Leaning In

Dive into the design minds of Swoon, the multi-disciplinary design studio known for their expertise in luxury branding, interior design, and art direction.   On this episode of Leaning In, host Cassie King, Trademark’s Senior Director of Design & Placemaking, is joined by Kevin Thomas & Lauren Cadieux of Swoon, the studio. The conversation explores the studio’s signature approach that blen...

Links: ⁠Rand on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Stagen Leadership Academy⁠ ⁠Good to Great by Jim Collins⁠ ⁠Built to Last by Jim Collins⁠ ⁠Developmental Politics by Steve McIntosh⁠ ⁠Conscious Capitalism⁠ ⁠The Institute for Cultural Evolution⁠ Timestamps: (1:01) - Rand’s background and career (3:02) - Rand’s experience working with Trademark (5:40) - Are leaders born or made?  (8:18) - Stagen Leadership Academy’s core t...

Ethan Chernofsky, VP of Marketing at Placer.ai, joins Terry to dive into data-backed trends for retail, mixed-use and office. They revisit Ethan’s bold prediction for 2022 and discuss how consumer behaviors are shifting in 2023, from return to office, to experiential, and inflation. Plus, what retail concepts are primed for success and how Placer.ai is used to make informed business decisions.  Su...

Terry Montesi sits down with friend Rand Stagen, CEO of Stagen Leadership Academy, to discuss the pillars of successful leadership in today’s polarized world. The conversation centers around the power of awareness in leadership and how strategically thinking about the future can create a better workplace; a concept Stagen Academy has termed “The Long Game”.  Plus, Rand shares his insights on consc...

Dr. Peter Linneman, real estate economist and principal of Linneman Associates, joins Terry for another dynamic discussion on the current state of the economy. Listen for Peter’s projections on how the coming year may unfold in the U.S. and major Texas markets. Plus, he examines the potential impacts of interest rate hikes and the battle of the economy vs. The Fed. The conversation then moves to c...

M2G Ventures is a Dallas-Fort Worth commercial real estate company founded by twin sisters Jessica Essl and Susan Gruppi. In this episode, Terry sits down with co-president Jessica and they discuss her time in the industry as a woman and how her team is making an impact. Terry asks what she’s learned working on projects in urban industrial development, adaptive reuse and mixed-use districts such a...

What happens when you lean into your niche and develop spaces for your community that they’ve been missing? For entrepreneur Jonathan Morris, it's created businesses where customers feel at home. In this episode, Trademark's Senior Director of Design & Placemaking Cassie King, and Creative Manager Alex Hayes, wrap up their conversation with Jonathan. He shares his inspiration for evolving Hote...

Jonathan Morris’ idea of Fort Worth is creative, cool and collaborative. So when he struggled to find spaces that reflected his community, he set out to create them himself. His fix? Design-forward spaces that support visionaries and Black artists, reward boldness, and welcome all. Jonathan joins Trademark’s Cassie King, Senior Director of Design & Placemaking and Alex Hayes, Creative Manager,...

In the second part of our conversation with Scot Redman of Baymo, hear how the experiential company is revolutionizing the holidays. Scot shares insight into his team’s creative process for SNOWDAY, and what they see for the future of the industry. Plus, Trademark’s Stephany Ruiz, Senior Director of Guest Services & Experience, and Chuck Steelman, VP of Experience, give a snapshot of holiday a...

From their fully-immersive exhibit SNOWDAY, to photos with Santa that embrace technology in magical ways, Baymo has a knack for creating unique holiday guest experiences. Join Trademark’s Stephany Ruiz, Senior Director of Guest Services & Experience, and Chuck Steelman, VP of Experience, as they talk with Baymo’s co-creator Scot Redman. They explore how Baymo’s activations go beyond your typic...

Terry  sits down with Mark Gibson, CEO of JLL Capital Markets Americas, for  their annual discussion on the state of capital markets today and  impacts on commercial real estate. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  • Changes in debt/equity financing trends ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ • Interest rate predict...

In Part 2 of Terry’s discussion with Venture Commercial’s Mike Geisler, hear how mixed-use and real estate is evolving, trends in the DFW market and advice for professionals just starting out. Plus, Mike talks about Venturetainment - Venture Commercial’s answer to consumer’s pent-up demand for F&B and entertainment after pandemic shutdowns. Missed part 1 of the discussion? Click Here Links: Ve...

Mike Geisler started Venture Commercial Real Estate “to be totally service oriented towards our clients.” With a pay it forward mentality  and non-competitive office environment he’s built a trusted brokerage  firm that has worked on prominent projects including Dallas’ Plaza at  Preston Center and Deep Ellum. In this episode of the podcast, get the scoop on Mike’s start in the &nbs...

In Part 2 of our discussion, dive further into the current economic cycle with Dr. Peter Linneman, real estate economist and principal of Linneman Associates. Peter and Terry explore the future of shopping centers, how midterm election results could impact inflation and legislation, and what types of businesses are sure to weather challenges head-on. Leaning In is published every second and fourth...

Dr. Peter Linneman, real estate economist and principal of Linneman Associates, returns for his bi-annual discussion with Terry on the current economic cycle and what makes it unique from others. Hear his prediction on if we’re approaching a recession, and key risks and opportunities in commercial and multifamily real estate regarding supply chain issues, inflation and interest rates. Leaning In i...

In the second part of our conversation, M2G Ventures Co-President Susan Gruppi discusses how her commercial real estate company leans into public art. She also talks about her mental health advocacy with UT Southwestern and advice to future women entrepreneurs. Stay tuned until the end when Susan turns the tables on Terry to ask about his career highlights and influencers. Be sure to subscribe on...

How a real estate enthusiast went from founding a college real estate  club to co-founding one of DFW's hottest real estate companies, M2G  Ventures. Susan Gruppi sits down with Terry Montesi and Trademark's  Senior VP of Property Management, Maranda Auzenne to talk lessons  learned as a founder, her growth at Trademark, and leading as a woman in  the real estate industry....

Listen to the second part of our conversation with Mike Ablon, Founding Partner of PegasusAblon, as he and Terry discuss the future of mixed-use and multifamily. Mike shares how the challenges of inflation and e-commerce can be met on the national level and how well Dallas will fare. The two also share their separate perspectives on how a prime mixed-use development is built… to stack or not to st...

Mike Ablon, founding partner of PegasusAblon, joins Terry to share his insights into developing notable projects like the Dallas Design District using personalization and profiling. Plus, they discuss trends in mixed-use and multifamily real estate and if rental demand will slow down. Leaning In is published every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Subscribe on your preferred podcast app to...

Laura and David are back with Teeg, Catch Co.’s Director of Retail Experience, to continue their talk about experiential retail. Teeg drops insights into how they’re innovating traditional retail with untraditional shopper experiences, like truly hands-on shopping and appearances from their funny mascot Karl VonDibble. Leaning In is published every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. You can...

Anglers have been hooked on fishing and outdoor brand Catch Co. since starting their Mystery Tackle Box subscription program, and rescuing people from the indoors. The latest way Catch Co. is reeling in stronger customer relationships? Brick and mortar stores. Trademark’s Laura Hale, Director of Marketing and David Pratt, VP of Leasing, talk with Catch Co’s Teeg Stouffer, Director of Retail Experi...

Terry and Cassie wrap up their conversation with Brandon Diamond on the benefits of a mixed-use place, like its ability to increase space premiums by 30%. Plus, hear why some existing single-uses should be transformed into a mixed-use site, and how developers can prepare for a future with less demand on parking spaces. Leaning In is published every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. You can...

How can you create memorable customer experiences that drive retention and revenue? Designing an authentic sense of place is key.  In this episode, Terry Montesi is joined by Brandon Diamond, Partner and Executive Director of planning and architectural firm Torti Gallas + Partners and Cassie King, Trademark’s Senior Director of Design and Placemaking. They discuss their work together repositi...

Ethan Chernofsky, VP of Marketing at Placer.ai, continues his  conversation with Terry Montesi about the short and long-term effects of  the pandemic on consumer behavior. Plus, they discuss the future of  technology in mobile location and retail analytics, what Placer.ai is  seeing in the market, and if they believe your next big real estate  investment might be in the Me...

Ethan Chernofsky of Placer.ai joins Terry Montesi for his second appearance on Leaning In to discuss the proven return of retail in ’21-’22, how retailers should shift their marketing strategies and ways top-tier malls are setting themselves apart. Ethan describes how open-air and indoor shopping centers are reflecting this success and current world events’ effect on consumer behavior in the retai...