|
 |
INVESTING IN THE REGION
|
By Debra Solomon Baker
Paul Simms grew up in the City of St. Louis and now, at the age of 35, is delighted to witness the rejuvenation of his beloved city.
 PAUL SIMMS
president and CEO,
Intrepid Realty
As President and CEO of Intrepid Realty, a commercial and residential management firm, Simms wants to be in the forefront of that growth.
“We are trying to get involved in the momentum that has been going on in the downtown area, especially within the past year or two,” Simms says. “All of the new property is going to need to be managed…we can help make the settings comfortable and give people a sense of security.”
Simms has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so being at the helm of a company that manages more than $35 million in property value really comes as little surprise to him. While many other twenty-year-olds were busy attending fraternity parties, Simms was busy launching his career, working as a leasing agent for an Overland Park firm. The real estate business grabbed him and has never let go.
He co-founded Semore Group Inc. in 1996 and then broke from his partners in 2003 to form Intrepid Realty, located in the heart of Maplewood.
“This move allowed me to be more versatile and better able to tailor my services to what the clients wanted,” Simms says.
In addition to property management, Intrepid Realty has recently created a redevelopment division, which rehabilitates distressed and historic property.
With all this, Simms understands the importance of maintaining strong interpersonal relationships, particularly in a business which is built nearly entirely on referrals.
“I just believe in treating people the way that I would want to be treated,” says this father of three. “I always try to put myself in other people’s shoes and truly like to reward them for a job well-done.”
Simms is a member of several organizations, including the Missouri Growth Association, Homebuilders Association, and the St. Louis Real Estate Investors Association, in addition to RCGA’s Leadership Circle.
“As a smaller company, we have to outwork our competition,” Simms says. “We are very hands-on, and do a good job communicating with our clients. We also make sure that we always keep our finger on the pulse.”
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
INSIGHTS
What is the best advice that you received as you made your way up the career ladder?
“I have received advice from many sources which has helped me along the way and for which I am grateful. The best advice would have to come from my formative years like, treat others as you would have them treat you, be honest with yourself and others, build relationships for the long term, and finally, hard work can many times help you overcome adversity.”
MICHAEL F. SHANAHAN
chairman and founder,
Engineered Support Systems Inc.
“That very few things in life or business are either as good or as bad as they initially appear. That the best form of leadership is servant leadership.”
KEVIN E. EICHNER
president and CEO,
Enterprise Financial
(parent company of Enterprise Bank & Trust)
“Take care of the customer. Answer all of his questions and if you do not know the answer, tell him you do not know, but you will get him the answer. Make sure you get it to him as soon as possible.”
HARRY FABICK
chairman and president,
John Fabick Tractor Company
“As a young banker I took the advice of a colleague to emulate the presentation style of Mr. Paul Ross, relative to organization and clarity. Mr. Ross is the current vice chairman of Citizen’s National Bank of Greater
St. Louis. I owe him a debt of gratitude for
his example and have told him as much.”
CLIFTON BERRY
director,
Fannie Mae St. Louis Partnership Office |
|
|
|
|
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
