Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
Four questions with Paul Martillo, Realtor at Raveis in Stamford.
Why did you start your business?
I started my business to allow for schedule freedom and no income cap. My wake-up call was when I had to request time off to tend to my firstborn baby (a situation in which my wife had a complicated pregnancy from the start, this is after having a miscarriage) and my request was denied. At that moment, I knew I had to do something radical, I had to take ahold of my future, my life.
I realized that my 9 to 5 job, a place I dedicated about 11 continuous years (starting fresh out of high school) was not taking me anywhere as an hourly employee ... as they say, it was time to "shoot for the moon - even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." (Norman Vicent Peale).
What is your best-selling product/service?
Myself! As a Fairfield County Realtor, there is a lot of competition out there, but with competition, there is an opportunity. If what you do and what you offer comes out from deep within, you will treat everyone else as you would like to be treated. For example, I see my "leads/clients" with the same eyes I see my parents. I treat them with respect, educate them on things I've learned throughout my experiences, my education, and most importantly, explain things as if they were five years old: with love, patience, and understanding.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
- Lenders (private or big banks):
Nelson Dasilva from Total Mortgage
Veronica Feliciano From Chase Bank
Daniel Elegante From NMBnow
Erin Hamel from First Choice Mortgage
- Inspectors
Ron Worsfold from Schefer Inspection Service
Bertin Ducas - Paragon Property Inspection LLC.
Roberto Torres- Home Inspection
- Attorneys
Charleen E. Merced Agosto - Pol, Merced & Associates
Ernest Arbizo - Law Offices of Ernest Arbizo, LLC
Lauren Mashe - Lauren J. Mashe Law
Have you "reimagined" your small business?
Of course, as a "small business", I look at my career as being bigger than ever! Perhaps running multiple offices simultaneously.
Paul would like to nominate Wilson Andrade co-owner of Stone Techniques to be featured next - He is such an inspiration to me as a business owner who started from scratch, built a masonry company creating jobs for many and he keeps helping the community!
Paul Martillo, Realtor is located at 1022 Long Ridge in Stamford. Visit Paul Martillo, Realtor online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram pages as well!
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!