An Interview With Ben Ari
Create opportunities for learning in a judgment free zone. No questions is a dumb question and we are all here to help one another learn. Offer trainings, bring subject matter experts in, allow people the freedom to invest in themselves by attending workshops.
As a part of our series called “How To Design Office Spaces That People Love To Work In”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kunal Seth.
Kunal Seth coaches business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees on how to take full control of their financial independence and build a wealthy future. Kunal Seth is also a real estate agent and co-founder of The Seth Brothers, a Houston, TX team that has accumulated over Half a Billion in closed transactions since its inception in 2014. Kunal firmly believes that to have success you must surround yourself with successful, like-minded individuals
Thank you so much for joining us in this series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Growing up I saw my parents work hard to provide for me and my sister, sending us to top tier boarding schools in India. When I had the opportunity to come to America I saw the opportunity to make my parents proud. I started my real estate journey after living the corporate American dream because I saw the opportunity to do more for my kids, to leave a legacy for them that they could be proud of. Part of the dream I had for my legacy was to build a monument to my family and leave them with something much more than I could ever imagine, a sense of pride in their family name. Today, I am doing everything I can to ensure that my dream, my legacy is successful for my kids and family.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
After my business partner and I bought this plot of land in the heart of Sugar Land, this land that was going to be an investment in the future of our business, COVID hit. The whole world shut down and offices were on the way out in terms of demand. Everyone wanted to work from home and it seemed there was no end in sight. Despite what the news and market was telling us, we hung on to the land in hopes we could fulfill our dreams and watch this legacy be built.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting and a lesson you learned from that?
As a young entrepreneur and business owner I started looking to hire individuals with experience and talent but even will all the experience in the world my business was not growing at the rate I thought it should. I was stuck with dissatisfied employees that didn’t care about the work they were doing or who they were doing it for. Once I shifted my hiring strategy to look for individuals that were a good cultural fit, I saw a noticeable difference in my company and the services we were providing, skills and trades can be taught but culture cannot. Anyone can have a real estate team; anyone can open an office space but the people that work at each company is what makes or breaks your experience. I have built a team and staffed my office with team members that people enjoy and want to be around. The cultural and personal experience in an office makes a huge difference.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t’ have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” — Steve Jobs Co-Found Apple Inc.
My vision is to bring success to my community and leave a lasting legacy for my kids and grandkids. That is why I get up and hustle every day. The vision I have for my community and family is why I constantly look to improve my business, take in feedback, and look for opportunities of mutual success with partners.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Jim Ellison VP of Sales and Marketing for Taylor Morrison Homes was the first person in a leadership role that showed me support and took a chance on me. Jim recognized my talent and saw that I had something of value to offer his business. In 2014 he nominated me for the Greater Houston Builder Association Realtor of the Year. His company was the first builder to ask me to train their sales team on How to Win and Decode Indian Buyers.
Jim’s belief in my potential and his willingness to invest time and energy in my development have been transformative. I am immensely grateful for his presence in my life and the profound impact he has had on my path to success.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
The third floor of my building is being constructed as a hub for coaching a training. This space will be available to everyone in the community from entrepreneurs to educational leaders. Fort Bend County does not currently have a place like this that focuses on growth, community and collaboration.
The third floor will also potentially be home to a life size floor plan venture where builders, architects, and buyers can connect, visualize, and bring dreams to life. This company will allow buyers to see their floor plan to scale, move furniture in and out, and walk their dream home before they ever break ground.
Business owners will be able to do the same, walk their building, visualize every detail and make changes that will benefit them and their business before having the headache of making changes mid build.
Thank you for that. Here is the main question of our discussion. What are your “Five Things You Should Do To Design Office Spaces That People Love To Work In” and why.
1 . Create open spaces the fuel collaboration and mutual success. If we are all invested in one another’s success, we can go farther together. Examples would be a Collaboration Lounge, it is not just a breakroom, it’s a place for people to bounce idea’s off once another, but sure, having great coffee helps.
2 . Create opportunities for learning in a judgment free zone. No questions is a dumb question and we are all here to help one another learn. Offer trainings, bring subject matter experts in, allow people the freedom to invest in themselves by attending workshops.
3 . Include a space to unwind. Everyday business owners and entrepreneurs are focused on hustling, networking, and growing their company but everyone needs to take time to rest, relax, and focus on their mental/physical wellbeing. Having a dedicated space to slow down busy minds and bodies is important and it is a unique feature that adds value to your office.
4 . Build a Social Media/Podcast/Content Creation Room! So much business today is done online. Tik Tok, Facebook, YouTube, all popular places to put out ads, grab the attention of your customers, and drive your business. All of that equipment is expensive and could be difficult for a new or small business owner to justify the cost so build it for them and they will come!
5 . Connect your space to nature! Natural light, large windows, and open spaces go a long way in an office. The days of closed up cubicles and lifeless dull offices are over. You need color, you need nature, and you need light! These attributes help people become more productive, make the office more enjoyable, and helps individuals unplug, even if it’s for 5 minutes at a time, taking a well needed mental break and enjoying some trees or busy streets.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
The movement I am enthusiastic about initiating revolves around the concept of reactivating the First Generation Mindset, a mindset rooted in the unwavering belief in oneself and the courage to take calculated risks without the fallback of a Plan B. In today’s world, many individuals desire to elevate their financial prospects and gain a sense of control over their destinies, yet they remain committed to the safety net of a traditional 9-to-5 job. This arrangement often leads them to inadvertently serve as the instruments of someone else’s vision, committed to someone else’s dreams while not focusing on their own.
My conviction lies in the belief that true empowerment and fulfillment stem from seizing control of your present circumstances. This entails not only trusting in your abilities but also having the courage to explore uncharted territories, innovate, and persevere through the inevitable challenges that accompany entrepreneurial endeavors. Reactivating the First Generation Mindset means embracing uncertainty as an opportunity, not a deterrent, and daring to pursue your passions and dreams with relentless determination. It’s about breaking free from the shackles of conformity and forging a path towards self-discovery and success, on your own terms. This movement aims to inspire individuals to take charge of their lives, fostering a culture of self-belief, innovation, and resilience, where they are the architects of their destinies.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this, especially if we tag them 🙂
Absolutely, without a doubt, if I had the opportunity, I would love to share a private breakfast or lunch with Elon Musk. He stands as one of the most influential and innovative minds of our time, embodying the essence of a self-driven entrepreneur. Elon Musk has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology and space exploration with companies like SpaceX and Tesla. Meeting him would be a unique chance to gain insights into his visionary thinking, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his unwavering determination to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from sustainable energy solutions to the future of space travel. His ability to disrupt and reshape industries is truly remarkable, and a conversation with this self-driven entrepreneur would undoubtedly be an inspiring and enlightening experience.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
https://www.facebook.com/kunalsethofficial
https://www.instagram.com/kunalsethofficial/
https://www.youtube.com/@kunalsethbrothers4393
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational!
Kunal Seth On How To Design Office Spaces That People Love To Work In was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.