TOOLS TALENTS AND TECHNIQUES with Dustin Sutton

Ep. 112 | How AI Is Disrupting Commercial Real Estate | Dan Mosher, DealGround

🏢 AI Is Disrupting Commercial Real Estate. Here's What That Actually Looks Like. Dan Mosher has been early to almost every major tech wave of the last 25 years. Food delivery. Electric vehicles. Programmatic advertising. Now he's setting his sights on commercial real estate, and the timing could not be better. Dan is the CEO and co-founder of DealGround, an AI-native data platform that combines fragmented property and market data into one searchable system spanning 62M+ properties. Before launching DealGround, he led the merchant team at Postmates through its $4.4B acquisition by Uber and served as SVP/GM of BrightRoll Exchange ahead of its $640M sale to Yahoo. In this episode, Dan and Dustin unpack how AI is reshaping the way brokers access data, build pipelines, and close deals, and why the brokers who adapt fastest will have a massive competitive advantage. 🔑 What You Will Learn * Why being early is both a superpower and a liability, and how Dan navigated both * How DealGround is stitching together siloed CRE data into one AI-powered interface * Why the new crop of brokers is the catalyst for industry-wide adoption * How AI agents can now write outreach letters, pull ownership data, and build prospect lists in seconds * Why curiosity is the most underrated skill in the AI era * How to make yourself a 10X employee using the tools that are already available to you 🕐 Episode Chapters 00:00 Making Yourself a 10X Employee with AI 00:39 Welcome Dan Mosher, CEO of DealGround 01:29 What DealGround Is Building and Why 02:02 From Morgan Stanley to Web 1.0 and Beyond 04:44 Always Early: Lessons from Webvan, EVs, and Mobile 06:05 BrightRoll and the Birth of Programmatic Video 09:53 Postmates and the Restaurant Delivery Revolution 16:30 What Stays Constant Across Every Stage of Growth 20:29 Why Commercial Real Estate Was Ready for Disruption 22:46 Stitching Together Siloed Data with LLMs 26:17 How Dan Validated the Problem Before Building the Product 31:36 DealGround vs. the Incumbents: The Clean Sheet Advantage 35:45 AI Certifications, Curiosity, and Cross-Industry Thinking 39:44 Making Brokers 10X More Efficient 41:39 How Dan's Team Uses AI Across Sales, Product, and Engineering 46:52 Democratizing Access to CRE Data 48:18 Parting Words: Build Your Skills, Embrace the Tools 🔗 Connect with Dan Mosher LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmosher [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmosher] DealGround: https://www.dealground.com [https://www.dealground.com] 🎙️ About Tools, Talents, and Techniques Hosted by Dustin Sutton, Tools Talents and Techniques is a podcast for founders, operators, and professionals who want to go deeper than surface-level success stories. Every episode unpacks how high performers think, decide, and build things that last. 📲 Subscribe and leave a review if this episode brought you value. 🌐 toolstalentstechniques.com [http://toolstalentstechniques.com]

The Commercial Real Estate Fundamentals That Never Change | Peter Quinn of Kidder Matthews | Ep. 111

Here are the full optimized RSS show notes: Peter Quinn has seen commercial real estate from every angle. IBM sales training, land development, market crashes, and the digital transformation reshaping how deals get done today. Through all of it one thing has remained constant. The fundamentals work if you work them. In Episode 111, Dustin sits down with Peter Quinn of Kidder Matthews to unpack a career built on resilience, relationship building, and a relentless commitment to staying sharp in one of the most dynamic industries in the world. If you are building a career in commercial real estate or trying to navigate a market that never stops moving, this conversation is exactly what you need to hear. 🔑 Key Topics Covered From IBM to Commercial Real Estate * How Peter's sales training at IBM shaped his approach to CRE * What the pivot from tech to real estate taught him about transferable skills * Why cold calling and fundamentals still matter in a digital world Building Relationships and Acting as a Trusted Advisor * Why the best CRE professionals lead with advice not transactions * How to navigate client relationships and manage expectations effectively * The role of trusted networks like Provisors in building a sustainable business Tools and Technology in Modern CRE * The tools and apps Peter uses to stay ahead in today's market * Why CRM is non-negotiable for serious real estate professionals * How staying informed through consistent reading creates a consistent edge Land Development and Market Trends * Navigating land development opportunities in the San Diego market * How resilience through market cycles separates long term producers * What Peter sees coming in the future of commercial real estate Lessons from the Advertising Business * How a background in advertising sharpened Peter's communication skills * The crossover between marketing thinking and real estate strategy * Why self discovery and resilience go hand in hand in any career 💡 Key Takeaways * The fundamentals of sales and relationship building never go out of style * Acting as a trusted advisor rather than a transaction broker builds a career that lasts * CRM is not optional for anyone serious about building a real estate business * Resilience through market cycles is what separates long term producers from short term players * Continuous learning and staying informed give you a consistent edge in any market * Transferable skills from outside the industry are often the biggest competitive advantages inside it 🔗 Resources Mentioned * Provisors Network: https://www.provisors.com/ [https://www.provisors.com/] * Kidder Matthews: https://www.kidder.com/ [https://www.kidder.com/] 🔗 Connect with Peter Quinn * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterquinn/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterquinn/] * Website: https://www.kidder.com/ [https://www.kidder.com/] Podcast Homepage: toolstalentstechniques.com [http://toolstalentstechniques.com] #CommercialRealEstate #LandDevelopment #Resilience #SanDiego #the3tpod

Ep. 110: Joshua Volen of CIRE Equity on Mindset, Culture & CRE Success

Joshua Volen did not stumble into commercial real estate. He built toward it, one lesson at a time, starting from childhood ventures that taught him more about business than any classroom ever could. In Episode 110, Dustin sits down with Joshua Volen, co-founder of CIRE Equity, to unpack how authenticity, vulnerability, and a fundamental shift from scarcity to abundance mindset transformed his approach to leadership, culture, and commercial real estate investing. 🔑 Key Topics Childhood Influences and Early Entrepreneurship * How growing up in a unique household shaped Joshua's identity and drive * Early business ventures that laid the foundation for his real estate career * The lessons from family dynamics that still inform how he leads today Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership * Why being the same in all situations is a leadership superpower * How vulnerability builds trust faster than any management strategy * The connection between personal identity and professional performance Mindset: From Scarcity to Abundance * The shift that changed everything about how Joshua approaches business * How fear can be reframed rather than a reason to stop * Navigating the tension between fear and love in business decisions Building a People Centric Company Culture * The core values behind CIRE Equity and how they show up daily * Why psychological safety is the foundation of high performing teams * How communication shapes culture from the inside out Commercial Real Estate and Business Growth * Joshua's path from early ventures into commercial real estate * Lessons learned from deals that did not go as planned * What launching CIRE Equity taught him about vision and execution 💡 Key Takeaways * Authenticity is not just a personal value it is a business strategy * Scarcity mindset is the silent killer of growth in business and in life * Fear does not have to stop you. In the right hands it becomes rocket fuel * Psychological safety is the foundation every high performing culture is built on * Vulnerability builds trust faster than any policy or process ever will 🧠 Memorable Insights "Be the same in all situations." "LOVE is my rocket fuel." 🎯 Who This Episode Is For * Commercial real estate investors and operators * Entrepreneurs building companies with strong culture * Leaders working on mindset and personal development * Anyone navigating fear and trying to turn it into forward momentum 📚 Resources Mentioned * Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612680194 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612680194] * Mindset by Carol Dweck: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0345472322 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0345472322] 🔗 Resources and Links * CIRE Equity: https://cireequity.com [https://cireequity.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-volen-0759344/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-volen-0759344/] Podcast Homepage: toolstalentstechniques.com [http://toolstalentstechniques.com]

Ep. 109: The Lawyer for Lawyers | Jonathan Hawkins on Law Firm Breakups, Partnerships, and Building a Unique Legal Practice

Jonathan Hawkins built a legal practice most lawyers never considered. He represents law firms themselves, navigating breakups, partnership disputes, and business divorces that tear firms apart from the inside. In Episode 109, Dustin sits down with Jonathan to unpack how he went from engineering to law, found one of the most underserved niches in the legal industry, and built a practice around serving firms no one else focused on. If you are building a business, managing a partnership, or thinking about how to stand out, this one is for you. 🔑 Key Topics Covered From Engineering to Law * His unconventional path and what drew him away from a technical career * How his engineering background shapes his approach to complex legal problems Finding the Niche: Lawyer for Lawyers * How Jonathan identified an underserved market inside the legal industry * What law firm breakups and business divorces look like from the inside Communication and Trust in Partnerships * The patterns Jonathan sees most in law firm disputes * How resentment builds when communication breaks down Coaches, Mentors, and Mindset * Why even high performers need outside perspective * The mindset shift that separates good lawyers from great ones Marketing and Content Creation * Newsletters, social media, and building an audience with consistency * How authentic content builds trust in a crowded field 💡 Key Takeaways * Niching down is a competitive advantage, not a limitation * Communication breakdowns drive most partnership failures * Consistency in content creation compounds over time * Staying true to yourself is a strategy 🧠 Memorable Insight "You need to stay true to yourself." — Jonathan Hawkins 📈 Why This Matters Jonathan flipped the model entirely and built a practice around serving the firms themselves. This is a masterclass in finding a gap, going all in, and standing out. 🔗 Resources & Links * https://www.lawfirmgc.com/ [https://www.lawfirmgc.com/] * https://www.lawfirmgc.com/podcast/ [https://www.lawfirmgc.com/podcast/] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hawkins-law-firm-general-counsel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hawkins-law-firm-general-counsel/] * https://www.linkedin.com/company/law-firm-gc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/law-firm-gc/] Podcast Homepage: toolstalentstechniques.com [http://toolstalentstechniques.com] #LegalBusiness #LawFirm #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPartnerships #the3tpod

Ep. 108: The Future of Retail with Andy Weiner, President of Rockstep Capital

What does the future of retail actually look like? In this episode, Dustin sits down with Andy Weiner, President of Rockstep Capital, to break down the real story behind retail’s evolution. While many headlines focus on the rise of e-commerce, Andy explains why physical retail is not only surviving, but in many cases thriving. From shifting market dynamics to smart investment strategies, this conversation unpacks how the strongest retailers are adapting, expanding, and redefining success in today’s environment. 🔑 Key Topics Covered The Reality Behind Retail’s Comeback * Retail is not dying. It is consolidating and strengthening * Weak operators have been pushed out, leaving stronger brands behind * Surviving retailers are now in expansion mode Supply and Demand Advantage * New shopping center development has slowed significantly * Existing centers are benefiting from limited supply * Landlords can upgrade tenant mix and increase rents E-commerce vs Brick-and-Mortar * Physical stores are still critical to growth * Stores act as customer acquisition tools * Opening a store often boosts online sales in that market Rockstep Capital’s Investment Strategy * Focus on secondary and tertiary “hometown” markets * Target areas with strong economic drivers like universities and military bases * Partner with local business leaders to reduce risk and improve execution The “Rock Step” Philosophy * Stay agile and adaptable * Build a culture that responds quickly to change * Prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term wins 💡 Key Takeaways * Retail is evolving, not disappearing * Strong operators are gaining more market share * Scarcity of new development is creating real opportunity * Physical retail and e-commerce work together, not against each other * Local market insight can be a major competitive advantage 🧠 Memorable Insight “Retail isn’t going away. The best operators are just getting stronger and more strategic.” 🎯 Who This Episode Is For * Commercial real estate professionals * Retail investors and developers * Entrepreneurs interested in physical + digital strategy * Anyone trying to understand where retail is headed 📈 Why This Conversation Matters This episode challenges the narrative that retail is fading and replaces it with a more nuanced, data-driven perspective. If you are in real estate or investing, understanding these dynamics is not optional. It is a competitive advantage. 🔗 Resources & Links * https://rockstep.com/ [https://rockstep.com/] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-weiner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-weiner/] * https://www.youtube.com/@TheShoppingCenterChannel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheShoppingCenterChannel] Podcast Homepage: toolstalentstechniques.com [http://toolstalentstechniques.com] #CommercialRealEstate #RetailStrategy #CRE #RealEstateInvesting #the3tpod