Podcast
Hyatt Commercial's Coffee Talk Podcast
Hosted by Gabrielle Titow · EN
Hyatt Commercial's Coffee Talk podcast brings industry leaders to the table to discuss trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of commercial real estate.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
CT EP 13 | Leadership, Growth, and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay with Liam O'Meara of EQR
1w ago00:39:06Tap to summarizeJustin Mullen welcomes longtime friend Liam O'Meara, President of EQR (Environmental Quality Resources), an ecological restoration construction company focused on improving water quality through stormwater management, stream restoration, living shorelines, maintenance, native landscaping, and a plant nursery across the Chesapeake Bay watershed and beyond. Liam describes his leadership style as consensus building, emphasizing team input, accountability, and empowering independent leaders, a shift reinforced when EQR expanded into Richmond and had to operate without day-to-day oversight. He explains how EQR professionalizes environmental work by applying construction efficiency within a highly regulated permitting landscape, and discusses why the Bay looks unusually clear this year, citing low runoff from a dry year alongside incremental infrastructure improvements. Liam outlines EQR's centralized services model, current recruiting challenges, company structure of roughly 220 employees, competitive dynamics, strategic planning practices, and his definition of success: doubling responsibly while contributing to consistently clearer Chesapeake Bay waters.
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CT EP 12 | Building with Purpose: Ben Harries on Leadership, Construction & Long-Term Relationships
Jun 3000:39:17Tap to summarizeIn Episode 12 of Coffee Talk, Justin Mullen sits down with Ben Harries, Owner of BuilderGuru Contracting and Gardiner & Gardiner Contracting, to discuss leadership that starts outside the office, commercial construction, business relationships, and what it takes to grow a company with intention. Ben shares how the company grew through acquisition and expanded from tenant fit-outs into larger ground-up construction work. He reflects on the relationships that helped shape the business, from clients and employees to referral partners who trusted him as a first phone call for construction guidance. The conversation also explores Ben's leadership style, which is rooted in leading by example, accountability, and being present for the people around him. He shares how prioritizing family, personal discipline, and a strong support system has influenced the way he leads inside and outside the office. Justin and Ben reflect on their long-standing relationship, shared connection through lacrosse, the role mentorship has played in both of their careers, and how they have supported each other over the years. They also discuss how lessons from coaching, construction, and business ownership carry into leadership, team building, and long-term decision-making. This episode touches on the realities of commercial construction, including permitting challenges, early contractor involvement, and helping business owners better understand costs, timelines, and the process of opening their doors. Justin also shares how similar values show up at Hyatt Commercial through broker support, internal structure, and building a team where people feel ownership in the work. From construction and coaching to family, accountability, and business growth, this episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs, business owners, operators, and leaders who are building with purpose. Grab your coffee and let's talk business!
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CT EP 11 | Building Zentility: Ryan Peusch on Leadership, Energy Decisions & Zentility
May 2600:29:45Tap to summarizeIn Episode 11 of Coffee Talk, Justin Mullen sits down with Ryan Peusch, CEO of Zentility, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, and the challenges businesses face when navigating today's energy market. Ryan shares his journey from working at Constellation to launching Zentility, a technology platform built to simplify energy procurement for businesses, brokers, and property owners. What started as industry experience evolved into a mission to make comparing suppliers, understanding contracts, and managing energy costs more transparent and accessible. Justin and Ryan explore the realities of building a company from the ground up, from early startup challenges and technical problem-solving to hiring, leadership, and scaling a growing team. Ryan reflects on his leadership style as more of a builder than a traditional manager, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and giving people the tools to succeed. The conversation also breaks down how deregulated energy markets work and the roles suppliers, utilities, brokers, and business owners play within them. Ryan explains why budget certainty matters and how the right energy strategy can help companies reduce stress, control costs, and make smarter long-term decisions.
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CT EP 10 | Building from the Ground Up: Jim Schaefer on Leadership, Service & Long-Term Vision
Apr 2700:40:09Tap to summarizeIn Episode 10 of Coffee Talk, Justin Mullen sits down with Jim Schaefer, CEO of Schaefer Homes, to discuss leadership, resilience, and what it takes to build a business from the ground up. Jim shares his path from leaving a career in finance to starting over in construction, taking on hands-on work and learning every part of the building process. He reflects on early challenges, setbacks, and the role his family and support system played in helping him reset and move forward. Justin and Jim explore how those experiences shaped his leadership style — grounded in accountability, service, and leading by example. Jim emphasizes the importance of showing up in the community, including schools and local spaces, where being physically present allows him to connect with and inspire future leaders in a way that can't be replicated from a distance. The conversation also highlights the foundation of his business: serving people first and creating opportunities that elevate their lives. Jim shares how this mindset has guided the growth of Schaefer Homes, where financial success is a byproduct of delivering value, not the primary driver. From building his first homes by hand to scaling a team and refining his role as a leader, Jim offers a candid look at the realities of growth, responsibility, and long-term thinking. He also shares his vision for the future, including the goal of growing Schaefer Homes into one of the top 100 homebuilders in the world. This episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders focused on building with purpose, leading with intention, and creating lasting impact.
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CT EP 9 | Collaborative Leadership, Politics & Building Influence
Mar 3100:28:09Tap to summarizeIn Episode 9 of Coffee Talk, Justin Mullen sits down with Hannah to explore leadership, relationship-building, and what it takes to navigate the world of politics and advocacy. Hannah shares her journey from growing up around politics to building her own firm, Compass Advocacy. She reflects on her collaborative leadership style, the importance of trust within a team, and how strong relationships drive success in both business and government. The conversation dives into the realities of legislative session, balancing competing interests, and how meaningful change often happens behind the scenes. Hannah also offers insight into entrepreneurship, growing a business, and managing the demands of leadership alongside family life. From navigating complex industries to building a people-first culture, this episode highlights the power of collaboration, resilience, and long-term thinking.
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CT EP 8 | Experimental Leadership and Community Building with Bailey Feldman
Mar 1700:33:27Tap to summarizeIn Episode 8 of Coffee Talk, Justin Mullen of Hyatt Commercial Real Estate sits down with Bailey Feldman, founder of Fount and Flourish, a women-focused social community and coworking space in Annapolis. Bailey shares the story behind building a community designed to bring women together across careers, life stages, and backgrounds. What began as an idea has grown into a thriving network of more than 150 members who gather for professional collaboration, personal growth, and meaningful connection. During the conversation, Bailey discusses her "experimental" leadership style, the lessons she learned moving from nonprofit and consulting work into entrepreneurship, and how intentional spaces can foster stronger communities. She also reflects on balancing business ownership with family life, building a mission-driven organization, and creating a legacy that empowers the next generation of women. From leadership and entrepreneurship to community building and personal purpose, this episode explores what it takes to turn a vision into something that truly brings people together.
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CT EP 7 | Leading with Intuition: Building Modus Solutions & Playing the Long Game
Feb 2600:34:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Coffee Talk, Justin Mullen sits down with Nicholas Manis, Founder and President of Modus Solutions, and former D1 national champion lacrosse player at the University of Maryland, to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, and the intuition required to build and grow a business from the ground up. Nicholas shares his journey from collegiate athletics to launching and scaling Modus Solutions, a managed print provider serving Maryland and the greater DMV region. He reflects on lessons learned from early challenges, trusting his instincts as a leader, and the importance of accountability, reputation, and consistency in building long-term success. The conversation explores how leadership principles from sports translate into business, building high-performance teams, and applying systems like extreme ownership and structured accountability. Nicholas also discusses balancing entrepreneurship with family life, leaning on mentorship, and maintaining focus while playing the long game. This episode offers practical insights for founders, operators, and emerging leaders focused on building resilient teams, leading with intuition, and growing with intention.
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CT EP 6 | Scaling Timber Pizza: Leadership & Accountability
Jan 1200:34:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Coffee Talk, Justin Mullen sits down with Chris Brady, Owner & Co-Founder of Timber Pizza, to discuss the evolution of leadership, accountability, and culture required to scale a beloved local brand. Chris shares his journey from launching a mobile wood-fired pizza truck to growing Timber Pizza into a multi-location, multi-state brand. He reflects on lessons learned from early hustle, trusting and developing teams, and the transition from working in the business to working on the business. The conversation dives into leadership style, franchising strategy, and the role of structured systems—like EOS—in driving alignment, accountability, and sustainable growth. Chris also discusses scaling culture across markets, selecting the right partners, navigating industry headwinds, and balancing entrepreneurship with family life as a new father. This episode offers practical insights for founders, operators, and leaders focused on building teams, preserving culture, and growing with intention.
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CT EP 5 From Show Business to Main Street: Constance Polamalu on Cultivating Teams & Legacy Retail
Nov 2500:43:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Coffee Talk, Justin Mullen, President of Hyatt Commercial Real Estate, sits down with Constance Palamalu, Chief Operating Officer of Zachary's Jewelers and founder of Bloomstone Jewelers. Constance shares how growing up as the daughter of an NFL player, performing in Las Vegas, and studying theater, mass communications, and geology all led—unexpectedly—to a career in gemology, brand-building, and retail leadership. She reflects on selling jewelry on live TV, designing hundreds of pieces each season, and ultimately choosing Annapolis and Zachary's as the place to build a long-term legacy. Justin and Constance explore her self-described leadership style as a "cultivator," the evolution of Zachary's from a two-person shop to a "football team" of specialists, and how the company navigated COVID shutdowns by doubling down on people, community, and service. Constance also breaks down the story behind Bloomstone—an exclusively lab-grown diamond brand—and why it was built alongside, not inside, Zachary's. From succession planning and operational systems to community traditions and multi-generational customers, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what it takes to sustain and grow a beloved Main Street brand. Whether interested in small business operations, leadership, or the future of jewelry retail, listeners will find plenty of practical insight and inspiration.
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CT EP 4 From Medicine to Real Estate: Dr. Mitesh Kothari on Leadership & Culture
Sep 2900:36:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Coffee Talk: CRE Edition, Justin Mullen, President of Hyatt Commercial Real Estate, sits down with Dr. Mitesh Kothari—Hyatt's newest Healthcare Consultant. Dr. Kothari shares his remarkable journey from immigrating to the U.S. as a child to becoming a successful physician, entrepreneur, and now healthcare consultant. He reflects on the sacrifices his parents made, the decision to pursue medicine, and how his entrepreneurial spirit shaped the growth of his medical practice into one of Maryland's largest. Justin and Mitesh dive into the importance of leadership, culture, and empowering others, as well as the critical role real estate plays in the success of medical practices. Dr. Kothari offers candid insights on scaling a business, partnering with private equity, navigating real estate development, and ultimately creating the freedom to live life on your own terms. Whether you're in healthcare, real estate, or business leadership, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons on growth, resilience, and empowerment.
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