Welcome to this episode of The Tori Nook Talk Show. In this conversation, Tori sits down with Rafael Weiss, CEO and Co-Founder of Sytes, a fast-growing tech platform built to streamline site selection for retailers, tenant reps, landlords, and developers. Rafael is also a developer with JW Advance and an experienced thoroughbred horse breeder, bringing a mix of CRE insight, entrepreneurial grit, and personal story into this conversation.
They walk through how Sytes originated out of frustration with the slow, fragmented dealmaking process in retail real estate. In addition to covering how the platform works, they dig into broader industry themes including deal velocity, tenant rep challenges, development timelines, and why transparency creates more opportunity for everyone involved in the CRE pipeline. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Rafael shares his journey from DJ and music producer to developer and tech founder, highlighting how persistence, curiosity, and self-education shaped each step.
🎯 Topics covered:
• How Sytes was created to fix inefficiencies in CRE deal flow
• The communication gap between tenant reps and developers
• Why speed, clarity, and accurate criteria improve dealmaking
• Industry resistance to change and how adoption is shifting
• Lessons from development, risk, and long-term planning
• Personal growth, family influence, and transitioning careers
• The thoroughbred racing world and why horses teach patience
Whether you are a broker, developer, retailer, or an operator who wants cleaner deal flow, this episode offers practical insights on how data and communication can drive better outcomes in CRE.
⸻
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 Meeting Rafael Weiss and the origins of Sytes
03:40 From music production to commercial real estate
09:26 Why the retail industry needs better visibility
14:18 The biggest pain points between developers and tenant reps
19:32 How Sytes removes friction from the deal process
25:14 Early adopters, results, and real examples
31:47 Broker resistance and how the culture is shifting
37:55 What faster dealmaking means for lenders and underwriting
43:12 The future of the platform and long-term vision
46:48 Rafael’s background in breeding and racing thoroughbreds
54:20 Life lessons from horses, patience, and discipline
59:40 Final thoughts and where to connect with Rafael
👤 Connect with Rafael Weiss
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaelweiss/
Sytes: https://sytescre.com
👤 Connect with Tori Nook
Website: https://torinook.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torirendanonook/
Instagram: @tori_nook
X: @torinook
Youtube: @torinook
🎧 The Tori Nook Talk Show is where real conversations meet real success. Subscribe for weekly or biweekly episodes that explore how leaders across industries build personal and professional fulfillment on their own terms.
