In this episode, Bruce Bean welcomes Rocio Luna, a dynamic commercial insurance broker based in Southern California. Rocio shares her unique journey into the world of insurance—starting from the ground up with zero experience, facing challenges head-on, and eventually transitioning from claims management to a thriving career in sales.

Rocio explains the significance of the EMR (Experience Modification Rate) in the world of contracting and staffing, offering valuable insights into how it impacts premium costs and contract opportunities. She talks about her early days juggling stacks of legal documents, learning the ropes via Google, and the power of empathy when guiding businesses through stressful claims.

Listeners will learn how Rocio’s psychology background unexpectedly empowered her to connect deeply with clients, and how she evolved her approach to cold-calling and lead generation—eventually building a strong referral-based business through platforms like LinkedIn.

Whether you're a small contractor, staffing agency, or someone curious about the behind-the-scenes of commercial insurance, Rocio’s story is an inspiring look into what it takes to turn adversity into opportunity.

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In this episode, Bruce Bean chats with Tim Chen, co-founder of Connected Companies, about his incredible journey from China to becoming a real estate entrepreneur in the U.S. Tim opens up about moving to the States with little English, failing early ventures, and how he finally broke into the commercial real estate world through sheer persistence.

He shares stories of cold-calling, learning on the job, and how he landed his first big opportunity at CBRE. Then, hear how Tim made the leap into co-founding Connected Companies, navigating the pandemic, and scaling a portfolio to over $100 million in assets under management.

Whether you're just starting out or already knee-deep in commercial real estate, this story of grit and growth will definitely inspire.

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In this episode, Bruce Bean chats with former athlete turned real estate entrepreneur, Javorn Ferrell, about his fascinating journey from pro basketball courts in Europe to leading build-to-rent housing developments across the U.S. Javorn shares how a desire to make a lasting community impact led him to Google “how to get rich”—and how that search brought him straight to real estate.

Javorn breaks down how he transitioned from single-family investing to the complex world of commercial real estate, specifically the growing niche of build-to-rent communities. He explains how his team scouts off-market land, why they prioritize less density and aesthetic appeal, and how they’ve succeeded by staying conservative and disciplined in a volatile market.

We also dive into specific markets like Texas, California, and Montana—and how his firm’s thoughtful approach has drawn trust from capital partners.

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Bryan Marks, a real estate investor, home flipper, and realtor with a unique journey. From windsurfing instructor to advertising professional, pilot, and eventually a real estate entrepreneur, Bryan shares how his unexpected start in real estate led to a successful career in flipping homes and helping others build wealth through property investment.

Bryan discusses his first accidental investment in Laurel Canyon, his experience managing properties across California, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He also dives into how technology is reshaping real estate, his decision to join Compass for its cutting-edge CRM, and how he uses data-driven insights to stay ahead in the market.

If you’re curious about home flipping, wealth-building through real estate, or the current state of the LA housing market, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real-world experience.

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How do shopping centers, commercial properties, and mixed-use spaces keep up with the rapid evolution of digital technology? In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with David Blumenfeld, co-founder of NextRivet, to discuss how his company is bridging the gap between digital innovation and physical spaces.

With years of experience in San Francisco’s tech scene and as part of Westfield Labs' founding executive team, David shares his insights into how AI and technology are reshaping commercial real estate. He explains how shopping centers are evolving beyond just enhancing the customer experience to leveraging digital solutions for security, operations, and building efficiency.

David also dives into: ✔️ How NextRivet spun out of Westfield Labs and became a leader in tech-driven real estate solutions ✔️ The global demand for smart shopping centers and commercial spaces ✔️ Why the Middle East is one of the hottest markets for digital innovation in real estate ✔️ The importance of vendor neutrality and selecting the right technology for each unique client ✔️ How NextRivet helps businesses streamline digital transformation

About Our Guest: David Blumenfeld is the co-founder of NextRivet, a consulting firm specializing in bringing digital transformation to commercial, retail, and multifamily real estate. His company helps real estate owners and operators navigate the complex landscape of tech solutions to improve operations and customer experiences.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

1031 exchanges can be complicated, but what if they could also be... fun? In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Kayla Frerking, a true leader in 1031 exchanges and a key player at Leader 1031, a subsidiary of Leader Bank. Kayla breaks down the complexities of 1031 exchanges, shares how she’s making tax code exciting, and talks about her unique "Deal or No Deal" game show approach to educating brokers, attorneys, and investors.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The basics of 1031 exchanges and how they help investors defer capital gains taxes
• Why Kayla believes education is key—and how she’s making tax rules more engaging
• The most common misconceptions about 1031 exchanges and how to avoid costly mistakes
• The role of Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) in real estate investment strategies
• How interest rates and the broader real estate market impact 1031 exchange activity
• Kayla’s nationwide approach to educating investors and professionals in the field

Kayla’s passion for tax codes (yes, you read that right!) and her deep industry knowledge make this a must-listen for anyone considering a 1031 exchange.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Jonathan Mitchell, a dynamic real estate developer in San Diego. Jonathan shares his journey from running a multimillion-dollar solar company to diving headfirst into real estate development. With a passion for transforming distressed properties into thriving multi-family units, Jonathan discusses how San Diego’s zoning laws allow for increased ADU density, the challenges of navigating a competitive market, and why he prefers stick-built over modular units.

He also opens up about his faith-driven approach to business, his experience growing up in Section 8 housing, and his goal of creating more affordable housing in San Diego. Tune in to hear how Jonathan’s team is strategically acquiring and developing properties, leveraging networking and community events, and planning for the future of real estate in California.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Jonathan’s transition from solar to real estate development
• How San Diego’s zoning laws impact ADU development
• The benefits and challenges of stick-built vs. modular construction
• Strategies for finding and acquiring investment properties
• The role of faith, community, and business in Jonathan’s journey

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From a small Wisconsin town to moving multi-billion-dollar infrastructure deals, Chris Groves shares a story packed with grit, hustle, and a sharp eye for where the money’s going next. In this episode, Bruce and Chris dive into infrastructure lending—a space Chris calls one of the most exciting and under-the-radar investment frontiers today. Chris walks us through his journey from real estate to launching Groves Capital with his wife, to becoming a partner at GIA where he's handling $20B+ in annual capacity for infrastructure and reinsurance-backed projects.

We get into:

• How Chris made the leap from fitness and real estate to global infrastructure finance

• Why reinsurance is the backbone of funding for projects like hospitals, hydrogen energy, and trash-to-fuel tech

• What it takes to get a $100M+ project underwritten (hint: 276 questions and serious modeling)

• Why 9 out of 10 deals never make it past GIA’s front door—and why the ones that do are changing the world

• The future of AI, crypto, and commercial lending

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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