Getting our Bach On: Benjamin Bach Makes It Great!

One of my guest bloggers over the past month has been the amazing Benjamin Bach. Benjamin and I share blogging space at Joyful Jubilant Learning, and also at his personal blog at http://www.kitchener-waterloo-real-estate-investments.com/ where he shares his unique insights on real estate and personal development, quite a mix if ever I've heard one.

To show how amazing he is, Benjamin was recently voted Kitchener Waterloo's Favourite Real Estate Agent (by www.therecord.com), quite an honor for anyone, especially for someone so young.

He never ceases to amaze me, and I hope this interview does him justice.

Without further ado, I present to you Benjamin Bach, remarkable real estate and personal development blogger.

Phil: Tell us about Benjamin Bach. Why is he remarkable, and what does he do that "makes it great!

Benjamin: I'm remarkable because I can be - and so can everyone else.  As you know, our choices and habits define us.  If you decide to be a positive, successful person - you can be.  I know a lot of talented, smart people who have decided to be ordinary.  We all have seen hard working people rise to the top despite staggering 'obstacles' to overcome.

I make it great because I try to leave everyone better than I found them.  I like to help people, I like to add value where I can, and I like to have great relationships.  That makes me a pretty attractive person, so I have lots of great friends!

PG: What's the best advice you've ever gotten, and what made it so good?

BB: The best advice I've ever received comes from my grandfathers.  My dad's father Manny used to tell me to be a mensch, which is yiddish for a good, kind person.  My mother's father John is now retired, but used to import and sell textiles and fabrics in Montreal.  He had the best quality fabrics in town, and he always provided the best service.

He used to tell me about how important it is to be straight with the customers.  If there is a product somewhere else that suits their needs this time, tell them - they'll remember the value you provided and you will reap the benefits of it in the future.

PG: I know your favorite quote (it's mine too), but please share it and also let everyone know why it's your favorite.

BB: 'You can get everything you want in the world if you just help enough other people get what they want.'  I first (and most often) heard it attributed to Zig Ziglar, but since have been told it's older than that (as are most ideas).

What I find fascinating about this is the word 'enough.'  How much is enough?  Depends on how much you want.   Go out and provide massive value to others, and you'll receive abundance in return.  Givers attract; givers get.

PG: Absolutely Benjamin! That's why I love that quote too!

What's the best book you've read in the last 12 months and tell us a little about what made it so good?

BB: Ha!  Can I give you four?

PG: Of course! I'm always up for another book to read.

BB:Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Black Book of Connections - a fantastic, easy to devour book about the how and why of building relationships.  I started my ezine Bach on Business after reading this! (PS if you want to sign up for this here is the link)

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - A personal diary written two thousand years ago by a Roman Emperor.  A book about leadership, ethics, and personal growth.

Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller, Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan - Proven systems used by millionaire real estate investors.  Great value for $20!

Peace is the Way by Deepak Chopra - This is a book about loving your fellow human, and expanding that concept to a global level.  There is no way to peace, peace is the way.

PG: What blogs do you "never miss" postings at?

BB: I have 104 subscriptions in my google reader right now, and I tend to scroll through most of them.  I love your blog, Steve Pavlina's blog, Hello My Name is Scott, Seth Godin's site, Jeff Brown's Bawld Guy, and of course, Autoblog.  I also check out the Estate of the Day over at Luxist, since I have a thing for large chateaus on acreage.  If you need help with that, read David Schwartz's The Magic of Thinking Big :)

PG: What is your life's mission, and how did it come to be?

BB: My Enduring Purpose is to build relationships with and contribute significant value to people while attracting success with my integrity and actions; To help people achieve wealth, be it financial, emotional or spiritual, while living a balanced life of my own; To give freely.

It's a reflection of who I am and what I want to do in this world, which is provide massive value and help millions of people have abundant lives.

PG: You are an incredibly positive, well read, highly connected guy, and yet you're VERY young. How did you get such a great outlook on life at such a young age?

BB: When I was 22, I went to a conference in Toronto where Richard Robbins was speaking. This was the first time I'd been introduced to 'personal growth' - the concept that formal education will make you a living, but self education will make you a fortune.  After that I started to read voraciously and seek out mentors.

By learning from mentors and books, you can build on the experiences of others without having to try and fail several times yourself.  Jim Rohn says that to get to a higher level you need to stand on the knowledge of a few good books, and I would add that with a mentor's shoulders to stand on, you can reach even higher.

The rest is history, in progress.

PG: What question did I not ask that I should have, and what's the answer to that question?

BB: You could ask me: Benjamin, can you tell me a bit about your business?
I would answer with: Sure Phil! 

I help people build wealth to fund great lives. I own a real estate business in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario Canada, and I work with people to make smart real estate investments.  We'll look at the underlying reason they are investing - is there a baby that needs a college tuition fund ?  Is retirement 10 years off?  Maybe you're 25 and want to be a multi millionaire at 35. If you have a plan, and are committed to doing the work, you can do it.  I help people do it.

PG: Where can we learn more about, and from, you?

BB: You can check out the Benjamin Bach blog, and you can also find me sharing the screen with the web's most talented blogging ensemble over at Joyful Jubilant Learning Network.  You can also sign up for my newsletter Bach on Business.

PG: Awesome stuff as usual Benjamin. As always, you've taught me a lot. Thank you for sharing yourself, and for helping us make it great!

Benjamin has also agreed to stop by from time to time to share some of his insights and expertise, so we can learn MORE from him. I always love learning more from folks smarter than me.

Comments

[Mother Earth]

I like the interviews you do Phil - nice way to get an additional layer about someone I also enjoyed Benjamins commentary when he posted for you this last month

Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
www.bestwellnessconsultant.com

[Jeff Brown]

Phil -- I'm elated to discover you've found a way to include a real estate investment guy on your blog. Great job, and great choice.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Thanks Karen. It's fun to share folks this way, and share the light.

Jeff - It's tough to do, but I'm trying. I just might be interviewing you too, if you're up for it!