I have know Ryan for 3 years. He is reliable, personable and a pure joy to have as a part of my company.
Shaun: What did you do before going into real estate?
Ryan: I analyzed debt issued for affordable housing at Standard & Poor’s, where I focused on military housing deals. I traveled the country to all sorts of out of the way places visiting military bases I’d never heard of, it was fascinating – I call it the parallel universe! I began my career in the South Bronx working for a community development corporation that developed and managed affordable housing and related work in human services and economic development.
Shaun: Why did you go into real estate?
Ryan: In a real sense, I already worked in real estate in various capacities, though my focus has shifted from affordable to unaffordable housing! I have a strong family background in real estate – my mother, grandmother, aunt and uncle are still or at some point were all brokers, and I grew up learning the value of a good property. Moving into residential sales in New York City was a natural progression that has allowed me to combine my experience and interests into a dynamic and entrepreneurial career.
Shaun: Who is your mentor?
Ryan: My grandmother, Billie Ryan Walsh. She passed away two weeks ago (her obituary http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=billie-walsh&pid=151020002). She was an amazing woman with an uncanny knack for finding amazing real estate in prime locations, and a great inspiration both to me and my family as well as countless friends.
Shaun: What is your greatest daily challenge?
Ryan: The scheduling – two brokers, multiple customers, tenants… Someone needs to create a universal scheduling app for the iPad.
Shaun: What is the one value you admire most in a person?
Ryan: Honesty. Also a great sense of humor, though I realize that’s not a value!
Shaun: Name one place you find inspiration?
Ryan: St John the Divine. The architecture makes the soul soar, but it’s also a place that I find calming, restorative, and where time seems to slow down a bit.
Shaun: What is your favorite book, artist, or movie. Name just one.
Ryan: Picasso.
Shaun: Why did you pick him?
Ryan: He continually evolved over the course of a long life and artistic career. He did not rest on his laurels and keep painting the same subject or in the same style, but challenged himself and the public with new, often controversial ideas. I think change is critical to life, and we have to embrace it or we’ll be left behind.
Shaun: How would you like to be remembered?
Ryan: Hopefully for my sense of humor, and as a good friend to those whom I loved.
Shaun: Do you have a question for me?
Ryan: When does your work-out tape come out? I need it in time for summer!
Shaun: Soon! It will be called “Boot camp training for real estate agents. Showing 10 apartments in 3 hours”.