Small Town Dreamer to Real Estate Visionary - Simon Ziff

What does it take to go from a small-town kid with big dreams to running a firm that’s handled over $100 billion in real estate deals? Find out as I sit down with Simon Ziff, president of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group.Simon’s story isn’t just about success; it’s about the hustle, the relationships, and the decisions that shaped a career spanning decades. From mastering the art of building trust on the golf course as a kid to navigating billion-dollar real estate deals, Simon shares how he turned curiosity and persistence into a lifelong advantage.We talk about the highs and lows—from navigating career-defining moments like moving to New York City with just a dream, to his decision to keep his firm independent while competitors sold out to corporate giants. Simon’s approach to life and work is refreshingly honest, blending old-school values with forward-thinking strategies to stay ahead in an unpredictable market.But this episode isn’t just about business. Simon lets us in on the other sides of his life—his love for genealogy, passion for tech, designing apps to pruning trees at dawn, Simon’s zest for life is as compelling as his career.If you’re looking for inspiration, real talk, and a fresh perspective on what it means to succeed while staying true to yourself, you won’t want to miss this. Click play—you’ll walk away with more than a few lessons worth keeping.00:00 - The Journey to Success02:03 - Childhood Influences and Early Leadership10:04 - Transitioning from Retail to Real Estate19:57 - Building a Career in Real Estate30:04 - Maintaining Ethics and Team Dynamics37:13 - Navigating Economic Uncertainty43:02 - Advice for Young Professionals45:55 - Exploring Other Interests and HobbiesSimon on Socials: IG: @ackmanziff X: @simonZiff_AZ or @ackmanziff LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonziff/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/ackman-ziff/ https://www.ackmanziff.com/ Jon on Socials:IG: @streetschultzFB: Jon Schultz X: @JonSchultz_Onyx LinkedIn: jonschultz1 www.jonschultz.com