22D — October 21 - November 17, 2022 — Women in Business — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
Women in Business
Sara Palovick, Withum
What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most success- ful in your profession? I try to not only answer my client’s questions, but also determine the reason for the question so that I can antici - pate their needs and discuss continued from page IC-D Jacqueline Abellera, CPA, Withum scenarios and possible out - comes with them. Do you feel being a woman is an advantage, disadvan- tage or no advantage in to- day’s business world? Why? Why not? I don’t believe it’s either an advantage or a disadvantage. I think some clients enjoy working with a
the pandemic and is now almost 2.5 years old. I live for my boys. If you are the primary caregiver to your children what obstacle and chal- lenges do you meet on a day to day basis? I am so beyond grateful that I have a true partner in my hus - band and a nanny who handles the day-to-day as well as two sets of grandparents who pitch in regularly. What is the funniest, most unique situation you have faced / conquered during your business career? What outside activities do you enjoy during you free time? I’m Peloton obsessed but when I can find more time to get out, in nice weather I’ve been play - ing a lot more tennis this year. This winter, I hope to make it back to more workout classes. I find being regularly physically active to be absolutely neces - sary for me. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field? You a re the only limit you can put on yourself. If you persist, dream big and have an undy- ing confidence to pursue your dreams, your success will be limitless. MAREJ and completing, as part of a NAIDB team, a direct lease for a 40,000 s/f industrial property in Kenilworth, NJ along with a lease of 0.70 acres • Selling a 40,000 s/f ware - house in Garwood, NJ, which had some environmental challenges While NAI DiLeo-Bram le - verages the powerful support of the NAI Global Network, the firm’s professional team of - fers the personalized service and knowledge of a local firm with the resources of a global company. As a result, the firm successfully maintains a cus - tom client experience by offer - ing a full suite of commercial real estate services backed by over 85 years of commercial real estate experience. MAREJ time? I love cooking and go through phases where I will try complicated dishes or recipes, or back to just the basics for daily meals. My dad is a great cook and I still enjoy learning from him and calling him up for tips. I also enjoy CrossFit, reading and binge-watching a new TV series. MARE
continued from page 18D transit-village redevelopment projects. Most recently, Goski- Vasquez was involved in the following transactions: • Representing the buyer of a 7,000 s/f industrial building in Kenilworth, NJ Last year I told your team that I “set a new high for per unit price for older vintage multifamily in Plainfield, NJ at $195k/unit, a record I am sure I will be breaking soon enough.” Sure enough, we did. Together with Joni Sweetwood, we set a new record at $250,000/unit in Plainfield for a similar vintage property. Tell us a little about your family: My mother as I mentioned works at Kislak with me and my brother works in real estate as well but for a New York-based real estate hedge fund. I have two sons; one is almost five and the other was born in the peak of success. In addition, my clients know I’m an organized, hard worker and will do whatever it takes within my power to get a deal done, even if it means assisting in making repairs myself to secure a CO. What challenges and or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to be- come as successful as you are today? I’ve learned to have thicker skin and to not get as personally invested. What was the most defin - ing moment for you in the profession you are cur- rently in? continued from page 12D • Arranging a 16,000 s/f sub - lease on behalf of a trucking- company client at an industri - al building in Union Twp., NJ • Orchestrating the $2.3M sale of a nearly 14,000 s/f in - dustrial building in Plainfield, NJ, punctuating a search that lasted several months • Facilitating the renewal of a 12,000 s/f industrial building in Kenilworth • Representing the landlord anything I can’t do because of my gender. Sometimes we are held back by limiting thoughts like that, and if someone feels I shouldn’t be doing something or where I am, that is their problem and not mine. What outside activities do you enjoy during you free continued from page IC-D
gain relationships within the industry—all of which helped me thrive as my career con - tinued to grow. I am currently the President and a Principal. The majority of my time goes into deal making as I represent multiple Tenants and Land - lords, but I also get involved in our marketing, managing and assisting sales people, and growing our client base. As the President of RJ Brunelli & Co., I work hard at creating a sup - portive, familial atmosphere where people feel like they can grow. How do you manage the work/life balance? If I need to take my kids to the office, they don’t mind, and I love for them to learn like I did. My eleven-year-old daugh- ter, Ariella, especially enjoys spending time at the office with me, creating site plans, and typing my emails. I even shot a video of her in an available storefront, as she told the audi - ence what categories of tenants we were seeking. I told her that I really want her to start creat - ing edited marketing videos for me—she is that good! Today, I can work from any - where really, and that helps tremendously as a mom. This year I have had to spend a few hours in the office almost every weekend to catch up on all my work in order to get it all done. I am also very fortunate to have a very close family to help with everything includ - ing my kids busy after school schedule. MAREJ chael (12) and Dominic (9). What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field? My career has been so rewarding and fulfilling. My advice for a young woman would be to go for it! Say yes to the opportunities that present themselves even when they seem challenging. They will make you stronger, smarter, and more successful. MAREJ female, and others do not, but in the end, it has to be a good personality fit on both sides in order to have a successful working relationship. Tell us a little about your family: My husband, Sher - win, is also a CPA, and we have two sons: Jason is 13 and Ryan is 6. MARE
Julie Gralla, The Kislak Co.
Nina Chmura, Withum
continued from page 3D Next year, I will be remar - ried and will officially have two more cuties, Darien and Santino, who are seven and nine. Sonny and Darien and their father, my wonderful fiancé Michael DeGeorge. have completed our family. I’m extra lucky that Michael is also in the real estate industry. We work well together and mo - tivate each other both in the business and at home. In the summer we spend a lot of time on the water, kayaking, tub - ing, crabbing, and entertain - ing. Off season, we have just as much fun, planning Halloween or Christmas parties, or our next adventures together. If you are the primary caregiver to your children what obstacle and chal- lenges do you meet on a day to day basis? I have been a “single” mom for the past five years, so yes, I have been the primary care- giver, along with having many other responsibilities. I am very fortunate enough to live very close to my parents, and my mother is incredibly help - ful. I also have wonderful sib - lings, all of whom have helped me over the years to raise my kids. It’s an enormous bless - ing. We also have an incredible extended family. My grand - mother babysat my twins when they were babies, and I have the support of wonderful aunts, cousins, and friends. It takes a village! Being a mom and a professional, even with in the room, but I am the most reliable. I take action and get things done which builds trust with clients and colleagues. My relationships have proven to be the single biggest factor in my success. What was the most defin- ing moment for you in the profession you are cur- rently in? The most defining moment in my profession has been my decision to move from the audit team to advisory to continued from page IC-D
all of this support, it’s hard work. I have to manage my time well, and this takes a lot of effort and planning. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field? Set yourself apart by re - ally doing your research. Be strategic in how you approach prospects. Be professional. Ask questions to learn about what your client’s needs and requirements are. Do not be afraid to admit when you are uncertain of something. People respect the truth. Be diligent and follow up—this is the most important thing you can do as a broker in this business. Try to set up phone appointments, rather than playing phone tag. Be organized—and create to do lists. Never give up and stay positive! Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? Since my father, Richard Brunelli, started the company forty-five years ago, I liter - ally grew up in the business. I am naturally competitive which you need to be in this industry, and I love that this job allows you to earn more based on what you put into it. I learn well through osmosis, and I was able to get hands on experience at a very young age, prior to graduating from Monmouth University. I was also able to meet people and build and head the outsourced accounting team. It was a risk leaving what I knew to start something new, but it has been so rewarding. Our team has grown over the years and I love watching my team grow and succeed. In addition, the re - lationships I have made with the clients we serve have been deeper and more impactful. Tell us a little about your family: I live in Monmouth County NJ with my husband, Jason, and my two sons Mi -
Danielle Brunelli, RJ Brunelli
Kelly Bayer & Catherine Goski- Vasquez, NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co.
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