Boss Talks | Elevating ALL the Bosses of the Multifamily Industry

Host Evan Happel interviews Liz Newkirk, Digital Media Manager at Loebsack & Brownlee, an eviction-only law firm serving multifamily, single-family, and built-to-rent clients across NC, SC, GA, VA, with expansion planned. Liz shares her career path from retail visual merchandising to leasing, regional marketing, manufacturing, and ultimately brand/social/partnership management at the firm, emphasizing relationships and personal branding. She discusses the firm’s education efforts (Lunch and Learns, updates on changing laws, fair debt collection) and involvement in apartment association advocacy. Liz critiques “supplier vs. owner/operator” division in associations, calls for more inclusive education and leadership opportunities for suppliers, and highlights pay-to-play concerns. She explains the “de-influencer” trend and the need for authenticity in marketing, including TikTok’s impact on apartment reputation. Finally, she outlines the hemline and lipstick indices as informal signals of economic sentiment through fashion and cosmetics.

In this episode of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel sits down with Desiree Starr, Director of Learning and Development at Westshore, to explore the power of humor, authenticity, and strategic training in building strong company cultures. Desiree shares her journey from part-time leasing consultant to industry leader, discusses the importance of onboarding, upskilling, and peer-to-peer learning, and reveals her go-to motivational music and favorite caffeinated beverage. The conversation is filled with fun anecdotes, actionable insights, and a focus on making learning engaging and impactful for everyone.

In this episode of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel interviews Priyanka Agarwal, Director of Public Relations at JTurner Research. They discuss the importance of kindness and compassion in the multifamily industry, the impact of online reviews, and the Four P Principle for effective communication. Priyanka shares insights from analyzing over 1.5 million resident stories, highlights the challenges of parking in communities, and emphasizes the need for consistent, human-centered service. The conversation also explores Priyanka’s personal journey, her nonprofit Wild Tunes (which brings live music to shelter animals), and actionable lessons for building trust and positive culture in property management.

In this episode of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel from Community Boss interviews Christina Koski, the Regional Associate Director at Security Properties. Christina shares her career journey in the multifamily housing industry spanning 18 years and discusses her role covering areas in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. Both Evan and Christina are board members of the Washington Multifamily Housing Association (WMFHA). Christina provides insights into her experiences with pre-development, challenges in parking solutions, and her passion for giving back to the community. The episode also covers personal anecdotes, favorite music and caffeinated beverages, and the importance of champions in personal and professional growth. Tune in to hear Christina's story and her dedication to addressing homelessness and affordable housing challenges in the Northwest.

In this episode of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel from Community Boss sits down with Haley Graham, Chief People Officer at Navigate Community Management. Haley shares her insights and experiences in the community management space, focusing on the unique challenges of managing HOAs and condos. The discussion covers a variety of topics including the importance of relationships, workplace flexibility, cultural learnings from travel, and the power of empathetic leadership. Highlighting Navigate's recent awards and its innovative, employee-first approach, this episode offers valuable lessons for leaders and community managers alike.

In this episode of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel sits down with Mindy Price, a multifamily industry leader, educator, and founder of Inside the Why. Mindy shares her journey from aspiring sportscaster to influential mentor and business owner, highlighting the importance of education, volunteering, and finding your "why." The conversation covers Texas culture, career pivots, the value of networking, and actionable advice for public speaking and professional growth. Listeners will gain insights into building trust, balancing sales and marketing, and the power of giving back to the community.

This episode of Boss Talks features Jen Piccotti, President of Swift Bunny, in a conversation with host Evan Happel. The discussion covers Jen’s journey in the multifamily industry, the importance of communication at all organizational levels, employee engagement, and the value of diverse voices in the industry. Jen shares personal stories, insights on leadership, and practical strategies for building trust and effective teams, especially in remote and hybrid work environments. The episode also touches on Jen’s passion for tea and her optimistic outlook for the future.

In this episode, host Evan interviews multifamily marketing expert Laurel Zacher. Laurel draws on her 30 years of experience to discuss the “Five Uncomfortable Truths” in multifamily marketing. The conversation covers website best practices, understanding renter preferences, the true cost of turnover, the power of online reviews, and the pitfalls and opportunities of digital advertising. Laurel also shares actionable tips on negotiation, accessibility, and resident retention, making this episode essential for property managers and marketers.

In this episode, Evan interviews Katie Ritter about the challenges and opportunities in managing resident experiences in multifamily communities, with a special focus on online reviews and reputation management. Katie shares insights from Widewail’s "Voice of the Resident" report, which analyzes trends in resident feedback, especially around parking, maintenance, and staff interactions. The conversation covers the importance of authenticity in reviews, the impact of data-driven insights, and how technology can help communities and vendors improve resident satisfaction and trust.

In this episode of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel welcomes Maddie Patrick, a regional manager and board member from San Antonio, Texas. Maddie shares her journey in the multifamily industry, from starting as a porter at age 14 to leading teams and serving on the San Antonio Apartment Association Board. The conversation covers the importance of teamwork, customer service, professional development, and adapting to industry changes like AI. Maddie also offers advice on getting involved in industry associations and empowering teams for long-term growth.

Evan Happel sits down with Seth Weiner, president of Sonic Promos, to discuss the art and strategy of promotional marketing. Seth shares his journey from college merch sales to running a leading promo company, and offers actionable advice on making swag meaningful, engaging, and effective. The conversation covers everything from event gamification and lead generation to sustainable swag and the importance of brand storytelling.

In this episode of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel interviews Mike Brewer, a seasoned leader in the multifamily industry and co-founder of Multifamily Media Network. Mike shares insights from his 30-year career, discussing his journey from property management to media entrepreneurship. The conversation covers leadership lessons, the importance of consistency and trust, and the value of self-care for leaders. Mike and Evan explore the evolution of organizational design, the impact of centralization, and how automation and AI are reshaping the property management landscape. Mike emphasizes the need for upskilling and embracing innovation, noting that jobs won’t be lost to AI, but to those who know how to use it. The episode also touches on Mike’s passion for coffee, his approach to personal growth, and his book, "The Daily Collective," which offers daily meditations on life and business. Listeners will gain practical advice on leadership, adapting to technological change, and maintaining excellence through curiosity and innovation.