Nicole Price 17:33
Store, there’s definitely design changes happening. I think everyone was moving before COVID, everyone was moving to having smaller square foot per person. And so obviously, that whole kind of model has been blown up. And the open space collaborative is still there. But I think you’ll just need a lot more space. Now. Which, honestly, it’s good for industry. So you know, we’ll take that. But yeah, I think I’ve had certain tenants have to, you know, they had a complete design all figured out before the pandemic and then the pandemic and they had to go back to the drawing board, because like nothing that they had planned would work in this new environment, though. Yeah, I
Greg Owens 18:19
don’t think I know, we were involved. We’re involved in a kitchen build out for a company that had self serve, sort of, you know, the islands of food, where you just go up and it’s a buffet style, and you still serve yourself. And they had plans drawn up and everything. And now we’re, we’re like, That makes no sense. Now, like, maybe you have an opportunity to rethink this whole thing. And before built, the construction gets going and nobody’s doing that. Right.
Nicole Price 18:49
Right, right. Yeah, it’s true.
Greg Owens 18:51
I know I toward Airbnb. We looked at some projects for Airbnb, and they have, I don’t know, it’s probably like, 3000 square foot area dedicated to eating and food and that kind of thing. And I don’t see you’re gonna do takeout or something. Uber, yeah. Uber deliveries or something. Yeah, a
Nicole Price 19:13
lot of tech companies just yeah, in lieu of that, or just giving a ton of credit for debris and stuff like that. But it’s interesting, what will happen to those spaces? When we do
Greg Owens 19:26
I’m always curious, like, for your for you, what’s your sort of, um, do you have any, like, go to apps or books or things like that, that sort of help you in your, in your career?
Nicole Price 19:38
Yeah, I mean, I, I one area that I’m really kind of focused on and I’m pretty passionate about because I just feel like we’re behind as an industry is tech like tech and commercial real estate. I just think we’re definitely behind the curve in a lot of ways. But what’s exciting about that is there’s All many great commercial real estate tech solutions that are coming through the pipeline right now. So I really try to stay on top of those. Because if there’s anything I can try and implement that will one add value for clients also make my life easier in any kind of way, like very intriguing too. And to see some of the innovations that are coming up is amazing. It’s exciting. So that’s, that’s one area that I do try and stay on top of the trends, whether it’s the being part of just the daily updates from different forums.
Greg Owens 20:35
That helps, too. So do you see any trends in that that might be the ones that stick because it’s hard to kind of tell it the beginning stages of these things. They all sound they all said so what I what I call it marketing before reality, the marketing is so good and like home, but the reality of this thing is not very good. Yeah,
Nicole Price 20:53
yeah, no, I do see there’s a lot that will stick. I think there’s a kind of a lot of good CRM platforms that are coming out that are really I mean, helpful all around, because I think to a lot of things are geared just for brokerage, but like blending, or closing the gap with brokerage in the operation side is going to be really helpful and have everything on one platform. And there’s some really great companies that are doing that as a newbie, and the amount of data that we’re going to get from that is going to be so helpful. I mean, for future deals for anyone evaluating properties, doing assessments, like gonna be amazing. So there are a lot of things that will stick. But you’re right, there are things that I’m just I don’t see the value in when they come out. But you know,
Greg Owens 21:40
yeah, and I, and I would think, for your industry to have like a very specific database of your clients, and what types of things they’re looking for helps you out tremendously. So when you’re touring spaces, you can think like, Oh, this would be perfect for this client, because they’re looking for these sorts of features. Right?
Nicole Price 21:59
Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. and have it all there at your fingertips all that information in one kind of app or platform is still helpful.
Greg Owens 22:09
Right? And during, in during COVID Did you do anything to pick up your skills? Or? Or was it more kind of wait and see what happens and get out when you can?
Nicole Price 22:22
Yeah, it was it was definitely a lot of like, trying a lot of things to be successful during COVID. I think for everyone, it seemed like the mental health was the biggest factor in trying to maintain. So I was practicing drumming a lot more, which really kept me sane, honestly. I think that makes me a better employee. And remember all around if I have that creative outlet, although I’m far from going on tour, you know,
Greg Owens 22:50
but your poor neighbors. Yeah, I
Nicole Price 22:56
guess my mental health is really good. I don’t know about my neighbors.
Greg Owens 22:59
They’re like trying to be on a zoom call. And you know, we are next door.
Nicole Price 23:04
I know. I’m sure there’s like a silent petition going around to kick me out. But you know, I’ll keep it rolling. Until then.
Greg Owens 23:11
I was really happy that I think I did like two or three tours. like trying to put a proposal together through zoom where somebody you know, a facilities manager would walk me through and Oh, wow. Right. But after like, the third one, we’re all like, this is not the same at all. And we’re going to take the chances and go meet each other because this is ridiculous.
Nicole Price 23:35
Yeah, yeah. And I’m sure you guys want to stand behind what you’re proposing and get a good product and how can you fully do that? Yeah, there’s just certain aspects of this business and industry we’re in you just cannot do virtually. And yeah, I pretty much was going into the office since COVID. I mean, it it was just easier for me, though.
Greg Owens 23:57
Yeah. Of course. Yeah, we quickly realized that we just need to have, you know, boots on the ground, walk around, be able to see the facility you know, and and luckily, we were all safe as a company. And this and part of this podcast, I like to talk about how a young person or a person wanting to do a career change could get into it, and also some of the joys of of this industry because like you said, like, it’s amazing to me how many people I’ve talked to that, you know, they came into it in a roundabout way and absolutely love what they’re doing. And there’s so many they have to be they have to be a generalist, they have to sort of, you know, know a lot of all different aspects of real estate, commercial, real estate, construction, all that and you’re moving around all the time. So you’re not really like stuck at a desk all day long, which is some of the massive benefits for it. What do you what would you tell to somebody wanting to transition Or somebody coming up, that might want to get involved in this.
Nicole Price 25:04
Yeah. And I think you already nailed a lot of the great things about it. One of the best things is that you do touch so many different areas of skills and things that you’re exposed to, you know, it is construction, it is finance, it is a lot of analytics and problem solving, and people management. And so all that stuff is amazing. And I would say for anyone who’s interested in it, or wanting to do a career switched into it, the best way is to just get out there and start talking to people. I leave informational interviews all the time. Because I do love this industry so much. And I want people to experience it, especially if they’re looking for a change, because it is, it’s very, like my strong suits are definitely financial analytics. But I really like that the role and this industry forces me to explore other things. I like that I now know, a good amount of construction. At least I don’t have to be a deer in headlights and construction meetings anymore. I know about that kind of stuff. But yeah, I think we’re always like your industry. We’re always looking for good people. So the best thing is just reach out to people and start from there.
Greg Owens 26:18
And what we And would that be the thing you do differently? If you were starting over? If you are you telling your younger self? What what Yeah,
Nicole Price 26:27
yeah, that’s that is the exact probably advice. like to talk to as many people as you can see if that’s something that you’re interested in, maybe ask if you can shadow somebody what’s great for I think, younger people or students that are coming up is there’s some really great educational programs. Oh, yes. Now where there is now a path to this industry. There’s the CREATE program, which was started by a couple of different industry groups, right. And so now you’re SF State or you’re at Mira college, like there’s a whole program that teaches you about this industry, which I think is fantastic. Because I don’t have that foundation and be really interested in it is is the leg up already?
Greg Owens 27:11
Yeah. And I would think even like getting a mentor or having like an internship into into this industry to expose, you know, it’s exposed somebody that’s interested to all different aspects of it. Right? That right? super beneficial and helpful.
Nicole Price 27:27
Yeah, and I’ve had some great interns over the years. But you’re right, an internship, especially if you can get one is the best way to like really get a little like taste of the industry and exposed to many different things in a short amount of time.
Greg Owens 27:43
Yeah, I’ve even taken on some interns super rare. It’s so amazing to me that, you know, being a business owner, that more young, younger people that are interested in sort of construction, that kind of thing, don’t approach and just say that, because basically, I would probably give anybody a job if they were eager, and they’re like, you know, I’d like to learn, and I would just do it for a short, short period of time. And we’ll see how it goes and see if it’s a good fit, you know, and and find out more.
Nicole Price 28:13
Yeah, as being eager and willing to learn. It sounds easy enough. But it’s really hard to find that. You’re right. Yeah,
Greg Owens 28:21
I’ve hired I’ve hired painters that were like we weren’t in a hiring array. Now we’re in a crazy hiring mode. But there’s been times when we were like, No, we don’t need to hire anybody. But they show up every day, and they’re outside our shop. And they, they they’re like, hey, anything today, you know, and then after like the third or fourth day, I’m like, we’ll find something for you.
Nicole Price 28:41
That’s great.
Greg Owens 28:44
You’re just, you’re showing up, right? And cam. And it’s there’s so much to that. Right. And you’ve been involved in BOMA and IFMA. What, like, how do you feel about those associations? Are you still involved? Yeah,
Nicole Price 29:01
I actually I sit on the board of directors for BOMA Oakland, East Bay. So yeah, I think they’re great for me. BOMA is critical for my career growth, just meeting people and networking and having great partnerships, because what I’ve learned is that I don’t know a lot of things. And so knowing the right people to call has been critical for my success, because I will continue to not know things.
Greg Owens 29:29
But having that right person has really helped me out. And so I mean, I probably have like hundreds of examples I could give you of how the connections I’ve made have helped me That is That is so true. I was just talking to one of my project managers about that. And because this feeling he was he was feeling like you didn’t know enough and you needed to learn more of a wall the specifics of products and I was like, hey, I’ve been doing this 30 years, there’s no possible way. What I do is just keep track of who knows. That particular industrial product, and then, you know, the clients don’t mind if I tell them, hey, like, I’m not sure I have some ideas, what, what product we’ll use, but let me talk to my suppliers. Let me talk to the experts on that. And I’ll just get back to you. Right? They don’t mind at all with that kind of thing, it’s probably
Nicole Price 30:19
preferred that people are just transparent about that, instead of
Greg Owens 30:24
exactly not making something up and not, you know, because in there’s just there is too much knowledge out there, right. And that’s why we have specialists. And that’s why it’s really good to be sort of this generalist that really keeps track of who you can talk to and find the answers. It’s such a good learning opportunity.
Nicole Price 30:47
Every day, right, right.
Greg Owens 30:49
Yeah. And there’s and and the industry is changing so much all the time. Right. Like, I mean, I think your industry like you all the time, things, new things are coming in new things. It’s kind of almost impossible to keep up with all of it. Oh, yeah,
Nicole Price 31:03
it’s Yeah, I don’t I don’t even try. I just, I just do what I can and learn as much as I can. Right. Keep it rolling.
Greg Owens 31:11
Is there opportunities at BOMA? And if for young for people coming into this? Do they have like programs and that kind of thing within BOMA?
Nicole Price 31:19
Oh, absolutely. I think it The world is your oyster, I feel like you can be as involved as you want. And I think especially as a new person who mean, these organizations are great. You can you can sit on a different committee and help out, you know, whether it’s education, whether it’s governance, you know, it’s it’s totally up to you. And hopefully a lot of these companies out here, I know mine does. They’re supportive of that kind of thing and can budget some of these classes and education programs because all that really just helps even people who aren’t new in the industry who can like keep this education going continue to learn stuff. It only helps you as an employee, which then helps you bring value to your company, though.
Greg Owens 32:05
Yeah, yeah. And then what are you looking forward to in the next three to six months as some as we approach summer?
Nicole Price 32:13
Yeah, question. Yeah, I am. I mean, now I’m, I’m fully vaccinated. So I’m happy. I’m really looking forward to hopefully getting into some more travel again, I really miss that aspect. In the last year and a half, though. I’m really looking forward to that.
Greg Owens 32:31
Yeah, I just got to notice that Croatia and Greece are opening up to vaccinated people,
Nicole Price 32:37
which is great. Both of those. I’ll book my tickets right after this call.
Greg Owens 32:44
Sounds Sounds great. This sounds good. And how can people find out more about you as we come to an end here?
Nicole Price 32:51
Sure. I mean, I so I have my LinkedIn which you can look me up with Nicole Price that a Cushman & Wakefield, the other one I have, but although it’s a work in progress, nothing like your podcast is very well developed. But I started a podcast actually pre-pandemic called Eyes on the Highrise. And it was a really fun project. And I’m slowly starting to get back into it. I still have the website up so Eyes on the Highrise is another way that anyone can reach out to me and that’s your,
Greg Owens 33:21
your that’s your podcast.
Nicole Price 33:23
Yeah, it’s my podcast. It’s a you know, honestly, I started it because I mean, I’ve really enjoyed this industry. So of course, I kind of want to like spread the word of it. So it’s really important to me You just being presence or an example out there I think as a woman and a woman of color and having success, some success in this industry, some just to show that that’s out there. The podcast isn’t necessarily about that by any means. But it it’s a very, it’s near and dear point to my life. That’s why I started the podcast, but
Greg Owens 33:56
that’s so great. I can Yeah, I can totally see that to where, you know, somebody, a young, a young woman coming up and sees you out there and doing this and, and, and killing it on a podcast and in this industry. And they’re like, wow, I could do that too. And this is a path, right? It’s so helpful. Yeah.
Nicole Price 34:15
Yeah, I hope so. I mean, killing it sounds really nice, though. Thanks. When I get back into Yeah,
Greg Owens 34:22
yeah. If you at any point, if you ever want to talk about the trials and tribulations of having a podcast
Nicole Price 34:30
Oh, I’ll definitely take you up on it. Yeah, I mean, I was I only did about four episodes just before like putting it on pause and yeah, certainly surprised at the time it takes the editing and the just like even building the website. It was those I mean, it was great. It was a fun project still is but it is the the time resources pretty limited these days.
Greg Owens 34:52
Yeah. And we started this one right at the start of the pandemic and, and I’ve been thinking about it before the pandemic a pandemic sort of kicked it into gear so that I could continue just sort of having conversations about this industry and being able to actually have the reach and and talk to more people and learn more. And usually my, my, my niece, who also works for me is on this too. She’s on vacation right now also. But she’s been trying to learn the entire industry and every aspect of it too. So it’s been a great sort of for her to kind of come up and and gain more knowledge in this.
Nicole Price 35:30
Awesome.
Greg Owens 35:31
Yeah. All right. Well, this is has been. definitely
Nicole Price 35:34
take you up on that though. I’m picking your brain. So.
Greg Owens 35:37
Yeah, any time. Is there a Philz Coffee in downtown Oakland? I
don’t remember.
Nicole Price 35:43
I’m not downtown.
Greg Owens 35:46
Yeah.
Nicole Price 35:47
I don’t know where the closest one is.
Greg Owens 35:49
Yeah. We can have some coffee somewhere else.
Nicole Price 35:55
Yeah.
Greg Owens 35:56
Well, well Nicole, thank you so much for being on this podcast. It’s been a pleasure having you a little bit and yeah, I look forward to you know, a time when we can like have a have a lunch or a coffee or something like that and, and chat about podcasts and talk about your fame and glory.
Nicole Price 36:16
My rockstar dreams just just waiting on them to come to come true. Right.
Greg Owens 36:21
Right. Well, yeah.
Nicole Price 36:22
Well, thank you so much.
Greg Owens 36:23
You never know. There’s some there’s some great stories of rock stars that started later that didn’t, you know, that didn’t do it didn’t kill it in their teenage years. But, you know, later on in their 20s or something, they really did it. So
Nicole Price 36:38
yeah, we’ll see. We’ll see.
Greg Owens 36:42
All right. Well, have a great day. Nicole, this has been this has been the Watching Paint Dry podcast. Tune in for more. Thank you, everyone.
Outro 37:03
Thanks for listening to the Watching Paint Dry podcast. We’ll see you again next time. And be sure to click subscribe to get future episodes.