Welcome to Ten, CORE founder and CEO Shaun Osher’s rapid-fire interview series with prominent CORE figures. Read on to find out how this week’s subject deals with being on the hot seat.
Spanning over a decade of experience in the real estate industry, Michael Rubin is a sharp-shooter who has quickly established himself as the go-to downtown broker. Having previously studied business administration in college and worked in business development, Michael offers his clients nothing but professionalism and the highest level of service. Here are Michael’s answers to Ten questions:
1. What did you do before you found this career?
I was actually a real estate agent while in college in Arizona; I started at 20 years old. After college, I had a 9-5 job doing sales and business development for a medical recruiting firm. The 9-5 definitely gave me some structure and taught me a lot about sales and marketing, but I was never really passionate about it. I decided to get back into real estate and I’m glad that I did.
2. What has been the highlight of your career?
I had a senior business partner who I worked with until he passed away. After he died, I had to step into a lot more responsibility and was initially overwhelmed. For me, that was a defining moment in my career – I’ve grown both my business and myself a lot since then.
3. What is your greatest daily challenge?
Using the copy machine is the most stressful thing; second to proof-reading my emails before I send them.
4. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In real estate; I really like whole sales and marketing process.
5. Where do you find inspiration?
In the City itself; it’s such a competitive environment here. No matter what field that you’re in, you’re surrounded by some of the best talent and most successful people in the world.
6. Name one thing we might not know about you.
People are usually surprised or they don’t believe me when I tell them I paint, mostly landscapes. It’s something that I do for myself.
7. What’s your favorite movie or book?
I think the most profound book I’ve read is A Choice of Weapons by Gordon Parks. When I first read it as a teenager and saw how this guy overcame so much and became so successful, it was so inspirational. Now I just enjoy reading fiction and it provides me a good escape from the 24/7 business I’m in.
8. What do you do in your free time?
In the winter I like to ski and in the summer, I like to go upstate and enjoy nature. When I have free time and I’m stuck in the city, I like to box – I’m really hooked on the sport right now.
9. What’s your favorite restaurant?
I like eating way too much to have one favorite restaurant.
10. Tell me something about your home.
I bought a place in Flatiron a few years ago. The guy who owned it before me had some obsession with cork so everything was made out of cork – it was awful! Still, I managed to see it had good bones and great light. I gutted everything from the apartment and redesigned the whole space; it’s awesome now.
Shaun Osher is the Founder and CEO of CORE.