Michael Maher is a serial entrepreneur who started Benjamin's Desk, a mid-Atlantic coworking operator, as well as Bunker Labs which is a veteran-focused incubator, and most recently, Houwzer, the startup whose mission is to disrupt the $80-billion a year real estate agency model. Michael attended the Naval Academy and spent two years deployed across the world, and this has influenced his perspective and mission-driven manner of leadership and management. Kevin and Michael dive into his various ventures, the inspiration that led to their formation, and the opportunities and challenges that he has encountered in his entrepreneurial journey. Michael also shares more about how his focus on people and relationships has contributed to his success, as well as how he hopes to make Houwzer the next great real estate company. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[1:18] Kevin introduces his guest for this episode — Michael Maher.
[2:49] Kevin does a speed round with Michael.
[6:30] Michael shares a little about his background in leadership positions.
[9:27] Michael graduated in 2005 and served in the Navy as a ship driver. He explains what that means, as well more about his experience in the Navy.
[13:24] How did Michael learn about sales in the Navy?
[16:05] Kevin and Michael discuss his first experience with coworking.
[18:46] What was the inspiration for Benjamin's Desk?
[21:43] Kevin and Michael discuss whether there will be consolidation and scaling in the coworking space.
[27:48] Kevin and Michael dive into the financial aspect of Benjamin's Desk and the consolidation with 1776.
[33:06] Michael shares more about his first business plan for Houwzer which relied on Transaction Tracking Technology (T3).
[38:32] What was business plan #2 like?
[43:50] What is the revenue model and the sources of revenue in Michael's business?
[51:28] Michael and Kevin take a look at the real estate market.
[53:26] What are Michael's greatest fears and hopes for Houwzer?
[1:01:32] What is the financial incentive for Michael's salaried employees to "upsell" to the client?
[1:03:56] Michael shares more about his fundraising activities for his business.
[1:11:38] Michael recounts the story of meeting Ira Lubert in a barber shop.
[1:15:24] Michael contributes a certain percentage of the company's profits to charities, volunteering and employee ownership. How did he decide to set his company up as such, and how does he expect that to change in the future?
[1:25:55] Kevin shares some closing thoughts.
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