This week, our 5 for Friday features Steve Kawulok, Managing Director of SVN | Denver Commercial, LLC in Colorado. Steve specializes in industrial, land, and multifamily/apartment property sectors.

1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?

Schedule education into your weekly routine – never stop learning and building your skill set.

2. What does the SVN Difference mean to you?

The SVN collaborative environment is a culture that supports our clients and our firm.

3. What inspired you to open or join an SVN franchise?

I experienced the culture of sharing and professionalism at an SVN national conference I was invited to prior to joining the SVN team.

4. What was your most memorable deal and why?

I helped a county health district integrate three different services into a much more efficient facility, which benefited the community and the health care providers.

5. What learning tools would you recommend to your colleagues to further their knowledge and enhance their careers?

I like Rod Santomassimo’s book “Brokers Who Dominate” because it talks about creating a presence in the marketplace. I also remind our brokers that SVN itself offers over 500 hours of great educational opportunities throughout the year!

Are you ready to experience the SVN Difference? Check out our Careers page here.

This week, our 5 for Friday features Jay Hintze, Executive Director of SVN | Hintze Commercial Real Estate in West Allis, Wisconsin. Jay specializes in acquisition and disposition of commercial and investment properties, development of senior housing, acquisition and disposition of REO properties, and the municipal interaction between the real estate community and local elected officials throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?

Study and learn about the advantages you have with the SVN trainings and SVN platforms.

2. What does the SVN Difference mean to you?

Collaboration across the full spectrum of the SVN Network, which allows us the ability to provide the highest level of sound advice to our clients.

3. What inspired you to open an SVN franchise?

I was looking for a National Platform which allowed me to find real estate across state lines and had the educational system that allowed me to grow as a commercial Advisor.

4. What was your most memorable deal and why?

I had a local client that had a large medical office building to sell. My client did not think I had the skill set to sell, nor the ability to reach national buyers. I reached out to the medical office council chair in Florida and our joint presentation got us the listing. The Monday Sales call reached a Buyer’s Broker in Boston and he called a client in Reno, Nevada and we sold the building for over $32,000,000. Without the SVN national network I would not have gotten either the listing or the sale.

5. What is a fun fact to share about yourself?

My commercial real estate career started while I was the Mayor of Glendale, WI. We converted a 1954 era suburban shopping mall into a $345,000,000 outdoor mall called Bay Shore Mall.

Are you ready to experience the SVN Difference? Check out our Careers page here.

This week, our 5 for Friday features Gregory G. Ogin, CCIM, CPM, Managing Director of SVN | Clark Commercial Group based out of Kailua Kona, HI. Greg’s industry specialties include corporate real estate, golf and resorts, hospitality, restaurant, land and development, multifamily, office and industrial, among many others.

1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?

Work hard, work early and get involved in government. Make sure you enjoy life.

2. What learning tools would you recommend to your colleagues to further their knowledge and enhance their careers?

Books recommended by the SVN | Elite training program are invaluable.

3. What inspired you to open or join an SVN franchise?

I wanted to provide better services to our clients, while also staying competitive. SVN provided me with the resources to do this.

4. What was your most memorable deal and why?

The Coconut Grove Marketplace sale of $21 million. I was fired twice from this property due to change of ownership, but I stayed involved. The new owners realized we knew the property and market better than any other national firm.

5. What does the SVN Difference mean to you?

It’s a wonderful support system, my mentors have been fantastic.

Are you ready to experience the SVN Difference? Check out our Careers page here.

This week, our 5 for Friday features Chris Blankenship, Managing Director of SVN | Norris Commercial Group. The Texas-based brokerage conducts business in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Seguin and San Marcos. Chris’s product specialties include corporate real estate, land and development, hospitality, industrial and self-storage, among many others.

1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?

Avoid the problem many advisors start out with—no business plan and no mentor to help accelerate the transition into commercial real estate. This business takes time to generate deal flow. Be effective and thoughtful with your purpose while building your business.

2.What learning tools would you recommend to your colleagues to further their knowledge and enhance their careers?

Check out Audible. Many of us commute to work, and we can use the time to our advantage by listening to books. Build a list of books that will enrich your professional and personal journey. For the books you love, buy the hardcopy and record important concepts.

3. What inspired you to open or join an SVN franchise?

I attended an SVN Conference as a guest with two colleagues in 2011. We were looking for a brand that represented our business. We signed up one week later.

4. What does the SVN Difference mean to you?

One word, family. SVN is a group of professionals who collaborate across borders. I’ve always found my colleagues willing to engage and help.

5. What was your most memorable deal and why?

A family partition suite on a large land tract, a deal that required perseverance. I worked with a full price offer from a capable seller—which is usually a joy—but endured eight months of “no” in various forms. Getting to the closing table and ending the emotional process for the seller was a reward in itself.

Are you ready to experience the SVN Difference? Check out our Careers page here.

This week, our 5 for Friday features Tomi Jo Lynch, Managing Director at SVN | Gold Dust Commercial Associates, based out of Nevada. Tomi Jo specializes in industrial properties with a focus on landlord representation throughout Northern Nevada.

1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?

Have three to six months of savings and be prepared to work 10-12 hours each day. Get to know your colleagues inside and outside of SVN, and make sure they know you.

2. What does the SVN Difference mean to you?

Working for a company where “everyone knows your name.” It is increased value for our clients, collaboration with our peers, and a deep commitment to our core covenants.

3. What learning tools would you recommend to your colleagues to further their knowledge and enhance their careers?

Join an accountability group, either in your office through a Vital Factor Team, with an outside organization like Entrepreneurs’ Organization or Vistage, or with a one-on-one business coach. Having a team of peers to hold you accountable is imperative. Don’t forget to read your local paper and trade publications; you can’t be an expert in your market if you don’t know what’s happening in your community.

4. What was your most memorable deal and why?

They’re all memorable, but the first medical marijuana grow facility and dispensary in Nevada provided a whole new set of challenges. That’s the great thing about commercial real estate – no two days or deals are ever the same.

5. What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I am training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in four months.

Are you ready to experience the SVN Difference? Check out our Careers page here.

This week, our 5 for Friday features Cameron Irons, Managing Director of SVN | Vanguard based out of Orange County, Calif. Cameron’s CRE product specialties include industrial, land and development, medical office, multifamily, office, property management, restaurant, retail and single tenant investment.

1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?

Create a minimum 60-hour workweek schedule that includes more than 250 cold calls. Focus on creating relationships when you make calls, don’t just sell. Always keep a minimum of 15 prospects in your pipeline and specialize in the usage of CRM software.

2. What learning tools would you recommend to your colleagues to further their knowledge and enhance their careers?

Read “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber, and “Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time” by Rory Vaden. Participate in the SVN Elite training program for Managing Directors.

3. What inspired you to open or join an SVN franchise?

After 15 years of running my own boutique firm, I decided I needed a national brand to get better listings. SVN offered the best platform and helped me relaunch my brokerage business with a profitable full-service model to create enterprise value. The SVN culture is great and inspires me to recruit every day.

4. What was your most memorable deal and why?

I sold my exchange client a large multi-family portfolio in San Diego 15 years ago. The property was listed by a brokerage known for not cooperating. I found out about it from the listing agent before he released it to their office. The deal was difficult and died a thousand deaths before closing successfully. I became friends with the listing agent and he was an integral part of the opening team for our new SVN office in San Diego this year.

5. What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I am the Chairman of the Orange County Planning Commission. I also love sport fishing and once I reach my goals, my reward is a boat.

Are you ready to experience the SVN Difference? Check out our Careers page here.

This week, our 5 for Friday features Deborah Skeans, CCIM, MAI, Managing Director and Senior Advisor for SVN Imperial Realty in Allentown, PA. Debby’s industry specialties include distressed assets, industrial, land, development, medical offices, multifamily residences and property management.

1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?

Be prepared to work hard. Concentrate on creating meaningful relationships and become an expert in a specialty or small geographic area. Get CCIM certified and work the SVN plan.

2. What does the SVN Difference mean to you?

A better and stronger culture. SVN is a national (and growing international) brand with the tools needed to serve our clients.

3. What learning tools would you recommend to your colleagues to further their knowledge and enhance their careers?

CCIM education and active involvement within the industry.

4. What inspired you to open or join an SVN franchise?

The desire to stay independent but have the benefit of a national brand.

5. What was your most memorable deal and why?

A $37 million land deal with a local hospital network, which followed an $11.8 million deal. The deal gave the network almost 509 acres of land to create one of the finest medical complexes in the Northeast and improve access to medical care in our communities.

Are you ready to experience the SVN Difference? Check out our Careers page here.

This week, our 5 for Friday features Michael Thanasouras, Managing Director at SVN | Chicago Commercial working throughout the Chicago market area.

1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?

Learn a market and a product type, try to walk through an area, and get on the phone!

2. What does the SVN Difference mean to you?

Doing the right thing for our clients by maximizing their property’s exposure within the market and getting them the best deal.

3. What learning tools would you recommend to your colleagues to further their knowledge and enhance their careers?

S4G is the best place to start. I also recommend Google Alerts, and register for local real estate news that gets pushed out to you daily!

4. What inspired you to open or join an SVN franchise?

I joined SVN in 2008 to help conduct more investment transactions. It took a couple years due to market conditions, but we knew the route would help us expand. Learning from our peers allows us to accelerate rapidly.

5. What was your most memorable deal and why?

A small commercial condo. The buyer was unrepresented at first, then ended up with a broker.  We paid the co-op broker without question. I got the leasing and he offered me the property management, too.

Are you ready to experience the SVN Difference? Check out our Careers page here.