NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a riveting business memoir that chronicles the radical innovation and entrepreneurial drive it took to bring a fresh mindset to a tradition-bound business, William M. "Bill" Raveis, Jr., chairman and CEO of William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance (www.raveis.com), the largest family owned real estate brokerage company in the Northeast, has published The Way of the Entrepreneur: Lessons from the Journey to Build a Family-Owned Business Empire. Set for release on September 7, 2015, the book, which is already garnering advance praise, offers up invaluable lessons for business men and women in any industry.
"It was important for me to author this book, not only to more fully share my story with my family -- including my children, grandchildren and the generations to come -- but also with my 'work family,' which is what I call the more than 3,500 agents who make our firm special, and anyone out there who is, or aspires to be, an entrepreneur," says Raveis.
Distributed by the National Book Network (NBN) and authored in conjunction with freelance journalist and acclaimed business writer Tom Connor, The Way of the Entrepreneur is available for pre-order through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and at select independent bookstores, as well as in e-book format. Orders can also be placed by calling NBN toll free at 800-462-6420 or emailing customercare@nbnbooks.com.
The Way of the Entrepreneur chronicles: Raveis' humble childhood beginnings in an immigrant community and the disability he overcame and later used to his benefit; his stifling early career in a corporate job; the founding of his firm and how he saw it through recessions, drastic industry downturns, a near bankruptcy and other challenges; personal crises; and years of unprecedented accomplishments and success. At the end of each chapter, Raveis summarizes the business and personal lessons he learned to offer others an up-close, clear-eyed understanding of what it takes to prevail in business and in life.
The messages resonate with a wide variety of readers, including real estate industry icons. Pam O'Connor, president and CEO of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, notes, "Bill Raveis is part of that special club of amazing entrepreneurs who created the real estate profession as we know it today. Bill built his company and his legacy with big dreams, drive and force of personality. Reading his memoirs brings that journey to life for all of us."
It's a journey Raveis says he and his sons, Chris and Ryan Raveis, plan to continue for many years to come. Over the past 40 years, William Raveis has grown from a single office over a grocery store in Connecticut to a family enterprise with 112 offices, $8 billion in real estate sales, $9 billion in mortgages and more than 6,000 insurance customers.
"I am hopeful that I can pass on what I've learned in building a successful family-owned business," adds Raveis, who founded his multi-billion dollar firm with a mere $2,000 investment. "Through it all I've been able to stay true to my values, visions and goals while still building a legacy I can be proud of."
About William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance
William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance is the No. 1 family-owned real estate company in the Northeast and the No. 8 real estate company in the country, according to REAL Trends. William Raveis’ Real Estate, Mortgage and Insurance divisions have been awarded the Gold Medal distinction by the Commercial Record and by Banker & Tradesman. The firm was named the Most Innovative Brokerage by Inman News, and has consistently been ranked the best place to work by Fox CT, Hearst Connecticut and the Boston Business Journal. William Raveis has 3,500 highly trained sales professionals in 112 offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine and Vermont. For more information, visit the best website in real estate, raveis.com, or blog.raveis.com.
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Editor's Note: A photo of Bill Raveis is attached, along with an image of the book cover.
