Meet Kirsten Flory of Foundations Commercial Real Estate

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Flory.

Hi Kirsten; please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew years ago that I wanted to own my own business. The idea that I could create my own company, my income, and how I work was very enticing. Business ownership is only for some, but I had the itch and the desire to see if I could create something independently. At the time, I was still determining what kind of industry that I wanted to pursue. My background is in marketing and sales, and I have found success working in the banking industry in a business development role. While I greatly enjoyed the company I worked for and the team of people I enjoyed working with daily, I was ready for more.

I leaped from a salaried employee to a self-employed real estate agent about ten years ago. It was a way to see if I could make it in a 100% commission position without the start-up costs of owning a company. That experience taught me a lot, from how to manage my time and what areas I needed to focus on to ensure I had a paycheck.

Fast forward to 2020 – the year of COVID. This period in our lives changed, for most of us, the way we work. I had always had the type of job where I could work remotely and with good flexibility. I had good time management skills and an entrepreneurial work ethic. What I learned about myself during this time was that I could work more effectively and efficiently as the owner of my own company and not as an independent contractor for someone else. I had the skill set to manage my business operations and create systems and strategies to expand my business far better than my affiliated company. I wanted to grow as a brand and utilize my ideas to get there.

Part of my process included publishing a book called “Golfing in Heels” and launching a podcast called “The Small Business Mindset” in 2019. The intention behind both my book and the podcast was to share my voice. It was a way to get my message and value out into the world. My challenge in starting a company was getting up the courage to take the leap. I had a lot of self-doubt and worry about whether I could succeed. With every new challenge you embrace and succeed at, the risk of taking on new challenges gets easier. In the fall of 2021, I launched my new commercial real estate brokerage – Foundations Commercial Real Estate. It was liberating and scary, and exciting all at the same time. The most refreshing thing about this move was that my clients didn’t care what brokerage I was affiliated with (whether it was my own or someone else’s). They just wanted to work with me. I was the glue and the reason for my and their success.

It happens all too frequently that we doubt our power and we take the opinions of others as our own. If I can encourage you to go after what you want, your belief in your abilities is the number one key to your success. You may operate differently than others. Your methods might be unique, and your strategies non-traditional. That is what will set you apart. The way of business is ever-changing, and providing a disruption to your industry is what keeps business moving and thriving.

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Any amount of success comes with a whole host of challenges! I didn’t go into owning a business with the idea that I wouldn’t have challenges, as there was a lot I didn’t know. What I did experience through this process was a large and valuable learning curve. Some obstacles and challenges that I experienced were:

1. Understand what your value is. How much you should charge for your time and expertise can be intimidating, especially when you are anxious to get the business. Do your homework, and stand firm on your value. Those clients who don’t see your value are meant to be something other than your clients.
2. Make decisions that align with your goals. Don’t let others take you away from where you want to be. This includes partnerships and any business or personal relationships. Only do it if it fits your goal strategy.
3. Do the research. Understand what is required of you from a compliance and financial responsibility position within your business and industry. Take your time, and always have a secure handle on your business.
4. Engage experts. I met with my CPA, an attorney, and an insurance agent a good 6 months before even starting in real estate as an independent contractor. I wanted to understand where I could be exposed and how to structure myself and my business for maximum benefit.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Foundations Commercial Real Estate?
I am the President & CEO of Foundations Commercial Real Estate. I am a market specialist for office, retail, industrial, investment, and land development properties. While my business is headquartered in Lawrence, KS, I work with clients across Kansas in areas such as Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, Wichita, and Manhattan. I work with business owners who might be starting a business for the first time to companies with over a billion dollars in assets. The common thread is that they are working to grow their businesses and wealth through real estate.

What sets me apart is my background, expertise, and involvement in my community. My banking and marketing background allows my clients to work with them on their business growth strategies. My community involvement has created opportunities for me to serve in leadership roles directly impacting the economic development initiatives supporting my client’s goals.

My clients consider me part of their advisory team and their attorneys, financial advisors, and marketing teams. I work with clients to help them buy, sell, and lease properties and provide property valuation services and multi-market strategy consultations.

I also host a bi-weekly podcast called The Small Business Mindset that offers a variety of resources, in-the-trenches stories, and expert guests to encourage listeners (and clients) to tap into ideas that could serve them better.

Can you talk to us about the role of luck?
I’ve never believed in the role of luck, but I do believe in preparing yourself as best you can for when opportunities arise. Sometimes, you must create the opportunity and never be afraid to ask for what you want.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.foundationscommercial.com
• Instagram: @foundationscommercial
• Facebook: @foundationscommercial
• Linkedin: @kirstenflory
• Twitter: @ksgal
• Youtube: @thesmallbusinessmindsetpod841

Image Credits
Trina Baker Photography and Schaumburg Photography