Lessons Learned Across Transportation, Tech, and Real Estate
Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. I’ve learned that firsthand by building and leading businesses in three very different industries: transportation, technology, and real estate. Each field comes with its own rules, challenges, and opportunities—but navigating these landscapes has taught me a few universal lessons that guide every decision I make.
1. People First—No Matter the Industry
Whether you’re managing bus routes, writing code, or negotiating a real estate deal, one thing remains the same: people are at the core of everything. Customers, employees, partners—they all want transparency, reliability, and respect.
At Buffalo Transportation Inc. and Erie Bus Inc., we move thousands of people every day. That responsibility has grounded me in the importance of trust and consistency. Those same values now shape how I lead at iSi Technology and how I manage long-term tenants in my real estate properties.
2. Simplicity Wins
In transportation, a missed detail can result in a missed ride. In tech, an overly complex product becomes unusable. And in real estate, overbuilding can kill cash flow. Across the board, I’ve learned to simplify where possible.
At iSi Technology, this means creating software that’s intuitive, not overwhelming. In my real estate ventures, it means focusing on clean, functional spaces over unnecessary extravagance. Simplicity creates clarity—and clarity drives results.
3. Operations Make or Break You
No idea, product, or service can survive poor execution. I’ve seen brilliant business models fall apart due to bad processes, while lean operations thrive with great systems.
That’s why I place a huge emphasis on backend operations—from how our buses are dispatched, to how payments are tracked in our software, to how maintenance is handled in a rental property. Details matter.
4. Technology Is a Force Multiplier
Even outside of the tech world, technology can elevate performance dramatically. The systems I’ve implemented in my transportation and real estate companies—often built or guided by iSi Technology—have saved time, reduced costs, and unlocked growth.
Entrepreneurs in “traditional” industries shouldn’t shy away from tech. Embrace it, or risk being left behind.
5. Long-Term Thinking Beats Short-Term Wins
Real estate taught me this early on. Buildings appreciate, tenants change, markets shift—but those who plan for 10 years instead of 10 months always come out stronger.
This mindset now informs everything I do. I’d rather build slowly with intention than rush toward a quick exit. Sustainable growth, loyal relationships, and lasting impact are the real endgame.
Final Thoughts
Working across industries has challenged me to adapt, rethink, and evolve constantly. It’s kept me humble—but also hungry. Each venture has made me better in the others. That’s the real lesson: success compounds when you carry what you’ve learned forward.
If you’re building something—whether it’s a fleet, a startup, or a portfolio—stay curious. The best insights often come from outside your own field.
