Deborah Smith, CEO of a boutique real estate investment bank, shares her journey from a dairy farm to Wall Street CEO. Topics include CRE investing, starting investment banks, female mentorship, and balancing work-life. Discussions cover real estate banking, investment strategies, mentorship, market trends, and adapting real estate to changing demands.
Real estate investment banking requires a diverse skill set and initiative, not just industry knowledge.
Balancing motherhood with a finance career involves efficient time management, a support network, and passion.
Mentorship, self-reliance, and relationship building are essential for career growth in competitive industries.
Deep dives
Deborah Smith's Journey in Real Estate Investment Banking
Deborah Smith, CEO and co-founder of Center Cap Group, recounts her inspiring journey from growing up on a dairy farm in Australia to founding her own investment bank focused on real estate advisory. She shares insights into how the commercial real estate market works, what real estate investment banking involves, and the importance of identifying deals that align with her expertise and passion.
Navigating Parenthood and Career Advancement
Deborah Smith reflects on balancing motherhood with a successful career in finance. She emphasizes the significance of having a supportive network, efficient time management, and unwavering passion for her work. She encourages individuals to embrace challenges, cultivate resilience, and seek opportunities that align with their skills and interests.
Mentoring and Self-Reliance in Career Progression
Deborah Smith highlights the importance of mentorship and building a strong support system while also advocating for self-reliance and personal accountability in career advancement. She values the mutual nature of relationships and emphasizes the power of investing in connections that offer growth and learning opportunities.
Adapting to Industry Changes and Career Opportunities
Deborah Smith shares practical advice for individuals navigating competitive job markets and evolving industries. She encourages proactive self-reflection, adaptability to change, and seizing alternative paths to success. By embracing resilience, leveraging strengths, and exploring diverse career trajectories, individuals can overcome challenges and thrive in their professional journeys.
Demand for Initiative and Skills in the Industry
In the competitive industries like real estate investment banking, the focus is on hiring individuals with initiative and a range of skills rather than just industry knowledge. Successful candidates are those who can show willingness to take on tasks, display multitasking abilities, and understand the value of showing initiative. The emphasis is on being proactive in making the work easier for the team and demonstrating the ability to learn and adapt quickly, rather than solely relying on in-depth industry knowledge.
Impact and Adaptation of the Real Estate Market Dynamics
The current challenges in the commercial real estate market, including upcoming maturities and refinancing issues, are prompting lenders to work on renegotiating loans and exploring gap financing options to address liquidity strains. There is a shift towards valuing properties based on performance metrics like net operating income (NOI) and capitalization rates. Further, the market dynamics are leading to innovative approaches such as repurposing properties for alternative uses like last-mile logistics centers or transforming underperforming assets into viable ventures, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the real estate industry amidst changing economic conditions.
Want to understand commercial real estate investing? Real estate banking? What about starting your own investment bank? Or succeeding in the upper echelons of finance while raising young children? How about ALL OF THE ABOVE?
We are joined today by Deborah Smith, CEO and co-founder of a boutique investment bank specializing in real estate advisory, to explore the 101s of CRE investing and deal making, as well as the monumental challenge of starting your own investment bank. We also continue our conversation up and down the corporate ladder on the question of female mentorship.
Deb is a force of nature. She shares her story of how she went from a dairy farmer in Australia to the most elite banking group at Morgan Stanley to Wall Street CEO (all while raising three young children, no less), living life according to her personal philosophy of "the universe doesn't owe you anything". Her brilliance, moxie, and humor make this a MUST LISTEN for anyone interested in real estate, investment banking, or trying to balance work and family life in the world's most competitive environments.
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Public Disclosure: All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS... ...
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