Ryan Swingruber, co-founder of Heyday, an Arlington Heights, Illinois-based development company is making waves in the build-to-rent (B2R) space. The quickly growing firm focuses on multifamily development with a national footprint and recently celebrated the grand opening of its first community – Heyday Sun Prairie. With several other developments underway, Swingruber explains how he leads in this niche but fast-growing commercial real estate market.
Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about leading in a challenging environment?
A: It’s essential to stay positive and optimistic while focusing on long term goals. A leader’s mindset can be contagious among their team and challenges are more likely to be overcome when everyone has bought into working towards a common goal.
Q: What’s the most common mistake leaders make in an inhospitable market?
A: Leaders often lose sight of long term objectives by only focusing on short term solutions when times are difficult; thus potentially losing out on valuable opportunities for growth over time due to cyclical markets .
Q :What leadership advice would you like to give your younger self?
A : Planning ahead is key as well as understanding all data points involved before creating any plan or strategy; successful execution will follow from there . Trusting yourself along with those around you who may have more knowledge than yourself is also critical for success .
Q :What’s the best decision you’ve ever made as a business leader ? A : Realizing my strengths and weaknesses at project onset then empowering those around me who know better than I do with resources , support , trust ; leveraging their expertise was invaluable for success
