Life After Leasing

What's the difference between leasing and dating? Not much, actually. Join me and Connie Lee, CEO of Reffie—a centralized leasing platform that reduces leasing time by nearly 10 days—as we dive into the surprising parallels between leasing and dating. Just like in the dating world, finding the perfect tenant means searching for the right match, nurturing the relationship, and making that final commitment. Connie shares her insights on the leasing strategies that drive the highest conversion rates and how closely they mirror everyday dating advice.

While the property industry boasts significant female representation, including at the C-suite level, women remain severely underrepresented in PropTech, reflecting a broader trend where fewer than 15% of startups overall are led by women. In this episode, we're joined by Georgianna W. Oliver, a 3x PropTech founder who's making waves in the industry. Having founded Package Concierge, Inc., acquired by Gibraltar Industries, and EverGreen Solutions, acquired by RealPage, she is now leading Tour24. Georgianna shares her journey to success in a predominantly male field, revealing her strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, building credibility as a subject matter expert, and the critical role of mentorship. Her story highlights the importance of resilience, individuality, and paving the way for future generations of women in tech. Whether you're in PropTech or any male-dominated industry, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in to learn how to turn challenges into opportunities and make your mark.

What does it take to drive innovation in a traditionally conservative industry? In this episode, we're joined by Nicholas Putz, the mastermind behind the AI & Technology Committee at Wangard Partners. Nicholas didn't just talk about change—he made it happen, convincing a board to embrace new technologies and pushing teams to think beyond their comfort zones. From overcoming resistance to creating processes that stick, Nicholas shares the secrets to leading an organization into the future. If you've ever wondered how to get buy-in for big ideas or want to inspire your team to embrace tech, this conversation is a must-listen.

Art can create a destination. Imagine transforming residential communities through the power of local art, making them vibrant hubs that resonate with both residents and visitors. This is the innovative approach that Melania Armenta, Director of Resident Strategy at Gallery Residential, champions in her work. Join me as I chat with Melania about her visionary strategies for integrating art into the fabric of residential spaces. She will share her insights on how art can not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a property but also foster a sense of community and engagement. Melania will discuss her experiences in collaborating with local artists, hosting art events, and creating installations that draw people in and make them feel connected to their environment. We will explore how her passion for art as a form of healing and community building drives her efforts to turn residential properties into lively, artistic destinations. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about the transformative power of art in creating meaningful and engaging living spaces!

Join me and Dan Norville, the CEO of Vivo Living, a company dedicated to creating vibrant, naturally occurring affordable living spaces. In this episode, Dan shares insights into Vivo Living's community and people-oriented approach, highlighting their commitment to fostering meaningful connections among residents through community events and engagement initiatives. Discover the concept of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) and how Vivo Living preserves affordability for their residents. Dan discusses Vivo Living's strategies for acquiring and managing NOAH properties, ensuring they meet high standards of affordability and quality. Dan also touches on Vivo Living's future vision and goals, emphasizing their commitment to sustainable, inclusive communities and ongoing innovation to solve the housing crisis.

In this episode of "Life After Leasing," we dive into the strategy behind discovering, purchasing, testing, and ultimately influencing technology development in the property technology space. Many marketing and operations leaders find themselves in the role of 'technology vendor manager' within their real estate organizations. While the discovery and selection of technology vendors can be exciting, managing these vendors often lacks the same allure. Join us as we talk with former property technology leaders and influencers Khet Richards and Samantha Skrobot about the intricacies of property technology vendor management. They will reveal the power of influence that vendor managers hold over the entire industry. From identifying the most crucial technologies to wielding product influence, Khet and Sam will explain how the overwhelming and often unwanted responsibility of being a 'vendor manager' can become the single greatest influence on the rental industry.

Imagine skyrocketing from just over 100k units under management to nearly 300k in just three years! Asset Living has clinched the #2 spot on the NMHC Top 50 Managers list this year, continuing its impressive growth trajectory. At this scale, efficiency, innovation, and centralization are crucial to maintaining such a vast operation. But what can the rest of us learn from Asset Living's rapid growth and adaptability? Join me as I chat with Asset Living's Vice President of Leasing, Brent Camp. He will share insights on how they leverage centralization and tech stack consolidation to scale swiftly. Brent will discuss strategies for creating service continuity across diverse product types, managing a varied portfolio, and exploring different verticals. Finally, he'll discuss how he identified and addressed inefficiencies within their platform through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.  

In this episode of "Life After Leasing," host Sydney Webber welcomes Eric Sharpe, the CEO of Digital Envy, a marketing consulting agency. They dive into the intriguing world of Reddit as a marketing tool, discussing its potential for lead generation both organically and through paid strategies. Eric shares his experiences and insights on leveraging Reddit for business, including the importance of authenticity and the unique opportunities the platform offers. The conversation also touches on how companies can use Reddit to monitor customer feedback and manage their brand reputation effectively.

Marketing professionals often face stagnation and frustration when company leaders and investors see them as simply “lead makers” and “specialized craftsmen”'. To advance our industry we have to help investors, operations leads, and asset managers understand the dynamic and powerful role marketers can play in maximizing asset value. Sam Skrobot delves into the strategies that can empower marketing professionals to command a voice at the table in rooms dominated by finance leaders. From understanding audience expectations to mastering financials and staying current with expertise, Sam shares invaluable insights to transform the perception of marketers into strategic leaders.

Step into the fascinating world of AI in multifamily with our guest, Max Bryan, the mastermind behind Rentgrata's new conversational AI product. How does it work? What does the future of AI really look like in the context of properties—especially with brand-new proptech insights drawn from their owned data sets? Plus: Get all the details on the creation of Ari, straight from the source—its engineer!

“Social media is ultimately about being a part of the insider conversations that are happening in your niche among your dream customers every day online,” Dave Gearhardt, Funder Brand. The question is, could it be used in an even better way for your business? Is it the perfect place to advertise for B2B (over organic reach)? The ever-evolving “facebook for careers” offers more than meets the eye, per our latest guest Matt Weltz—marketing whiz, ad agency alum, and Performance Marketing Team Lead at Updater. Lead gen with LinkedIn? Yes, indeed—by building the right audience and using the right creative. Plus: You'll hear more about Updater's experiments with LI's new Thought Leadership ads—and how you could make your B2B multifamily ads pack a (professional, obvi) punch.

Can you feel the dramatic tension? In our newest episode, marketing and theater take center stage, along with multifamily proptech specialist and spotlight-seeking theatre alum Justin Jones. What parts do storytelling, world-building, and character development play in your marketing? How can you achieve blockbuster success from your strategies? Join us as we learn from the twists and turns of theater to captivate your audience like never before.

Be a friend, make a friend. The emphasis on “family” in multifamily is key in our latest episode, where we look closely at the world of multifamily mentorship and community building.  From inspiring journeys to smart strategies, we'll hear from Tara Samuels, as well as one of her successful mentor-mentee matches: Adrian Danila and AJ Ahmed. These three remarkable professionals are set to shape the future of the multifamily industry. Turning their passion for mentorship into a movement, forging lasting connections, and empowering others is just part of a days' work. Tune in to snag valuable insights and advice around building the network you need to thrive in multifamily housing. Follow AJ for DIY tips from your favorite maintenance technician. @Ajthetechnician on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. 

Where can personal PR take your multifamily career? Want to be considered an industry thought leader? Been aching for a byline? Answers to this and plenty of other pinpoint questions will be taken on by our guest Jessica Fiur, Editor-in-Chief of Multi-Housing News and Commercial Property Executive. Jessica has won numerous awards for her writing and has springboarded many businesses and careers (including my own) into the spotlight. But how do you get an editor to notice your work? Gather tips and tricks to elevate your own profile —and maybe land a few interviews yourself.

What is the future of multifamily revenue management? Marc Rutzen, CEO of HelloData.ai, joins us to share the industry's current landscape of revenue management, what the class action lawsuits could mean for existing tools, and why black box algorithms are a thing of the past. Marc lives and breathes multifamily data and has successfully sold an automated underwriting platform to Walker & Dunlop in 2019 for its data extraction capabilities. After the acquisition, he led Walker & Dunlop's data science, product, and customer success teams as SVP of Information Technology, before being promoted to Chief Product Officer in 2021.

Competition for proptech startups is fiercer than ever... and not the kind of fierce you'd see on Project Runway. In the last few years, real estate firms tightened their budgets and consolidated the number of proptech vendors. Not only that, venture firms are slower to fund proptech startups, wanting to see traction first. How do you make your proptech startup standout so you can land those initial customers and beyond? On this episode, we'll delve into the world of marketing for multifamily tech startups. We'll hear from Jen Tindle, who founded and exited a real estate data integration startup. A staggering 71% of her customers came from inbound. And we'll hear from yours truly! I'll share the marketing strategies I've learned along my way at Knock, Updater, and Revyse!. Whether you're building a proptech company or interested in marketing strategies, this episode is for you.

Dive into the heart of what makes employees tick and what ticks them off, as we unveil the results of Swift Bunny's 2024 Employee Engagement Risk Report. Be the first to discover the key factors that not only inspire loyalty and extend tenure among employees but also the leading irritants that drive them away. From well-known challenges like compensation and career progression to newly emerging risks that are setting the stage for 2024, this report is a goldmine of insights. Hear from Jen Piccotti, the CEO of Swift Bunny, and Kara Rice, the VP of Education, as they unpack the statistics and stories behind how actively listening to employee feedback can significantly boost retention rates.    Download Swift Bunny's 2024 Employee Risk Report

Get ready to up your multifamily conference game as we sit down with two true industry powerhouses and IRL besties, Allyson Mutch, who's run events for Lease Labs, Knock, and Updater, and Jessica Fritz the Sr. Events Manager at Zumper. These experts have the insider secrets to supercharge your ROI at these high-stakes events, and they're here to spill the beans. From managing colossal booths to throwing unforgettable parties, from nailing pre-event marketing to post-show ROI tracking, they've got the playbook you need to take your brand to the next level in the world of multifamily conferences. Don't miss this exclusive conversation with the best in the business – your brand's success is about to reach new heights.

From elaborate stages to Easter Eggs years in advance, you have to admire Taylor Swift's ability to create, plan, and execute elaborate stories and immerse her fans in her world. She's built a brand and an empire and is now the 2nd highest-paid woman in music (after Ri-Ri). In this episode, we will learn how Taylor tells a story, and how you can use those skills for your strategic thinking. We'll talk about how T-Swift is constantly innovating and reinventing herself. We'll dig into how she curates her brand and provide tips for your property and personal brand. And we will talk about the importance of having goals and planning ahead.

From renting apartments from their own apartment to building a brokerage that has leased over 27,000 and is now developing a high-rise, Amy and Aaron Galvin of Luxury Living share practical strategies for scaling their operations and insights into building a niche within leasing. Their company has successfully completed 60+ lease-up campaigns throughout Chicago and shares best practices for marketing and leasing in a lease-up environment. The husband and wife team also offers a blueprint for balancing growth with sustainable business practices and strategies for working with your partner.   Learn more about Luxury Living Chicago: luxurychicagoapartments.com

What if you could peek inside the process of a top multifamily sales professional? Meet the expert behind some of the most successful B2B sales strategies in proptech: a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience transforming the art of selling into a science of success. His journey through key roles at companies like Rent.com and Knock CRM, culminating in his current position as Vice President of National Growth at Updater, showcases a track record of top revenue generation and innovative sales methodologies. This conversation with Lucas Bourgeois is invaluable for sales professionals aiming to elevate their skills, individuals considering a career in sales, and marketers seeking effective collaboration strategies with sales departments.

What if you could peek inside the process of a top multifamily sales professional? Meet the expert behind some of the most successful B2B sales strategies in proptech: a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience transforming the art of selling into a science of success. His journey through key roles at companies like Rent.com and Knock CRM, culminating in his current position as Vice President of National Growth at Updater, showcases a track record of top revenue generation and innovative sales methodologies. This conversation with Lucas Bourgeois is invaluable for sales professionals aiming to elevate their skills, individuals considering a career in sales, and marketers seeking effective collaboration strategies with sales departments.

Celebrate a remarkable milestone with Lisa Trosien as she approaches her 30th year in multifamily consulting. This episode will delve into Lisa's journey from her beginnings in multifamily to the inception and evolution of her own consulting business. We'll explore how her business has transformed over three decades, uncovering how Lisa keeps her strategies cutting-edge and relevant. Discover the changes and constants in the multifamily industry through Lisa's seasoned perspective, including the major turning points that have shaped our industry. We'll discuss the impact of her significant LinkedIn following on her business and delve into the strategies behind building such an audience. Lisa also shares insights on maintaining a personal brand that continually meets audience expectations. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone interested in the evolution of multifamily housing and the art of building a successful, enduring brand in the industry.

In a time when career setbacks can seem insurmountable, Dana Duckworth's story shines as a beacon of resilience and innovation. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dana, the Founder of Speak Up Dana and host of The Hilariously Unemployed Podcast. With over 13 years of multifamily housing and people operations experience, Dana transformed her layoff into an opportunity to build a unique brand and a platform for sharing humorous layoff stories. We'll explore how she continues to maintain her brand, deliver for her audience, and her predictions for employment trends in 2024. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to find inspiration and actionable paths forward in the face of career challenges.

How do you turn new hires into cultural ambassadors from day one? This pivotal question lies at the heart of our next discussion on "Life After Leasing." We're diving into the art of onboarding for culture with Siobhan Park, a seasoned expert in multifamily marketing and SaaS training at Repli. Siobhan brings a wealth of knowledge on nurturing company culture through strategic onboarding. This episode will explore effective techniques to ensure your organizational values resonate with every new team member. Join us for a session with practical insights and tips to elevate your onboarding process and create a cohesive, value-driven work environment.

In a world where every voice counts, and every story has the power to inspire, Alycia Anderson stands out as a beacon of motivation and resilience. A TEDx speaker, disability advocate, and a trailblazer in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility, Alycia's journey is not just a narrative; it's a testament to the power of embracing one's unique path. In this episode, we speak with Alycia, whose life echoes the ethos of turning obstacles into opportunities. From breaking ground as the first waitress in a wheelchair to her successful career in proptech turned full-time motivational speaker, Alycia's story is a masterclass in crafting a narrative that resonates and empowers. In this episode, we delve into the art of storytelling, the transitions from a corporate job to a full-time speaker, and the nuances of inspiring through words. Whether you're seeking to hone your public speaking skills or looking for that spark to kickstart your journey, Alycia's insights offer a blueprint for harnessing the power of your own story to inspire change and ignite possibilities.

In a professional landscape where advocating for oneself can be as challenging as it is crucial, Marnie Knight stands as a guiding force for women empowerment. As the CEO and Founder of Devvlo, Marnie has dedicated her career to helping women create their success stories. In this episode of "Life After Leasing," we delve into the art of self-advocacy and showcasing value in the workplace. Marnie, with her rich background from acting to economics and entrepreneurship, offers a unique perspective on building leverage and being seen as an expert. We'll explore the realities women face in the workplace, from navigating layoffs to understanding the delicate balance between gratitude and knowing one's worth. Marnie's insights are particularly timely, addressing the challenges and opportunities in today's shifting economy and how women can thrive amidst them. If you're seeking to enhance your career, assert your value, and navigate professional challenges with confidence, this conversation with Marnie Knight is an essential listen.

With a TikTok following of over 300k, John Gonzalez, the VP of Marketing at ITEX Group, has mastered the art of engaging audiences through short-form videos. In this episode, we'll explore the secrets behind creating compelling TikTok content that resonates with diverse viewers. John will share real-life examples of apartments thriving on TikTok and insights from other industries that are leveraging this platform effectively. We'll also delve into his journey of building a massive TikTok audience and discuss the ROI multifamily operators can expect from investing in this channel. Whether you're a TikTok novice or a seasoned creator, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories to help you elevate your social media game.

In an era where one-size-fits-all no longer cuts it, how do you craft a corporate brand that resonates with everyone? From the renter searching for their next home, to dedicated employees, and discerning property owners, your brand message must strike a chord with all. Join us on "Life After Leasing" with Tina Miserendino, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Avenue5, who's championed dynamic marketing overhauls. Dive deep into the art and strategy of creating a brand for a B2E – Business to Everyone – audience. With the intricate dance of identifying unique company differentiators and developing impactful messaging, Tina shares insights to build brand loyalty and authenticity across diverse customer segments. If you're aiming for a brand that truly speaks to every facet of your business, this episode is your playbook.

Join us for a candid chat with Erica Byrum about the shifts in influencer marketing, especially in the TikTok era. As the influencer marketing world is buzzing, we're also seeing the rise of the creator economy. So, what's the difference, and where are things heading? Erica, with her hands-on experience in the space, will break it all down. We'll tackle how the pandemic changed the game, the increasing push for authenticity, and what this all means for businesses. If you're looking to get a grip on the real deal with influencers and creators, this episode is for you.

Ever thought about joining the dark side? In this episode, we'll explore the transition from multifamily operator to vendor with Jen Chestnutt, Senior Director of Demand Gen at RealPage. In this episode, multifamily professionals curious about making the leap to the vendor side will glean insights into B2B marketing, tech company culture, and the translation of skills between sectors. Join us as Jen shares invaluable advice on positioning oneself in the prop-tech realm, from leveraging networks to optimizing resumes. For those pondering a shift from operator to vendor, this conversation promises actionable wisdom to guide your next steps.

In this episode, we delve deep into the profound relationship between individual growth and community involvement. Our guest, Adalyia Parker, showcases the transformative power of being deeply rooted in both her local community and professional spheres, like the Apartment Association of Greater Memphis, #NAAGives,  RPM Careers, and Melanin in Multifamily. Discover the reciprocity of impact: how active participation can elevate a community and, in turn, how that same community can inspire, challenge, and nurture an individual's growth.

Building a brand isn't just about design and messaging; it's about embedding the essence of a location's culture, history, attractions, and vibe. From identifying neighborhood hotspots and historic sites to understanding the benefits of cross-promotion with local businesses, Stacey Feeney, Founder of Zipcode Creative, shares the importance of location in apartment branding. Drawing insights from her recent curated day in Deep Ellum, she will also illustrate how a location's unique attributes can be seamlessly integrated into brand messaging, making it more genuine, relatable, and influential.   Resources: Local grocery with all the vibes: https://leeverslocavore.com/ One of Syd's fav examples of using history in your brand. LL Hawkings https://www.thellhawkins.com/

On this episode, we sit down with Jessica Fern-Kirkland, who journeyed from a leasing agent to the president of a prominent property management company and is now a sought-after multifamily leadership consultant. Dive into a conversation about the shifts in the multifamily industry, as we challenge the worth of traditional 'street cred' in our digital age. Discover what today's job qualifications really look like, the essential modern skills for industry success, and the evolving standards of work ethics. Plus, Jessica reveals the unique support that today's entry-level employees require and guides us on how to smoothly transition from age-old practices to contemporary multifamily strategies. 

One year after the final episode of Sydney's previous show, Renter Obsessed, she's joined by the original cast of characters from the inaugural episode to launch Life After Leasing. They discuss their own Life After Leasing career paths and give you a preview of what to expect when you join the Life After Leasing community. Are you a multifamily lifer?