Welcome to this episode of The Tori Nook Talk Show! In this episode, Tori sits down with Ken Ashley, Executive Director and senior leader at Cushman & Wakefield, founder of CREI Summit, and author of the upcoming book The Real Estate Prescription (launching March 10). With nearly three decades advising CRE companies and executives, Ken breaks down how commercial real estate really works at the highest level, and why the best brokers don’t just “do deals” but help businesses perform better.
🎯 Topics covered:
• The 80/20 principle and focusing on high-impact work
• The mindset behind CREI Summit and building a real community
• AI, decision speed, and modern risk in the workplace
• Servant leadership, civic rent, and the power of recognition
• Marriage, family, joy at home, and staying present
• Wealth habits, paying yourself first, and building long-term stability
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome + meeting Ken Ashley
01:20 – Ken’s background: C&W, CREI Summit, leadership, service
04:15 – What shaped Ken most as a leader
05:40 – Marriage, family, and “peace at home”
07:45 – Real estate should enable business performance
10:05 – What’s changed in CRE decision-making: speed, risk, AI
12:10 – Habits behind sustained success: the 80/20 principle
14:35 – Why Ken started CREI Summit in 2020
16:35 – The meaning behind “influence” and community
18:45 – Helping young pros: mentors, access, and learning faster
20:05 – Ken’s book: The Real Estate Prescription (March 10)
23:00 – Tough seasons: starting at C&W, 2009, and debt lessons
25:40 – “Close the door and make the calls”
26:50 – Niches, focus, and not trying to “serve the whole market”
28:00 – Resilience and the gratitude audit
29:45 – Paying your civic rent and serving the community
32:00 – Delegation and Who Not How
33:10 – Success at home vs. success at work
36:40 – Love as a decision, not an emotion
40:55 – Staying grounded and living in the now
43:30 – Intuition, thin slicing, and integrity decisions
46:20 – Legacy, leadership, and serving others
48:30 – Wealth basics: pay yourself first, build long-term stability
54:20 – Where to follow Ken + resources
👤 Connect with Ken Ashley
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenashleyatlanta/
CREI Summit: https://creisummit.com
Website (coming soon): https://therealestateprescription.org
👤 Connect with Tori Nook
Website: https://torinook.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torirendanonook/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tori_nook/
🎧 The Tori Nook Talk Show is where real conversations meet real success. Subscribe for weekly or biweekly episodes that explore how leaders build personal and professional fulfillment on their own terms.
