SF Commercial Property Conversations

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Bruce welcomes Phil Copulsky, a Manhattan native whose career path has taken him from Goldman Sachs to Russell Investments and now into the world of commercial real estate at Westmount Realty Capital in Dallas.
Phil shares how his financial background and MBA experience helped him transition into real estate, why he focuses on family office investors, and how Westmount’s unique deal structure provides flexibility and control that traditional REITs and funds often lack.
You’ll hear insights on:
The difference between syndication and REIT investing
Why family offices value deal-by-deal discretion
How Westmount navigates industrial and multifamily markets
Why Midwest properties offer strong risk-adjusted returns
The challenges and opportunities in today’s pricing environment
What distressed multifamily assets might mean for investors in the coming years
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 surviving hostile takeovers to building one of San Diego’s fastest-growing companies, Jennifer Barnes has learned the power of resilience, flexibility, and people-first leadership. In this episode, Jennifer shares her journey from her early days at Petco to founding Optima Office, a thriving firm providing fractional CFO, controller, bookkeeping, and HR services.
You’ll hear how Jennifer transformed challenges into growth opportunities, why culture and client care drive Optima’s rapid expansion, and how outsourcing financial and HR functions can help companies of all sizes thrive.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
How Jennifer pivoted her career after setbacks and turned them into new ventures.
Why Optima Office’s “speed of execution” and caring culture set it apart.
The benefits of outsourcing finance and HR functions instead of hiring full-time.
How Optima tailors services for industries like real estate, nonprofits, and professional services.
The role of flexibility and hybrid work in Optima’s success
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, Bruce sits down with Kaaren Hall, founder of uDirect IRA Services, to talk about how self-directed IRAs can open the door to financial freedom and real estate investing.
Kaaren shares her journey from radio announcer to real estate professional and ultimately to launching her own company, helping thousands of people take control of their retirement savings. She explains how self-directed IRAs work, why commercial real estate is one of the top investment choices inside them, and how individuals can move beyond traditional 401(k)s and into more flexible wealth-building opportunities.
You’ll learn:
What makes self-directed IRAs different from traditional retirement accounts
How investors can use them to participate in commercial real estate syndications
The role of contribution limits and rollovers in building up retirement funds
Why the Roth IRA “clock” is essential to long-term tax-free investing
Resources and education available for anyone looking to take charge of their retirement
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Kate Zanobini of Kiavi, the nation’s top private money lender. Kate shares her unconventional journey from studying psychology and communications to finding her niche in real estate finance. From early days at Trulia and Zillow to becoming a well-known figure in the private lending space, Kate’s career path is full of unexpected twists—and solid advice.
Kate walks us through the ins and outs of private lending, how it differs from traditional loans, and why Kiavi’s tech-driven, flexible approach has made it a leader in the fix-and-flip and DSCR loan markets. She also opens up about how Kiavi supports brokers and adapts to changing real estate conditions across the country.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

What does it take to thrive across multiple real estate cycles — from the financial crisis to today’s shifting market? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, guest Julian Scurci shares how he built a career spanning industrial, multifamily, office, and retail investments, while navigating some of the toughest market turns.
Julian takes us through his journey from New Jersey to Denver to the Bay Area, and how early lessons at Prologis during the financial crisis shaped his approach as a value-driven investor. He opens up about what he’s seeing right now across different property types, including:
Why today’s market may be the best buying opportunity since 2008
How distressed office properties in San Francisco could become prime investments
The rise of industrial and the long-term e-commerce and logistics tailwinds
What makes retail and multifamily resilient in today’s climate
Why volatility often creates the biggest opportunities for investors
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

How does a background in electrical engineering lead to developing high-end communities in Texas? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, guest Venkat Avasarala shares his remarkable journey from Hyderabad, India to Dallas real estate.
Venkat opens up about his early days in the U.S. working in tech, how he scaled from buying single-family homes into large multifamily syndications, and why he ultimately shifted his focus to Class A properties. He explains how COVID reshaped his strategy, why serving higher-income tenants makes sense in today’s market, and what it takes to build large-scale developments in fast-growing Texas counties.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Bay Area native and former tech entrepreneur turned wealth strategist, Dave Condensa. Dave shares his fascinating journey from building multi-million dollar tech companies to helping individuals and families maximize their wealth through smart tax strategies.
We dive deep into Qualified Opportunity Zones—what they are, how they work, and why most people have never heard of them. Dave breaks down how these zones can be used to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital gains taxes, especially for homeowners looking to downsize, people selling rental or commercial properties, and even those exiting from stock or business sales.
He also touches on how these tools intersect with investments in energy and real estate, giving real-life examples of how clients are generating tax-free income while building long-term wealth.
What You'll Learn:
How Dave pivoted from Silicon Valley tech to personal wealth management
The mechanics and tax advantages of Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs)
Why QOZs are considered one of the most powerful tax-saving tools available
Real estate vs. energy sector investments within opportunity zones
When and why a 1031 exchange may not be the best fit
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 chats with Nick Stromwall, Vice President of Innovation and Efficiency at Rise 48, about his incredible transition from ministry to multifamily real estate. Nick shares how a desire to live generously led him into duplex investing, and how a few well-timed risks and relentless learning eventually brought him to managing deals totaling over $2.4 billion in volume.
Nick breaks down the concept of a "triple win" in investing—cash flow, appreciation, and tax savings—and explains how Rise 48 is scaling rapidly by integrating community, technology, and efficient systems into their investment strategy. From charging scooters in Minneapolis to becoming a leader in capital raising and innovation, Nick’s story is both relatable and inspiring.
What You’ll Learn:
How Nick transitioned from ministry to real estate investing
The importance of community in multifamily housing
How Rise 48 has scaled to 300+ employees and 60+ acquisitions
Practical uses of AI in real estate operations
Nick’s “Triple Win” investment philosophy
How they’re creating lasting tenant relationships with creative community events
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

What does it take to go from college football to California vineyards and commercial real estate? In this episode, Bruce sits down with Ethan Bronson of Central Commercial Group to talk about his unique journey from Cal Poly football to becoming a specialist in vineyard and agricultural properties.
Ethan shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in today’s wine industry, from shifting consumer trends and climate change to labor shortages and tariffs. He explains how vineyard management is evolving, why buyers and sellers face tough decisions, and what crops are replacing grapevines across California.
You’ll also hear Ethan’s passion for wine as a Level 2 Sommelier, his family’s four generations of vineyard management, and even who he’d love to sit down with over tacos.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

When deals go bad, few people have the perspective and calm that Stephen Sanders brings to the table. With 40 years in the real estate industry, Stephen has weathered multiple economic cycles and today leads a national distressed asset group at Stewart Title.
In this episode, Bruce Bean and Stephen dive deep into how lenders, investors, and institutions are navigating the growing wave of distressed properties. From foreclosures and note sales to receiverships and bankruptcy sales, Stephen explains the strategies banks use to avoid taking properties back and how savvy investors can uncover opportunities.
You’ll also hear Stephen’s take on:
How the savings & loan crisis shaped his early career
Why today’s distressed cycle looks different from the past
The impact of interest rates and the “wall of maturities” coming due
How the pandemic changed office space and construction demand
Where opportunities exist for investors with patience and capital
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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