In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Shantelle Cabir, a powerhouse in the insurance industry who has built her career serving blue-collar businesses. From starting as a telemarketer at 16 to becoming a top producer at Newfront, Shantelle shares her incredible journey, the lessons she learned along the way, and why she’s so passionate about helping businesses navigate risk management.

Shantelle discusses how she built her reputation by focusing on construction, janitorial, agriculture, manufacturing, and distribution businesses. She shares insights into the challenges facing the insurance industry today, including skyrocketing auto insurance rates, legislative hurdles in California, and how technology and AI are shaping the future of insurance.

If you're a business owner looking to better understand how insurance impacts your bottom line—or if you're just fascinated by stories of grit and hustle—this episode is for you!

In This Episode: ✅ How Shantelle went from cold-calling at 16 to leading insurance expert ✅ Why blue-collar businesses need specialized insurance solutions ✅ The biggest risks businesses face and how to prepare for them ✅ How AI and technology are changing the insurance landscape ✅ The importance of industry networks like WCOE for building a referral-based business

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Marc Ampil, a former supply chain consultant turned real estate investor and commercial real estate agent. Marc shares his journey from working long hours in consulting to finding financial freedom through real estate investing.

Marc dives into how he got started in real estate, the strategies he used to build his portfolio, and why Memphis, Tennessee, became a key investment location for him. He explains the 1% rule for evaluating rental properties, his approach to short-term vs. long-term rentals, and why he shifted his focus from direct-to-owner marketing to finding opportunities on the MLS.

Now a commercial real estate agent in Southern California, Marc talks about how he helps clients buy and sell investment properties, his marketing strategies, and the importance of personal relationships in the industry. Whether you’re an investor, a business owner, or just curious about real estate, this episode has plenty of insights for you.

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How do you go from growing up in Brazil to building a self-storage empire in the U.S.? Steffany Boldrini did just that. In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Steffany shares her incredible journey—from working in tech startups to realizing the power of real estate investing.

Steffany, founder of Monte Carlo Real Estate Investments, dives into her experiences with angel investing, the lessons she learned from failed startups, and why she ultimately chose self-storage as her primary investment strategy. She also shares insights into market research, syndication, and the challenges of property management.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Steffany transitioned from tech sales to real estate investing
• Why she moved from angel investing to self-storage properties
• The challenges and rewards of managing self-storage units
• Lessons learned from her experience with car washes and multi-family conversions
• Her long-term goal of owning $1 billion in real estate

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, host Bruce Bean sits down with David Saxe, Managing Principal and Co-Founder of Calvera Partners, to dive into the world of multifamily real estate investing. David shares his journey from working at a $30 billion real estate investment firm to launching his own company and navigating the complex landscape of value-add multifamily investments.

David discusses:

• The origins of Calvera Partners and how the team scaled from small multifamily projects to owning 12 properties across three different funds.
• The challenges facing multifamily investors today, from rising interest rates to increasing insurance costs and climate-related risks.
• Why the current market presents a unique buying opportunity for savvy investors.
• How data-driven research and market selection play a critical role in choosing the right investments.
• His outlook on the San Francisco Bay Area real estate market and why he remains optimistic about San Francisco’s recovery.

David also shares fascinating stories from his early investments, including unexpected surprises in older buildings, lessons learned from self-managing properties, and how investors can prepare for market shifts.

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San Francisco’s Millennium Tower is one of the most infamous examples of engineering gone wrong. Dubbed the “Leaning Tower of San Francisco,” this luxury high-rise has faced years of controversy over its sinking foundation, expensive fixes, and ongoing structural concerns.

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean welcomes back Sam Louwrens, an expert in construction insurance, to dive deep into the story of the Millennium Tower. Sam breaks down:

• Why the building started sinking before construction was even completed
• The similarities between the Millennium Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• The $100M+ retrofit—did it fix the problem, or make it worse?
• The insurance and legal battles surrounding the project
• What developers, engineers, and insurers can learn from this case

Sam also shares valuable insights on how construction projects can avoid similar disasters and the role of proper insurance in mitigating risks. If you’re in real estate, construction, or insurance, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Grant Chappell, a seasoned commercial real estate broker with a deep focus on multi-family investments in the Bay Area. Grant’s journey from banking at Wells Fargo to 20 years in brokerage is packed with insights, lessons, and strategies for navigating the ever-changing real estate market.

We discuss the current state of multi-family investments, the shifting dynamics in Oakland and Berkeley, and how factors like interest rates, insurance costs, and economic trends are influencing investor decisions. Grant also shares his personal experiences in the market, including his approach to cold calling, relationship-building with property owners, and his philosophy on long-term investing.

Key topics include: ✔️ How Grant transitioned from banking to commercial real estate brokerage ✔️ The impact of market cycles on investment strategies ✔️ Why insurance and financing challenges are reshaping multi-family deals ✔️ How Oakland and Berkeley are evolving as rental and investment markets ✔️ The art of cold calling and building trust with property owners

Whether you’re a seasoned investor, a broker, or just curious about commercial real estate, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Michael Koch, an expert in insurance, payroll, and payment processing, to discuss his innovative approach to lowering business expenses.

Michael shares his journey from working in payroll and HR to disrupting the insurance industry. He explains how traditional insurance brokers often neglect their clients for most of the year, only reappearing at renewal time. To challenge this system, Michael created The Pickle Program—a proactive loss control strategy that helps businesses track their safety improvements throughout the year, ultimately lowering their insurance premiums.

We also explore how Michael collaborates with his wife’s company, AAA Merchant Services, to help businesses offset rising insurance costs through strategic payment processing savings. By combining these financial solutions, Michael and his team provide businesses with a holistic approach to cost reduction.

Tune in to learn:

• How insurance brokers operate and why many fail to serve their clients year-round
• How The Pickle Program is changing the insurance game
• Why transparency with underwriters can help businesses save money
• How payment processing strategies can offset rising insurance costs

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we welcome Michael Chidambaram, a seasoned real estate broker specializing in retail and food & beverage spaces. Michael’s journey is anything but ordinary—starting in TV production in Bombay (now Mumbai) before making his way into San Francisco’s commercial real estate market.

We discuss:

• Michael’s transition from media to real estate and how he found his niche in food and beverage brokerage.
• The state of San Francisco’s retail and restaurant scene post-pandemic—what’s thriving, what’s struggling, and where the opportunities lie.
• The impact of remote work on commercial foot traffic and how it’s reshaping the city’s real estate market.
• Opportunities for restaurateurs—why now might be the perfect time to launch a food venture in SF.

Michael shares insider knowledge on market trends, investment opportunities, and the future of San Francisco’s retail landscape. If you’re a business owner, investor, or just curious about the state of SF’s commercial real estate, 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