Masters of Scale
Building a network of mentors, with Cadre’s Ryan Williams
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Starting young can lead to significant entrepreneurial success, as seen through Ryan's ventures from a teenager.
- Mentorship is crucial in entrepreneurship; building a network of advisors can significantly impact your business journey.
- Navigating media attention requires strategic communication and transparency, especially when faced with unexpected scrutiny.
- Diversity in business offerings can safeguard against market volatility, making strategic exits beneficial for sustainable growth.
- Entrepreneurship is a continuous journey of learning and adaptation, rooted in core values and the passion to create impact.
Summary
Ryan Williams's Entrepreneurial Journey
Ryan Williams recounts his early desire to make investments in real estate sparked during the 2008 housing crisis. He founded Cadre, a tech-powered real estate investment platform in 2014 aimed at democratizing access to real estate for everyday investors. His story illustrates how his ambition began as a teenager and took shape through experiences in college and business, overcoming challenges to achieve significant success.
Building a Network of Mentors
The podcast emphasizes the importance of cultivating a diverse and supportive network of advisors. Williams highlights how mentorship and guidance from successful figures influenced his journey, offering tactical insights into building such relationships throughout one’s career.
Challenges and Media Attention
Williams discusses the unexpected attention Cadre received due to its connections with high-profile investors, specifically Jared Kushner. He shares how he navigated the media landscape, emphasizing leadership, transparency, and the importance of communication amidst external scrutiny.
Deciding to Exit Cadre
The decision to sell Cadre was challenging for Williams, as it involved reflecting on his professional identity and the company's mission. Ultimately, his choice was driven by the desire to diversify the business offerings and partner with organizations that shared his values, culminating in a significant transaction of over a billion dollars.
Future Ventures
Ryan expresses excitement about his next entrepreneurial journey at the intersection of financial services and technology, eager to apply the lessons learned from Cadre. He emphasizes the therapeutic nature of building upon past experiences while focusing on working with like-minded individuals.
Sponsors
- ATIO · ATIO is an AI-native CRM built specifically for the next era of companies, adapting to unique operational needs and scaling with business models. Get 15% off your first year at atio.com slash MOS.
- Capital One · Capital One helps businesses care for their employees through rewards programs and has been pivotal in Team events for Union Market, a significant business success story.
Show notes
Ryan Williams thinks it should be easier to invest in real estate. He founded Cadre in 2014 to address this problem, and scaled it to impressive heights before an acquisition last year that sources say was valued at north of one billion dollars, combined. Williams talks with host Jeff Berman about how he built a powerful network of mentors to support his success, what he learned after being thrust into the spotlight because of one of his investors, and why he decided to exit his business.
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