2019 - Peaks & Valleys
Crack and fizzle! The colorful fireworks exploded over the Sydney Harbor bridge while Laurelle, Jordan and the rest of the Australia getaway crew celebrated in the rain for the year past and the start of something new. Laurelle and I continued on our southern hemisphere trot as we made our way to Queenstown New Zealand for some biking, hiking, and breathtaking views of a sliver of earth that’s reserved for sheer beauty. We knew this trip would be the calm before the storm - the last stress free moment before we launched ourselves into a critical year for us. As the fjords of the Milford Sound faded away in the distance and we were left cruising through the valley en route back to Queenstown, I couldn’t help but think about it’s analogical preface to a year that would be memorialized with many exhilarating highs and lows, gorgeous peaks and sunken valleys.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Day 1
As Jeff Bezos declares, it’s always Day 1 because Day 2 is stasis. Shortly after arriving back from our Australia/NZ trip, I started at Lincoln Property Company (LPC) as the Vice President of Innovation & Technology Ventures. LPC is one of the most reputable real estate developers, managers and service firms in the United States and given recent rocks that had been kicked up in the industry, they needed an answer to a dire problem. Unlike any job around, I was brought in to look at the business in a unique way, help makes decisions to prepare us for the future (with a very long term thinking cap on) and plant the seeds of innovation for a company that has seen a lot in its 55 year history. Contrary to my initial expectations, I felt very lost in the amorphous role that I was creating for myself. Without clear goals, concrete metrics or a box to play in, I felt like I was swimming in the ocean with no markers. I was reminded by the S curve nature of hard things and recognized I needed to dig my foundation before accelerating; step back 1,000 feet only to go one forward. I attacked this new challenge with fervor and coined my job responsibility in line with the tech world as “Curiousity-as-a-Service.” I was given a few mantras to guide me through:
“Specialists get hired, Generalists get paid”
“The only way out is through, or quit.”
I quickly learned that I was playing a very unique and important role for the brand. The more I got out publicly and shared what Lincoln was doing or how we were thinking, the more we could change hearts and minds about what makes Lincoln so unique and why everyone should work with us to solve their real estate problems. In those moments of public speaking or out in the fields, I thrived. Those breakthroughs of finding the beauty as the individual with one foot straddling the tech world and one straddling the real estate world, I smiled. Those quiet moments of silent reflection however, I felt like I was drowning or was purposeless in an arena where everyone else seemed to have a technical skillset on which they focused.
Always…
Touring a new lobby renovation in Portland
Thanks to the great leaders at the firm however, I maintained a strong support system that helped me in the tough times and always reassured me with their approach that Leaders are there to service you, not the other way around.
In 2019, I was wrought with fear through my work. Fear really means False Evidence Appear Real. There two types of fears though, each with its own characteristics. One rooted in the fear of failure and thus always running faster to avoid the monster at my heals. The other stemming from taking on bigger responsibilities and not knowing how or where to turn to answer that calling. Here are both definitions from my executive coach:
1) Pachad, is “projected or imagined fear,” the “fear whose objects are imagined.”
2) Yirah is the fear that shows up in those moments when we uncover a dream, access our real feelings about an important situation, or contemplate taking a big leap toward a more authentic life.
2019 yielded some incredible results though on the career front. I launched Lincoln’s venture capital practice, established new and strong relationships with some exciting new clients, built deep trust with our existing company relationships, built real margin for other leaders at the firm to free up for other initiatives, launched nationwide pilot programs using various technology solutions, presented on many large stages as our brand ambassador, created new technology partnerships, built a huge venture investor network, learned our real estate business, participated in numerous real estate transactions, toured countless buildings and met nearly all of our company personnel throughout the country. Oh, and I also learned some really important lessons, the hard way.
Acting Goofy & Presidential as they take my corporate headshot
My first ever groundbreaking ceremony…clearly we didn’t have enough shovels so I had to share
Funny enough, through all the pain and challenge of year one, I am reminded by an exercise I did in mid 2018 on what would be the ideal career or job for me. I essentially spelled out and shaped my current role at LPC to a TEE. Everything from the balance of schedule and autonomy (I dictate where I need to be), to the types of things I get to explore (all technology that could change our world + new emerging trends + corporate structure and change management) to the types of actions I enjoy (pitching, presenting, investing, networking and consistent learning). It wasn't until Q4 of 2019 did I really look back at what I asked for and truly recognized that I "fished my wish." I landed on an opportunity that gives me exactly what I'm looking for at this stage in my life and working for some of the most inspirational and amazing people I’ve ever met.
I’m the short guy on the left amongst the trees!
My Bershert
As a wise man said to me, you only have to get this one big decision right and the rest of your life will fall in line. No, that’s not where you live. No, that’s not what you do for money. It’s related to finding your Bershert, your one true match. Your missing puzzle piece. When you get that decision right, you set yourself on a path for a happy and fulfilling life.
In June, I flew to Dallas, took her parents out for a dinner and asked them for their daughter’s hand. In July we picked the ring. In September we picked up the ring. In October it burned a whole in my pocket UNTIL the most perfect proposal I could have imagined. Masquerading as a birthday get away weekend at Terrenea in Palos Verdes, I got down on one knee upon a gorgeous sunset (and coincidental rogue guitarist playing Wonderwall by Oasis) and asked Laurelle’s hand in marriage. Her elated face will forever be etched in my memory. We hurried back to Los Angeles where all of her friends were waiting to gush over her new diamond and their no-longer single friend. We continued our engagement march to Dallas where her family was waiting with open arms to show off the new couple at the Yom Kippur break the fast.
Soon after popping the question, I gained my forever roommate. We moved in together in Brentwood shortly after the ring was firmly snug on her finger and we began our new life, bound by our future…and a bed. Given Laurelle’s passion of home building, I no longer have to eat on the couch and order in every night, I have a partner who actually knows how to turn on the stove!
When we were not at home in LA, we traveled through America, Europe, Australia and Catalina (and many more) this year together and we stood hand in hand at weddings and family gatherings. I couldn’t imagine going it alone anymore.
Meanwhile, Laurelle put on her full blown entrepreneurial hat this year. She left her corporate job at ZipRecruiter to give it a whirl as the CEO and Founder of a much needed software platform to make planning group travel easier, Revel. Her and her sister Rijon have been speaking to numerous excited investors about backing them at Seed stage and I look forward to the day that I become the stay at home dad to the CEO boss lady that built a billion dollar company - kidding Lincoln, I’m in it for the long haul! Concurrent to her software business, she also launched an interior design firm where she has taken on several high net worth home owners looking for someone with the eye for home furnishings. Couldn’t be more perfect for the woman that spends 4 hours on a Sunday hanging out at Homegoods helping the old ladies pick out curtain patterns. Beyond interior design, she has a few more tricks up her sleeve heading into next year and I’m just so lucky to watch as she navigates all of these non-traditional routes.
Revel…coming soon
PEAKS & VALLEYS - A BATTLE WITH MYSELF
I limped along most of this year. I mean that physically…In April I underwent the hip surgery that I was putting off for quite some time. With an incredibly arthritic hip, a shallow hip socket and feriacetabular impingement, I have the perfect storm of hip problems. After four hard months of recovery, physical therapy and a lot of downtime, I thought I would have been in a better place but I’m sad to report, it didn’t work. I am back in the same, if not worse, pain as I was before the surgery. This set back took a massive hit on my psyche and really left me in a helpless position as I yearn for the years of a fully healthy abled body. I spent the better part of Q4 getting more opinions and ultimately decided its time for a hip replacement heading into 2020.
These health issues coupled with a self-induced self criticism from work plus the lack of routine around mental health and religious studies often left me feeling empty. I hit some ultra low moments this year and I apologize if I brought you down with me. On the flip side, I had massive wins at work that left me feeling in control and gave me that ‘Ah Ha’ moment. Locking it down with Laurelle, seeing my friends get married, spending time with friends and family and even pushing myself physically through the pain to catch some endorphins - I rode those highs until a low point would cut me at my knees.
Recovering…lots of Twitter
JEWISH LIFE IN LA
For the second year in a row, I can confidently say, I did not find my spiritual fit here. Unlike New York City which basically brought your religious practice to your flat, you very much need to leave your doorstep to find it in LA. At the start of the year I switched things up and started learning with a new Rabbi but we quickly fell out of schedule. I hopped into some young professional circles of Jews and that also had it’s moments but left much to be desired for a sustainable routine of spiritual community.
The major highlights though were those summer Fridays, singing and praying by the ocean with Mishkon Tephilo. Those were some of the most heightened community moments I’ve ever experienced.
Another difficultly to getting situated in LA is that for a second year in a row, we spent the high holidays away. This year we did Passover and Rosh Hashanah in Philly, Yom Kippur and Thanksgiving in Dallas and Sukkot in New York. We did however find time make LA our home for most Friday nights, lighting candles in our home and enjoying many Kabbalat Shabbats on the beach with the glowing oval fading over the Santa Monica mountains.
Beyond the spiritual involvement, I became more involved with the Jewish federation, more or less in a professional networking capacity. I continued in year two with the Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund, following Joel Fogel and his leadership. Lastly, I maintained my commitment to my little brother via Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters - continuing to explore Los Angeles from his perspective as a ten year old native and taking selfies along the way.
EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD (AND THEIRS)
As I publish this, I am only one month away from my two year anniversary of living in Los Angeles. Not every stone has been unturned. Not every trail has been hiked. Not every neighborhood has been explored…YET!
This year, I tried to continue to better understand Los Angeles and California. It is certainly not “Home” and I don’t know if it ever will be, but I yearn to learn how it ticks.
From day trips to Ojai where an independent book store captured my heart and we drank the wine of the valley to the overnights of Northern California where I taught Laurelle how to ski at Mammoth, we tried to never let a weekend become banal.
Some of the highlights included our day to “Seoul”, California aka Koreatown. We planned every moment from the Korean teahouse, to the Korean mall (we felt totally out of place), to the Korean BBQ dinner, we were just amazed that we could experience this only 15 minutes from our apartment. All you have to do is say GO!
Fifteen minutes the other way and we boarded a ferry to Catalina Island where we hiked to the peak, and saw incredible 360 degree views of island-surrounding-water.
In one of the most validating moments of backyard exploration, we caught the most miraculous and memorable sunset at Terrenea in Palos Verdes; I unveiled the ring…throw a win in the LA proponent’s court!
Hiking in Malibu
Korean Tea House
Finding random beaches in Malibu
Hiking in Catalina
TAKE THAT TRIP
I certainly don’t find it a brag to say that I hit Platinum status on American this year but it does highlight the fact that I travel way too much. I got to know LAX pretty intimately this year and made me realize just how inconvenient living in California can be when you have continuous reasons to be in the middle and eastern part of the country.
This year I took some flights: SF (6x), Portland (1x), Seattle (2x), Dallas (4x), NYC (3x), Philly (4x), DC (1x), Miami (1x), Eureka (1x), Nashville (1x), Charlotte (1x), Chicago (1x), Austin (1x), Rome (1x), Paris (1x), Australia (1x), New Zealand (1x)
From the moment we watched as the fireworks crackled over the Sydney Harbour bridge, we knew this year would bring excitement. The most exciting of the travels were the international excursions in which Laurelle and I embarked. From living like a local in Bondi Beach of Sydney and Le Marais of Paris to the more bespoke experiences like riding mopeds in Queenstown sheep farms or eating pasta in Camporsevoli Tuscany, we got a life time full of memories this year. While in Italy I even had a chance to officiate one of my best friends weddings, trying my hand in a new rabbinic effort.
Officiating Eddie & Courtney’s wedding in Tuscany
Sheep Farm in Queenstown
Gorgeous shot of the fireworks over the Harbour bridge
Luxemburg Gardens in Paris
Work travel this year took me on some domestic excursions. As the man who runs after the obscure and exploratory for Lincoln, I found myself in Eureka, California aka The Emerald Triangle, trying to better understand a nuanced market that is so far out there on the risk curve that it is full blown head scratching. On the more predictable side, I found myself speaking at numerous conferences and educating the market on real estate technology and innovation from the landlord’s perspective. Showcasings in DC, Charlotte, New York and San Francisco were great exposure for the work that our company is doing. Suit and tie corporate gatherings in Dallas had me elbow to elbow with our executives planning for the future. When in doubt, I got on a plane and made sure I was present.
As for tradition, my brother and I had our 4th annual brothers trip. This year we descended on Chicago to eat some deep dish, catch a Cubbies game, bike the lake, and crack up at Second City comedy. Speaking of traditions, I spent the entirety of September on the east coast, ringing in the Jewish new year, spending the weekdays meeting with important clients, and weekends attending some of my best friends weddings.
Biking along Lake Michigan
Wrigley Field
AMIDST THE CHANGE, THE CONSTANT REMAINS
Annual Lambda Mu stair pic…
This year we spiced it up a bit
Scotty kicked off the 30th train with some Freddie Mercury and the 70s, and just like a mother measures her child with markers on the doorpost, we find ourselves on the stairs - etching it in the book of annual documentation.
In 2019, five of my best friends got engaged (not including myself!), three of my best friends got married, my brother bought a home with his family in my childhood neighborhood and Laurelle and I moved into our new home (apartment) in Brentwood. Life is moving fast ya’ll!
Cleaning up!
Ben/Liv’s wedding
Oreo cookie or Us being Us?
Mike/Rach’s wedding
Same Birthday…every year!
Despite the change, the keystone constants ease the shift. Our best friends flew west for the annual BBD/Erose birthday - documenting yet another year in Los Angeles together. BBD and I continued our streak with our morning chats on the way to work, a great start to the day alongside a cup of coffee and a pre-work podcast. My nephew turned two and despite his rapid growth, his obsession for the movie “Cars” remains!
My brother Adam and nephew Asher
Asher caught red handed
Treating my dad to a Corvette day in Malibu
DRINK FROM THE WELL OF INSPIRATION + NEW FRIENDS
This year as many before, I was inspired by so many people, both fresh and everlasting. I was inspired by Khe and his clarity around the scarcity mindset. I was inspired by Bins & Kane for their humility and cut-the-leash leadership mentality. I was inspired by Younger as he’s proliferated so quickly through the company. I was inspired by Fogel and his impeccable sense of humor. I was inspired by Mr. Duvall for his timeless energy. I was inspired by BBD for recognizing career arcs by snuggling up to talent and playing the long game. I was inspired by Basloe for his incessant networking prowess. I was inspired by Ed & Court for unapologetically being themselves. I was inspired by Chasin for his incredibly entrepreneurial streak. I was inspired by Julie C for her coaching wisdom and knowing how to right a swaying ship. I was inspired by Leivenberg for his community efforts. I was inspired by Reiss for his eclecticism. I was inspired by Weber for his adventurous spirit. I was inspired by Moffatt for his attitude and demeanor while battling similar internal struggles. I was inspired by so many more this year and as we all know, you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most. I tried to continue to push the boundaries of everybody’s positivity and find meaningful influences.
SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE IN 2020?
While wrapped up in the heat of wedding planning and firmly situated in Los Angeles for the holiday season (LA around Christmas is the best), I sit here in hopes of making some big statements and bold predictions.
2020 is the year that I go all the way with my health treatment and get back to the fully-able body that I recognize from 2016. 2020 is the year that I finally tie my shoes up and throw them over the electric wires - saying farewell to my 20’s…a goodbye that I’m ready and excited to do. This year I’ll continue to push further and further down the calculated risk curve on my career and continue to make efforts that radically improve our company’s outcomes and standings. As for stability, I’ll continue to celebrate my friends and family as we have numerous large celebrations ahead. Most importantly though, I’ll continue to build my own family and go from a lone wolf to a dynamic duo as Laurelle and I take to Tuscany, Italy to go tie the knot!
As I prescribe to myself every year, I will send myself off into the wild with two quotes to chew on:
1) Prove them wrong: “The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”
2) Laugh more: “Laughing will and always will be the best form of therapy”
Many more Sunday Mornings at the Brentwood Farmers market with this one
Try to smile more and just appreciate the journey. You don’t have to be at your end point, you just have to enjoy the process
This was nice, we enjoyed this moment!
Her and I, forever.