the event on the Hampton Roads Show as well. Here’s an interview with her about her new job and her…
Gaining Momentum: Positive Energy Creates Positive Results
I’m a true believer that positive energy creates positive thoughts, positive thoughts lead to positive ideas, positive ideas produce positive actions and positive actions garner positive results. That’s the operating principal behind Blue Gypsy Bluesfest and my efforts put for this charity event taking place on September 25th at Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach to benefit Habitat for Humanity and the Nachel’ Blues Network. I’ve been making calls, sending email and talking about this…