Connie Rankin of Customized Real Estate Services
Wins National Business Award
2006 WBEA Woman-Owned Business Star
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and the local Houston Chapter, the Women's Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) have awarded Connie Rankin the 2006 recipient of the prestigious STAR AWARD. Every year out of the 6,000 national women business owner members, only one from each local chapter is selected, making Connie Rankin one of 14 recipients across the country.
The award is given to a woman business owner who has proven success in business, community and in leadership in helping other women-owned businesses achieve success. Rankin was selected for this honor by a panel of representatives from Houston's Fortune 500 Corporations that sit on the local Women's Business Enterprise Alliance.
According to WBEA Executive Director, Sandy Poffinbarger;
"I think the primary reason that Connie was chosen to be this year's Business Star is her commitment to helping others create success. She is an amazing advocate and mentor for other women business owners. Connie is heavily involved in the WBEA and has been from the beginning of her business. She is also very active with WBENC on the national level. She has built an impressive business and she credits the WBEA and WBENC with a big part of that success. As she has become more and more successful she has continued to devote her time to helping other women business owners build their own success."
Rankin is quick to express her appreciation:
"I am very thankful to the WBEA, and wish all women running their own businesses could have the opportunity to be in such a supportive organization. I am this organization's biggest fan and actively promote its benefits. 'Membership Has Its Rewards.' You will get out of the WBEA, what you put into it. Not only have I received the support and tools necessary to help grow my business, but I also have gained life-long friendships and the courage to be the person I always wanted and knew I could be."
After 20 years in commercial leasing and property management for the largest third party management company in the nation, Rankin decided to focus her attention on the tenant, opening Customized Real Estate Services, a tenant representation firm. Since the company's inception in 2001, Customized Real Estate Services has added divisions in landlord representation, property management, construction management, and consulting services. "We have earned the reputation of a respected real estate advisor, and have developed long lasting partnerships with both tenants and landlords." says Rankin.
Early on, Rankin used her 20 years experience in commercial real estate and her business contacts to secure the WBEA Houston a 4,300 square foot office space; rent-free for five years. This resulted in a total savings of $328,000, consisting of $312,000 for abated rent and $16,000 contributed toward in-kind services. These savings were used to benefit many women entrepreneurs with scholarships, seminars and networking opportunities.
Recently Customized Real Estate Services worked diligently with the City of Houston, FEMA and the Red Cross to locate space for the hurricane relief efforts. Customized Real Estate Services was able to secure 18,000 square feet of warehouse space rent-free for the City of Houston to use for storage of furniture donated to hurricane victims.
"However", says Rankin, "my contribution to individual WBE's has been my greatest joy. Getting to know the hardworking, dedicated women business owners usually results in a rewarding bond of friendship that outweighs all economic benefits. I have listened, consoled, guided, stood-up for, and even given financial support, for many a WBE. I believe in what this organization represents and I am proud to be an instrumental part of its success, just as the WBEA is an instrumental part of my success. I can truly say that not only has Customized Real Estate Services grown, but so has Connie Rankin, the woman."
In addition to being the President and CEO of Customized Real Estate Services, Rankin sits on the National Forum of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and on the local Women's Business Enterprise Alliance Board of Directors. She recently became a member of Mayor Bill White's City of Houston Real Estate Task Force.
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