Beyond Acquisition: Tony Frick on Private Equity, Property Management, and Long-Term Value

Beyond Acquisition: Tony Frick on Private Equity, Property Management, and Long-Term Value

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Tony Frick, serial entrepreneur, attorney, Keystone Equity Partners Co-Founder, and Co-CEO of his latest venture, David Nicholas Building & Property Maintenance, a luxury property management company serving some of the Jersey Shore’s most exclusive homes. Tony talks about his unconventional path from professional lacrosse and law school to leading private equity-backed companies and building businesses across entirely different industries. Erin and Tony discuss how those experiences shaped the way he approaches leadership and long-term growth. The conversation dives into the rapid evolution of South Jersey’s luxury market and why barrier island communities are attracting a new generation of high-net-worth buyers. Tony explains the difference between traditional property maintenance and true real estate asset management, along with the growing need for proactive oversight. He also dives into the importance of trusted vendor relationships and white-glove service for second-home owners. Tony shares how David Nicholas is building a scalable business centered around operational discipline, human relationships, and protecting the long-term value of some of the region’s most significant residential assets. Listen if you’re: * Interested in luxury real estate and second-home ownership * Curious about private equity and scaling service businesses * Navigating luxury construction, maintenance, or property management * Focused on leadership, operations, and long-term growth Connect: Tony LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-frick-22a19765?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-frick-22a19765?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios] David Nicholas Website: https://davidnicholasmaintenance.org/ [https://davidnicholasmaintenance.org/] BUILT DIFFERENT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod [https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod] Erin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle [https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle] Email: erin@sykesproperties.com [erin@sykesproperties.com] BUILT DIFFERENT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod [https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod] BUILT DIFFERENT Website: https://www.builtdifferentpod.com [https://www.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT Community: https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com [https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT is recorded at PodPlus Studios in Jupiter, Florida. Learn more: https://www.podplusstudios.com [https://www.podplusstudios.com]

Behind the Deal: Pierre Debbas on NYC Real Estate Law, Negotiation, and Risk Management

This episode of BUILT DIFFERENT sits at the intersection of law, policy, and real estate with Pierre Debbas, founder and partner of one of New York City’s leading real estate law firms. Pierre offers a perspective you don’t usually hear. He operates within the deals themselves, which comes through clearly in how he breaks down the New York market. Erin and Pierre get into the steps between an accepted offer and a signed contract, and why so many buyers misread that window. They also step into what’s shaping the market right now. Tax pressure, policy decisions, and post-pandemic behavior shifts are all changing how people approach New York. Pierre shares a candid view on the pied-à-terre conversation and what it signals about where the city is heading. There’s also a real look at co-ops versus condos, going beyond definitions to show what it’s like to live in each. They break down the approvals and scrutiny, along with the tradeoffs tied to access and pricing. This episode cuts through the noise to give you a clearer lens on how New York real estate decisions are made. Listen if you’re: * Buying, selling, or investing in New York real estate * Moving between markets like New York and Florida * Trying to understand how policy and taxes impact deals * Navigating co-ops, condos, or complex transactions * Interested in where New York is actually heading Connect: Pierre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pierredebbasesq/ [https://www.instagram.com/pierredebbasesq/] Pierre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierredebbas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierredebbas/] Romer Debbas LLP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romerdebbas/ [https://www.instagram.com/romerdebbas/] BUILT DIFFERENT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod [https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod] Erin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle [https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle] Email: erin@sykesproperties.com [erin@sykesproperties.com] BUILT DIFFERENT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod [https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod] BUILT DIFFERENT Website: https://www.builtdifferentpod.com [https://www.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT Community: https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com [https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT is recorded at PodPlus Studios in Jupiter, Florida. Learn more: https://www.podplusstudios.com [https://www.podplusstudios.com]

Rethinking the Gallery: Cayla Birk. on Bodega Birk, Curation, and Community

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Cayla Birk., contemporary fine artist and the creative mind behind a new kind of art experience that blends culture, commerce, and community. Cayla isn’t just creating art, she’s building worlds around it. From large-scale conceptual series to fully immersive environments like Hotel Birk and her latest project, Bodega Birk, she’s redefining how people experience art and who it’s actually for. This conversation goes deeper than the traditional art world narrative. Cayla breaks down how she built a business around her creativity, why she stepped away from relying on galleries, and how she’s positioning herself within a new wave of “red chip” artists who are building value in real time - not after the fact. She also gets into the strategy behind her brand. The details, the rollout, the partnerships, and how every touchpoint, from invitations to in-person experience, is intentional and designed to pull people in. There’s a clear throughline here about taking ownership and trusting your vision, even before the market catches up. If you’re thinking bigger about how creativity, business, and experience intersect, this one hits. Listen if you’re: * Building a creative or personal brand and want to own the full vision * Interested in how the art market is shifting in real time * Exploring experiential marketing or immersive brand concepts * Looking at art as both a passion and portfolio strategy * Figuring out how to scale something that starts as a creative idea Connect: Cayla Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caylabirk [https://www.instagram.com/caylabirk?igsh=MWRlODhwZDh6MmhjcQ==] Bodega Birk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodegabirk [https://www.instagram.com/bodegabirk?igsh=MXFuOTh3M3R2cXM4NQ==] BUILT DIFFERENT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod [https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod] Erin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle [https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle] Email: erin@sykesproperties.com [erin@sykesproperties.com] BUILT DIFFERENT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod [https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod] BUILT DIFFERENT Website: https://www.builtdifferentpod.com [https://www.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT Community: https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com [https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT is recorded at PodPlus Studios in Jupiter, Florida. Learn more: https://www.podplusstudios.com [https://www.podplusstudios.com]

Regenerative Beauty: Jen Gowdy on Skin Health, Longevity, and the Next Wave of Aesthetics

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with Jennifer Gowdy, founder and CEO of Pure Skin Palm Beach, for a deep dive into what’s actually driving the shift in aesthetics, wellness, and longevity right now. Jen didn’t build her business chasing trends. She built it by seeing what was broken. After years in dermatology, oncology, and medical device sales, she developed a clear understanding of how the system operates - and where it falls short for patients. What started as a one-room operation has evolved into one of the leading regenerative aesthetics practices in South Florida, shaped by a more intentional approach to skin health and the aging process. In a conversation that goes far beyond skincare, Jen breaks down why the industry is moving away from quick fixes and into regenerative treatments, how hormones and peptides are changing the way we age, and why most people are treating symptoms instead of root causes. She also gets candid about what actually works vs. what’s overhyped, and where people waste the most money. At the core of it all is a philosophy grounded in education and transparency, where every decision is rooted in understanding the body first and building a personalized plan that supports real, long-term results. If you’ve ever wondered why some people age well and others don’t, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. Listen if you’re: * Trying to understand the difference between traditional med spa treatments and regenerative aesthetics * Curious about peptides, hormones, and what “treating from the inside out” actually means * Frustrated with skincare or treatments that don’t deliver long-term results * Interested in building a business rooted in trust, not transactions * Looking for a smarter, more strategic approach to aging and longevity Connect: Jen Gowdy: Jen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenngowdypalmbeach [https://www.instagram.com/jenngowdypalmbeach] Pure Skin Palm Beach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pureskinpalmbeach [https://www.instagram.com/pureskinpalmbeach] BUILT DIFFERENT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod [https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod] Erin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle [https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle] Email: erin@sykesproperties.com [erin@sykesproperties.com] BUILT DIFFERENT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod [https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod] BUILT DIFFERENT Website: https://www.builtdifferentpod.com [https://www.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT Community: https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com [https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT is recorded at PodPlus Studios in Jupiter, Florida. Learn more: https://www.podplusstudios.com [https://www.podplusstudios.com]

Attachment in Business and Life: Jessica Baum on Relationships, Patterns, and Emotional Strategy

In this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, Erin Sykes sits down with psychotherapist and bestselling author Jessica Baum for a conversation that connects relationships, business, and the patterns most people don’t realize are driving both. Jessica, author of Anxiously Attached and Safe, breaks down how attachment styles show up far beyond dating. The way you handle pressure, make decisions, navigate clients, and respond to money is often rooted in the same patterns developed early on. Because Erin has worked with Jessica personally, the conversation moves past theory and into real application. They talk through how these dynamics show up in negotiations, client relationships, and moments where emotions quietly influence outcomes. The discussion also shifts into what it actually takes to change those patterns. Not just awareness, but real work. Jessica explains why healing is not something you can do in isolation and why the right relationships play a critical role in that process. This episode gives you a clearer lens on your own behavior and challenges the idea that independence alone is the goal. Listen if you’re: * Noticing patterns in your relationships or business decisions that you can’t quite explain * Someone who overthinks, people-pleases, or struggles to trust * Highly independent but finds it hard to ask for help or let go of control * Navigating client relationships where emotions and money collide * Interested in doing deeper work beyond surface-level self-help CONNECT: Jessica’s Attachment Style Quiz: https://consciousrelationshipgroup.com/attachment-style-quiz [https://consciousrelationshipgroup.com/attachment-style-quiz] Jessica’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicabaumlmhc [https://www.instagram.com/jessicabaumlmhc] BUILT DIFFERENT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod [https://www.instagram.com/built.different.pod] Erin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle [https://www.instagram.com/sykesstyle] Email: erin@sykesproperties.com [erin@sykesproperties.com] BUILT DIFFERENT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod [https://www.youtube.com/@built_different_pod] BUILT DIFFERENT Website: https://www.builtdifferentpod.com [https://www.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT Community: https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com [https://connect.builtdifferentpod.com] BUILT DIFFERENT is recorded at PodPlus Studios in Jupiter, Florida. Learn more: https://www.podplusstudios.com [https://www.podplusstudios.com]