In the latest of a regular series, we find out what makes some of the leading figures in the serviced apartment and aparthotel sectors tick. This time, we speak to Ben Davis and Adam Lowenthal, co-founders of serviced apartment real estate agency Saxbury.
The best part of my job is…
Adam: Building friendships while creating new business relationships. Property has always been a business based on personal relationships and a network, but because serviced apartments are still in a dynamic growth phase, we’re fortunate enough to be meeting people with new concepts and amazing energy every single day.
My biggest achievement in business is…
Ben: I am proud of all that I’ve achieved over 12 years in this sector and I refuse to blow my own trumpet, but I truly believe the best is yet to come.
Adam: Co-founding Saxbury with three truly passionate real estate professionals and serviced apartment experts. By partnering together we have created the most experienced specialist team in the market which gives us confidence to challenge outdated wisdom with a fresh, consultative approach.
My biggest mistake in business was…
Ben: Not setting up Saxbury sooner!
If I wasn’t working in our industry I would like to have been a…
Adam: Spin instructor in Bali… (btw there are no spin clubs in Bali)
Ben: An architect and part time yoga teacher
The best piece of advice anyone ever gave me was…
Adam: Go with your gut! Honestly, at the start of our business the number of times Ben and I didn’t go with our gut instinct and kicked ourselves x months later. Its amazing how after over a decade in the sector, one just knows whether an opportunity has the ingredients for a successful deal and the people involved are going to make it happen or not.
If I could tell my 18-year old self one thing it would be…
Ben: Try to think of your first ten years of employment as ‘further education’, before long you’ll be working in a very stimulating and supportive environment, you will have an opportunity to put your knowledge into to running your own business.
Adam: Work smart by taking time to plan your week on a Sunday and making time every morning to get your top five priorities done before you even start working on other items. That way, you’ve already achieved five things before your day really starts.”
The person I admire most in hospitality is…
Ben and Adam: Stephen Hanton of Synergy Global Housing.
The person I admire most in history is…
Ben: Zaha Hadid – one of my favourites architects, against the odds she rose up the ranks in a profession dominated by men, her legacy is a series of other-worldly buildings which have become etched in the mind.
I am surprisingly good at…
Ben: Understanding Brazilian Portuguese – I’m not fluent but I’ve picked up a good grasp of the language after spending some time in Brazil and listening to music.
I am surprisingly bad at…
Adam: Languages – despite being half Japanese and learning French at school from the age of five, I can only just about get by in both.
My perfect day off would be…
Adam: a double spin class at Core Collective before taking my two-year old daughter swimming, followed by lunch with friends and perhaps a rare dinner date with my wife at Soho House.
