SF Commercial Property Conversations

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with Mindy Henderson, Vice President of Disability Outreach and Empowerment at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Mindy shares her personal journey with spinal muscular atrophy, her work in advocacy, and the crucial role of universal design in creating inclusive environments. She also discusses the gaps in ADA regulations, offering insights into how property owners can go beyond compliance to ensure better accessibility for all.
What You’ll Learn
The significance of universal design and how it benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities.
Mindy’s personal story of defying medical expectations and how it shaped her career.
The potential business benefits of catering to individuals with disabilities, including tapping into a $21 billion market.
Practical ways building owners can implement inclusive design without compromising aesthetics.
Guest BioMindy Henderson is the Vice President of Disability Outreach and Empowerment at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A passionate advocate, speaker, and author, she has dedicated her career to advancing accessibility and inclusion. She lives with spinal muscular atrophy and uses her lived experience to inspire change in the corporate and public sectors.
 
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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with Carla Pecoraro to dive into her fascinating journey from the restaurant industry to becoming a force in commercial real estate. Carla shares her experience of growing up with a family involved in real estate investments and how her early exposure to fix-and-flip projects in Marin County helped shape her career. She also discusses her transition from working in the Michelin-star restaurant scene to cold calling at Marcus & Millichap and how she found her niche in commercial real estate at Compass.
Throughout the conversation, Carla reveals the importance of being adaptable in a constantly changing market and emphasizes the value of cold calling and staying disciplined. Whether it's finding opportunities in the midst of bad news or guiding new business owners through the complexities of SBA loans, Carla shares insightful strategies for success.
Join us to learn more about Carla's passion for real estate, her take on the evolving San Francisco property landscape, and her advice for those considering a career in commercial real estate.
Guest Bio:Carla Pecoraro is a commercial real estate expert with Compass, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area. From her roots in residential investment to her current focus on all asset types, Carla brings a unique perspective to the industry.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Bruce Bean talks with Mat Piro of California Bridge Loans about the ever-changing world of bridge financing. Mat shares his insight on the latest rate cut by the Fed and how it impacts different loan products, from investment residential term loans to private money options.
We also dive into Mat's experience with a high-profile 84-unit project in Palo Alto, funded amidst challenging circumstances, which ultimately cemented his firm’s reputation in the construction finance space. Mat explains how his company bridges the gap between traditional bank financing and private money lending, offering flexible solutions for real estate investors and developers.
Other topics include:
The future of interest rates and what might happen next
The changing landscape of private lending post-2008
Unique loan products such as DSCR loans and construction loans
How Mat’s team manages fast-turnaround private lending for clients
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Bruce Bean sits down with Kevin Hanan, the visionary behind CRE Task Wizard, a platform designed to revolutionize how commercial real estate professionals source and manage virtual assistants. Kevin shares his journey from starting as a broker at CBRE, moving into the world of PropTech, and eventually creating CRE Task Wizard. This platform offers specialized virtual assistant services tailored to the needs of brokers, property managers, and investors in commercial real estate. They discuss the growing importance of outsourcing administrative tasks, streamlining lead generation, and using AI tools to enhance efficiency.
Tune in to discover how Kevin’s innovative approach is helping real estate professionals focus on what they do best while his trained virtual assistants handle the rest!
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Kevin transitioned from a career in real estate brokerage to founding CRE Task Wizard.
The unique services CRE Task Wizard offers to brokers, property managers, and investors.
How AI tools like Clay are transforming lead generation for real estate professionals.
Why hiring a virtual assistant through CRE Task Wizard is different from traditional freelance services.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, Bruce Bean sits down with Jacob Sanchez, a commercial broker with BCCRE in San Jose. Jacob shares his unique journey from studying chemistry at San Jose State University to becoming a well-connected figure in commercial real estate.
Jacob reveals how his professors encouraged him to pursue a more people-oriented career, leading him into sales and eventually commercial real estate. With seven years in the industry, Jacob has carved a niche in industrial spaces and medical offices, working with a wide range of clients—from contractors to doctors.
Throughout the episode, Jacob talks about the challenges of relocating long-standing businesses, managing client expectations, and the importance of maintaining strong local connections in the South Bay area. He also shares his “secret sauce” for success, which lies in his love for people and the art of relationship-building. Whether it’s helping doctors move without losing patients or facilitating strategic business partnerships, Jacob’s passion for his work shines through.
Tune in to this insightful conversation to hear more about how chemistry, communication, and connections are the perfect mix in Jacob’s real estate career.
 
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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we dive into the ever-evolving and chaotic world of real estate insurance with expert Rick Callaway from Acrisure. Rick shares his journey through multiple careers before landing in the insurance field, and sheds light on the current challenges facing property owners, especially in California.
Rick explains the impact of natural disasters and strict regulations, which are causing major insurance carriers to exit the state. He also discusses reinsurance, rising costs, and the challenges of obtaining adequate coverage for both residential and commercial properties. Rick highlights the complexities surrounding insurance in today’s market, offering advice to property owners on how to navigate these troubled waters.
From discussing insurance pricing discrepancies to his work on a new program addressing landlord liability for mold lawsuits, Rick provides valuable insights that every property owner should hear.
Key Takeaways:
California’s insurance crisis explained: why carriers are pulling out.
The role of reinsurance and why it’s crucial to the insurance industry.
Understanding admitted vs. non-admitted carriers.
Tips for property owners on how to secure the best insurance coverage.
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In this exciting episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with retail real estate veteran Brian McAndrews. From his early days in the grocery and retail industry to becoming a key player in the real estate wars between Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, CVS, and Longs, Brian shares invaluable insights from his diverse career journey.
Brian's path is anything but linear—he began his career in retail and pivoted into commercial real estate, working for industry giants like CBRE and Hollywood Video. His journey didn’t stop there as he played pivotal roles in CVS's expansion during the "Drugstore Wars," ultimately ending up with Longs Drugs before its acquisition by CVS. Brian’s passion for real estate, his ability to thrive in competitive markets, and his stories about working with iconic companies will captivate anyone interested in corporate real estate, retail strategies, and leadership. Tune in to hear his thoughts on navigating the constantly evolving retail real estate landscape and how he successfully balanced career challenges with family life.
Key Takeaways:
How Brian transitioned from retail to commercial real estate with CBRE
Insights into the "Drugstore Wars" and CVS’s aggressive expansion
The behind-the-scenes of Hollywood Video’s rise against Blockbuster
Longs Drugs' battle with Walgreens and its eventual sale to CVS
The value of strong relationships and networking in real estate
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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Bruce sits down with Jonathan Parker, a San Francisco native and a man of many talents—real estate developer, filmmaker, and former musician. Jonathan shares his unique journey from growing up in San Francisco’s Forest Hill neighborhood to navigating the commercial real estate scene with a creative twist. They dive into Jonathan’s early exposure to real estate, his transition from music into filmmaking during the rise of MTV, and his recent work, including the documentary Carol Doda: Topless at the Condor.
Jonathan also sheds light on the changes in San Francisco's real estate landscape, his vision for redeveloping downtown San Rafael, and the evolving challenges brought on by the pandemic. Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends art, business, and the ever-changing Bay Area real estate market.
For more information on Jonathan Parker, visit parkerfilmcompany.com. Check out the documentary Carol Doda: Topless at the Condor on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
 
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In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Patty McGuigan, a legend in the Silicon Valley real estate scene and the first female commercial real estate agent in the area. Patty shares her remarkable journey, from teaching English in high school to breaking barriers in the male-dominated world of commercial real estate.
Patty reflects on her early days at Cornish & Carey, now Newmark, in the 1980s when Silicon Valley was just beginning its transformation into the tech hub we know today. She recalls leasing spaces to major players like Microsoft, Google, and Intel, and her wild adventures with legendary clients, from Sergey Brin wanting to see the roof of a building to running through a broker luncheon with mismatched shoes.
Listeners will be captivated by Patty’s tenacity, wit, and stories of working through the early tech boom of the '80s and '90s. She also touches on her recent writing projects, including her memoir, Scraps Build a Pile, and her experience publishing books for others.
Guest Bio: Patty McGuigan is a veteran commercial real estate agent with over four decades of experience. She has played a pivotal role in shaping Silicon Valley’s commercial real estate landscape and has leased space to some of the largest tech companies in the world. She is also an author and recently completed her memoir.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Scott Shute, the former Head of Mindfulness and Compassion Programs at LinkedIn. Scott shares his inspiring journey from Kansas to Silicon Valley, where he combined his passion for mindfulness and technology. At LinkedIn, Scott spearheaded mindfulness and compassion programs, revolutionizing how companies think about workplace culture.
Scott discusses the importance of balancing business success with compassion, exploring how companies that take care of all stakeholders—employees, customers, and shareholders—can be more profitable and sustainable in the long run. He introduces concepts such as "conscious business" and "mindful leadership," providing insights on how individuals and companies can thrive by fostering compassion and mindfulness.
Scott also provides practical exercises to help listeners cultivate a mindset of abundance and compassion, making a compelling case for why leaders in any industry should prioritize these values. Tune in to learn how to build a more conscious workplace and live a more fulfilled life.
Guest Bio:Scott Shute is a keynote speaker, author, and former Head of Mindfulness and Compassion Programs at LinkedIn. With a background in engineering and over a decade of experience at LinkedIn, Scott now focuses on bringing mindfulness and compassion to the workplace through his nonprofit, Changing Work. He is the author of The Full Body Yes and a pioneer in the fields of mindfulness and workplace culture.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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