Brent Crawford and Bob Hoying, partners at Crawford Hoying, a real estate and property management company, recently shared their experiences and insights with a crowd of nearly 50 young professionals during the annual ULI Columbus Young Leaders Studio. Moderated by Chad Kiner, senior vice president of loan originations at MSF Real Estate Capital, the event offered both the back story of the company as well as advice for young professionals.

At the event venue, The Lane in Upper Arlington, one of Crawford Hoying’s most gratifying deals and considered to be their first large development, the partners focused their comments on how people are the main reason the company is where it is today, noting “Every organization is 100% about people.”

Crawford and Hoying’s advice also centered around the fundamental importance of trust in doing business. “If you can’t trust [them] then it doesn’t matter.” They also emphasized the importance of finding one’s skill set, partnering with somebody who is good at what you’re not and finding someone who believes and trusts in you and what you’re doing. “Accept what you are not good at it, and quit pretending,” they noted.

Crawford owned roughly 100 units by the time he graduated from Ohio State. By chance he met Ohio State football quarterback Hoying, whose NFL career included stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders, on the golf course. Crawford and Hoying noted how their different personalities—Brent’s more risk-taking, email-checking personality and Bob’s more conservative, email-disliking personality—complement each other as business partners and has resulted in the success they are seeing today.

When asked what is next, Brent and Bob stated that you’ve “got to be able to pivot” and move quickly to something else. Time will tell what the next project will be for this company, but it is safe to say that whatever and wherever it is, it will revolve around the successful, people-centric formula they employ today.

Written By:
Michael Douglas
Research Analyst, WP Glimcher
ULI Columbus Young Leaders Group Vice Chair