West Chester Small Business Spotlight: Vanguard Realty Alliance

WEST CHESTER, PA — There’s a story lurking behind the glass pane of every shop, and there’s oftentimes an innovative individual whose entrepreneurial spirit is helping to shape the town.

Our small business series shines a light on local business owners in the community.

Business: Vanguard Realty Alliance

Owners: Steven Seymour

Website: www.VRAlliance.com

Address: 307 N Walnut St West Chester PA 19380

What business are you in?

Real Estate Brokerage (Sale, Listings, Investments)

How did you come up with the name?

"Vanguard means at the forefront, leading the way, or "a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas". As the owner, I believe the real estate industry is changing, yet most brokerages are fighting tooth and nail to hold onto their 6% commission, which is the industry standard. With Realtors now utilizing new technology and the internet, selling a house doesn't need to cost 6%. Vanguard embodies my mission to change this standard by providing quality professional services and helping homeowners keep their equity while still achieving their personal goals in selling or buying their home."

Why start a business in this town?

"I love West Chester Borough. There’s really nothing like it around this area. It has a young heart beat, but lots of family-friendly events and great restaurants as well. I lived in town for over three years and the thing I miss the most is being able to walk my dog to the local coffee shop. The borough is in demand due to walkability and everything this little down has to offer, which is the reason for opening my brokerage here."

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

"Trying to do everything myself. As a business owner, you treat it like your baby and try to make sure everything is perfect. Taking on too many responsibilities can be time consuming and daunting. It can be difficult to hand control over to someone else in fear that there will be a mistake."

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

"Staying open, haha. No really, most businesses fail within the first two to five years. I've made it past the two year mark now and I am proud to say that things are only looking up. I started and financed this business myself with relatively low overhead and let it grow organically. Meaning my goal isn't to be the biggest player out there, but to make a difference in helping homeowners. I compare my business to a speed boat vs a freight ship - the big guys may do better in rough seas, but if I focus on how my business is setup I will be able to make quick turns with the times and avoid the big waves all together. I figured that by building this business with my capital I wouldn't let it fail."

How does your business give back to the community?

"We give back financially by charging less and saving people thousands of dollars. For a client selling their home with an approximate median home value of $350,000, we can save them between $7,000-$14,000 by not charging the standard 6% commission. That amount of money off of one real estate transaction could be the make or break situation for someone to have their dreams of moving turn into reality. We try to help homeowners understand that there is no one set way to achieve their real estate goals."