Meet the real estate partners shaping the Orange County community

Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, often accompanied by the challenges and self-improvement that come with running a business. Real estate partners is an Orange County-based peer group of business owners who are like-minded craftsmen, artisans, and contractors who have found a way to be better together.

By bringing together ten non-competitive professions with the most demanding architects, designers and buildersThe collaborative group was able to meet new clients, grow their business and have fun at the same time.

“Our goal is to help each other as people as well as business owners,” says Natasha Hogan, vice president of marketing and business development at Dugally Oberfeldwho chairs the group.

The estate partners meet twice a month and host wonderful events such as client appreciation dinners on the beach, local outings and annual retreats with guests to celebrate the best design execution. They met on Catalina Island in 2023 which included a tour of the private and historic El Rancho Escondido ranch, in operation since the 1930s, and private tours of the casino.

Photo courtesy of Catalina Island Conservancy

Project Credit: Epic Stone Photo by: Larry Falke

In addition to the ten core members, guests included the most impressive architects, builders and designers Orange Countyall with the aim of getting to know each other better to advance the local design industry. And have fun.

“We fill our cups when we get together,” says Sam Hirsch, CEO of Richard Marshall Fine Parquet Flooringwho says the group has brought him much more than business.

“We bring this whole group of people together and no one feels like they have to compete with each other; we’re all rooting for the same team,” adds Dave Penton, president of Fluid dynamics Swimming pool & Spa, who also shared that his business has grown through his involvement with Estate Partners.

Project: Fluid Dynamics Pool and Spa Photo by: Douglas Hill Photography

Founder and CEO of Estate Partners CANTARE Jason Voorhees shared his origin story with me.

As a young entrepreneur, he started selling construction trailers in upscale neighborhoods in 2009 to grow his business. He quickly realized he wasn’t alone and wondered, “What if we could cooperate and not have to invent our own wheels? What if the best in each category came together because birds of a feather flock together?” And that’s when Estate Partners was born.

“Today, we collaborate at a high level because we trust each other. We share our experiences on projects and solve problems with each other. Over the last five years, the group has solidified in an extraordinary way through a deeper connection that has become powerful personal relationships that function like your best business friends, even more, best friends ever,” Voorhees explains.

Photo courtesy of Estate Partners

“I love meeting someone and finding out that I want to be friends with them. And then when you see how we can support each other, it’s really magical,” he adds.

“I’ve built strong relationships with Estate Partners. I’ve known most of the people in our group for years, but I haven’t had any interactions with them beyond casual encounters. Estate Partners has allowed me to get to know them on a much deeper level and spend more time with them to get to know them and their stories. It’s really powerful,” says Lilly.

“We’re friends and we talk about the dynamics of being a business owner,” says Hogan, who brings in a business coach for the group several times a year.

“We’re not a networking group – we’re more like a Vistage or an EO – but we have our own structure that holds our group of ten real estate partners together,” Hogan adds.

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“The structured part is key. It creates cohesion within the group. We hold each other accountable for showing up for every meeting. If you don’t show up for the meetings, you get a call. Overall, it’s been very beneficial for me from a business, marketing and overall perspective,” Penton says.

“We all come to our businesses with different strengths and weaknesses, so when we discuss problems, we can bring our unique perspective, expertise and point of view. I leave those meetings thinking, ‘I can do better.’ Learning from each other makes my business better,” Hirsch says.

“As business owners“When challenges arise, it can feel like you’re on an island. It’s reassuring to talk to other people who might be struggling the same way,” Lilly says. “We share resources and leads and help each other find the right partners. We all try to support each other. I work with most of the members on their projects. It’s like a sisterhood, we help each other out.”

“The value of a group is not just one big piece, but a collection of small pieces that add up to a whole. When there are enough of them, these types of improvements can transform your business,” Hirsch says.

Photo courtesy of Estate Partners

“The group invites builders, architects and designers to its biggest events. It’s all about sharing values ​​and doing your best,” says Voorhees. “We carefully select our guest list, so our events create a great atmosphere. We invite people who are naturally collaborative and open to learning, who are always motivated to do their best.”

O’Neill acknowledges that the band’s common thread is to be the best. “We’re all artists and we enjoy the satisfaction of doing our best, to the best of our abilities. That’s something we all have in common.”

What’s next for Estate Partners? Voorhees wants to provide more training opportunities for the group and continue to develop genuine friendships.

For the next chapter, Penton hopes the teams will be able to draw more on their skills. “We’re all on the same jobsites, but as business owners, we’re not there as many hours as our teams. I’d like to see a way to connect our teams that work together for hundreds of hours on these jobsites. Our overall vision, as we grow together as a group, is to provide the best service possible to Southern California contractors,” Penton says.