The hardest buildings to bring back to life are often the smallest ones. Want to inspire your town / city / group to take action and save some historic buildings? Interested in learning the many ways to help increase neighborhood vitality? Wanna learn how to run a real estate development business? Well, there is nothing like a little pint sized lady talking about successes and failures in small scale development and showing the crowd it can be done. Here are some pint-sized talks I can bring to you virtually or in person.
Pint-Sized Talks
Renovation: Diving Deep Into What it Takes
(This is a 60-90 Minute Talk In Person or Virtually. Can be stand alone or add on to Keynote as a workshop)
TOPICS COVERED:
*Gaining a deeper understanding of the renovation process of an old building.
*Vacancy and renovation
*Financing and a better understanding of how the numbers can work for you
*How to make your rental or sale property work financially
*General overview of construction costs/budgets and what they mean for you
*How to avoid making poor design choices
*Better understanding of some of the hurtles you may face.
WHAT YOU WILL WALK AWAY KNOWING:
*An overview of how to be mindful in your renovation project
*How unexpected hurtles can be managed
*A sample working pro forma
*The idea that, "You CAN do this!"
So You Want To Do Development Full Time?
(This is a 60-90 Minute Talk In Person or Virtually)
TOPICS COVERED:
*What a business plan looks like
*What the team should look and feel like
*How to actually get paid in this process!
*How to lean into your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses
*My story with development and how I set it up
WHAT YOU WILL WALK AWAY KNOWING:
*If this is the right move for you
*What levels of structure are needed to make it work
*The roles YOU can play in the process
*A resource guide of recommendations
Budget vs Reality - Becoming An Expert
(This is a 60-90 Minute Talk In Person or Virtually)
TOPICS COVERED:
*Discussion on financials on small scale renovation
*What is a pro forma and what goes into it?
*Knowledge of a "walking Proforma"
*How to create a spreadsheet that your banks or investors will like
*Deal structures, banking requirements and investment structures
*Development vs Construction and making the differentiation clear
*Featured local real estate in your area
WHAT YOU WILL WALK AWAY KNOWING:
*How to use a template pro forma
*Development vs construction making the differentiation clear
*What the reality is behind the numbers process
*A clear understanding of what banks are looking for to finance your project
*You don't need to be a math wiz
If you are interested in a Pint-Sized Talk, please email me: bernice@buffalovedevelopment.com
KEYNOTE SPEAKING
I know small scale incremental development. It is in my being and what drives and fuels all of my passions. I have a small, but mighty crew that works toward making the West Side of Buffalo, NY shine again through dignity, respect and beauty. My company began in 2012 in efforts to stop the demolition of historic structures and continues today to preserve, transform and help in making our communities more sustainable and resilient.
Power of Cute
(This is a 60-90 Minute Keynote with Q&A In Person or Virtually)
*Three women in construction and what we face as females in a male dominated industry
*Sharing vulnerably the successes and failures
*Saving Main Street and historic neighborhoods type of development
*How to create community oriented development
*Keeping things cute
*Behind-the-scenes look at materials, colors we love and design deals we can't say no to
WHAT YOU WILL WALK AWAY KNOWING:
*It's not impossible to do this work as an empowered female
*Fun, quirky things that will help you be more renovation savvy
*A better appreciation for the level of detail in new construction and renovation projects
*Follow up email with books to recommend and favorites
Making Main Street Sparkle Again
(This is a 30-60 Minute Keynote In Person or Virtually)
*Why small scale development and how to make it happen
*Case study of Buffalo, NY
*Multi renovation projects and deep-dive into how each project happened and impacted each other
*Elements that are of importance such as: art, community gardens, block clubs
*Educating for change or reform in a neighborhood
*The intensity behind making Main Street Sparkle and what it ACTUALLY takes
*Real life examples
WHAT YOU WILL WALK AWAY KNOWING:
*It's not just about buildings, it's about the community and what you can do to ignite energy needed to bring your neighborhood back to life
*Bernice's Lookbook
*What Heart Bombs are and where to place them and why
*Buffalo, NY is a pretty special place
If you are interested in a Keynote Presentation with me, please email me: bernice@buffalovedevelopment.com
“My number one thing is to cannonball right in,” she said. “Don’t just dip your toe in the water. If you really want to buy a building, just buy it. All those buildings need stewards.”
— Bernice Radle (Sun Journal - Lewiston, Maine)
