00:00 – Introduction and Welcome

• Evan introduces the show and guest, Mindy Price.

00:08 – Guest Introduction: Mindy Price

• Evan shares how he met Mindy and her background in podcasting and multifamily leadership.

01:36 – Texas Rodeo and Culture

• Mindy discusses Texas stereotypes, the meaning behind "Don't Mess with Texas," and her experiences volunteering at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

08:13 – Parking Stories and Pet Peeves

• Both share personal anecdotes about parking challenges and etiquette in multifamily communities.

13:09 – Music That Motivates

• Mindy and Evan talk about their favorite motivational songs and playlists.

16:49 – Caffeinated Beverage of Choice

• Mindy reveals her love for coffee and her favorite seasonal drinks.

20:59 – Mindy's Career Journey

• Mindy recounts her path from radio/TV broadcasting to leasing, training, and eventually launching her own business.

25:49 – Transition to Supplier Partner Side

• Insights into moving between management and supplier roles in the multifamily industry.

27:54 – Industry Insights and Personal Reflections

• The impact of the multifamily industry, public perception, and the importance of networking.

29:52 – Raising Capital and Education in Real Estate

• Mindy discusses her experience as a licensed stockbroker and educator in real estate investing.

31:54 – Passion for Helping Others and Motivating Teams

• Mindy’s approach to coaching, motivating teams, and helping others overcome public speaking fears.

33:13 – Preparing for Speaking Engagements

• Tips for practicing, self-critiquing, and building confidence for public speaking.

35:56 – Starting a New Business: Inside the Why

• Mindy explains the inspiration behind her company, Inside the Why, and her mission to help others discover their purpose.

41:19 – Balancing Sales and Marketing

• Discussion on the relationship between sales and marketing, and building trust with clients.

44:03 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement

• Mindy and Evan reflect on career growth, the importance of having a plan, and encouragement for listeners to pursue their own "why."

59:26 – Outro and Contact Information

• Mindy shares her contact info and Evan invites listeners to connect and share their stories.

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*The views and opinions expressed on Boss Talks are those of the host and their guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community Boss.

• 0:00 — Introduction to Boss Talks and guest Rayshaun Phillips
• 1:40 — Rayshaun’s background and entry into multifamily housing
• 9:40 — The “20 on the Rise” program and career pivots
• 15:00 — The origin of the “Ray of Sunshine” nickname
• 18:00 — Community engagement, networking, and building relationships
• 22:40 — Parking in Detroit: challenges, guest parking headaches, and apartment living
• 28:00 — Music, motivation, and personal routines
• 31:00 — The importance of volunteers and association growth
• 36:00 — Tips for introverts: networking, leading with your heart, and making connections
• 41:00 — World-building, inclusion, and finding your community
• 47:00 — Housing affordability, advocacy, and the need for more affordable housing
• 54:00 — Handling difficult conversations and embracing perception
• 60:00 — Closing thoughts and takeaways

#bosstalks

*The views and opinions expressed on Boss Talks are those of the host and their guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community Boss.

• [0:10] Welcome to Boss Talks and introduction of the show.
• [0:19] Introducing guest Jen Piccotti from Swift Bunny.
• [1:01] Jen’s multifamily journey and first impressions.
• [2:57] Discussion on parking challenges in multifamily communities.
• [5:06] Music that motivates Jen—Sting and “Groove Is in the Heart.”
• [7:09] Jen’s passion for tea and her background as a tea blogger.
• [10:26] Jen’s industry background and transition from property management to data and surveys.
• [11:03] Moving from Boise to Orange County and joining Shea Properties.
• [12:28] Transition to SatisFacts and working on resident surveys.
• [12:59] Move to Swift Bunny and focus on employee engagement.
• [19:27] The importance of listening to employees and using surveys for feedback.
• [21:15] Three levels of communication: macro (company), micro (supervisor), and meso (group).
• [24:09] The importance of clear communication in leadership.
• [24:47] Challenges when leadership plans are underdeveloped.
• [25:31] Regular communication during uncertain times (e.g., COVID-19).
• [26:06] Employee engagement in town hall meetings and the value of consistency.
• [27:51] The role of meso communication and building trust through regular meetings.
• [28:40] Creating connections in remote work and the importance of team bonding.
• [31:37] Effective team communication strategies, including focus groups and rotating meeting responsibilities.
• [36:09] Encouraging public speaking and diverse voices in the multifamily industry.
• [42:26] Partnering with new speakers and the value of sharing stories.
• [44:29] Networking tips and building connections, especially for introverts.
• [48:29] Looking forward to 2025—Jen’s optimism and focus on connecting with others.

#bosstalks

*The views and opinions expressed on Boss Talks are those of the host and their guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community Boss.

[0:00] Introduction and Guest Overview

• Evan introduces the show and guest, Sarah Fassett.
• Sarah’s background: quick rise in the multifamily industry, focus on empathy and community.

[1:58] Sarah’s Early Career in Multifamily Housing

• Sarah’s entry into the industry as a leasing consultant.
• Rapid progression to assistant manager and community manager roles.
• The importance of team support and mentorship.

[3:21] Transition to Corporate Role

• Moving from on-site management to a regional trainer position.
• Impacting a larger community and sharing best practices.

[4:42] Impact and Mentorship

• The value of mentors in Sarah’s career.
• Emotional shout-outs to key mentors and colleagues.

[6:54] Parking Management Insights

• Sarah’s experiences with parking management software.
• The difference good tools make for both staff and residents.

[11:38] Music and Motivation

• Sarah’s go-to motivational song: “This Is Your Night” by Amber.
• Discussion of music’s role in motivation and energy.

[14:04] Caffeine Preferences and Personal Tidbits

• Sarah’s favorite caffeinated beverages and her high-energy habits.
• Fun discussion about candy and personal quirks.

[17:40] Sarah’s Resilience and Early Challenges

• Sarah’s childhood adversity: family instability, homelessness, and battling cancer as a teen.
• Determination to pursue education despite obstacles.

[20:12] Battling Cancer and Pursuing Education

• Multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries.
• Persistence in securing scholarships and completing her education.

[25:34] Overcoming Adversity and Career Growth

• Continued health challenges and career setbacks.
• Learning to advocate for herself and others.

[27:20] Advocating for Invisible Disabilities

• Sarah’s current role as chair of the HR Advisory Council.
• Supporting colleagues with invisible disabilities.

[28:35] Helping Residents in Need

• Using personal experience to empathize with residents facing eviction or hardship.
• Collaborative problem-solving and connecting residents with resources.

[30:03] Turning Around a Troubled Community

• Taking over a struggling property and implementing innovative solutions.
• Team-building, vendor negotiations, and operational improvements.

[32:45] Servant Leadership in Action

• Sarah’s philosophy: creating heroes, not being the hero.
• Focusing on people over numbers.

[41:09] New Role and Impact

• Transition to a regional trainer role.
• Facilitating onboarding, teaching both soft and technical skills, and fostering collaboration.

[44:42] Excitement for EdCon

• Sarah and Evan discuss their upcoming speaking engagements at EdCon.
• The importance of collaboration and continuous learning.

[49:00] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

• Sarah’s ongoing advocacy and leadership roles.
• Encouragement for listeners to connect, share their stories, and get involved.

Connect with Sarah Fassett:

• LinkedIn: Sarah Fassett
• Attend her session at EdCon, March 13th, Seattle Convention Center.

Want to be a guest on Boss Talks?

• Reach out to Evan Happel for a chance to share your story.

#bosstalks

*The views and opinions expressed on Boss Talks are those of the host and their guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community Boss.

Show Notes & Timestamps

[0:10] Introduction and Guest Welcome

Evan introduces Laurel Zacher and previews the episode’s focus.

[1:06] Community Boss Overview

Overview of Community Boss solutions for managing parking, amenities, and mapping.

[1:44] Laurel’s Background & Journey

Laurel’s career path: onsite roles, service partner, and corporate marketing leadership.

[2:20] Career Growth in Multifamily

The value of experience on both the service and corporate sides.

[3:41] Negotiation Tips and Insights

Laurel’s approach to contract negotiation.

Book recommendation: “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss.

Key tip: Know your goals and bottom line.

[6:03] Impact of Parking on Communities

Parking as a pain point; importance of understanding local needs and using data.

[8:41] Marketing and Accessibility

Market features like air conditioning, even if “everyone has it.”

Make information accessible: captions, alt tags, and clear descriptions.

[10:42] Personal Questions: Music and Coffee

Laurel’s favorite motivational music and coffee order.

[14:31] Introduction to Multifamily Marketing Truths

Transition to the main topic: Five uncomfortable truths of multifamily marketing.

[15:19] Chapter 1: Websites Are “Hot Garbage”

Many multifamily websites are outdated or not user-friendly.

Need for mobile-first design, fast load times, and self-scheduling tools.

Shop your own properties like a prospect to identify pain points.

[18:31] Improving Renter Experience

Make it easy for residents to find information, schedule tours, and apply online.

Resident portals and 24/7 access are now expected.

[28:33] Chapter 2: Understanding Renter Preferences and Data

Most companies don’t truly understand their current renters’ needs.

Use both qualitative (reviews, surveys) and quantitative (data, sensors) research.

Customer journey mapping is recommended.

[35:47] Chapter 3: Cost of Turnover and Retention Strategies

Average turnover cost is ~$4,000 per unit.

Small improvements in retention can have a huge financial impact.

Consider loyalty programs and AI-driven lease renewals.

[41:42] Chapter 4: Online Reviews as a Marketing Weapon

Reviews are critical for reputation and operational feedback.

Use dashboards (e.g., Sochi, Reputation, Jay Turner) to monitor and analyze reviews.

FTC guidelines: never incentivize reviews or allow staff/family to write them.

[50:16] Chapter 5: Digital Ads: Money Pit or Opportunity?

Digital advertising can be wasteful if not tracked properly.

Focus on metrics that matter: cost per lease, ROAS (Return on Ad Spend), and marketing effectiveness.

Optimize Google Business Profiles for organic reach.

[1:00:29] Marketing Promises vs. Property Reality

Don’t overpromise in marketing; ensure the resident experience matches the marketing message.

Prioritize current residents’ needs and communication.

Cleanliness and basic customer service are essential.

[1:08:31] Final Thoughts

Avoid generic terms like “luxury”; describe what’s actually offered.

Educate and empower onsite teams to maintain standards.

Host thanks Laurel and invites future guests.

#bosstalks

*The views and opinions expressed on Boss Talks are those of the host and their guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community Boss.

• 0:10 Introduction to Boss Talks and host Evan Happel
• 0:16 Meet Kelsi Cory and her background in staffing and executive recruiting
• 0:31 Starting Cory Executive Recruiting and Kelsi’s early grit
• 1:17 Kelsi’s organic social media growth and building a large following
• 2:14 Kelsi’s experience living in apartments and parking stories
• 4:52 Music preferences and how music motivates Kelsi
• 10:05 Caffeine habits: Kelsi’s love for coffee and daily routines
• 13:03 Kelsi’s journey: moving around the U.S., adaptability, and early independence
• 17:57 First job in real estate and lessons from property management
• 19:58 Building a career in recruiting, mentorship, and ambition
• 26:11 Recruiting and hiring strategies at Corey Executive Recruiting
• 29:19 Understanding and evaluating company culture
• 30:93 Networking as an introvert and building a brand without industry events
• 34:43 Reflections on authenticity, leadership, and sharing your story
• 35:45 Closing remarks and encouragement to share your superpower

#bosstalks

*The views and opinions expressed on Boss Talks are those of the host and their guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community Boss.

• [0:00] Introduction & Guest Welcome
  Evan introduces Katie Ritter and sets the stage for a discussion on resident experience and online feedback.
• [0:59] Community Boss Overview
  Brief overview of Community Boss and its solutions for managing parking and amenities.
• [1:33] Meet Katie Ritter
  Katie shares her background and how she became involved with Widewail.
• [1:54] Parking Challenges
  Discussion about the unique challenges of parking in multifamily communities and its impact on resident satisfaction.
• [2:37] Personal Parking Experiences
  Katie describes her experiences with parking in different living environments (Vermont vs. California).
• [4:14] Living in Vermont vs. California
  Comparison of parking and community dynamics between rural and urban settings.
• [5:00] Music Preferences
  Katie’s favorite music for motivation: Bruce Springsteen, especially "The Rising."
• [6:45] Coffee Preferences
  Katie’s coffee habits and the ritual of preparing coffee.
• [8:25] Katie's Career Journey
  Katie’s path from commercial real estate to coaching and eventually joining Widewail.
• [11:20] Widewail's Multifamily Focus
  How Widewail expanded into the multifamily sector and Katie’s current role.
• [12:16] Voice of the Resident Report
  Overview of Widewail’s annual report analyzing resident reviews using natural language processing.
• [14:41] Parking in Resident Reviews
  Parking is rarely mentioned in positive reviews but is a top complaint in negative ones (11% of negative reviews).
• [19:53] Measuring Resident Satisfaction
  How Widewail benchmarks topics like parking across thousands of communities and tracks improvements.
• [23:45] Future Plans and Data Analysis
  Plans to make community-specific data more accessible and useful for benchmarking.
• [25:07] Understanding Resident Feedback
  The importance of actionable insights over just collecting five-star reviews.
• [25:37] Benchmarking Against Others
  Using data to compare communities and identify areas for improvement.
• [26:18] Vendor Opportunities
  How data can help vendors target communities with specific needs.
• [26:47] The Future of Review Data
  The potential for AI and generative search to summarize and organize review data.
• [28:20] Authenticity in Reviews
  The importance of transparency, avoiding fake reviews, and building trust.
• [29:04] Responding to Reviews
  Why personalized, human responses to reviews are more effective than automated ones.
• [35:20] Automating Review Requests
  How Widewail automates review requests and responses for consistent feedback.
• [36:29] Actionable Data Insights
  Delivering actionable reports to clients to improve resident experience.
• [37:33] Measuring Impact
  Tracking improvements and making customer-led decisions using data.
• [38:11] Goals for 2025
  Plans for more in-person events and a second, more actionable Voice of the Resident report.
• [39:22] Supplier Partnerships
  The value of Widewail’s data for vendors and suppliers.
• [41:10] Community Insights
  Analyzing feedback by lifecycle stage (tour, renewal, move-in/out, maintenance).
• [44:29] The Importance of Trust
  Online reviews as a foundation for trust and social proof in multifamily housing.
• [46:12] Closing & Podcast Plug
  Katie plugs Widewail’s podcast "Feedback Fatigue" and Evan invites listeners to participate in Boss Talks.

#bosstalks

*The views and opinions expressed on Boss Talks are those of the host and their guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community Boss.

• 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Darcy Bixby and the episode’s focus on positivity and authenticity.
• 0:59 – Community Boss & Parking Boss: Solutions for parking and property management.
• 1:32 – Welcoming Darcy: Darcy’s background and the importance of dance and positivity.
• 2:28 – Parking Stories: Darcy’s take on parking challenges and the value of partnerships.
• 5:05 – Music Preferences: Darcy’s eclectic taste and how music energizes her day.
• 6:58 – Coffee Talk: Morning routines, coffee habits, and the power of sugar.
• 9:08 – Darcy’s Origin Story: How she stumbled into property management and built a career.
• 10:49 – The Role of a Regional Manager: Supporting onsite teams and the value of empathy.
• 12:59 – Pandemic Insights: Lessons learned and the importance of staying relevant.
• 15:07 – Industry Connections: The tight-knit world of property management.
• 17:46 – Encouraging Careers: Advice for those considering property management.
• 19:19 – Empathy & Customer Relations: The emotional side of working with residents.
• 22:49 – The Power of Positivity: Why Darcy dances and hypes people up.
• 25:37 – Critical Conversations: Balancing encouragement with honesty and transparency.
• 27:14 – The Role of Dance: How daily dance routines began and their impact.
• 29:34 – Social Media & Authenticity: Overcoming criticism and embracing vulnerability.
• 33:36 – Fitness & Healing: How dance transformed Darcy’s body and spirit.
• 36:44 – Leading with Dance: Bringing positivity and movement to her teams.
• 45:36 – Final Thoughts: Dance demonstration and closing remarks.

• “Dance brings a smile to your face, brings positivity and energy.”
• Darcy’s career in property management began by chance but became a lifelong passion.
• Empathy and a love for people are essential for success in the industry.
• The pandemic reinforced the importance of onsite teams and staying connected.
• Darcy uses dance and creativity as daily self-motivation and to inspire others.
• “Being authentic and vulnerable takes a lot of bravery and courage.”
• Social media can be a platform for positivity, but also brings critics—Darcy encourages focusing on the good.
• Dance became a form of healing, helping Darcy with self-worth, boundaries, and joy.
• “If you don’t like to dance, still use creativity in some way.”
• Leading with encouragement and transparency helps teams thrive, even through tough conversations.
• “We see the greatness in others and try to bring the greatness out, but the rest is up to them.”

For more, connect with Darcy on Facebook to see her daily dance posts and positivity in action!

#bosstalks

*The views and opinions expressed on Boss Talks are those of the host and their guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community Boss.