How to Break Into Commercial Real Estate With No Connections | Daynon Kirby

Most people never choose a career in commercial real estate because they never realize it is an option. They do not grow up around brokers, developers, investors, or property managers. They do not know the language, the career paths, or the people who can open the first door. Daynon Kirby is working to change that. In this episode of Commercially Speaking, Daynon returns to introduce the Black Foundation, a commercial real estate-focused private foundation built around access, education, investment, and attainable housing. The organization helps minorities, veterans, students, and aspiring professionals discover the many career paths available throughout commercial real estate while creating practical pathways into the industry. Daynon also explains why the foundation is building its own investment arm rather than depending entirely on donations. Its model combines people and profits, using commercial real estate, private equity, and other investments to create a mission that can sustain and expand itself. We also get extremely practical about what someone should do when they want to enter commercial real estate but have no family connections or industry experience. In this conversation: - How to break into commercial real estate with no connections • Why CRE offers far more careers than brokerage • How to identify the strongest firms in your local market • What young professionals can offer a brokerage immediately • How AI can help you research firms and create real value • Why joining a collaborative team may be better than starting alone • How to approach experienced professionals without asking to “pick their brain” • The power of CCIM education, scholarships, and relationships • How veterans can transition into commercial real estate • Why attainable housing is a central part of the Black Foundation’s mission • How the foundation combines philanthropy with investments • Why a hand up can create more lasting change than a handout This episode is for students, veterans, career changers, young professionals, and anyone who senses that commercial real estate could change their future but has no idea where to begin. Learn more about Daynon and the Black Foundation: The Black Foundation: theblackfoundationinc.com LinkedIn: Search “The Black Foundation” and Daynon Kirby CCIM resources and education: ccim.com Find a local CCIM professional: findaccim.com **Thanks To Our Sponsors** - 🤖 Superpowers HQ – *Need an executive assistant that will anticipate your needs? Get one here*: superpowershq.com/commerciallyspeaking - 💰🏙️ CRE Investor Coach: *No Guess Work, No Wasted Time* — https://bit.ly/43t6Vrl Subscribe to Commercially Speaking for more conversations about commercial real estate, investing, brokerage, business, and the people changing the industry. **00:00 – Daynon Kirby Returns With a New Mission** **03:20 – What Is the Black Foundation?** **08:15 – Building a Nonprofit That Funds Itself** **12:50 – Commercial Real Estate Creates Generational Wealth** **17:10 – Why Most People Never Consider a Career in CRE** **22:30 – Careers in Commercial Real Estate Beyond Brokerage** **27:40 – Who Is Actually Suited for Commercial Real Estate?** **33:20 – How to Break Into Commercial Real Estate With No Connections** **39:30 – Join a Team or Start Alone?** **45:10 – What Young Professionals Can Offer Immediately** **51:25 – How to Find the Best CRE Firms in Your Market** **58:10 – Using AI to Research Commercial Real Estate Companies** **01:05:00 – How to Approach a Broker Without Wasting Their Time** **01:11:30 – Networking When You Don’t Know Anyone** **01:18:20 – The Truth About Affordable and Attainable Housing** **01:24:10 – Creating Change Through Mindset and Opportunity** **01:31:00 – Paying Opportunity Forward** **01:36:40 – How CRE Professionals Can Become Mentors** **01:42:30 – Why CCIM Can Transform a Commercial Real Estate Career** **01:49:00 – Opportunities for Veterans in Commercial Real Estate** **01:54:30 – How to Get Involved With the Black Foundation**