Member Spotlight: Duane Mangalindan
Recently, we posted an interview with CO:Member, Duane Mangalindan, in the Jackson Sun. But there was a lot more to the interview that didn't get published. Here's the discussion in full!
Tell me a little about yourself.
I was born in the Philippines and I grew up in Los Angeles. I moved to Tennessee in June 2009. I am a real estate agent and I can honestly say it’s what I love to do. I love to be able to help people and serve my community. I’m very passionate about my work.
With Jackson being a small town, how has that worked for your business?
As far as it being a small town, I like that feeling. Everyone waves at you and people are generally very friendly. Jackson is a great example of the southern hospitality you always hear about. As far as business, it can be good and bad because some people here prefer to only conduct business with people they know. I’m not from here and I didn’t grow up here so for me that’s a challenge, but I welcome that. I don’t look at Jackson as being “good for business.” I just feel like everyone can have their own share if they work hard for it and find a niche. You just have to find your own path.
How has theCO helped your business?
Oh my gosh, I can’t even speak enough about theCO. It’s great. Realtors are independent contractors and I currently work within Five Star Real Estate Services. We are a small real estate company and not equipped for all of us to work out of it all at the same time. So, theCO’s high-speed internet, space and people that I can talk to and collaborate with; there are just endless benefits here. My mind is set to constantly grow and progress and theCO helps me to accomplish that.
What are some of the benefits of being a resident CO:worker?
I get my own desk-- my own spot right here within theCO. As a real estate agent, I have pipe dreams of holding a seminar and I’m thinking, “Wow, I get all of this?!” I don’t have to search for a hotel with a big enough space to hold an event. theCO already has it for half the price I would pay somewhere else. Also, I get conference room space free for 4 hours a month. I’m able to use that for when I need to meet someone outside of their home that I’m selling or while viewing homes with a buyer. I can tell a client, “Hey, I have a place where we can meet and talk more about what we’re trying to accomplish.”
What do you do in your free time?
I used to be really involved in martial arts. I collect guns and I like to shoot at the range sometimes. Growing up, I was never really big on reading and I wanted to be one of the cool kids. "Cool kids" don't read. Now I read all the time. Call me a nerd if you want. Nerds make money.
Samantha Curry is an intern, writer, designer, and author of this piece.