From an office bombing to a real estate empire with Ian Black

August 22, 2024

Ian Black has been in the commercial real estate industry for some 60 years, first in his native Northern Ireland and, since 1982, Sarasota. He founded his own company in 2003, and Ian Black Real Estate over the past 20 years has worked on, brokered and played a key part in several prominent Sarasota projects, especially downtown and in the Rosemary district. Ian is also on multiple civic and nonprofit boards in Sarasota, leading to city officials declaring Oct. 6 Ian Black Day.

Together, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Ian talked about the secrets to a long career in commercial real estate — namely his management model that allows for brokers to grow and own parts of the success. They also talked about working in Ireland during The Troubles of the 1970s and 1980s and a key piece of advice Ian learned from his father, about trust and integrity, from a Mark Twain quote. Ian also says the key to the city on Ian Black Day was a big honor — but the key doesn’t actually open anything.

3 Takeaways

((10:40) Giving people ownership provides stability in the company
(12:10) You are only as good as your reputation
(19:30) Leave the world better than you found it

Timestamps

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:25) Introducing Ian Black, Founder of Ian Black Real Estate
(04:40) Having your office bombed
(06:30) How life experiences prepare you for entrepreneurship
(07:30) Starting Ian Black Real Estate
(09:00) The importance of leadership
(11:10) What do you look for in other leaders?
(12:55) Learning from your parents
(14:25) Leadership advice
(16:20) Example of a failure you learned from
(18:35) Why is being involved in the community important?
(22:30) October 6 is officially Ian Black Day in Sarasota
(23:45) Rapid fire questions

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