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.

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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

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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

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What if you never had to cold call again? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we dive into the future of business communication with David Criss, Director of Sales at Action2Call.

David shares how AI-driven voice agents are revolutionizing inbound and outbound calls, making life easier for commercial real estate agents, attorneys, and business professionals. Imagine AI assistants handling 20+ calls at once, pre-qualifying leads, and seamlessly integrating with your CRM—all without missing a beat.

David’s journey from real estate to high-ticket sales and AI development is fascinating, and his insights on automation, efficiency, and the future of AI in business are eye-opening. If you’re tired of spending hours on the phone and want to streamline your operations, this episode is a must-listen.

• How Action2Call’s AI voice agents work and why they’re a game-changer
• The real estate cold-calling dilemma and how AI can eliminate it
• The cost-effectiveness of AI vs. human receptionists
• How AI is expanding into industries like healthcare and government
• The future of AI-driven business communication

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Bruce Bean sits down with Noelle Bryce, an estate planning and asset protection attorney with Barth Calderon LLP. Noelle shares her journey from Glendora, California, to Washington, D.C., and back, and how her passion for governance and public policy led her to a career in estate planning.

They dive deep into California’s Proposition 19, its impact on property transfers, and the often-overlooked estate planning mistakes that can lead to probate court. Noelle explains how commercial property owners can protect their assets, why trusts are essential for succession planning, and how failing to title properties correctly can create legal and financial headaches.

Key Takeaways: ✅ How Proposition 19 changed property tax laws in California ✅ Why trusts don’t necessarily protect against reassessment ✅ How commercial property owners should structure ownership to avoid probate ✅ The biggest mistakes people make with estate planning and how to avoid them

If you own property—residential or commercial—this episode is packed with must-know insights to help you preserve your wealth for future generations.

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Jason Malabute, a CPA specializing in commercial real estate taxation. Jason shares his inspiring journey from dreaming of being a professional basketball player to becoming a tax expert and real estate investor.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Jason initially had no interest in accounting until his mother encouraged him to pursue it. Fast forward to today, and he’s built a thriving accounting firm focused on real estate investors. He discusses how he transitioned from tax preparation to real estate investing, including how he strategically studied the market before purchasing his first properties.

Jason also dives into the tax challenges that property owners and investors face, common mistakes he sees from property managers, and the accounting tools he recommends. Plus, he shares why he believes real estate is the best wealth-building strategy available and how his firm helps investors maximize tax benefits.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How Jason pivoted from basketball dreams to CPA success
• The role his family played in shaping his career
• His first real estate investment and lessons learned
• Why he believes real estate is the ultimate wealth-building tool
• The importance of proper tax planning for investors
• His thoughts on the future of real estate investing

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we welcome Sam Louwrens, a commercial insurance broker specializing in construction insurance. Sam shares his unconventional journey—from being homeschooled in Cody, Wyoming, to navigating university in record time, and eventually finding his way into the world of insurance.

Sam opens up about:

• His experience being homeschooled and how it prepared him for the real world
• How he fast-tracked his education, completing a finance degree in just 1.5 years
• His unexpected entry into the insurance industry through a mentor connection
• The reality of building a client base through cold calls, strategic consulting, and referrals
• Why Texas and California are prime markets for construction insurance
• The secrets to negotiating better insurance rates and why many businesses unknowingly overpay

If you're in construction or commercial real estate, Sam shares some must-know strategies for managing insurance costs and standing out to underwriters.

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In this episode, host Bruce Bean sits down with Peter Quinn, a seasoned commercial real estate expert based in San Diego, California. Peter shares his fascinating journey from working at IBM to becoming a top-tier CRE professional. With decades of experience in land brokerage, development, and investment, Peter provides insights into how he navigated the evolving Southern California real estate market.

What you'll learn in this episode: ✔ How Peter transitioned from IBM to commercial real estate ✔ His early days at CBRE and the impact of having great mentors ✔ The evolution of Orange County’s industrial and office markets ✔ Insights into land acquisition and development in San Diego and beyond ✔ The role of AI and data in modern CRE decision-making ✔ Thoughts on industrial, retail, and affordable housing trends

Peter also shares his perspective on government real estate holdings, affordable housing initiatives, and where he sees the market heading. If you’re a commercial broker, investor, or just love real estate stories, 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