by Harry Culverβs younger grandson, Chris Wilde
Harry Culverβs dream that became Culver City is inspiring. Young Harry was not rich. But he had a plan. Many said it was risky starting a town in the middle of nowhere. But his idea became reality. Today, Culver City stands proud.
As Harry Culverβs grandson, people ask me if Harryβs success came from some secret technique. The answer is, βYes.β He often called it the βCulver Way.β He developed a thoughtful marketing strategy plus a set of rules that relied on optimism, honesty and hard work.
Harry Culverβs Rules that Built Culver City
- Follow the Golden Rule (Treat others as youβd be treated.)
- Always offer a βSquare Deal.β (Be honest, be open and fully inform.)
- Treat competitors like partners. Share knowledge and praise them.
- Understand the buyerβs βworriesβ better than they do.
- Itβs better to undersell than oversell.
- Smiling will not build relations, but lack of a smile can loose them.
7. Responsibilities are not handicaps. They are stepping stones.
My grandfather would later advance to President of both the California and National Association of Realtors. Many major newspapers in the mid-1900s reported that he continued to promote these same rules across the country.
Harry Culverβs full marketing strategy is a longer story. But just looking at these seven rules reveals Harry Culverβs integrity. Itβs easy to see that he truly looked beyond βjust sellingβ and cared about the people and businesses wanting to call Culver City their home.