SUCCESS STORY | PATTI MIKA Valley native goes from gelling to selling

A businesswoman who owned her own hair salon is now a Realtor.
By NANCILYNN GATTA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
After working 17 years as a hairdresser and salon owner, Patti Mika decided that she needed a career change. She became a real estate agent.
"It's something that I always wanted to do. A woman who was working for me said that she wanted to take the classes, but she didn't know her way around Youngstown State University. I said, 'I've always wanted to take them [real estate classes] and I do know my way around YSU, so let's go. My son was at YSU at that time. That's how I finally happened to go for the classes," said Mika.
What started out as a part-time career has resulted in millions of dollars of sales for Mika, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker First Place Real Estate.
Although she received her real estate license in 1989, Mika eased her way into her new career. She retained her business, Headquarters Styling Salon.
"I figured since I didn't have a husband to support me, that would work out pretty good. I stayed with the hairdressing and had people working for me, which also helped," she said.
Growing up on the South Side of Youngstown, working in the Mahoning Valley and having a friendly personality helped her acquire a large network of potential clients.
"I knew a lot of people. Being from the area and having that salon, you come into contact with so many people, that I started getting listings really quick. After two years, I felt that I was making enough. I tried to sell the salon. A lady walked in and she said, 'Someone told me you might be interested in selling.' That was like a godsend. I sold her my salon and I worked part time, three days a week," said Mika.
But she has kept some of her longtime clients.
"Now, I rent a chair on Saturday morning, and I still do hair for my faithful customers that don't want me to quit," Mika said.
Similarities and differences
She has found that the two fields of work have similarities, such as being comfortable working with the public, but they are also dissimilar.
She likes not having to be tied down at a salon "hoping your customer will show up," said Mika.
From working in real estate for 15 years, she realized that technology and being organized are two things that help her immensely with her job.
"Every Realtor should have a planner, because if not, you'll forget appointments. Also, you'd better keep up on your technology. People are looking from other cities who are planning on coming here. They're looking on the Internet. If you get a hit and they e-mail you, you'd better call them back, I'd say within six hours. People want to know right away."
She continued, "You definitely need a cell phone. You need all this technology. I don't want to wait until I get home at night to make all those calls. I wouldn't have a life when I got home."
As with any career, Mika encounters challenges in real estate. But because she loves the work so much, they are viewed as something to accomplish and overcome.
"The challenge is really the meeting of the minds of the buyer and the seller," said Mika.
There are also disappointments in the field. "You don't get a paycheck unless you sell something. If you have a deal that falls apart, you cannot dwell on it. You just have to say, 'I'll just move on and get the next one,'" advised Mika.
Her attitude and willingness to remain in contact with her clients has increased her sense of satisfaction in real estate.
"When you put a young couple into a home, they're part of the American Dream. Everyone wants to own a home. It's not only showing them houses. Most people, they want to be guided. You call different banks and get them the best rate. Just hold their hand. Walk them through the process," said Mika.
Her favorite part of the job, besides signing contracts, involves the art of the deal.
"I love negotiating, getting two people who might be far apart to begin with, and they may think that it'll never work. I've had some deals that I've worked on for several weeks. I never let it go when I know someone really wants something," said Mika.
Background
Her sales success has resulted in such awards as Coldwell Banker's International President's Club Award, 1993, for being one of the top 10 sales agents in the Midwest Region. She is a member of the Ohio Association of Realtors President's Sales Club, receiving the Award of Achievement for having $1 million in annual sales each year from 1994-2001 and the Award of Distinction for having $2.5 million in sales for 2000 and 2002.
A member of Youngstown Columbiana Realtors Association since 1989, Mika has volunteered her time in many capacities of the professional organization. She held many officer positions, including president from 2002-2003. "My best accomplishment was being president last year," said Mika.
Her success is measured not only in sales, but also in her civic involvement. She is a volunteer tutor in the association's Ohio Reads program at Paul C. Bunn Elementary School, at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen, American Heart Walk and MDA. This work has resulted in a 2000 YWCA Woman of the Year Award and an American Business Women's Association's 2000 Woman of the Year Award.
"I'm from the area. I do love Youngstown. I think the people here are great people, and I want to see the area really come back," said Mika.