SF Commercial Property Conversations

In this lively episode, Michael Ryan shares the incredible and winding path that brought him from turning wrenches in Alaska to navigating the complexities of commercial real estate and mortgage consulting in California.
Raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains and seasoned by hands-on trades like construction and automotive repair, Michael’s early experiences taught him grit and resourcefulness. After an injury ended his blue-collar career, he pivoted—on a dare—into real estate, and never looked back.
From selling land during Alaska’s 1980s crash, to building deep knowledge in mortgage strategy, Michael walks us through how he guides clients with one goal in mind: doing what’s right for them. His practical and transparent approach to real estate and finance is grounded in his values and vast experience—from options trading to flipping homes to helping people craft balanced wealth plans.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Marcus Shayeb, Managing Director at TRI Commercial in San Francisco, to dive deep into the evolution of the city’s commercial real estate market—and Marcus’s unique global journey to it.
From his early career in hospitality spanning Bermuda and the Caribbean to transitioning into commercial real estate in California, Marcus brings decades of insight into how San Francisco’s landscape has shifted through the dot-com boom, the 2008 crash, and most recently, the post-pandemic recovery.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this lively and insightful conversation, David Schmidt shares how he pivoted from a career in the Western wear industry to becoming a pioneer in tenant representation in Dallas during the 1980s CRE boom. With decades of experience, David brings deep wisdom on market cycles, investment strategies, and the evolving state of commercial real estate, especially in San Diego where he now operates.
Bruce and David dive into:
The early days of CRE in Dallas and working alongside legends like Roger Staubach
Navigating massive shifts in office markets post-oil bust and S&L crisis
How SBA financing and owner-user deals are changing the game for small businesses
San Diego's tight industrial and retail landscape and why it’s holding strong
Why relationships, referrals, and treating every deal with respect still matter most
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

Tiffany Felix is no stranger to leadership, purpose, or passion. In this powerful conversation with Bruce Bean, Tiffany shares her journey from corporate executive to community-focused founder. As the former SVP of Global Environmental Health and Safety at Paramount Global, Tiffany used her career to champion people, compliance, and culture.
Today, she leads Wholistic Soul—a nonprofit born during the pandemic with a mission to build joyful, connected communities through total well-being. Tiffany dives deep into how she fosters mental, emotional, and social growth through both group and one-on-one social (or soul-cial) coaching.
She also takes us through her robust career in environmental health and safety, her experience in facility management, and her role in driving accessibility and climate action in the corporate world. From closed captioning at Comic-Con to policy-making for ADA compliance, Tiffany brings inclusion full-circle.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Kristina Chang of Westlake Realty Group shares how she’s modernizing and expanding a family business with deep roots in the Bay Area. Kristina walks us through the firm’s journey from legacy holdings to institutional-grade operations and innovative investment strategies.
She discusses her passion for niche industrial spaces like industrial outdoor storage (iOS), the role of AI in sourcing off-market deals, and how Westlake is navigating today’s development environment. You’ll also hear about their latest ground-up projects—from multifamily in Santa Clara to self-storage in Sonoma—and how they’re balancing innovation with family legacy.
Kristina gives valuable insights into real estate cycles, tenant profiles, and what investors are looking for right now. Plus, she shares a personal moment about working with her grandfather and what it means to carry forward his legacy.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this inspiring episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean chats with Carl Christian—better known as The Nice Agent. Carl shares how a tragic loss in Haiti led to a fresh start in Florida and a successful 23-year journey in real estate. From humble beginnings with no money or car to running a thriving real estate company with over 20 agents, Carl’s story is one of perseverance, kindness, and giving back.
Listeners will hear Carl's take on the South Florida real estate market, how luxury and mid-range housing are shifting, and why cash deals are reshaping Miami. He opens up about failures, bounce-backs, and how customer service and community involvement are central to his success. Plus, he explains why now is the time to buy in Florida—and what building regulations hint about the market’s future.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode, Paul Glover shares his journey from Hartford, Connecticut, to becoming a trusted insurance advisor for commercial real estate owners in San Francisco. He breaks down the improving state of the commercial property insurance market, explaining how favorable underwriting results and increased capital from global markets are driving down rates for the first time since 2017.
Paul highlights the stark contrast between residential and commercial insurance conditions, offering insight into why high-quality, clean commercial accounts are in a prime position to benefit. He also shares how his firm “pre-underwrites” client portfolios and works with dozens of underwriters to get the best results.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

How does someone go from the football field to the frontlines of real estate development? In this episode, Bruce sits down with Paul “Coach” Frank, a lifelong coach turned commercial real estate pro. After COVID brought an abrupt end to his sports coaching career, Paul leveraged his passion for mentoring into a successful career mentoring agents, managing real estate projects, and guiding developments across the U.S.
From Class A office buildings to quick-service restaurant build-outs, Paul’s done it all. He shares insights on navigating entitlement issues, today’s skyrocketing construction costs, and why coaching former athletes into commercial real estate just makes sense.
This wide-ranging conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in development, real estate coaching, or the resilience it takes to adapt and thrive in an evolving market.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

What does it take to move from a budding acting career in New York City to becoming a trusted real estate advisor in Silicon Valley? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, guest Marc Bryman shares his journey from Broadway auditions to tenant representation in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country.
Marc dives into:
How he transitioned from acting to real estate during a turbulent time for the entertainment industry
His perspective on the shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market in the Bay Area
Smart pricing strategies that attract buyers and tenants
The role of “funny money” and tech capital in driving local real estate
Why interest rates aren’t as scary as they seem, and where opportunities exist in today’s market
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

What do professional sports, property management, bowling, and international stamp collecting have in common? For Dzintars Grinfelds, they’re all part of one remarkable journey.
In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Dzintars shares his unique path from working with the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants to running his family’s property management business in San Francisco. He opens up about how he’s modernized their operations with new tools and technology, and why personal oversight still matters most in managing their 18-unit portfolio.
But Dzintars’ story doesn’t stop there—he’s also a professional bowler and an active figure in international stamp collecting, helping organize the upcoming Boston 2026 World Expo.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest