SF Commercial Property Conversations

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Bruce sits down with James Chung, a seasoned retail broker and founder of The Econic Company. From hitchhiking to Newport Beach to surf as a teen to navigating the ever-evolving world of commercial real estate, James shares how his journey from Tallahassee to the Bay Area shaped both his personal and professional life.
Listeners will hear how James' passion for surfing instilled in him the instincts and commitment that fuel his career. He opens up about his early experiences at Berkeley, his leap from the tech world into retail brokerage, and how a failed tech startup became the launchpad for his thriving real estate career.
James also dives into how his firm manages 40+ million square feet of retail space, their unique client acquisition approach, and his thoughts on the future of downtown San Francisco retail. With insights into national expansion, the power of relationships in real estate, and how ICSC has shaped his network, this is an inspiring and practical episode for anyone in the CRE space.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Bruce Bean sits down with Marc Lipsett of Walker Realty Capital to explore a truly unique career path in commercial real estate. Born and raised in San Francisco, Marc shares how his career started in post-Soviet Russia and led to a long-term impact on the Bay Area’s real estate lending scene.
They talk about the evolution of lending standards, Marc’s first ventures in real estate finance, and how he transitioned from international business to founding Walker Realty Capital alongside a former colleague. Marc brings deep insight into how interest rates are really determined—beyond just Fed policy—and breaks down the current realities for commercial borrowers in the Bay Area.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, we sit down with Mitchell Rice, founder of Elkhorn Capital Partners, whose journey from a small town in Idaho to overseeing multimillion-dollar real estate ventures is nothing short of inspiring. Mitchell shares how his early exposure to real estate through his father's side projects planted the seed for a booming career in commercial investments.
We explore how his experience at Brigham Young University and his work with Property Reserve Inc.—the for-profit real estate investment arm of the LDS Church—laid the foundation for launching Elkhorn Capital Partners. Mitchell opens up about co-GP partnerships, sourcing deals in undervalued markets, raising millions in investor capital, and his strategic vision for hitting $1 billion in AUM within the next decade.
From mastering due diligence to leveraging mastermind networks and finding the right investors, Mitchell brings clarity and candid insights into the business of real estate investing.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

From LA to NYC and back again—Zachary Streit has navigated both coasts and the commercial real estate world with precision and passion. In this episode, Zack shares his unconventional journey, his insights on today’s lending environment, and the bold moves that led him to launch his own firm, Priority Capital Advisory.
What you'll learn in this episode:
How Zack’s academic and professional path shaped his commercial real estate vision
What’s changing in the bank lending landscape in 2025
Why construction lending and office refinancing are becoming hot topics again
Zack’s take on the "generational opportunity" in office assets
How interest rates, equity challenges, and bank competition are shaping deals
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 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