In the debut of the Founders’ Series, Ryan and Nadine sit down with William Sankey, CEO of Northspyre, to unpack what it really takes to build a tech company inside one of the most conservative industries: commercial real estate.

William shares the moment he knew he had to build Northspyre, the messy leap from idea to execution, and whether, after a decade of lessons, he would choose the founder path again. They explore hiring for intangibles, why CRE negotiates SaaS contracts like construction deals, and how developers succeed or stumble when pivoting into hot asset classes like data centers and affordable housing.

He also highlights the industry shifts people are overlooking, from the real impact of AI to the regulatory pressures that will shape the future of development.

If you want an unfiltered look at what it takes to build in CRE, this episode delivers.

Show Notes:

00:10: Welcome to the Founders’ Series

2:04: Introducing William Sankey

2:31: “I have to build this”: William’s origin moment

11:09: From idea to execution: the messy middle

17:14: Would he become a founder again?

21:30: Hiring for intangibles in an early-stage company

30:44: Why negotiating SaaS contracts in CRE is so uniquely challenging

34:40: Developers chasing “hot” asset classes: when it works and when it burns

40:39: Underhyped shifts: AI, regulation, and capital

47:14: Postgame Recap (actionable insights)

50:06: Closing thoughts & where to reach us

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Be sure to visit our website at www.creunplugged.com for all the latest news and updates.

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Interested in being featured on the Founders’ Series?

We’re always looking to spotlight bold leaders and founders who are building the future of commercial real estate. If you’re solving real problems, challenging outdated norms, or reshaping how the real estate industry operates, we want to hear from you.

Real estate’s future won’t be built by code alone. It will be built by people who know how to connect it all.

In this episode of CRE Unplugged, Ryan Elazari sits down with Richard Reyes, CEO of OSCRE International and VP of Digital Strategy at ConnexFM, to discuss how data, culture, and collaboration are reshaping the built environment.

From his Texas ranch roots to leading digital transformation across real estate, Richard shares how hard work and hands-on experience shaped his mission to “assemble people, not just systems.” He explains the idea behind a “smart data highway,” why culture, not technology, is the biggest barrier to innovation, and how events like FutureBuilt are breaking down silos between trades and technology.

A grounded and inspiring conversation about leadership, digital strategy, the evolution of the built environment.

Show Notes:

0:10: Introducing Richard Reyes

2:19: Texas roots and developing a strong work ethic

4:21: How his ranch upbringing shaped the man he is today

6:30: Clean eating

7:29: “Assembler of people”

10:58: Data blind spots

15:40: Understanding culture within an organization

19:06: FutureBuilt, a ConnexFM Event

25:25: Advice for younger professionals in the world of AI

27:33: Are we seeing a future of more skilled laborers?

32:40: Shifting companies’ mindset toward data sharing

35:34: How does Richard unplug?

41:22: Ryan’s takeaways

If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve!

Be sure to visit our website at www.creunplugged.com for all the latest news and updates. Have thoughts or suggestions?

We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at @CREUnplugged1 and be sure to follow CRE Unplugged on LinkedIn and Instagram!

This episode is sponsored by our awesome partner, HILO, making connectivity and engagement a breeze in commercial real estate.

To learn more about the FutureBuilt event and how it’s bringing together leaders from across the built environment, visit futurebuilt.io.

Everyone loves to say retail is dead. Beth Azor is here to say: not so fast.In this episode, Nadine and Ryan sit down with the indomitable "Canvassing Queen" to break down why retail’s not dying, but rather, evolving. From the rise of “competitive socializing” and medtail to the real story behind retail occupancy rates, Beth brings receipts, red blazers, and a whole lot of truth.

We talk through her famous 5 F’s driving tenant demand, why personal branding in CRE is less about polish and more about showing up, and how Twitter (yes, still Twitter) landed her great deals.

Whether you're a retail skeptic or superfan, this conversation might just change how you see your local strip center.

Show Notes:

0:10: Introduction

1:10: Nadine's launch of the CRE AI Studio, a new AI learning platform

6:30: The REAL story on retail - it's not dead, it's just shifting

7:48: Introducing Beth Azor "The Canvassing Queen"

8:15: The biggest myth about retail real estate

13:00: The real story behind retail occupancy and sales

15:27: Beth's 5 "F's" of tenant demand

18:25: The shifting narrative around shopping centers

21:40: "Competitive socializing" and its role in retail

25:04: The rise of "medtail"

30:47: Creative development tactics in challenging times

34:44: The impact of cannabis on retail; are we in a bubble?

39:40: Tips to leveraging social media in CRE

45:09: The birth of "The Canvassing Queen"

49:35: Personal branding in CRE

53:42: How does Beth unplug?

If you love what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us grow and improve!

Be sure to visit our website at ⁠⁠creunplugged.com⁠⁠ for all the latest news and updates. Have thoughts or suggestions?

We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@creunplugged.com.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠@CREUnplugged1⁠⁠ and be sure to follow CRE Unplugged on⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠!

This episode is sponsored by our awesome partner, ⁠⁠HILO⁠⁠, making connectivity and engagement a breeze in commercial real estate.