Newtown Small Business Spotlight: Around Town Team at Coldwell Banker

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: The Around Town Team at Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Owners: Andy Sachs
Website: www.TheAroundTownTeam.com
Address: 45 South Main Street, Newtown

How did you come up with the name?

I wanted it to be memorable a bit different and all inclusive of our town and the real estate industry. As a real estate agent we are charged with the responsibility to not only know and understand the town on an intimate level but also to promote its best features.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

My wife, Jessica Tendler Sachs’ family is ingrained here in Newtown. My father-in-law Bob Tendler, owned and operated Bob Tendler Real Estate for 30 years and was an integral part of the growth this town experienced during that time. My wife and I wanted to continue that legacy and help insure that Newtown grows in a positive and productive way.

Briefly, what business are you in?

I am real estate agent and team leader of one of the most successful real estate teams in the New York City Metro area.

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Being a small business operator offers constant challenge. The one that seems to come up more than others is time and task management. Making sure the folks on my team and our great clients receive the time and attention they deserve.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

I started in this business as the recession took hold in 2007. I may have second guessed myself a bit at the onset, but looking back now I consider myself very fortunate to have started in this business during the most challenging economy since the great depression. You really learn about yourself and how to do business the right way when their is no other alternative.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

Real Estate is innately made up of small victories and moments. Finding the right home for a client, selling a home quickly for price a seller is excited about or helping one of my newer agents through a challenging situation. My proudest achievement would have to be earning Number realtor in Newtown status for the past two years and ranking in the top 2 percent of agents nationwide.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

This is the fun part of my business. I challenge myself and my team to constantly think outside of the box. Our current innovation is 3D photography. You can check out a link to one of the our homes with this technology here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=wdekzsSytHv

How do you deal with difficult customers?

We are fortunate that most of our clients are good folks who just want us to a good job. However, every so often we do run into a challenging client. At the end of the day, we don’t treat them any differently. We take a deep breath, listen a bit more and advise them to the best of our ability.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

I am currently serving my second term as a police commission here in town. I serve on a committee to help market and promote Sandy Hook Village businesses and have in the past created a small business promotion platform for local businesses as well as serve on other boards in town.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.