Big question: And I need some feedback/ discussion.

How does one like Christian Brother Automotive, Interstate Batteries, Hobby Lobby and Chik-fil-a build a "christian" business and not get into trouble?

Interstate Batteries even have a mission statement that starts off with "To glorify God...."

With the Equal Opportunity Housing, etc. would a Real estate company run into potential lawsuits just because we are in the day and age as we are? Of course, we are not talking about segregation, or wanting to only work with one group of people.

Can someone point me to a good direction for further research? Thanks.

Well, Chik-fil-a is privately held. As for the others, having a Christian based philosophy is not illegal. Mentioning God is not illegal and violates no ethical guidelines.

Where it becomes an ethical/legal argument is the treatment of clients (especially those not of your faith). You can really screw things up if you persuade folks to go or not to go into a certain neighborhood because of the prominent religion.

Your philosophy can be your own- whatever you want it to be.

Homebanc mortgage went public a while back. Each morning, Homebanc offers an optional bible study and personal prayer time to its employees. They keep it optional and offer alternatives to its non-Christian employes.

Being a Christian business will not get you in trouble by any regulatory agency. Discriminating because of the religious views of your clients will.

What he said.

I would only add that you should not be afraid to do things like this. Many are going to tell you that it's nuts to potentially alienate a bunch of folks who might have been your clients if you did not wear your faith on your sleeve.

In my opinion, you will draw more than you will repel.

For me, this business has been an interesting trip. I started out with the slick hair and oh so stylish suit. I played the part I thought I had to play in order to "win". As all that got to be a greater and greater pain in the ass, I began moving more toward what I thought was important. In the process, I have managed to be become really happy doing what I do - and, I believe, getting more business because of it.

It's the Quan baby.

R

Greg and Robert,

Thank you very much for your encouragement. I am facing alot of tough competition **here** and I know that after all, I shouldnt be surprise.

My goal is to do ministry through Real Estate. To show love to all I come in contact with, regardless of race, age, color. Not only to clients, but to agents in my office and as well as agents on the other side too.

Even though I did this part-time for 3 years, I was never "proactive". But recently, I am kicking my business to higher gears. That was when I found out that agents are unwilling to share. I feel that there is a shield every agent put in front of them.

On top of that, my broker is not helping. I have done deals and I dont need hand holding. But I do need some people with experience to bounce ideas off. He views me as never being serious because he had tried many times to ask me to quit my day-time job. He never takes my ideas seriously. I should look at him as my mentor, but unfortunately, I cant feel comfortable sharing. He has an agent that he puts in charge off the office, so maybe he (the broker) can take care of other issues. But I came into his office when he first started his brokerage, I am one of the few left standing (from his "starting days"), I dealt with him directly. In the past 2 yrs, this new guy is the 2nd he had put in place. The 1st one didnt last more than 6 months. So I dont know how long this one will last.

I'm considering moving to another brokerage while I do my broker's license. But I am as loyal as a dog too. I dont want to forget that when no one accepted me PT, he did. I'm in a limbo here between learning/getting better for my RE business and loyalty.

The blessing is that I found this site. So thank you for the 2 of you who take time to answer.

Have you heard of Dave Ramsey? He is a Christian-based personal finance guy who has a great ministry and a nationally syndicated radio show that focuses on getting folks out of debt.

www.daveramsey.com

I think there are major opportunities for you to grow within this realm.

One idea I have been thinking about is to get with some other professionals such as a mortgage broker, insurance broker, investment banker, etc. and offer some sort of seminar geared toward young adult ministries.

Its focus would be to educate folks on the different financial aspects of their lives.

It is a thought in progress, but I think it has promise.

Absolutely heard of Dave Ramsey. I actually have been on the TMMO for about a year now. He is one of the guys I highly respect.

I also look up to Zig Ziglar, Truett Cathy (Chick-fil-a), Carlos Sepulveda (Interstate Batteries). I truly admire people who doesnt just put a corporate face, but have core values that drive them.