16C — June 2024 — 30 Under 30 — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
30 U nder 30
An interview with Kevin Porter . . . continued from page 3C and manage elements of the project to keep it going. What challenges and or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to be- come as successful as you are today?
Robert V. DiLeo, NAI DiLeo-Bram
Up, a mentorship program that provides young men in Greater Baltimore access to academic, athletic and social develop- ment support. As an alumnus of both Cristo Rey and Next One Up, it feels great to be on the respective boards, as I have a great understanding of the programs and feel I can be a strong liaison between the rest of the board and the alumni community. Having completed these programs and achieved success in my career since then, I’m always happy to offer sup- port or advice to young people who are in the same position I once was. It means a lot to be able to mentor this way. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young executive graduating from college? Believe in yourself and trust your knowledge. If you want something, you have to go out there and get it. No one is going to give it to you, so it all comes down to putting yourself out there, taking risks, meeting new people, and making the effort. In the end, the journey is often the most meaningful part of it all. MAREJ Once piece of advice I would give to a young executive graduating from college is to be resilient in everything they do, especially your career. One of the first things you learn when entering the work force is how little you actually know about the job you took and the industry you are in. While college makes you book smart, the only way to really grow into your profession is learning through experiences and from your own failures. The ones who eventually win are those who choose to pull the lesson from their mistakes and improve because of it. There is always good in the bad; find it, learn from it, and keep moving on. MAREJ support, commitment to taking care of the kids (so I can 100% focus on the work), building up enough savings, and be- ing my cheerleader, I would have never been able to pull this off. There are some dark times in the beginning, as we call “valleys of despair”; those were tough times. I had about three of them in my first three years, and without someone there to push me through it, I don’t know if I would have still been in the industry. MAREJ
because they foster a mindset that emphasizes teamwork. I have a specific passion for golf – a sport I credit with remind- ing me that discipline, practice and patience are imperative on the course and in life in general. Focusing, taking time and making thoughtful decisions are all important lessons. MAREJ ask questions. You will never have all the answers regard- less of how long you’ve been in the business. Also, finding the right mentor is key and makes all the difference in understanding this busi- ness. Make sure you find the right firm that makes YOUR development a priority. MAREJ
relationships to evolve into personal friendships. What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time? I’ve always been a sports en- thusiast, from playing sports myself to being a spectator. Competitive by nature, I en- joy these types of activities continued from page 1C
What I appreciate about working in real estate is the impact investment can make on communities, and that I can play a role in that in some capacity. To work in real estate and development means you always have to be on your toes, be willing to take risks, and en- vision the future through your mindset. The combination of those ideals really excites me, and I’m glad to have started my career in this industry. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? My emotional intelligence and intellectual curiosity are by far my greatest assets and have undoubtedly contributed to my success in the real estate industry. I genuinely enjoy be- ing around people, and I believe I can always learn something from any given person in a room. Understanding that a re- lationship is a two-way street, and if you’re willing to invest in others, then others will invest in you, has been key for me. skills were on the people side, sitting behind a computer in tax returns & k-1s for billion-dollar REITs wasn’t going to do it. Having real estate experience and wanting to take a career risk, I made a move to broker- age and picked multifamily as my product type in NJ. I was given a specific market to fo - cus on – Hudson County, and become an expert in that area. Being on the phone all day, working on deals, negotiating related curriculums in school I believe I was able to become well rounded in relationship building, communicating, and analytics. What is the funniest, most unique situation you have faced/conquered dur- ing your career? Or in your life? The most unique situation I have faced within my career so far is starting a job that is heavily reliant on in-person interactions at the back end of a global pandemic. The big- gest obstacle when beginning in brokerage was finding a way to get in-front of potential clients without them feeling uncomfortable or at risk of
There will always be exter- nal challenges you have to face, but overcoming internal challenges has been essential for my growth. I’ve started to focus on just being the best version of myself that I can be every day and taking it all one day at a time. I acknowl- edge that to improve myself I need to collaborate with oth- ers, be willing to learn from them, and admit what I may not know. I believe that if I prioritize growth and learn- ing internally, I will be able to breakthrough any external barriers that may lie ahead. What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time? In my free time, I enjoy Latin American dance, especially salsa and bachata. I like to play golf, and I’m teaching myself to solve Rubik’s Cubes. I’m also on the Board of Trustees for my high school, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, and I’m on the Board of Next One getting sick, a challenge that was unique to everyone, no matter how successful they were in the industry. For the first year of my career, I had to try new prospecting tactics to ensure that the property owners I was trying to con- nect were willing to meet face to face before showing up to their property. This included practices like an initial online outreach to potential clients ensuring they were okay with me coming to their building and utilizing different tech- nologies to make online meet- ings feel more personal. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young executive gradu- ating from college? My wife gave me all the con- fidence & support in the world to leave a salaried job for 100% commission with the bet that after 12-24 months of 12-hour days, 300 cold calls a week, and following the training, it could work out. Without her contracts, and winning deals was the thrill and excitement I was missing in the tax industry. Who do you feel was most influential in your life when choosing this profession?
continued from page IC-C Nicholas Favorito, Hudson Atlantic young executive graduating from college? continued from page 1C Kyle Gerace, NAI DiLeo-Bram What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young career starter graduating from college? For anyone just launching their career, especially in the commercial real estate indus- try, I would tell them to stay curious and not be afraid to
What were some of your ear- ly goals and did anything happen to change them? When I began my career transi- tion, my goal was clear: close at least one deal within my first year in the new field. However, the journey wasn't without its challenges, particularly navi- gating the unpredictability of the market. Despite the hurdles posed by market fluctuations and economic uncertainties, I remained committed to my goal. After eight months of persever- ance and hard work, I success- fully closed my first deal at a 4.46% cap. This achievement not only validated my career pivot but also reinforced my resilience in the face of adversity. What is the funniest, most unique situation you have faced/conquered during your career? Or in your life? During a trip to Central Amer- ica with a few friends, we decided to attend a rodeo. Through some maneuvering, idea of walking into a cli- ent’s office unannounced... or even worse, door knock- ing, was very intimidating to me. However, with every office I visited, every house I knocked on, every cold call I made, it started to become easier and easier. These are some of the most important base essentials that most successful brokers utilize. These tactics are just some of the methods that have allowed me to connect with some of the most prominent investors in the industry. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a
we found ourselves in the front row, mere feet away from the bulls. Suddenly, the staff began pulling people into the ring to participate in running from the bulls. Thanks to my adventurous friends, I found myself nominated. As I stood there, staring down a bull just 20 feet away, I couldn't believe the situation I was in. Thankfully, I lived to tell the tale of that exhilarating and unforgettable experience. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young executive graduating from college? Your ability to form authentic relationships is your great- est asset. Cultivate genuine connections, actively listen, and show empathy. Net- working is key—engage with industry professionals and be generous in offering support. These relationships will not only advance your career but also enrich your professional journey. MAREJ As you step into your career, it’s important to acknowledge that there’s no cookie cutter recipe to success, everyone’s path is different. There are many ways to become successful, yet in any industry, the necessary ingredients will always include a blend of relentless hard work, continuous learning, and genu- ine connections. It is crucial that you embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow, stay adaptable in the face of change, and always act with integrity. Your passion and perseverance will be the foundation of your re- markable journey ahead. MAREJ
David Ferber, CPA, Matthews . . . continued from page 5C
continued from page IC-C Ben Susskind, Hudson Atlantic
continued from page 8C Rising to Success with Nicholas Bio . . .
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online