The value of customer service cannot be understated.
Gregory Englesbe is an Investment Banker based in the Greater Philadelphia area.Gregory Englesbe was born in New Jersey, graduated from Ryder University, and entered the real estate investment and mortgage banking market. He is an investment banker who has reached over $5 billion in sales during his 23 years in the residential mortgage business. His experience in mortgage and real estate includes sales, capital investment, and management. Gregory has made significant contributions to the Mortgage Bankers Association and is a member of the Ethics Board of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. He is recognized for his many contributions to philanthropic causes and has VIP status in many social circuits. Gregory is a member of many business associations and has raised critical funds for charities in his area. Gregory Englesbe is a seasoned Mortgage Expert based in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Gregory Englesbe stresses the need for hard work — day and night — for a business owner. “Meet with your key players in business; mingle with your staff and in the trenches and with your people on the front line. You have to project a confidence from deep inside you that shows your loyalty to teammates.” He adds the need for any business executive to stay in the best physical and mental shape. Gregory enjoys exploring nature trails and working out regularly to keep healthy.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
It all started with a desire to help people attain homeowner status. This isn’t an easy goal for many people and I wanted to do my part to help out. I also found that I had a natural skill for this kind of work. If you’re good at something, make a business out of it.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I’m an early riser so I get up far earlier than I need to. I often use mornings to work out and make a healthy breakfast to fuel my day. Once I’m at the office, my days usually involve both big picture and small picture work. I’m constantly overseeing my employees and make sure that the day-to-day is running smoothly. A big part of my job is also innovating and seeing what can be done to make things more efficient, more profitable, and just plain better.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Hard work and determination. As a business owner, you never really get any days off. You’re constantly thinking about ways to improve things and make your business better. Once I get an idea in my head, I’ll plan it out to make sure it’s feasible and then keep working at it until it’s done. Not everything is going to be easy, but if you keep working at something long enough and hard enough you can get it done.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Technology holds a great deal of promise for business owners like me. There are constant ways in which technology can be used to improve business operations and make things more efficient. Social media has become an incredible marketing tool and new software comes out every day that streamlines business operations and general flow. I’m excited for whatever comes next!
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Exercise. In order to take care of your business, you’ve got to take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself starts with eating right and exercising regularly. When I’m not working I like to train at the gym or hike the nature trails near where I live. Taking breaks and exercising has been proven to improve your concentration and I always find that I am more productive and I work better when I’ve been exercising.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do more for the community. While I didn’t have money to donate when I was younger, I did have time that I could have given more of. There’s always more you can do for your community and I wish that I had invested more of my time into doing things for others. Now, I regularly give to charity and volunteer but I wish that I had gotten started doing that in my younger years.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Use your resources to promote other businesses in addition to your own. It may sound counter-intuitive, but by promoting other businesses in other industries, you’re bringing more attention to your own and reaching new demographics at the same time.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Charity work. Entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs alike can give back. Charitable giving doesn’t have to involve money. You can also give your time, and everybody has time that they can give. Pick a cause that you’re passionate about and volunteer. Serve food at a homeless shelter, pick up garbage, or participate in fundraisers. There’s always more that you can be doing!
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
The value of customer service cannot be understated. At my company there is a genuine care for the customer and their wellbeing. People sense when the interactions they’re having with a business are genuine and this has made us very successful and helped us grow. Everyone here is committed to helping people and ensuring that the customer is happy at the end of the day.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I would have used less of my own money. It’s important that new entrepreneurs try to secure financing for their business ventures through investors rather than investing all of their own money. It worked out for me but it very easily could have gone the other way.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
There is always hardware and software that can be used to streamline business operations. I think there is still a great deal of improvement that can be made regarding business organization. There should be more programs available for entrepreneurs and business owners that make running a business easier and less daunting.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I recently made a donation to Child Abuse Research Education & Services (CARES). This organization helps children who have been abused to move past their trauma through therapeutic medical and educational avenues.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
QuickBooks has been a great help and aids in our productivity every day. It’s a software that tracks bill status, records payments, and just generally aids in the financial management of small businesses. Anybody who owns a business should use QuickBooks.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. This is honestly a must-read for anyone who’s thinking about starting a business.
What is your favorite quote?
“So much depends on reputation, guard it with your life.”
Key Learnings:
• Technology is your friend. Use it
• Give to charity when you can. If not your money, then your time.
• Seek financing for business adventures. Don’t rely solely on your own dollars.
