Customer Reviews

Use What You've Got: & Other Business Lessons I Learned from My Mom

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I loved this book! Barbara's real estate lessons are entertaining and fun. Regardless of where you sell real estate the rules and the lessons are the same. I'll recommnend it to every new agent that comes to our firm.

This is a must-read book if you are in ANY type of business. Barbara is a pioneer of her time. She intertwines business with fundamental lessons that her mother bestowed upon her. Use this book as a guide in real estate and you will most definitely be successfull. If you do not buy Barbara Corcoran's book, it will be like taking a wad of cash and throwing it out the window.

BUY IT TODAY!! It's great!!

I read this book while studying for my real estate license. I learned a great deal about the business while reading this book. I'd recommend it even if someone wasn't into real estate. Ms. Corcoran is a great feminist role model!

The real estate business for the past 15 years or so allowed me to solely raise 3 children. Today I am a broker and mentor to new agents and I love it. The real estate business is a demanding, arduous twenty-four hour job. People seem to think you never go home. About the time I found this book, I was feeling a bit burned out. Barbara's book shed a whole new light on life in real estate. From that point I was re-inspired and it hasn't left me yet.

I read Barbara's book from beginning to end unable to put it down. The book is an entertaining escape. In spite of the tough times her outlook on life was hopeful. I know it was grueling, especially in the beginning with the boyfriend. Pounding the pavement for rental prospects wasn't too fun either. But she just kept keepn' on.

"Use what you've got" was inspiring, funny, warm, motivating and useful. Even as a seasoned agent Barbara taught me a great deal. And from a coaches perspective her management style was priceless. I can't say enough; I didn't want the book to end. Sounds crazy but I wanted to crawl in and live there.

Thanks Barbara. After reading your book and its gifts I want found myself wanting to know you. Excited to email you to say thanks, I had no expectation of hearing back, when I did I was blown away. Your story is a true illustration of who you are. Thanks for being my number one mentor.

Mickey Elliott
Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker
949-887-4376 Cellular

The real estate business for the past 15 years or so allowed me to solely raise 3 children. Today I am a broker and mentor to new agents and I love it. The real estate business is a demanding, arduous twenty-four hour job. People seem to think you never go home. About the time I found this book, I was feeling a bit burned out. Barbara's book shed a whole new light on life in real estate. From that point I was re-inspired and it hasn't left me yet.

I read Barbara's book from beginning to end unable to put it down. The book is an entertaining escape. In spite of the tough times her outlook on life was hopeful. I know it was grueling, especially in the beginning with the boyfriend. Pounding the pavement for rental prospects wasn't too fun either. But she just kept keepn' on.

"Use what you've got" was inspiring, funny, warm, motivating and useful. Even as a seasoned agent Barbara taught me a great deal. And from a coaches perspective her management style was priceless. I can't say enough; I didn't want the book to end. Sounds crazy but I wanted to crawl in and live there.

Thanks Barbara. After reading your book and its gifts I want found myself wanting to know you. Excited to email you to say thanks, I had no expectation of hearing back, when I did I was blown away. Your story is a true illustration of who you are. Thanks for being my number one mentor.

Mickey Elliott
Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker
949-887-4376 Cellular

If I was promoting this book, I would promote it around the idea that a young girl -- very much like any other young girl (although with life experiences that can only come from being in a big family) -- grows up and goes to the Big City and achieves a kind of greatness!

(And) Like many other women, during the course of the 30-year process of her business evolution she had little (yet hugely profound) realizations of her mother's wisdom.

It's inspiring! The book claims a positive history for women -- something our bookshelves lack! I'd like to read it to my children because it has lessons that are important to life -- things I would like to teach them! For instance, I love the chapter, "Offer The Bigger Piece And Yours Will Taste Better."

The stories remind me of my childhood, my parents and family -- though we only had 3 kids and a dog! As an adult woman with a business degree, and plenty of business experience, I enjoyed the business insight!

Bruce Littlefield did a stellar job of writing. A sense of humor (yet a firm intent) shows through in the writing style. When I read it, I looked forward to reading one chapter or "lesson" per day.

I cannot recommend it enough!

This book deserves a 10! It proves that you do not have to have tons of money or be at the top of the class. It takes the basic fundamentals of what everyone's life lessons were growing up and turns them into logical business smarts. We all know this stuff, we have all been told these things from our parents or those who care about us. Barbara just helps put it all in prospective and apply it to your business. I have a sports and fitness business and am able to apply every single lesson to grow my business. But this book also does someting else, it challenges you as an individual. It forces you to look at yourself, analyze what needs to change or be improved and gives you the tools to do it. This book is a must for any person or business looking to grow!

Having grown up in Barbara's home town of Edgewater, N.J. her book brought back so many memories of my childhood. I knew Barbara's family, especially her mom. I laughted and cried my way through Use What You've Got. Barbara's humor and no-nonsense approach to real estate and living her life is definitley refreshing. This book teaches you how to learn, stretch your edges, and think creatively no matter what situation you're in. I would encourage everyone to read it and then give it to a friend.

Simply put, I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was truly honest, funny, motivational, thought provoking, inspirational, and bold. I use the word bold, because she does not hesitate when describing her thoughts, opinions, goals, and ways of achieving them. She is generous with her ideas and basically maps out a road to success not only in real estate, but in any venture. I recommend this book to anyone, especially if you are in real estate. This is one of those books you don't want to put down, and look forward to. I found myself wishing there was another 100 pages. Now go and buy it....cheers!

Barbara came from the far side of the Hudson, a world away from Manhattan, and became it's "Queen". I laughed...I cried and most especially loved the accounts of her magical childhood in a 4 room home filled with 10 kids. Can't wait to see the movie!