Denis Mackenzie
Denis Mackenzie is the Chief Operating Officer of a large marketing firm based in New York City. The firm promotes wine and spirits brands from around the world. Denis Mackenzie has succeeded both in his professional career and in his side business. He owns and operates a small winery in the Lake Erie wine growing region of Pennsylvania, near his family home. With his impressive work ethic, Mackenzie can balance both his winery and the needs of his marketing firm.
Mackenzie received a degree in Communications and began his marketing career as a low-level assistant for a small company. He learned the business from the bottom up, growing to understand all facets of working for a marketing company. After several years with the small company, he decided to take an opportunity to work for his current company. He was based in Tuscany, Bordeaux, and Greece, learning about the local cultures as well as the variety of amazing wines and spirits produced in these areas.
Denis Mackenzie has helped his client companies achieve higher sales numbers. He has also helped them to raise their products’ profiles on the global stage, bringing local and regional products to worldwide markets. Wineries and distilleries trust Mackenzie’s marketing company to lead them to greater success.
When he is not working in New York, Mackenzie spends time at his winery. He hosts charitable events such as paint and sip nights to give back to the local community. National organizations have also partnered with Mackenzie to create successful fundraisers. He loves to share the beautiful grounds of his winery with the public.
What do you know about the real estate industry?
I feel like I’ve built a good base of knowledge about real estate, given the amount of experience I have with buying and selling properties. I currently own an apartment in New York, a winery in Pennsylvania, and a second home near my winery. I am most proud of my winery. I made a lot of improvements to the property and secured my investment.
Have you ever sold real estate? How did you make it happen?
I’ve sold a handful of properties. I sold my first home when I moved abroad. It was a small house and not very enticing to buyers until we staged it. I highly recommend getting the services of a professional home stager before you sell. My home stager was incredible.
How much experience do you have in buying or selling real estate?
I have more experience with buying than with selling. I bought my first home and sold it. Then I bought my New York apartment, and years later, my winery and second home.
Have you ever made a sell or a purchase you have regretted?
No, I haven’t. Each one of my homes has its special charms. My first home was very small, but it had a wonderful open layout with huge windows. My apartment is centrally located and is in a quiet, safe building. My winery is beautiful, and I’ve put a lot of work into it. My second home in Pennsylvania needs some work, but that’s on hold as I am putting more money into the winery.
What advice would you give inexperienced who are wanting to buy or sell?
My advice would be to do your homework. Make sure you know as much about the property as you can. Go back and read all the sale records. Search the local news. You don’t want to move into a neighborhood with a lot of problems. The more you know about the property, the easier it will be for you to make an educated decision.
What have you found out to be the best way to market property?
Since I work in marketing, I’m privy to some secrets of the trade. My advice is to show your property in its best light. Associate your property with the finer things in life, and people will want to stop by for a showing. Unless you’re selling a fixer-upper, try to make as many updates to the property as you can afford.
What tools do you believe are essential for success in the real estate industry?
It’s necessary to think quickly and respond to situations promptly. Especially when you’re buying real estate, a house can slip out of your fingers quickly if you don’t move fast enough.
What has real estate taught you about life?
It’s taught me patience. Selling my first home took a lot longer than I would have liked. We dropped the price a few times, and no one came in. Finally, I contacted a home stager and was able to get the property sold. In that sense, real estate taught me that it’s just as important to focus on the visual effect of a property as it is to pay attention to the construction.
How can you use what you have learned in real estate to succeed in other areas?
Real estate requires patience, quick thinking, and diplomacy, all of which are very useful in my line of work.
Do you have a mentor who taught you what you know?
I didn’t have a mentor in real estate. I had no clue what I was doing when I bought my first home. It would have been excellent to have a mentor and to have someone to turn to when I had questions.
Do you have a feedback system? How does it work?
I’m always interested in feedback. It’s necessary to hear the best and worst about yourself if you want to succeed. I have my winery customers fill out surveys and invite them to tasting panels.
