Running Life's Marathon: Heather Ewing on Breaking Barriers in Commercial Real Estate

In this episode of the Spotlight, a Women Speak CRE podcast, host Allison Weiss interviews Heather Ewing, founder and CEO of Abstract Commercial Real Estate.

Heather, a seasoned commercial real estate strategist and international marathoner, shares her unconventional journey into the industry, highlighting the life-changing car accident that propelled her into seeking her true purpose.

She discusses the integration of her personal passions, like running, with her professional life, and how these experiences sharpened her discipline and resilience. Heather also offers insights into navigating the commercial real estate market, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, strategic risk-taking, and continuous personal and professional development.

The conversation reveals how Heather balances her creative spirit with her business acumen, making her a standout leader in the retail and restaurant brokerage landscape of Madison, Wisconsin.

00:00 Introduction to Heather Ewing

02:33 Heather's Journey into Commercial Real Estate

03:06 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose

03:48 Transition to Commercial Brokerage

04:59 Starting Abstract Commercial Real Estate

05:15 Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change

08:48 The Role of Family and Personal Growth

12:42 Running and Real Estate: A Parallel Journey

18:36 Building a Unique Brand in Commercial Real Estate

23:07 The Importance of Providing Value

24:03 Making a Splash in the Market

26:04 Embracing Authenticity in Business

29:30 Navigating Gender Dynamics in the Industry

34:12 The Power of Personal Stories

37:56 Mindset and Daily Routines

42:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Social Media Details

LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube: @WomenSpeakCRE

Website: https://www.womenspeakcre.com/

Host | Allison S. Weiss

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/

Instagram: @allisonsweiss

Website: https://www.crerecruiting.com/

Guest | Heather Ewing

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermewing/

Website: https://www.abstractcommercialrealestate.com/

Thriving with Kindness and Excellence: Jen Hill's Journey

In this episode of the Spotlight: A Women Speak CRE Podcast, host Allison S. Weiss engages in a deep conversation with Jen Hill, a distinguished leader with a 27-year career at one of CRE’s largest and most prestigious firms.

Jen shares her passion for culture, strategy, and execution, drawing from her extensive experience across a wide variety of verticals and asset classes within JLL. Jen emphasizes the importance of curiosity, relationship-building, and introspection in career growth, alongside her distinctive leadership style that balances kindness with high standards of excellence.

The conversation also touches on Jen's investment journey, showcasing her strategic approach to wealth creation. Towards the end, the discussion highlights the value of aligning one's career with personal values and fostering a kind yet high-performing work environment.

00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode

00:17 Meet Jen Hill: A Strategic Trailblazer

03:27 Jen's Career Journey in Real Estate

09:50 The US Army’s Housing Privatization Project

27:36 Mentorship and Career Advice

32:19 Starting the Day with Purpose

32:57 The Importance of Introspection

33:54 Balancing Kindness and Excellence

34:33 Kindness in Leadership

37:38 Navigating Workplace Culture

41:43 Building Strong Relationships

48:28 Investing as a Woman

56:00 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Social Media Details

LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube: @WomenSpeakCRE

Website: https://www.womenspeakcre.com/

Host | Allison S. Weiss

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/

Instagram: @allisonsweiss

Website: https://www.crerecruiting.com/

Guest | Jennifer Hill

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hill-5812555/

Kate Brodock’s LinkedIn

Kate Brodock’s latest CRE adaptive reuse project

Building Impact: Carrie Bobb’s Real Estate and Legislative Legacy

In this episode of the Spotlight - A Women Speak CRE podcast, retail expert Carrie Bobb shares insights from her extensive career in commercial real estate.

Carrie discusses her career retail leasing & placemaking, merchandising strategies, and her favorite projects, including leasing One Paseo in Del Mar.

Her foray into digital strategies with HelloJenny, further acquired by Foundry Commercial, is highlighted as a key development in aligning social media with real estate transactions.

Most notably, Carrie talks about her pivotal role in the creation of 'Carrie's Law,' which removed arbitration for sexual assault cases in the workplace.

This conversation delves into her journey of faith and personal development, her eventual move to Nashville, thoughts on future career steps, and reflections on balancing professional and personal life.

Additionally, the episode ends with a light-hearted and impromptu segment featuring Carrie's young son, Jack, discussing his interests and aspirations.

00:00 Introduction to Carrie Bobb and Her Achievements

03:11 Carrie's Early Career Journey

05:17 Finding Her Niche in Retail

07:09 Going Independent and Career Milestones

09:15 Balancing Competition and Relationships

20:36 Carrie's Law and Advocacy

25:44 Faith and Professional Resilience

28:22 HelloJenny and Social Media Strategies

33:36 The Importance of Social Media for Young Professionals

34:33 AI and Social Media: The New Search Engines

36:09 Creating Authentic Content: Your Personal Voice vs. AI

37:48 Navigating Social Media Platforms: X and LinkedIn

38:58 Balancing Social Media and a Personal Life

45:30 Reflecting on Career and Future Goals

51:19 Clearing the Runway: Making Space for New Opportunities

59:52 Special Episode: A Fun Chat with Jack

Social Media Details

LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube: @WomenSpeakCRE

Website: https://www.womenspeakcre.com/

Host | Allison S. Weiss

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/

Instagram: @allisonsweiss

Website: https://www.crerecruiting.com/

Guest | Carrie Bobb

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriebobb/

Instagram/X: @carriebobb