In this episode, Patrick and Shelli chat with Bill Himmelstein, founder and CEO of the Tenant Advisory Group, a tenant-focused commercial real estate brokerage in Chicago. Bill shares his journey from the early influence of his real estate investor father, to his accidental but fortuitous entry into the world of commercial real estate, including his initial struggles and eventual success.

Emphasizing a tenant-first philosophy, Bill discusses his commitment to always seeking the best deals for his clients, even when they are ready to accept current offers. He highlights the importance of honest relationships, exceeding client expectations, and treating other people’s money with the same respect as one's own.

Bill shares his advice for entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of valuing one’s time and building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. Throughout the discussion, Bill demonstrates an authentic passion for helping others, and shares ways to leverage relationships to maintain a client-first approach in business.

(00:25) Introducing Bill Himmelstein
(01:57) Bill's Early Influences and Real Estate Journey
(07:17) The Importance of Sales Skills in Entrepreneurship
(11:18) Building Trust and Relationships
(16:31) Tenant-First Philosophy and Client Success Stories
(19:13) Building Long-Term Client Relationships
22:54 Current Trends in Chicago's Office and Industrial Markets
(30:24) Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned
(33:57) The Value of Making Connections

Bill Himmelstein is founder and CEO of the Tenant Advisory Group, a tenant-focused commercial real estate brokerage focused on helping tenants, buyers, and sellers get the most out of their business’ space. In the past, he’s held roles like Managing Director at Advocate Commercial Real Estate Advisors; Broker at the John Buck Company; and Senior Associate at Cushman & Wakefield. He earned a BSBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

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Podcast episode production by Dante32.

Real Estate, Resilience, and Forging Partnerships with Bill Himmelstein