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Start With The Close In Mind

Start With The Close In Mind

By: Dorian Lam
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About this listen

 Start with the Close in Mind is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the key strategies and mindsets that lead to successful outcomes—not just in real estate, but in business and life. Hosted by Dorian Lam, a seasoned real estate professional and managing principal of a real estate closing & title company, the podcast explores how focusing on the end goal from the very beginning can drive better decisions, mitigate risks, and create winning results. Whether in real estate transactions, business negotiations, or personal ventures, the principles of strategic planning, preparation, and execution rDorian Lam Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Episode 13 | Why Storytelling Is the Ultimate Exit Strategy

    Episode 13 | Why Storytelling Is the Ultimate Exit Strategy
    Dec 17 2025

    Storytelling is not optional when it comes to exits. It is foundational.

    In this episode of Start With the Close in Mind, Dorian Lam sits down with Josh Wilson, founder of Smoothstone Capital, to break down how narrative, credibility, and media influence deal making long before a transaction closes.

    Josh shares lessons from over 2,000 interviews and years in media, real estate, and investment banking, explaining why founders who ignore their story often lose leverage when it matters most.

    This episode is about clarity, preparation, and understanding that perception, trust, and positioning all impact outcomes in capital markets.
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    26 mins
  • Episode 12 | How NYC’s Smartest Brokers Win Deals Before They Even Hit the Market

    Episode 12 | How NYC’s Smartest Brokers Win Deals Before They Even Hit the Market
    Dec 3 2025

    Episode 12 | How NYC’s Smartest Brokers Win Deals Before They Even Hit the Market

    Dorian sits down with Shimon Shkury of Ariel Property Advisors to discuss NYC commercial real estate - from capital markets to multifamily to the mindset needed to win long before the deal hits the table.

    Perfect listen for:

    1. Real estate pros who want insight into NYC’s evolving CRE landscape

    2. Operators looking to improve deal preparation and optionality

    3. Anyone building systems to scale their advisory or brokerage practice

    🎙️ Full episode now streaming.
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    35 mins
  • Episode 11 | The Hidden Risk That Kills Deals Before the Closing Table

    Episode 11 | The Hidden Risk That Kills Deals Before the Closing Table
    Nov 19 2025

    Insurance isn’t just a formality and waiting until the last minute can kill your deal.


    Dorian Lam sits down with Alex Jelenevsky, President of Navigator Risk Management, to discuss how early-stage risk planning can prevent massive closing-day headaches.

    Learn what truly sets an insurance advisor apart from a broker, how to reduce premiums without cutting corners, and why each insurance policy should be treated like a custom contract.


    If you’re closing deals, raising capital, or managing real estate assets this episode is for you.
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    26 mins
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