We had the good fortune of connecting with Vincent Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vincent, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
The most difficult, but ultimately the best decision I’ve made was walking away from the restaurant industry back in 2006. At the time, I knew I needed to make a dramatic shift for my well-being as well as my family’s. I didn’t have professional experience outside of the hospitality arena and while the idea of leaving the safety of my corporate job felt daunting, it was also very exciting. Before finding my passion for real estate, I spent the first few years consulting for a variety of industries including restaurants, landscaping businesses and clothing companies. The decision changed the entire landscape of my career, and I finally had the power to build my own business and make decisions for my family’s future on my own terms.
 
What should our readers know about your business?
I’m the Founder of Marketplace One Realty, one of the only black-owned luxury boutique brokerages in the Valley. As a Realtor, I’ve been representing affluent buyers and sellers for over 12 years. To me, luxury real estate is more than a price point. It’s about delivering a personalized buying and selling experience and serving the needs of the client. Our brokerage focuses on client satisfaction above all else. You’ll never see M1 touting volume or record sales numbers. We believe our results-driven approach and ongoing relationships speak for themselves.

Throughout my career, from the restaurant industry to real estate, delivering an attentive and prioritized experience has been the foundation of my business. It may be a hot seller’s market right now, but the housing market has always been and will always be a competitive one. To be a leader in this space you have to be passionate not only about finding the best deals for the clients you represent, but for your clients- period. I believe M1 does that time and time again.

Additionally, I’m proud of the work I do to better my community. As a black businessperson who has experienced success and challenges along the way, it’s important for me to mentor young adults who may be struggling in different areas of their lives.

When it comes to overcoming challenges, there are several circumstances and reasons for how I got to where I am today, but I believe they all lead back to my innate need to build my business on my own terms. That, coupled with my passion for delivering exceptional client service has made being a real estate agent and brokerage owner a natural role for me. The path of an entrepreneur isn’t always straightforward. There have been moments of uncertainty, financial hardships and countless challenges that seemed at the time impossible to overcome. But all of it has led me to where I am today and what I’m supposed to be doing.

All of those moments are lasting lessons in the way we handle them and have taught me how I want to be viewed as a businessman. A few years back, I represented a newly married couple looking to find a home for their growing family. After purchasing their perfect house, the wife made a candid comment that there wasn’t a garage door opener. After initially trying to fix the minor issue prior to them moving in, I quickly found there were overall construction challenges to the garage itself that the new owners would have to deal with at some point themselves. This didn’t sit well with me, as I wanted them to start this new chapter with pure excitement. So, I took it upon myself to enhance the house and replace the garage door. Not only were my clients surprised, but they were also taken aback that the issue was solved even before they knew it would have been a problem to tackle.

These clients have helped foster several new relationships and continue to bring new opportunities to M1. The lesson is, sometimes the smallest details matter. And taking care of business today means protecting future business for tomorrow.

For me, it’s important that people value my integrity as a husband, father, entrepreneur and community leader. I believe positive and effective leadership is driven by quality relationships, which is why I prioritize them over money and business deals. What I’ve learned over the years and what I tell those who are younger is to put people first. If you do that, I promise that success will come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love hosting and it’s always fun sharing some of Arizona’s signature activities and events with out-of-towners. I always have friends visit during the Spring Training season. I’m originally from San Diego, and hitting up a Padres game-or a few- is one of my family’s favorite things to do. When not at the ballgame, I enjoy taking friends to play a scenic 18 holes of golf at Arrowhead Country Club. If we’re looking to do something a bit more adventurous, we’ll drive up to Forest Lakes and go 4-wheeling together. I also like to check out cigar lounges in the area, including Embargo Cigar Lounge and Magnum Cigars Wine & Liquor. When it’s time to eat, Hillstone, Houston’s and Arrowhead Grill are a few of our favorite restaurants and hangout spots.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve worked for and learned from many great business and community leaders throughout my career, but the person who deserves more than a little credit in my story is my wife, Diana. Without her unwavering support, I would not be as successful nor could have taken any of the rewarding (and sometimes not so rewarding) risks as I have. She’s my consultant and sounding board for every major business decision. She was the force and encouragement behind me finally becoming an entrepreneur-something I always knew I wanted for myself and our family. Her role in our marriage and partnership is invaluable, and she deserves an infinite amount of shout outs from me and our five children every day.

Website: MP1Realty.com

Instagram: @Vincent.Clark24

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