On our search for Inspiring Men in Los Angeles, we didn’t have to go too far from our own network.  Tom Barseghian was a no brainer and anyone who knows him would say the same.  As a friend of mine and Jerry’s for over ten years, Tom has never changed!  He has always been a great guy and someone you can trust and count on.  His enthusiasm for life, his work, family and being a father to adorable twin kids is inspiring to say the least.  While most of us dread Mondays, Tom welcomes the week with his Thank God It’s Monday posts which give all of us a different perspective on how to start the week.  Although we’ve known Tom for a long time, it was awesome getting to know him better during this interview.  

We know you grew up in Los Angeles but where are you originally from?

I was born in Iran and moved here with my family when I was young. 

What are some of your favorite parts of being a realtor?

Getting to meet and help people from all walks of life. When I started in Real Estate, I was in my twenties and would have lawyers, doctors, athletes, rocket scientists and a lot of very other interesting people turn to me and ask me, “So what do you think of this property or home?” Pretty amazing to be able to interact with such accomplished and interesting people who have accomplished so much in their lives and turn to you for your expertise & advice. Beyond the people aspect, I love being out of the office, in the sun, seeing homes from Malibu to Beverly Hills, to Glendale and beyond. You get to visit some of the coolest locations and homes, you get a glimpse of the life of the current owner as well as determine the future of the next possible owner. I really love everything from A to Z about being a Realtor. The whole process is just a huge adventure from the highest of the high’s to the most stressful of low’s.

Best advice you’ve ever received and why?

Fall in love with the process and the results will come.

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever gotten?

Fake it until you make it. When someone asks you a question you don’t know, it’s ok to say, I don’t know but I do know the person that does have the answer. Let me look into that for you and get back to you. People respect that more than you throwing some made-up answer at them that can lead to a lot of problems and damage later when they find out you lied or misled them. Your word and reputation are two things that are almost impossible to get back once they are ruined or lost with a person.

Best advice you’ve given?

One of the best lessons I learned early on is to find someone you aspire to be and ask them to be your mentor.  I give that advice because it served me so well. Join a team and or get a mentor because you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, there are plenty of amazing examples that can guide you. Once you have enough experience and confidence, you can make it your own. Until then, just keep following and learning from the best. 

Biggest hurdles and how you overcame it.

In 2009 I was broke (beyond broke actually), jobless and about to get married.  There were so many hurdles at that time to name but I didn’t give up, I worked harder, believed in myself and with the support of my soon to be wife, I got through it. If you can handle that kind of pressure and know you hit rock bottom but survived, not much else in life will scare you. You’ve done it before, you can do it again!

Was there a time you almost gave up?

In 2010 I was a sales manager in Real Estate on salary about to quit because it wasn’t working out and I almost gave up.  Instead of giving up however I doubled down and decided to go into sales full time and on commission only. I had the Sink Or Swim mentality and I never gave up.  I think those days really shaped and molded my personality and the confidence that I have today. 

If you weren’t a successful realtor, what else would you be doing?

I’ve always loved philosophy so I’d probably be a philosopher.  It’s amazing to see how you can think, feel and see something one way but once you see it from someone else’s perspective, it can change your whole belief system and potentially your life.  Perspective is huge.

Most important people in your journey?

Jesus Christ and God!  The thought that there is a higher power and death is not the end but the beginning.  My faith has helped guide me and shape how I live on a daily basis. My parents were a very important figure in my life as well, they sacrificed everything for our family.  My mother was 17 when she had my brother and 21 when she had me. She was basically a child raising children. I can’t imagine raising a kid at 17 or 21. She did the best she could to provide and guide us as much as possible always. My father gave up a bank job in Iran, left an apartment building he owned, to bring his two sons to America. He gave up everything he had worked for and built to go work as an electrician, plumber, and anything else to make sure we had a roof over our head and food on the table.  He showed me what it means to work hard and sacrifice. I believe I have a lot of those work ethics today as an adult.

If you could go back in time and give the 18-year-old you advice, what would it be?

Enjoy being 18!  You have a lifetime ahead of you of work, career, ambition, etc.   Enjoy these careless days and do things just for the sake of life experience rather than setting up your future career.  Life is too short. Enjoy each chapter of your life, enjoy the freedom from major responsibilities. Also, college is not essential! Travel and work day jobs to survive but travel and experience the world.  For many, that’s a more powerful form of education.

“Life is too short. Enjoy each chapter of your life, enjoy the freedom from major responsibilities.!” Tom Barseghian

Do you have mentors? 

My mentors are my friends like Jerry B. and others who have worked hard and are at the top of their profession or industry. Someone once told me, “show me your 5 closest friends and I’ll tell you everything you need to know about you.” Your net worth is your network. Surround yourself with good, ambitious, hardworking, driven, successful people and your mentality will change, your life will change and your opportunities will change. 

Do you support any non-profit organizations?

I’ve grown especially close to supporting the Glendale Humane Society for dogs in the past and am always quick to support children’s causes.  Being a father of twins, a boy, and girl I have a soft spot for charities focused on helping kids. I have supported the Children’s Hospital of LA and will continue to support them because kids depend on us for their survival, it is a civic responsibility to care for them in whatever capacity we can. 

What’s one thing that keeps you motivated to work with the Glendale Humane Society?

During the winter months, I deliver large towels to the Glendale Humane Society.  The eyes of those dogs tell you everything you need to know about why you are doing what you are doing.  There are no words needed. It gets you to the core and motivates you to continue to give.  

How would you like to be remembered?

Trustworthy!  Anyone that knows me knows that I always have the best intentions and that they can trust me 100%.  It feels good knowing that many of my friends consider me as the one person that can count on and trust. 

Do you have any hidden talents? 

I used to write poetry when I was younger and would like to think I can revisit that in my later years. I was also the Editor in Chief of my high school newspaper. Writing seems to appeal to me. Who knows – maybe I’ll write a book about my many adventures in real estate. 

Tell us about one young man that is doing something that you find to be very impressive and inspiring. 

Remember the names Narek and Katherine Ohanian. My sister in law and future brother in law. They are both in San Francisco studying Dentistry at the current time. I have a feeling they will do something pretty amazing in that field in the near future as they are going to go more into the surgical side than the general dentistry side. Moving out to San Francisco, leaving on your own while studying such a difficult field, I admire them both for their drive and determination.  

What’s your favorite book?

How to influence people and make friends. One of the key points is to become genuinely interested in other people. I have tried to apply that to my business and personal life. You will be amazed at how well people respond when you show you do that. 

Favorite quote. 

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way.  If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” Jim Rohn 

It’s a great measuring stick and way to be honest with yourself, your goals and what you really want in life. 

Website: www.TomBarseghian.com

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