Brooklyn's Progress
April/May 2005

By Carmen Lee Shue

I'm anxious to share with everyone an exciting new project I've developed for my business, but feel compelled to first point out that there would be no story to tell had I not recently joined the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. 

I'd seen a notice regarding a Chamber event mentioned in one of the many business newspapers I read, and thought I'd like to attend.  A frequent attendee at numerous Manhattan networking events, I told myself that it was time to spread my wings and check out networking opportunities in the outer boroughs.  And so, I soon found myself on the phone with Mack Tham, the Chamber’s Director of Real Estate and Development.  From our conversation, I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of this organization.  It is my usual practice to go to several group events before joining an organization, but I brought a blank check and did not hesitate for a moment about signing up. 

As a new Member I began to attend as many events as possible.  I had a great time meeting my fellow Chamber Members with whom I look forward to doing business.  Meanwhile I got to know several of the Chamber's staffers, finding them uniformly gracious and anxious to help Members.  At the second event I attended, which was a Business After Hours networking event, I was given the opportunity to talk about what I do, whereupon I mentioned my successful seminar, “A Practical Guide to Buying a Co-op, Condo or a House...Things You Should Know and Mistakes to Avoid.”  After my presentation, I was approached by fellow new Member Ann Hall, Business Development Manager of Carnival Cruise Lines, who suggested that we might develop a business relationship by offering my seminar aboard one of Carnival's Fun Ships. Ann then introduced me to Don Cappa of Away U Go Travel, who organizes seminars at sea.  Within two weeks of our meeting, we'd developed a program for my first Real Estate Buyers' Seminar at Sea for Aug. 18.  We've selected a terrific venue, the Fun Ship Carnival Victory sailing an extended weekend cruise to Halifax from New York.  In addition, I got Don to join the Brooklyn Chamber. 

In business, opportunities knock everyday.  Too often we miss the call.  Too often we just don't place ourselves in a position to hear and heed the calls to action.  At a recent networking event, Brooklyn Chamber President Kenneth Adams commented that he knew I'd be there because I'm an opportunist.  He made an accurate observation because when I see an opportunity, I waste no time jumping at it.  While I owe my success story to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, I understand that my willingness to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Chamber is what makes this partnership work.

For more information about Lee Shue Realty, Inc. visit Carmen Lee Shue’s Chamber Web page at www.ibrooklyn.com/leeshuerealty, or her company Web site at http://www.leeshuerealty.com/.  Carmen Lee Shue can be reached at 212-687-1944, or at info@leeshuerealty.com.