This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this inspiring episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Sieria “Sisi” Payne shares her incredible journey from launching a restaurant in a corporate business park to co-developing a multi-phase community project in her hometown of Milwaukee. Her story is a powerful testament to vision, grit, and purpose-driven development.Sisi opens up about the full life cycle of her first major commercial project — a 10,000 sq ft building she redeveloped into a restaurant and coworking space, then later sold to auto industry investors near a brand-new Porsche dealership. That exit became the launchpad for her next big leap: co-developing a church-led community development including senior housing, a memory care center, and single-family homes.Throughout the conversation, Sisi emphasizes the power of partnerships, trusting your gut, and building legacy — not just wealth.Topics Covered Include: ✅ Turning a corporate office park into a restaurant + coworking concept ✅ Navigating unexpected opportunities (and when to let go) ✅ Selling her “baby” and reinvesting into bigger development projects ✅ Co-developing a faith-based, multi-phase project with impact ✅ The power of partnerships and how she vets them ✅ Balancing entrepreneurship with parenting and staying motivated ✅ Advice for aspiring developers: don’t go it alone, find mentors ✅ Why giving back, building legacy, and creating opportunities for others is the ultimate ROISisi also talks candidly about her roots, her passion for philanthropy, and her plans to expand into senior living development in Georgia and luxury projects in Texas — all while learning the builder side of the business and mentoring others along the way.💡 “Money is easy to make. What matters is giving your time, your energy, and putting people in position to win.” – Sisi Payne👉 Ready to become a local developer in your town? Apply for the Mentorship:https://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/dev-mentorship🎧 Access all platforms, the Developer Vault, and more:https://linktr.ee/localrealestatedeveloper .Guest Name: Sieria “Sisi” PayneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sieriapayne/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sisi_thedeveloper/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siorcocktails/ 🎬 Chapters00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Development01:35 Sisi's Journey into Development02:54 Transitioning to Commercial Real Estate04:41 Challenges in Redeveloping a Commercial Space11:20 Navigating Operational Challenges in the Restaurant Business17:24 Community Impact of Development Projects19:52 The Decision to Sell and Move Forward23:59 Future Development Plans in Milwaukee26:32 Partnership Dynamics in Real Estate Development31:04 Motivation and Legacy: Driving Forces Behind Development34:47 Advice for Aspiring Developers: Networking and Learning40:16 Future Projects and Vision for Development#LocalRealEstateDeveloper #ThinkBigStartLocal #RealEstateWithHeart #LREDPodcast #BuildWhatMatters #CommunityFirst #FromVacantToVibrant #MentorshipMatters #NeighborhoodRebuilders #GatekeepingEndsHere
