Client Spotlight Blogalogue: Larry and Julie Beaumont
A few years ago while on vacation in Mexico, I conceived of a new, organic approach to finding clients. I decided to approach businesses that were doing things that really interested me and get acquainted with the owners or management.
No advertising, no direct mail, just a phone call or email to begin a conversation.
As a result, I contacted Larry and Julie Beaumont (pictured right) to learn more about the Mexico beach front rental and fractional ownership homes they handle in Puerto Peñasco, a favorite vacation spot for my family for more than 25 years. Larry and I had a great conversation and we ended up deciding to work together.
Larry and Julie approach their life and work in a manner that exemplifies what many of us seek: a lifestyle and place to live that we love and a way of making a living that supports those choices.
Definitely at the top of my favorite clients list, I was pleased when the Beaumonts agreed to share some of their secrets in an interview. Conducted while they were traveling, here it is:
ktcosmos: How does your business model differ today as compared with when you originally started in real estate and property management?
Larry Beaumont: When I first started in Real Estate, my dealings were primarily in Residential Sales. The business then evolved over time into specializing in Fractional Ownership Sales and Property Management for those properties.
ktcosmos: Have any of your business decisions been driven lifestyle changes you wanted to make?
Larry & Julie: Yes, the idea of being able to live on the beach in a foreign country and sell homes definitely was a lifestyle changing decision.
ktcosmos: How did you decide to move into the shared ownership business and how were you actually able to accomplish that?
L & J: We had recently purchased investment property in Mexico and while on a family vacation in Hilton Head S.C., we saw the fractional concept being used on some townhouses. The idea of trying the same concept in Mexico was then conceived and has been well received ever since.
ktcosmos: So, that was really a hunch that paid off. Can you share any other key business hunches you followed through on that were also successful?
L & J: Understanding the U.S. market and removing the hassles of owning property in a foreign country provided a unique service to the area. We were one of the first Arizona licensed Real Estate companies to provide this service south of the border.
ktcosmos: How about the flip side of that question?
L & J: We originally tried a commercial development concept that became a political issue and wasn’t successful. At that point we learned that our efforts were better spent on the residential fractional ownership concept that was lucrative, a lot more fun & less stressful.
ktcosmos: Do you advocate formal business planning and goal setting, or is that more of a spontaneous or instinctual undertaking for you?
Larry: Most of our formal business plans usually start out on a napkin at some restaurant. I went to 4 years of business school to learn that!
How many different types of subcontractors do you use in your work?
L & J: Our business has evolved into doing more of the detail work “in house” and we will usually sub-out the different phases of a job to different specialized contractors.
ktcosmos: Any interesting reading you’d like to recommend to others?
L & J: If you are contemplating doing any business dealings in Mexico, the book, God & Mr. Gomez is a good read, and another favorite was The World is Flat by Thomas Freidman. (See links to the Beaumont’s book recommendations at right)
ktcosmos: If there’s anything else you want to add about what makes your business successful, feel free.
L & J: One of our most challenging issues dealing with employees in a foreign country, has been in teaching them the importance of consistency of quality & service provided for our properties.
ktcosmos: Thanks, Larry and Julie! I look forward to finally meeting you in person in October in Rocky Point!
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If you would like to visit Rocky Point, start planning your trip with a visit to Larry and Julie’s website, www.MexicoBeachhomes.com.
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