June 24 marked my 9th year owning a brokeragefirm in New York City, and in those years, I've learned a lot. Hereare just a few things I wish someone had told me nearly a decadeago.

Get office space as soon as you can.

And if you can do it in a shared office environment, evenbetter. This will help you save on expenses and give you a pool ofprospects. If you're in sales, you feed off of being around people.If you work from home too much, a part of you will slowly dry upand die.

Never say “I'm sorry.” say “I apologize.”

When you or an employee screws up—and you will—using the word“apologize” has a greater impact. Instead of admitting you or yourstaff did something wrong, simply apologize for the situation.

Don't take UNSCHEDULED phone calls.

I started doing this about 3 years ago and I'm amazed at howmuch more productive I am. When you answer the phone it takes awayyour focus for what you are doing for someone else, and then you'llnever get out of the office. It also elevates you to instant rockstar status if people know they can only talk to you if theyschedule first with your assistant.

Employees will do things differently thanyou.

Let them be different. I tell my employees all the time: Thereare a million ways to get from A to B. I don't care how you get toB; just get to B. It allows them to work in a process that makesmore sense to them.

'Saturday, in the park…”

Only respond to clients on a Saturday. Don't respond on aSunday. You are entitled to have your own life. Use your personaltime; it sets up important boundaries that you deserve to have.