This week’s Broker Spotlight features Joe O’Neill, an associate in industrial properties with NAI Heartland.
O’Neill first gained interest in manufacturing, logistics, distribution and warehousing while attending the University of Kansas during his involvement with KU’s Supply Chain Management Club.
Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from KU, O’Neill attained valuable sales experience selling capital equipment. These unique experiences, combined with his personal interest in real estate, ignited the beginning of his career in industrial commercial real estate.
Today, O’Neill’s primary areas of focus are landlord and tenant representation with regard to leasing, property acquisition and disposition of flex and industrial properties in the Kansas City metro area.
O’Neill explained how working with the other members of the NAI Heartland industrial team and learning from each other’s experiences has made him a better broker in the industrial market. He shares his winning attitude, interesting insights and more in this week’s Broker Spotlight:
RT (Rachel Treanor): What does a Kansas City CRE Comeback look like to you?
JO (Joe O’ Neill): The dream comeback is for more businesses to look at Kansas City and realize the value here. Additionally, for them to believe in the greater potential our city has to offer with a new airport coming, our great central location, ample space for growth, and the work ethic of our Midwest people. Through these four big picture pieces, I hope business leaders will have a chance to notice and attract their businesses to the area. If this hope came true it should drive strong demand for commercial real estate throughout Kansas City.
RT: How do you keep your skills sharp in this competitive climate?
JO: Staying current with news and market trends. Work hard, stay current, more business comes in and it is a self-fulfilling prophecy to staying competitive.
RT: What gets you excited to get to work every day?
JO: Creating win-win situations. When you can source the property a client, partner or colleague is searching for that makes them happy, and you provided them that service. That is a win-win and a really good feeling.
RT: What deal do you wish for in your future portfolio?
JO: Referrals and repeat clients. Both are testaments of great service and again that win-win I always aim for. Repeat clients often means a business is growing and that is exciting to be a part of.
RT: Who is your mentor and why?
JO: Nathan Anderson has been monumental in getting me up to speed in the world of CRE. Before getting into the business I met with multiple industry veterans and everyone said a good mentor is key to success. This has proven to be true. Nathan has the rare combination of being very successful in this field as well as possessing strong coaching skills. I feel very lucky to work with him.
RT: Who do you mentor?
JO: Starting out not knowing anything in a new industry it is a lot of take. Any chance I get to share what I have learned or let my colleagues know of a successful strategy is an opportunity for me to give back or pay it forward. We are all learning every day and the NAI Heartland office has a great culture where you can ask anyone a question.
RT: How can prospects contact you for more information?
JO: Thank you for the opportunity to share my contact info. I can be reached by email: joe@nai-heartland.com or by phone: 913-890-2010.