New York, NY CREW New York kicked off its 2015-16 Luncheon Series with a sold-out event featuring Daun Paris, president and co-founder of Eastern Consolidated, as the keynote speaker. At the conclusion of her remarks, Paris received a standing ovation from the 200 real estate professionals attending the event, which was held on October 6 at Club 101. Paris, who started Eastern Consolidated in 1981 with Peter Hauspurg, chairman and CEO, said that what began as two brokers and a dream has evolved into a company with a staff of 110 people including over 75 brokers who speak over a dozen languages. In addition to investment sales, Eastern offers retail leasing and capital advisory services and will end this year with close to $3 billion in sales. She commented on the cyclical nature of the real estate industry and noted that when faced with management challenges and economic downturns, Eastern prevailed because it changed the paradigm and turned conventional wisdom on its head. For example, during the down cycles, the firm expanded and hired a constellation of star brokers that captured a disproportionate share of the deals available. According to Paris, about 20 of the star brokers Eastern hired decades ago are still with the company. At the luncheon, Paris specifically recognized six highly respected brokers who are dynamic women with distinguished track records that remain among the top deal makers in New York City--Azita Aghravi, Deborah Gutoff, Ety Lee, Adelaide Polsinelli, Ronda Rogovin, and Marcia Yawitz. “In an industry characterized by sharp elbows, sometimes cutthroat tactics, and huge movements of brokers and employees from company to company, Eastern has been fortunate to attract and retain talented people year after year,” said Paris. “Our ability to attract and retain great brokers, clients and loyal employees, was certainly a function of our skills, our contacts, and our professionalism, but it was ultimately, about how we treated our own people and our clients.” Paris shared the following lessons learned running a business over the last 34 years - innovate; borrow strategies from outside the industry; hire heavy; trust your instincts; create an environment where your employees can take risks; listen to your clients and your team; and most important remember that in times of turmoil there is always opportunity. Nationally recognized for her industry expertise and successful mentorship program, Paris is a dynamic leader who directs the day-to-day operations of Eastern Consolidated. She provides strategic direction for the company as a whole, while serving as a hands-on mentor for an experienced and diverse roster of brokers. Paris has distinguished herself from the start, not only for being a female trailblazer, but also for specializing in the sale and acquisition of office buildings, development properties and hotels. She continues to be a leader the industry as one of the few women in command of a commercial real estate company. Tags: