The Padernacht Podcast
Steven Padernacht delivers a weekly podcast focused, on Real Business, Real Topics, Real People and Real Estate! Come and follow the journey!
The Padernacht Podcast
#51 Michael Chernick: From Candy Bouquets to Business Development
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In this episode of The Padernacht Podcast: Brick by Brick, Steven sits down with a friend of over 20 years Michael Chernick, Business Development Director in the energy industry.
Before any of that, Michael ran a struggling candy bouquet franchise, coached high school basketball, and dabbled in vending machines and Amway — until a customer connection led him into inside sales at a family-owned heating oil company. 15 years, a company acquisition, and a full CRM rebuild later, he's telling the whole story including the real estate crossover most people never think about: buried oil tanks, ESCO scams, and what actually stalls a closing.
Topics covered:
[0:15] How the candy bouquet franchise started
[1:52] The $1,000 magazine ad that generated 2 sales
[3:23] Biggest lessons from running the candy franchise
[6:00] Making the leap into inside sales
[8:52] Why he hired mostly women for phone sales
[11:10] Becoming the top salesperson — and the friction that came with it
[14:38] Coaching new realtors: the #1 trait that matters — coachability
[17:11] Self-education: books, mentors, "university on wheels"
[20:20] The Magic of Thinking Big — the role of mindset
[24:04] The company sale — losing 3 of 7 team members in year one
[26:55] Choosing a smaller, family-owned company over more money
[29:01] Building a CRM and marketing foundation from scratch
[30:56] What an ESCO is and how people get bait-and-switched
[36:19] Why realtors call him about buried oil tanks and biofuel
[37:33] ProGuard tank insurance and $100K remediation coverage
[38:56] A real $250,000 remediation story that stalled a closing
[40:56] The teacher appears when the student is ready
[41:56] Two types of people: excuses or making it happen
[48:15] Legacy: what he wants to be remembered for
[49:56] Advice to a new college grad figuring out their path
Reach Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelbchernick/
Book a free real estate consultation with Steven:
📞 (607) 669-3361
🌐 smprealty.com
Instagram: @steve_pad