We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ayata Colbert a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ayata, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from my life experiences. Never judge a book by it’s cover! We often view people at face value, not knowing their life story. Growing up, I faced many challenges that forced me to become stronger and more resourceful. Hardships isn’t something that I allow to define me. My children, My ability to adapt, and lean on my inner strength, is what has helped me to keep pushing forward, even in the hardest moments.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
For the last 20 years I’ve been in the Mortgage business. (Servicing clients in California & Florida) As a Mortgage Broker, I help people navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives- (Buying Real Estate) It’s incredibly rewarding to guide clients through the process, especially when they didn’t think it was possible for them to become homeowners. It’s exciting to see their joy and relief when they finally get to the closing table.
In addition, I own an events company where I get to create experiences that bring people together. Whether it’s a networking event, or business marketplace, I love turning ideas into memorable moments. The creative process and the ability to make an impact in my community, connect with small business owners/entrepreneurs, is both special, and rewarding.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
“The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are perseverance, adaptability, and being coachable. Perseverance: Life and business are full of challenges, but I’ve learned that you have to keep pushing forward, even when things feel impossible. I’m in an industry that is forever changing, to still be here speaks for itself. The ability to stay focused and continue working towards towards your goals, despite setbacks, has been crucial for me.
Adaptability: Things don’t always go as planned, whether in business or personal life. I experienced a huge life transition in 2020. The world was also going through a big crisis at the same time. Being able to pivot, learn new skills, and adjust to changing circumstances has made all the difference. I’m doing a lot of unlearning, and relearning!
Coachable: “This should have been the first thing listed” Being open to learning from others- whether it’s through mentorship, feedback, or observing different perspectives – has been essential to my growth both personally and professionally. I’ve found that no matter how much experience or knowledge I have, there’s always more to learn. I found that it’s important to be humble enough to recognize that you don’t have all the answers, but confident enough to apply what you’ve learned.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to approach every situation with a willingness to learn. Seek out mentors or people who are further along the path you’re on, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or take constructive criticism. Practice active listening and being open to feedback without becoming defensive.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
I have so many books, and it wouldn’t be fair to only list one. “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” (By Joseph Murphy) is one of my top favorites. This book is super powerful in really unlocking the human mind. There is a part that talks about how “The conscious mind is like the navigator or captain at the bridge of a ship. “He directs the ship, and sends orders to the crew in the engine room”
My other favorite is “How to Win Friends & Influence People” (By Dale Carnegie) This has helped me with sales and building trusting relationships. It’s an art I’m still working on perfecting!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://collaborativeevents.net
- Instagram: @closewithayata @_collaborativeevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collaborativeeventss/ https://www.facebook.com/closewithayata/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayata-colbert-ab80892a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQAzrPRavxsGseANJ7uw1Dw/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ayata-colbert-clear-mortgage-capital-miramar
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