Update on What I am Doing - Long

Brandon · #1 04-06-2007, 12:21 AM

As many of you know I have been waiting for the right position to show its self to me. I have been to many interviews and on a couple of trips, but I have finally landed.

I'll start with the decision first.

Last week I spent the weekend in Dublin, Ireland meeting with one of the industry leaders in the poker world for an open Affiliate Manager position. I had an absolutely wonderful time and left there 95% sure I was going to take this position. This was the position I move out of the country for...

Moving out of the country does not just effect me, it also changes the life path for my Fiance as well. As most of you know she is in her dream position with a prominent NCAA conference and couldn't be happier. So if I moved, she would be forced to leave this position after our wedding in August and basically put all her eggs into my basket. She said she would be 100% on board with this...what a fiance huh?

Before I left for Dublin I was given a very appealing offer from a company called HomeGain. They are the #2 real estate website in the country with over 5 million uniques a month. My role would be Business Development Manager and would head up their partner (affiliate) program. This is a great opportunity and it is 15 minutes away from where I live now, so my fiance could now continue her career as well.

So I was stuck...dream position...or great position that leaves me with my fiance, family, and friends...?????

This was by far the hardest decision of my life, no matter what I chose I know I would be happy, but this decision changes my life path forever.

Well, I after speaking it over with countless family members and friends, I ultimately decided to accept the position with HomeGain. It was very bittersweet because I cannot tell you how great the team in Dublin was and how amazing it would be to work with them. But I decided to chose the best for the team (Fiance and I) and for my family.

So I want to introduce the new Business Development Manager for HomeGain.com... Me

And lastly, I wanted to share with you that I will also be consulting with a new poker room starting next week I believe so I am not leaving the industry whatsoever. This was a big factor in my decision knowing that I could still work with all of you incredible affiliates/friends.

I look forward to the challenges ahead, and glad that I can spend more time with my family and friends.

Like always I am available to answer any and every question you may have, so just add me to one of your messenger services. If any of you want to create a real estate site let me know...there is a lot of money in this industry.

Sincerely,

Brandon Berndt

NewPokerGirl · #2 04-06-2007, 12:30 AM

Good luck with you new career! Will you be offer us $10,000 CPA's for home buyers? lol ..jk

AceHigh Pino · #3 04-06-2007, 01:16 AM

Awesome brandon -- you definitely are deserving of such a position. I'm glad you went with something more close to home....I know I probably would've done the same because being close to friends and family is something very important to me. Congrats again.

Graham · #4 04-06-2007, 02:04 AM

Thats awsome to hear Brandon. Congrats on the new position and good luck in the new industry.

indieangler · #5 04-06-2007, 05:41 AM

Wow, that must have been a very tough decision for you. I'm sure you'll find that you totally made the right decision, regardless of how hard it probably was to make.

Justin · #6 04-06-2007, 09:16 AM

Congrats buddy.

SunPoker.com · #7 04-06-2007, 09:35 AM

That is excellent news Brandon. I wish you the best of luck in the new position. I think it will be exciting for you going forward.

I'm curious about how the online real estate market works. Do affiliates get paid on leads they give realtors?

Mark

Jeremy · #8 04-06-2007, 10:03 AM

Brandon, you and I have talked in great detail about this. Although for selfish reasons I would have loved to see you take the job in Dublin. I also hold your values in high regard.

You can make all the money in the world or be the CEO of a Fortune 100 company, but at the end of the day you need to have your priorities straight and realize why you work.

Everything I do in this industry and other business ventures is solely to provide a great life for my wife and children. Hence if you see me offline on the weekends or I miss a conference, it is because I am spending time with them.

Also as an entrepreneur, you have to keep in mind that you're career path and goals will change often, as well as your income. This is just part of the game. I see every failure as a learning experience, and every success as a catapult to greater successes. Maybe you'll find the online real estate industry way more lucrative and start climbing that corporate ladder. Or perhaps you'll wind up working with a poker operator in the long run.

The beauty is that your still young enough that you can take these risks and have some fun while you're doing it. Either way I know you well enough that being a poker affiliate is in your blood and that you'll still be here every day.

Brandon · #9 04-06-2007, 01:10 PM

I really appreciate the kind words everyone, I really do!

And of course Jeremy as always thank you for the help getting though this. You have no idea how beneficial it is to have you to talk with, let alone everything you have done for me. I owe you infinite asian hookers.

Also, get on some real estate sites guys, lots of money in there

Brandon · #10 04-06-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunPoker.com

That is excellent news Brandon. I wish you the best of luck in the new position. I think it will be exciting for you going forward.

I'm curious about how the online real estate market works. Do affiliates get paid on leads they give realtors?

Mark

They are paid on a per lead base, which conversions are around 50% or so. Also if you are a large partner you can get MGR.