Kane of Iridium discusses launching a new real estate investment firm

Marilyn Kane is the president of Iridium Capital. She was named by Crain's New York Business as one of "New York's 100 Most Influential Women in Business." Real Estate Weekly named her one of the top "100 Women Real Estate Leaders of the 21st Century." Real Estate New York included Kane in their "2007 Women of Influence" issue. She founded the New York City chapter of the Coalition for Family Justice, an advocacy group involved with child support issues. Kane is affiliated with AREW and NYCREW. The question posed: "What motivates me to succeed and what are my goals for the future?" gave me pause when I realized that it is definitely not money but rather to be well thought of and have forward-thinking ideas that ultimately provide a service...probably in real estate, if not in life. This is why I have recently challenged myself and created a new goal for future success by launching a new real estate fund management firm. Lately, I have been talking to investors and, besides discussing a rather recurring theme of what doldrums the commercial industry is in right now, a resounding theme has been, "what is a safe investment for the smaller investor wanting to include a little real estate in their portfolio?" To this end, I decided that I would use capital from all my years of success in the industry and launch a new real estate fund management firm, Iridium Capital. My partner Sean Shanahan and I have been touting NNN, or triple net, investments. I think it's time people realize that you don't need to be a major mogul to invest in real estate. I feel that women in particular shy away from making decisions about their investments and are willing to do what their advisors tell them without considering alternative investment opportunities. I wonder why more folks are not versed in the fact that monies languishing in IRA and retirement accounts can be rolled into real estate by using a self-directed IRA. So, in re-inventing real estate for myself and my firm, in launching Iridium Capital, LLC, will manage real estate funds that hold NNN-leased property and target long-term consistent returns and appreciation through commercial real estate investments. Iridium Capital's goal is to create funds that provide the beneficial returns of owning commercial real estate to investors lacking the necessary capital or skills to individually acquire and manage income-producing investments. I am bent on creating mini-moguls who feel their time has come! Marilyn Kane is the president of Iridium Capital, New York, N.Y.