Page 25 - Expert Issue 2015 (2)

Suzanne Latour Sophia Segal:

Asking Questions is
Her Strength... Adding That Special Touch

By Debbie Storms By Judith A. Habert

Opportunities are there for the asking and Suzanne LaTour is not afraid to ask
questions. This led her to opening three GolfTec centers where she got her hole
in one. Suzanne has been a financial planner for twenty-three years. She has
credentials and a great track record in her field of expertise but strongly believes
it always comes back to the grass roots of trust. It is all about people and teams.
In light of the financial crisis in 2008 she decided to diversify and pursue start-
ing her own business and her research began in 2009. Three months into her
search she asked a question and the answer was a business she works hard at
but doesn't feel like she is working. As a client of GolfTec, Suzanne was taking
her third lesson when she heard a bit of information that was going to take her
hobby to another level. The store where she was taking her golf lesson was for
sale. A phone call to GolfTec headquarters launched her into a vertical learning
curve in the world of franchising. This all didn't happen without doing her due
diligence.

As a client, not just the owner the business she purchased - one center with one
employee - was a solid beginning. Three and a half years later she has three
centers and is in the process of bringing her total to eleven employees. Having a
full-time job that she loves plus buying a business doing what she has a passion
for became her reality. Suzanne is a true believer that the common denomina-
tor always comes down to people. Attitudes shine through in relationships with
clients as well as employees and she feels one of the benefits of being an owner If the time has come to move up to
is hiring people you like. The genesis of her search for a business was to make your dream home, you will need to
smart choices. Keeping in mind that when purchasing a franchise the quality of sell your current house quickly and
people you interact with contributes to the success rate of the business.
face the dilemma of having it ready
Her choice of believing 'if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is' to show. One of the best decisions
helped her choose a franchise business with realistic goals. Keeping within her you can make when putting your
financial range and the benefits of the royalties paid monthly to the franchisor home on the market is to invest in
are important factors. Asking all your questions, which she believes is one of a professional home staging com-
her strengths, will lead you to a franchise that is a fit. Suzanne references the pany to help make your home as
home remodeling theory when talking about the financial aspect of starting
a business; do not tear down half of your house if you can't afford to rebuild desirable as possible. Some sellers San Diego
it and when you do start a remodel, always know it will take more time than will argue that it is their home and Woman
you originally planned. She stated that using a three and five year financial therefore they would be the most
plan is a critical point. Allowing three years to build your business, at the five qualified to make it appealing to
year point with responsible financial decisions could indicate the business will potential buyers. However, studies have proven that “once you live in a space
survive. Cash flow management is important. Always knowing you will have for more than two years it becomes clouded by emotions and memories, and 25
financial responsibilities such as replacing equipment, buying new computers you are therefore not objective when preparing your home for sale.” There
and other matters to keep the business operational is key. A seasonal business
is especially sensitive to managing cash flow. Suzanne expressed one of her are those who wonder if it is truly worth the cost to hire a professional firm to
biggest worries is that her employees' livelihoods depend on her decisions and spruce up your home before putting it on the market.
emphasizes the importance of properly managing money. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average staging invest-
ment that is between 1% and 3% of the home’s asking price will generate a
Purchasing a franchise requires a willingness to stay within a framework. You return of 8% to 10% of the Sale price of the home! That means when a seller
give up some control but you are offered many benefits. There is a balance you with a $500,000 home invests $5,000 in preparing it to sell, they will typically
need to find as to how much you pay to the franchisor and what you receive see a $40,000 return!
from them to help your business grow. Suzanne did her research but also had to
avoid getting caught up in too much discipline and missing an opportunity. She Professionally trained and certified designer, Sophia Segal, leads Creative
recommends you make a choice from a sustainability point when choosing what Home Styles. Her personal style is exquisite and eclectic and she has admitted
you are going to invest your time and money into. Her conservative approach that she “truly loves a challenge!” Sophia is the driving force and inspiration
and hard work has paid off. behind Creative Home Styles. She has worked tirelessly to assemble a team of
trusted craftsmen who perfectly execute even her most elaborate plans.
She gives back to the community in what she has coined 'grassroots service' by Sophia was recently awarded a 2015 Houzz award - the equivalent of the
donating services to be a part of the community - San Diego in general and then Oscar in the world of Interior Design. This is no small feat when you consider
in each of the areas where she has Centers. Suzanne said “ We have donated that over 25 million monthly unique users selected Sophia and her firm out
thousands of dollars' worth of our lessons and services to all sizes of charitable
endeavors. From one person trying to raise money for their breast cancer walk of more than 500,000 active home building, remodeling and design industry
team to larger groups. We support our local chambers and local golf groups as professionals.
well.” Recently, she sponsored a box for the hole-in-one tournament for Opera- However, anyone who knows Sophia, or has used her services, is not sur-
tion Game On that brings the game of golf to injured service men and women. prised that she has received this well-deserved honor. There are some people
Also, last October she worked with Susan G. Komen and for every person who who can turn an ordinary space into an extraordinary work of art. Sophia Segal
purchased an evaluation from them that entire month, they donated 100% of the is one of these individuals.
proceeds.
So if you are in the market to sell your home, or perhaps you simply want to fall
One of her biggest goals for the next 3 years is to make available specialized back in love with the space you are already in, Sophia and her crew at Creative
equipment that allows a paraplegic to "stand up" enabling them to address and Home Styles will transform your space beautifully and cost effectively, some-
swing a golf club. There are many organizations out there trying to use golf as a times adding a few unique pieces, but often just utilizing what you already own.
therapy for physical and mental rehabbing of war veterans and she would like to
be involved with that. To learn more about what Sophia and Creative Home Styles can do
for you, visit her website at www.creativehomestyles.com or call for a
The three locations of Suzanne's GolfTec centers are in Rancho Bernardo, consultation 858.500.6298.
Golden Triangle (near UTC) and the newest location in Encinitas.
She was a client first and seeing the value of the services and products offered,
she became an owner. To improve your golf game visit the website: golftec.com