Ten years ago, Melissa Podolsky made the switch from restaurant management to commercial real estate. She loved the customer service aspect of her restaurant management position, but did not care for the politics, or the long hours and erratic schedules. Having worked in the restaurant industry for 9 ½ years, Podolsky needed to pick a career she would enjoy long term. So she conversed with her father, Randy Podolsky, about property management and the similarities, interviewed with the director of property management at the time, and took the leap.
“I absolutely love what I do,” said Podolsky, now Director of Property Management and a Principal at Podolsky|Circle CORFAC International. “I remember as a little kid on vacation with my father thinking, “Get off the phone, why do you have to work so much? We are on vacation. But also seeing how excited he was to get a deal done. I get it now.”
“There are so many moving parts,” she continued. “Every day is an adventure and the opportunity to learn something new. It is exciting to work with so many different companies and see what they do each day, and how their operation works. It is fun getting to meet new people. Mostly, I love taking on a new assignment and proving what a great partnership you can have with your client and tenants—especially when you can make such a positive difference.”
With that positive attitude, it’s no surprise that the most rewarding part of Podolsky’s job is helping people and solving problems, “I love to find innovative, cost effective solutions.”
Podolsky|Circle CORFAC International is a full service commercial real estate advisory firm, providing entrepreneurial service and institutional results. Podolsky says they pride themselves on their exemplary customer service—which is what sets them apart from other companies.
“Our principals are involved in everything we do,” Podolsky said. “We really care about each one of our clients and their unique circumstances. And when it comes to property management, we manage like we own every asset.” “We recently took on a large property management assignment wherein we re-bid a majority of the vendors the prior management company used and were able to secure better pricing and achieve far superior service, making our client extremely happy.”
“Positive results like this are what drive me every day,” she noted. “Last month our company co-hosted the CORFAC conference in Chicago. This was the highest rated CORFAC conference since San Juan in 2011, rated 5.15 out of 6. Podolsky was one of four firms to win the platinum standards of excellence award two years in a row. Our brokers have completed over 3.5 million square feet in leasing deals year to date and we have taken on many new management assignments as well.”
‘Ask questions and dig deep’ are the biggest lessons Podolsky’s learned working in the industry. “In our business different things happen all the time. It is really important to have all of the facts, arm yourself with knowledge, and be a trusted advisor.”
In commercial real estate, her biggest mentor has been her father. “He enjoys knowing and working every aspect of the business, all the nuts and bolts. He has allowed me to learn so many different facets of commercial real estate, not just property management. I really feel this helps you be an asset to all of your clients. In life I would have to say my biggest mentors are both of my parents. My parents have so much knowledge to share.”
When Podolsky isn’t working, she loves spending time with her family. She also teaches yoga and loves to practice as well—it’s the balance between work and yoga that keep her sane.
“I am also a sports nut. Football and hockey seasons are my favorite times of the year. I also enjoy baseball and basketball.”
One thing she’d like to do that she hasn’t? “Learn how to drive, and hopefully one day own, a Harley.”
Who’s her favorite music artist? “If we’re talking celebrity, hands down it’s Adam Levine.”
“He is extremely talented; he plays the drums and guitar (and I am sure many other instruments), sounds great live and has a great vocal range. Non- celebrity would be my two younger brothers. One has written and recorded his own music. I love it so much; I play it in my yoga classes! My brothers are talented musicians and actors.”