Barbara Corcoran is known for a lot of things. But one of her more character-defining traits includes her propensity to be risky. Barbara Corcoran’s radical choices for wealth have always made her a standout.
Be it being a cool and generous boss when she was leading her firm or not believing in the concept of traditional savings, she has a lot covered under her belt.
Barbara Corcoran has done rather well for herself, reaching a $100 million net worth. When she is not being a real estate mogul, author, and TV personality, she is sharing tips on how you can amass wealth.
Radical Choices of Barbara Corcoran That Build Her Wealth
Before achieving fame and fortune, Corcoran was just another ambitious woman navigating city life. Her success in real estate and wealth came from taking risks that many wouldn’t dare. She recently revealed three of these daring strategies and the useful lessons they carry.
Using Curiosity to Capture Attention
Corcoran had received a property from the Guggenheim family that had never been sold early in her career. The house was in poor condition, and potential buyers showed little interest. This was until she stumbled upon a safe tucked away in the basement.
The contents of the safe were a complete mystery. It has never been opened before. Public speculation said it might hold jewels or historic family papers, among many other things. Barbara saw a marketing opportunity and turned the opening of the safe into an event. She invited “The Today Show” to watch her unlock it on live TV.
Even though the safe turned out to be empty, the buzz it created was anything but. The buzz it created drew celebrities to the property, and it sold in just a week.
The main lesson was that a strong story holds real power in sales. Curiosity-sparking narratives can capture attention and turn an ordinary offer into something people see as valuable.
The Unglamorous Side of Starting Out
Part of the real estate business involves running around the city from one property to another. She used the same strategy in different ventures beyond real estate.
Barbara had a phase where she balanced her real estate work with evenings spent as a bike messenger, earning extra money to keep her business afloat.
The lesson here is to leave out ego when it comes to starting out in entrepreneurship. The early days require you to be ready to handle any task, no matter how small or unglamorous. Keeping things (money) moving is essential.
The Power of Perception and Media Attention in Building a Brand
She realized that gaining publicity was just as important as hard work, if not more. And for this, she created “The Corcoran Report” and sent it to every reporter at The New York Times to build her brand.
The report claimed to show rising apartment prices in New York City and was picked up by the press under the headline of “Study Shows Co-op Prices Nearly Quintupled.” It was misleading in nature, as the catch was that it relied solely on Corcoran’s 14 sales that year.
Still, as the case is with most misleading clickbait journalism, it worked. The publicity worked, and Barbara’s brand gained traction.
The lesson here is how your public perception matters. It matters to the point where it can influence outcomes. Even without any real change, the media exposure gave her company authority. Ergo, people began perceiving and treating her name differently.
Barbara Corcoran’s Radical Choices For Wealth and Bold Success
Barbara Corcoran’s journey shows that wealth doesn’t always come from playing it safe. Unfortunately, more often than not, it often comes from daring to try what others might dismiss. Barbara’s claim to fame is full of bold risks, sharp instincts, and a willingness to do what others might overlook.
All of these traits made her stand out in a market as competitive and crowded as New York City’s real estate.
Her inclination to capitalize on very normal things, such as creating a headline, sparking curiosity, or simply keeping things moving when times were tough, made her an empire worth $100 million today.
For anyone chasing success, Barbara’s example is a reminder that unconventional thinking can open doors that traditional methods never will. Barbara Corcoran built her success on improvisation and guts. Similarly, her advice offers lived-in experiences instead of theoretical jargon.
