The Impact Real Estate Podcast with Deborah Smith

On this episode of the Impact Real Estate Podcast presented by Jackson Lucas Executive Search, we chat with Deborah Smith, the Co-Founder & CEO of The CenterCap Group Deborah shares her journey from growing up on a dairy farm in Australia to becoming an investment banker in the U.S. She discusses the evolution of her firm and emphasizes the importance of being open to opportunities and constantly setting new goals.

She also highlights the value of her background in law and the skills she developed in processing information and focusing amidst distractions. Deborah Smith, founder of Centacap, shares her favorite part of her job, which is achieving goals and finding satisfaction in completing tasks. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on what needs to be done rather than whether she wants to do it. Deborah also discusses the leap from working for a big bank to starting her own firm and the importance of being a jack of all trades and having a strong work ethic. She highlights the significance of character and authenticity in business relationships and the need for trust in today's capital markets. Deborah recommends the book 'Grit' by Angela Duckworth and shares her daily routines of running and reading the Wall Street Journal. She reflects on her most memorable deal, which was privatizing the South Australian power grid, and offers advice on finding mentors and the importance of asking for what you want.

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3I3nkG9

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/35ZJGLT

Web: https://www.jacksonlucas.com/podcast/deborah-smith

02:00 - Seizing Opportunities: The Journey to Founding an Investment Bank

08:13 - Culture and Character

16:42 - The Power of Critical Thinking and Education in Investment Banking

23:44 - The Power of Achieving Goals

25:24 - Transitioning from Banking to Entrepreneurship

27:32 - The Significance of Character in Hiring and Business Relationships

28:51 - The Value of Mentors

40:16 - Unafraid to Ask: A Key to Success in Work and Relationships

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Opportunities can arise unexpectedly, and it's important to be open to them and take advantage of them.

  • Setting goals and constantly striving to achieve them is key to success.

  • Skills developed in one area can be transferable and valuable in unexpected ways.

  • A background in law can provide valuable problem-solving and analytical skills.

  • Being able to process information quickly and focus amidst distractions is a valuable skill in any field. Find satisfaction in achieving goals and completing tasks.

  • Focus on what needs to be done rather than whether you want to do it.

  • Being a jack of all trades and having a strong work ethic are crucial when starting a business.

  • Character and authenticity are important in building business relationships.

  • Trust is essential in today's capital markets.

  • Read the book 'Grit' by Angela Duckworth.

  • Establish daily routines that bring you peace and clarity.

  • Find mentors by building genuine connections and investing time and effort in the relationship.

  • Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.

  • Privatizing the South Australian power grid was Deborah's most memorable deal.

Julio Larainvestment banking, real estate, consulting, career journey, setting goals, achieving goals, satisfaction, focus, starting a business, jack of all trades, work ethic, character, authenticity, trust, capital markets, book recommendation, daily routines, mentors, asking for what you want