SF Commercial Property Conversations

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Michael Koch, an expert in insurance, payroll, and payment processing, to discuss his innovative approach to lowering business expenses.
Michael shares his journey from working in payroll and HR to disrupting the insurance industry. He explains how traditional insurance brokers often neglect their clients for most of the year, only reappearing at renewal time. To challenge this system, Michael created The Pickle Program—a proactive loss control strategy that helps businesses track their safety improvements throughout the year, ultimately lowering their insurance premiums.
We also explore how Michael collaborates with his wife’s company, AAA Merchant Services, to help businesses offset rising insurance costs through strategic payment processing savings. By combining these financial solutions, Michael and his team provide businesses with a holistic approach to cost reduction.
Tune in to learn:
How insurance brokers operate and why many fail to serve their clients year-round
How The Pickle Program is changing the insurance game
Why transparency with underwriters can help businesses save money
How payment processing strategies can offset rising insurance costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 welcome Michael Chidambaram, a seasoned real estate broker specializing in retail and food & beverage spaces. Michael’s journey is anything but ordinary—starting in TV production in Bombay (now Mumbai) before making his way into San Francisco’s commercial real estate market.
We discuss:
Michael’s transition from media to real estate and how he found his niche in food and beverage brokerage.
The state of San Francisco’s retail and restaurant scene post-pandemic—what’s thriving, what’s struggling, and where the opportunities lie.
The impact of remote work on commercial foot traffic and how it’s reshaping the city’s real estate market.
Opportunities for restaurateurs—why now might be the perfect time to launch a food venture in SF.
Michael shares insider knowledge on market trends, investment opportunities, and the future of San Francisco’s retail landscape. If you’re a business owner, investor, or just curious about the state of SF’s commercial real estate, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Jack Kaminer and Tyler from Vertical Markets to explore their unconventional path in real estate investing. From Section 8 housing to flipping boats and incorporating tiny homes into rental properties, Jack and Tyler share their dynamic approach to growing wealth and seizing unexpected opportunities.
We dive into:
How they transitioned from brewing beer to investing in real estate
Their experiences with Section 8 housing and why they moved on
The unexpected opportunity they found flipping boats after hurricanes
How they’re maximizing rental income with tiny homes and multi-unit conversions
Their passion for surfing and how Vertical Markets has even funded surf trips
Jack and Tyler bring a refreshingly flexible and creative mindset to real estate investing. Whether you're an investor, an entrepreneur, or just someone who loves a great business story, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 designing soundstages to developing commercial real estate, Sean Lahijani has seen it all. In this episode, Sean shares his journey from studying architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to working on high-profile projects like Circa in downtown LA and transforming retail spaces for Sears Growth Properties. But it was his work in soundstage development that truly expanded his perspective on the intersection of real estate and entertainment.
Bruce and Sean dive into the world of film production facilities, discussing the cutting-edge technology behind soundstages, including LED walls and extended reality (XR) environments. Sean also talks about the challenges and rewards of starting his own firm, Anomaly Development Company, and how he’s growing his business through word of mouth, social media, and strong client relationships.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Sean transitioned from architecture to commercial real estate development
The role of soundstages in modern film production and the impact of new technology
The challenges of launching a new real estate development firm
Why commercial real estate is slow to adopt technology but is starting to catch up
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Jake Cummings, an insurance expert specializing in affordable housing solutions. Jake shares his unique journey into the insurance industry, from his early aspirations in real estate to a chance meeting on a golf course that led him into his current role.
We dive into the fascinating world of insurance for affordable housing, discussing how developers and major corporations leverage low-income housing tax credits and how specialized insurance products help protect these investments. Jake explains the Live Tech Recapture Bond, a surety bond designed to safeguard tax credits for major investors like Wells Fargo and Verizon.
We also explore how Jake sources leads, the role of networking at industry conferences, and the innovative insurance solutions his company is developing to combat rising property insurance costs. Plus, we get a glimpse into Jake’s personal interests, from golfing and snowboarding to his passion for J. Cole’s music.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Jack Landers, a seasoned expert in commercial insurance who made the leap from Florida to San Diego, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the industry. Jack shares his journey into insurance, the challenges businesses face in today’s market, and how he helps clients navigate the ever-changing landscape of property coverage in California.
We dive into:
Jack’s unique path from life and health insurance to commercial insurance
The evolving property insurance market and the impact of recent fires in California
The difference between admitted and non-admitted insurance carriers
Common challenges landlords and business owners face in securing coverage
How Jack stays competitive in a tough industry through referrals and problem-solving
Beyond insurance, Jack shares his love for surfing, sailing, and racing catamarans, offering a fresh perspective on balancing business with personal passion.
If you're a property owner, investor, or just curious about the insurance market, this episode is packed with insights!
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Michael Nassif, an insurance expert who is flipping the script on how businesses approach risk management. Michael shares his journey from growing up in Los Angeles and studying economics to unexpectedly landing in the insurance industry. He discusses how his entrepreneurial ventures shaped his understanding of business risk and ultimately led him to specialize in captive insurance solutions.
Michael explains how captive insurance can transform insurance from a traditional business expense into a profit-generating asset. He dives into how middle-market companies can leverage these innovative structures and how his firm, USI Insurance Services, provides specialized solutions to help businesses manage risk more effectively.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
How Michael transitioned from law to insurance and later into captive insurance
The advantages of captive insurance and how it works for businesses
The role of USI Insurance Services in providing innovative risk management solutions
Michael’s business development strategies, including his use of networking groups like Provisors and Team Referral Network
His top tools for prospecting, including Sales Navigator and ZoomInfo
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Jordan Pratt-Thatcher, a former actor turned successful insurance broker. Jordan shares his fascinating career path, from growing up in Minnesota and discovering a passion for acting, to performing professionally and eventually training at the prestigious University of North Carolina School of the Arts. His journey took him to Los Angeles, where he pursued acting and even produced his own show—only to shift gears during the pandemic, leading him into the world of insurance.
Jordan’s experience in sales, honed through years of working in tech and acting, has given him a unique perspective on building relationships, understanding clients’ needs, and navigating the complexities of commercial insurance. He shares insights into the challenges facing the industry today, particularly in California’s volatile insurance market, and how his approach to consultative sales helps businesses find the right coverage.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a property owner, or just someone curious about the unexpected intersections of art and business, this episode is packed with valuable insights and entertaining stories.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Kenny Lau’s journey into commercial real estate wasn’t a straight path—it was a transformation. From working in his family's recycling business to trying his hand at interior design, Kenny ultimately found his passion in commercial real estate. In this episode, Kenny shares how he made the leap, the lessons he learned along the way, and how social media—especially Instagram—has become his secret weapon in generating leads and closing deals.
Bruce and Kenny dive deep into:
Kenny’s unexpected path into CRE from residential real estate
The differences between residential and commercial real estate transactions
Why Kenny avoids cold calling and instead focuses on social media marketing
The power of Instagram in generating real estate leads
How Kenny successfully closed a 37,600-square-foot warehouse deal through Instagram
Tips for using Instagram ads to grow your business
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

surance Turmoil
California's insurance market is facing serious challenges, and no one understands this better than Charles Katz. With nearly 57 years of experience in the insurance industry, Charles has seen it all—from working with Fortune 500 companies to helping individual homeowners navigate an increasingly complex system.
In this episode, Charles shares his journey from California to Indiana and back, and how he built a career in property and casualty insurance. He breaks down the current insurance crisis in California, including the billion-dollar assessment recently imposed on insurers, the growing reliance on the California Fair Plan, and how new players are emerging to fill the gaps left by major insurance companies exiting the state.
We also dive into:
Why independent brokers like Charles are more important than ever
How the online insurance world is changing the way people shop for coverage
The impact of fire season and climate change on insurance rates
The growing need for cyber insurance and how businesses should prepare
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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