Ryan Serhant, star of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing New York,” shared his truths on entrepreneurship during Blank Slate Media’s 40 Under 40 Thursday night.
“One of our biggest truths is things don’t happen the way you think they’re going to happen,” Serhant, the keynote speaker of the night, said at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
The 40 Under 40 Networking and Awards event recognized and honored individuals who are creating their own paths and finding innovative ways to be successful.
Serhant, a real estate broker and reality TV personality, was joined by North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. It was hosted by Antoinette Biordi, a three-time Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter who has been with News12 Long Island since 2010.
His additional endeavors include writing books, hosting a podcast and founding SERHANT, a multi-faceted brokerage.
DeSena thanked then honorees for the local impacts they have made and that they never know what the future holds.
“Thank you for what you’ve all done in your communities, “DeSena said. “You’ve each made an impression where you live, thank you for stepping up.”
Serhant shared his experiences in the real estate industry and told the story of the multiple setbacks he faced when purchasing a home in Brooklyn due to flooding from Hurricane Ida.
“Going forward, as you think of your 2030 business plans, we need to think of contingency and backup plans. I now have more drains than any townhouse in the five boroughs,” Serhant joked.
Over the course of his career, Ryan has sold $5 billion in real estate and is known for breaking market records. In early 2021, he represented the buyer for the most expensive home sale ever in the state of Florida and the second most expensive single-family home sale in the United States for just under $140 million.
Serhant’s second truth is that you can experience success practically overnight through the proliferation of social media in today’s day and age.
He said when TikTok first came out, he posted a video that went viral and was seen by over 6 million people, which then introduced him to potential business partners.
“It’s not about becoming influencers. It’s not about becoming Instagram famous,” Serhant said. “It’s about creating potential from the possibilities. What we now all have on our phones, every single person in this room is now an advertiser and a marketer and everything you do is interesting.”
The third truth from Serhant touted the importance of networking and how vital it is to having a successful business.
“People equal profits. If I’m sitting at one of these tables, I’m not leaving this room until I have met at least five new people,” Serhant said. “That’s the game that I play with myself at every single event I go to since I got into the real estate business in 2008 and had no money.”
Born in Houston, Serhant grew up in Massachusetts before graduating college in 2006 and starting his venture in New York real estate two years later.
Lastly, Serhant said he believes the current traditional ways of earning an income will be outdated in the coming years and it is time to adapt.
“You have got to think bigger. People are going to come out of high school and realize they don’t need a bachelor’s degree to make an income,” Serhant said. “The dream has evolved and it has changed.”
