James Chung: Maverick Surfer, Retail Visionary

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Bruce sits down with James Chung, a seasoned retail broker and founder of The Econic Company. From hitchhiking to Newport Beach to surf as a teen to navigating the ever-evolving world of commercial real estate, James shares how his journey from Tallahassee to the Bay Area shaped both his personal and professional life.

Listeners will hear how James' passion for surfing instilled in him the instincts and commitment that fuel his career. He opens up about his early experiences at Berkeley, his leap from the tech world into retail brokerage, and how a failed tech startup became the launchpad for his thriving real estate career.

James also dives into how his firm manages 40+ million square feet of retail space, their unique client acquisition approach, and his thoughts on the future of downtown San Francisco retail. With insights into national expansion, the power of relationships in real estate, and how ICSC has shaped his network, this is an inspiring and practical episode for anyone in the CRE space.

 

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