Meet Leonard Giarrano! It is always fascinating to talk with someone that has had amazing experiences. Leonard is one of those people – he has lived in New York and worked with the rich and famous and is now in southwest Florida. He is a master of details, and is very aware of serving his customers with the utmost attention. Enjoy his story!
Question: What community do you represent for the Faces Of?
Answer: “Thefacesofsarasotacounty.com in Florida.”
Q: Please tell us about your family.
A: “My wife and I lived in New York City but we recognized that southern Florida would be a great place to live. My wife worked at the world trade center and we didn’t like the lifestyle there. While in New York, I had a great opportunity to transition and reinvent myself from restaurateur to real estate agent. While I had a lot of exciting times in New York, I knew the quality of life would be better in southwest Florida. Century 21 had given me great training in Real Estate and I knew how to make money but wanted to do it elsewhere. I moved my two young children and wife to Venice first, and then eventually Sarasota. In addition, to selling real estate I also invested in real estate because I wanted to prepare for my children’s education. My son just interviewed at two top tier law schools and my daughter is accepted at a University in London for her master’s degree.”
Q: From where do most of your clients originate?
A: “I did onsite sales for 10 years. I stayed in touch with them and introduced them neighbor to neighbor to make the whole community a warm experience. This concept originated from the whole guest experience concept in my restaurant career. I worked hard in the restaurants to give those who came an amazing experience – a warm greeting, great coffee in China cups, warm awesome cookies. It made me stand out. I made an effort to really connect with people. I am very strategic in my thinking – and I pay attention to details. I like my clients to have a warm experience. In the communities that I helped build, which have over 450 homes, I have friends and family as well as past clients. I see every sale as a lifetime of experience.”
Q: What is something unique about your community?
A: “People in this area are from all over the country and overseas. It is the American Riviera – it is a true sleeper. It is a cultural place – it has the finest beaches in the world. It has interesting corridors that can get you around town. The arts are celebrated here and it is a haven for writers, architects, artists and has IMG sports academy for tennis and physical fitness training. It has a village area – where I have done some new construction – tearing down old homes and putting up new ones which has proximity to downtown but also Key Beach. I live among my 250 customers. The people that come here, I get to know their interests, past lives, etc. I interview them to learn about where they came from because I realize people are social. I love doing open house as I’m able to greet them, find out their story and develop rapport. I was trained by David Christopher York – it was top notch training – and it helped my business grow in an amazing fashion.”
Q: What attracted you to The Faces Of project?
A: “I really connected with the whole quality of service experience and setting myself apart by supporting my community. I wanted the community of homes I built to be successful – to hear about people, connect with them and then connect them with each other through breaking the bread. People want to talk about themselves; learning people’s stories has always been a part of who I am. You learn so much by hearing peoples stories. Amazing people and stories are in front of us every day, people are interesting, find out what is in their world. I don’t do this to get something but I do get very good business from this project.”
Q: Who are a few of your favorite famous people you have met?
A: “Albert Finney, I waited on him at the Russian Tea Room. He was seated at the table, and I was dressed in a Russian outfit. I handed him the menu, which was a little overwhelming, I had the chef prepare a plate of Russian hors d’oeuvres, It was very beautiful. I was very good at reading my customer to see what role the customer wanted me to play in their experience. Albert Finney was very fun loving so I mirrored that. We had a great time. I met many dignitaries there – Liz Taylor, Rock Hudson, Al Cappuccino, Liberace, Ringo Starr, Mick Jaeger. I really care about serving people; it’s the gift of giving.”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have been in this world?
A: “Seeing the birth of my kids; it brings tears to my eyes. I have had many great travel experiences.”
