Victoria Jasper

I would attribute my success to the great mentors I’ve had throughout my career, my willingness to take each day as it comes, and being highly driven. You have to be driven in this industry because it is fully commission-based. There’s no one following you around to see what time you clock in or clock out. The more effort, discipline, and consistency you put into your career, the more you’ll get out of it. That mindset has been a major contributor to my success.

Treat every transaction—past, present, or future—like a golf swing. Every one is different. You may shank the ball left or right, the deal may fall apart, or you may hit the perfect shot onto the green and have the easiest transaction you’ve ever done. But every time you step up to the tee box, you’re starting at ground zero. The conditions are different, the course is different, and you have to approach each transaction independently.

Ultimately, never let the outcome of your previous round dictate how you approach your current or future transactions. Learn from each deal, but always treat the next one as a fresh opportunity.

Find a mentor when you’re entering the business. I would especially encourage young women to seek out other women in the industry, but whether it’s a man or a woman, having someone in your corner can make a tremendous difference. Commercial real estate can be a difficult industry to break into, particularly when you’re starting out in a fully commission-based role and reaching out to C-suite executives. Having someone who is willing to take the time to teach you, answer questions, and help you navigate the business is invaluable.

And as you progress in your career, remember to pay it forward. The mentor who helps you today may inspire you to become that mentor for someone else 20 years from now.

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in the office market right now is the continued evolution of hybrid and remote work. Since the pandemic, many companies have been reevaluating how much office space they actually need, while employees have become less accustomed to being in the office five days a week. As a result, companies with larger footprints have had to significantly reduce their space, and many are taking a more cautious approach to making long-term real estate decisions.

That uncertainty has also affected lease terms. Pre-pandemic, 10-year leases were much more common, whereas today we are seeing more companies pursue shorter terms, often in the three- to seven-year leases. Companies are still trying to understand what their workforce and office needs will look like several years from now, particularly as hybrid and remote work policies continue to evolve.

At the same time, this creates opportunities for landlords and tenants to be more creative and strategic in structuring deals and designing office environments that give companies the flexibility they need.

The values that are most important to me, both personally and professionally, are honesty, resilience, and hard work. I believe in being honest and transparent with the people I work with, even when the conversation may be difficult. Resilience is especially important in commercial real estate because not every transaction goes as planned, and you have to be able to learn from setbacks and keep moving forward. And ultimately, I believe hard work speaks for itself. The effort, discipline, and consistency you put into your career have a direct impact on what you’re able to accomplish.