I bought a FAKE Rolex... and it changed my life!

Sell It

19 Apr 202307:33

Summary

TLDRThe speaker shares their journey from wearing a fake $20 Rolex to purchasing a genuine rose gold Daytona Rolex for over $30,000 impulsively at an airport, symbolizing their leap into success. They reflect on the importance of projecting an image of success to gain confidence and how it helped them in their real estate career. The speaker also emphasizes the value of finding common interest groups to network and build a successful career, highlighting the story of an agent who runs with the blind and built a thriving business through it. They conclude with the bold move of their company's first office, taking over the Tommy Hilfiger headquarters in SoHo, as a statement of their ambition and success.

Takeaways

😀 The speaker initially purchased a fake Rolex for $20, thinking it would help him appear successful and boost his confidence in his early career.
💰 The speaker's first genuine Rolex, a rose gold Daytona, was impulsively bought at an airport for over $30,000, reflecting a shift in his financial situation and mindset.
🏢 The speaker believes that success in real estate, especially in New York City, is associated with material symbols like Rolex watches, which he initially couldn't afford.
👕 He describes his early struggles, living in Koreatown and sharing a bathroom with many others, contrasting with the image of success he aspired to project.
🤔 The speaker reflects on the psychological impact of wearing a fake Rolex, comparing it to wearing shapewear for self-improvement and motivation.
🏋️‍♂️ To overcome his lack of connections, the speaker joined multiple gyms to meet potential clients and build relationships, highlighting the importance of networking.
🏡 He emphasizes the value of finding common interests and building genuine relationships, rather than just selling, to attract clients in real estate.
💼 The speaker's real estate firm started during the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing to project an image of success by leasing a prominent office space in SoHo.
🌐 He mentions the changing perceptions of success, noting that in 2020, social media presence and actions are more telling of success than material possessions.
🚀 The speaker encourages finding and leveraging unique interests to create a niche and build a client base, using the example of an agent who runs with the blind.
📈 Success begets success; projecting an image of success is crucial, as it can attract more opportunities and clients, according to the speaker's experiences.

Q & A

What was the cost of the narrator's first Rolex watch?
-The narrator's first Rolex watch, which was fake, cost him twenty dollars.
Why did the narrator initially buy a fake Rolex watch?
-The narrator bought a fake Rolex to project an image of success and to boost his confidence in the early stages of his career in New York City.
How much did the narrator spend on his rose gold Daytona Rolex?
-The narrator spent just over thirty thousand dollars on his rose gold Daytona Rolex.
What was the narrator's motivation for buying the expensive Rolex at the airport?
-The narrator made an impulsive purchase to project an image of success and to embody the success he aspired to achieve.
What was the physical effect of wearing the fake Rolex when the narrator was sweaty or wet?
-Wearing the fake Rolex would turn the narrator's wrist green due to the plastic material when he got sweaty or wet.
Why did the narrator believe that wearing a fake Rolex could help him become successful?
-The narrator thought that by wearing the fake Rolex, he could build himself up to the point where he could potentially afford the real thing, similar to how shapewear can make one feel better.
What was the narrator's living situation when he first moved to New York City?
-The narrator lived in Koreatown, sharing a bathroom with 17 other guys, and was not from New York City.
How did the narrator meet potential clients in the beginning of his career?
-The narrator met potential clients by going to multiple gyms around New York City, where he could help people out and build friendships that could lead to business.
What strategy did the narrator use to find a common interest group in New York City?
-The narrator used gym memberships in various locations to find a common interest group and meet people who could potentially become clients.
How has the perception of success changed since 2008 according to the narrator?
-The narrator suggests that society has become less materialistic since 2008, with success now being associated more with actions and social media presence rather than material possessions like watches.
What was the narrator's approach to projecting an image of success for his real estate firm?
-The narrator chose to lease the entire Tommy Hilfiger headquarters in SoHo, a four-story building, to project an image of success and ambition for his real estate firm.

Outlines

00:00

💰 The Evolution of Success: From Fake to Real Rolex

The speaker reflects on their journey from wearing a fake Rolex to purchasing a genuine one, symbolizing their transition from a struggling real estate agent to a successful entrepreneur. They recount the significance of a Rolex in the New York City real estate scene and how it influenced their perception of success. The narrative delves into the psychological impact of wearing a fake Rolex to boost confidence and the eventual realization that success is not just about appearances but also about the hard work and hustle that leads to genuine achievements.

05:02

🏋️‍♂️ Building Confidence and Networks Through Shared Interests

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the importance of confidence and networking in achieving success. They share personal anecdotes about how they leveraged shared interests, such as gym memberships, to build relationships and find clients in the real estate industry. The speaker emphasizes the value of surrounding oneself with supportive and successful individuals who can elevate one's own success. They also highlight the strategy of projecting an image of success, as exemplified by their decision to establish their company in a prominent location, which serves as a bold statement of their aspirations and accomplishments.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Rolex

Rolex is a Swiss luxury watch brand known for its high-quality, precision timepieces. In the video, the speaker discusses the significance of owning a Rolex as a symbol of success and status. The first Rolex mentioned was a fake, costing only twenty dollars, which the speaker used to boost his confidence in the early stages of his career. Later, he purchased a genuine rose gold Daytona Rolex for over thirty thousand dollars, which he bought impulsively at an airport, reflecting a shift in his financial situation and mindset.

💡Success

Success in the video is portrayed as a state of achievement and accomplishment, often associated with material possessions like a Rolex watch. The speaker initially sought success by wearing a fake Rolex to project an image of success, which he believed would motivate him to achieve his goals. As his career progressed, his definition of success evolved, and he began to associate it more with personal growth and overcoming challenges rather than just material wealth.

💡Impulse Purchase

An impulse purchase refers to a sudden, unplanned buying decision, often driven by emotion rather than necessity. The speaker describes buying the genuine Rolex as an impulsive moment, indicating a change in his attitude towards spending and a willingness to invest in himself as a symbol of his success.

💡Confidence

Confidence in the video is depicted as an internal belief in one's abilities and potential for success. The speaker used the fake Rolex as a tool to build his self-confidence, suggesting that external symbols can sometimes serve as a catalyst for personal growth and motivation.

💡Materialism

Materialism is the belief that material possessions and physical wealth are of primary importance. The video reflects a shift in societal values from a focus on materialism to a more nuanced understanding of success. The speaker notes that in 2008, material possessions like a Rolex were more indicative of success, but now, other factors such as social media followings and personal achievements are also considered.

💡Perception

Perception in the video refers to the way individuals interpret and understand the world around them, often influenced by societal norms and personal experiences. The speaker's perception of success and the role of a Rolex changed over time, from seeing it as a necessary symbol to a more complex understanding that includes personal development and authenticity.

💡Networking

Networking is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships. The speaker discusses using gym memberships as a means to meet potential clients and build a network in New York City, illustrating the importance of personal connections in business and personal success.

💡Hustle

Hustle refers to the act of working hard, often with a sense of urgency and determination. The speaker emphasizes the importance of hustling from day one, suggesting that relentless effort and initiative are key to achieving success in a competitive environment like New York City's real estate market.

💡Image Projection

Image projection is the act of presenting a certain image or impression to others. The speaker talks about the importance of projecting an image of success, even when starting a real estate firm during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, by choosing a high-profile office location to signal confidence and ambition.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity is the quality of being genuine and true to oneself. The video touches on the idea that while external symbols like a Rolex can be powerful, true success comes from being authentic and building a reputation based on personal achievements and character.

💡Self-Motivation

Self-motivation is the ability to inspire oneself to take action toward achieving goals. The speaker uses the example of wearing a fake Rolex to self-motivate during a difficult time in his life, suggesting that sometimes external symbols can serve as a tool for self-encouragement and goal-setting.

Highlights

The speaker's first Rolex was a fake, costing only twenty dollars, which was purchased to give an impression of success.

The current Rolex, a rose gold Daytona, was bought impulsively at an airport for over thirty thousand dollars.

The speaker associates wearing a Rolex with the perception of success, influenced by media portrayals.

The fake Rolex served as a confidence booster and a symbol of future aspirations.

The speaker's experience as a real estate agent in New York City, where having a Rolex is seen as a status symbol.

The speaker's realization that success and appearance can be self-fulfilling prophecies.

The transition from wearing a fake Rolex to an authentic one as a sign of personal and professional growth.

The speaker's current reluctance to wear the expensive Rolex in front of clients due to changed perceptions.

The shift in societal values from materialism to more intangible measures of success.

The speaker's strategy of joining gyms to meet potential clients and build relationships.

The importance of finding common interests to establish trust and rapport with clients.

The concept of projecting an image of success to attract similar success in business.

The decision to lease a prominent office space as a bold statement of the company's ambitions.

The belief that success breeds success and the importance of associating with successful people.

The idea of creating a membership group or community around a shared interest to foster business opportunities.

The story of an agent who built a successful career by running with the blind and networking through this activity.

The speaker's emphasis on the importance of surrounding oneself with positive and uplifting influences.

The analogy of the fake Rolex to other forms of self-improvement, such as wearing shapewear for motivation.

The speaker's philosophy on not waiting for success but actively pursuing it, as evidenced by the company's early decisions.