Tell Me More with Ruslan Hajduk

Ruslan Hajduk
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In this podcast, Ruslan Hajduk and his friends uncover the stories of the people who shape the real estate industry worldwide. Beyond buildings and blueprints, real estate is driven by the vision, perseverance, and life experiences of industry leaders. Join us as we explore their journeys, stories of grit, ambition, and impact that inspire the next generation of professionals. Each episode sheds light on the human side of real estate, showing that with determination, anything is possible.

  1. 6d ago

    #014 – Erez Cohen – Real Estate Titans: Mexico, Real Estate Private Equity & Lessons of the Greats

    Erez Cohen is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Urbium GDI, a real estate investment platform focused on the Mexican industrial sector, and the author of Real Estate Titans. Throughout his career, he has been involved in more than $5 billion in real estate transactions in Mexico, the United States, and Brazil. He started in investment banking in New York on the sell side, moved across to the buy side in private equity at Carlyle, and then made the harder crossing from analysing deals to owning them. He worked on some of the first REIT structures in Mexico, ran investment as Chief Investment Officer at Thor Urbana, and in 2018 co-founded his own platform. Most of this conversation is about Mexico, and not the headline version. Where the capital actually comes from, what the politics do to a development timeline, how you underwrite security risk city by city, and why he concluded seven years ago that industrial would beat every other asset class in the country. He does not romanticise that last step. When you advise, your job is to spot the risks for someone else. When you own the asset, your job is to decide which of those risks are worth taking, hire the people who will execute, and carry the outcome yourself. He calls the path hellish, says entrepreneurship is not for everyone, and reflects that the humility it forces on you is exactly the point. We discuss: –  What changes in your head when you stop advising on risk and start choosing which risks to take with your own capital –  Why he redefined success from working at a great firm to owning something, and what that cost him –  The Sam Zell story that explains Mexican industrial: an 8 cap in Dallas, a 13 cap across the border in Monterrey, the same tenant in both, and dollar financing at nearly the same rate –  Why 2010 and 2011 were the turning point, when REITs and the Mexican pension funds finally gave managers an answer to the question every LP asks second: how do I exit –  The two very different Mexican industrial theses, peso-denominated logistics in the centre versus dollar-denominated manufacturing on the northern border –  How he prices political and security risk city by city, and what he tells investors who read Mexico as one uniform market –  Where the next decade of Latin American real estate sits, and why liquidity decides which countries are investable at all Whether you sit on the buy side, the sell side, or somewhere in between, this is a detailed look at how an emerging market gets institutionalised, and what it takes to build a platform inside one. Subscribe for more conversations with the people redefining real estate, capital, and leadership worldwide.

    #014 – Erez Cohen – Real Estate Titans: Mexico, Real Estate Private Equity & Lessons of the Greats

  2. Sep 8

    #013 – Audrey Klein – The Human Side of Capital: Character, Connection, and the Long Game

    Audrey Klein is a Partner at Spencer House Partners and one of the most respected capital-raising voices in global real estate. In this episode of Tell Me More, we dive deep into her personal and professional journey: from investment banking in New York, to Bank of America in San Francisco, to founding Caskar Partners in Germany, to becoming one of the first formal local European fundraisers for Blackstone’s London office through Park Hill Real Estate. We discuss: – How Audrey built a global fundraising career across the US, Europe, and Asia – Why investors back the people before they back the product – What real integrity looks like in private equity and playing the long game – How to find your anchor investor when raising capital for the first time – Founding WIRE and championing women and mentorship in real estate – Why success is never a straight line, and how you get back up Whether you’re raising capital, building a platform, or navigating a leadership role early in your career, this episode is full of hard-won wisdom from someone who has helped shape how capital moves across the industry. Subscribe for more conversations with the people redefining real estate, capital, and leadership across the globe.

    #013 – Audrey Klein – The Human Side of Capital: Character, Connection, and the Long Game

  3. 12/14/2025

    #012 – Paddy Allen – Kinetic Capital: Strategy, Scale, and the Student Housing Revolution

    Paddy Allen is the CEO of Kinetic Capital - a specialist lender transforming the European student housing market. In this episode of Tell Me More, we dive deep into his personal and professional journey: from building global experience in real estate to leading an investment platform focused on purpose-built student accommodation. We discuss: Why student housing is more resilient than traditional real estate asset classesHow Paddy built conviction in the idea for Kinetic CapitalThe entrepreneurial mindset behind leading a fund and earning investor trustMarket trends shaping student housing across Europe and globallyLessons in leadership, team building, and making long-term decisions in high-pressure environmentsWhether you're an emerging leader, a real estate investor, or a founder building something new, this episode offers practical insights and real-world experience from someone actively reshaping the industry. Subscribe for more conversations with the people redefining real estate, capital, and leadership across the globe.

    #012 – Paddy Allen – Kinetic Capital: Strategy, Scale, and the Student Housing Revolution

  4. 11/14/2025

    #011 – Laura Kairienė – Vilnius City: Leadership, Digitalisation & the Architecture of Tomorrow

    In this episode of Tell Me More, I sit down with Laura Kairienė, Chief Architect of Vilnius City, to explore how digital transformation and human-centric design are shaping one of Europe’s most innovative capitals. Laura shares her journey from her early days in architecture to leading the city’s vision for sustainable growth, smart infrastructure, and urban regeneration. She explains how Vilnius integrates data, design, and dialogue between citizens and government to create a city that works for people, not against them. We discuss the evolution of Vilnius’ skyline, the role of technology in modern planning, and how architects can balance heritage with innovation. Laura also reflects on leadership in public architecture, lessons learned from European cities, and her mission to make Vilnius a global benchmark for future-ready, livable cities. Highlights: Digitalisation & data-driven design in urban planningHow Vilnius builds smarter, greener, and more connected communitiesBalancing heritage with innovation in a growing European capitalThe power of architecture to shape human experienceLaura’s leadership vision for the city of tomorrow Whether you’re passionate about architecture, urban planning, or the future of cities, this episode offers a rare glimpse into how one of Europe’s most forward-thinking capitals is being designed for the next generation.

    #011 – Laura Kairienė – Vilnius City: Leadership, Digitalisation & the Architecture of Tomorrow

  5. 09/08/2025

    #010 – Jerzy Wojcik – Concrete Visions: Sustainability, ESG, and Scaling a Real Estate Company

    In this episode of Tell Me More, Ruslan Hajduk sits down with Jerzy Wójcik, the founder and CEO of JWA – one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading consultancies in sustainable real estate development, ESG strategy, and green building certifications. Born in Kraków, Jerzy studied architecture at the Cracow University of Technology, the University of Tennessee, and spent time at Gensler in New York, working on the LEED-certified Bank of America Tower. These formative years shaped his vision of combining design with sustainability. In 2011, Jerzy founded JWA – bootstrapping the company without external investors – and has since grown it into a market leader certifying over 15 million m² of real estate across Poland, CEE, and even Mexico. In this conversation, we dive into: How Jerzy pivoted from architecture to entrepreneurshipThe early years of JWA and how he scaled the company without outside capitalWhy ESG, carbon neutrality, and green finance matter for the future of real estateThe role of data, advisory, and certifications in creating long-term asset valueBuilding trust with developers and investors in an evolving regulatory landscapeJerzy also shares his perspective on the future of ESG in CEE, insights from international markets like Mexico and Spain, and advice for young professionals who want to succeed in real estate while making a positive impact. Whether you are an investor, developer, or sustainability leader, this episode offers valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a values-driven business in the real estate sector.

    #010 – Jerzy Wojcik – Concrete Visions: Sustainability, ESG, and Scaling a Real Estate Company

  6. 08/24/2025

    #009 – Guy Pinsent – Vision, Value, and Velocity: A Real Estate Entrepreneur’s Journey

    In this episode of Tell Me More, I sit down with Guy Pinsent, Founder & CEO of Less Mess Storage - one of Central Europe’s leading and most successful self-storage companies. Born in London and raised in the English countryside, Guy’s path took him from Eton College and Cambridge University to a career in investment banking at Citibank. Driven by a passion for being at the heart of business, he later joined the British Embassy in Poland, strengthening UK–Poland business relations for 6.5 years. From there, he transitioned into real estate with Colliers before founding Less Mess Storage in 2014, growing it into a benchmark for the self-storage sector in Central Europe. Highlights:• How #economics, incentives & behavior drive smart decisions.• Fundraising highs & lows – and knowing when to walk away.• Product segmentation, customer pathways & storytelling.• Why data and focus are key to scaling in real estate. We also dive into Guy’s passion for economics, his reflections on free markets, and the key lessons learned from decades of dealmaking in multiple industries. Guy’s Book Recommendations: The Undercover Economist – Tim Harford Freakonomics – Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner The Infidel and the Professor: The Friendship of Adam Smith and David Hume – Dennis C. Rasmussen Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, economist, or real estate professional, this episode offers powerful insights into self-storage, real estate innovation, and the philosophy behind successful business leadership.

    #009 – Guy Pinsent – Vision, Value, and Velocity: A Real Estate Entrepreneur’s Journey

  7. 05/26/2025

    #008 – Lars Sommerer – SwissPropTech: Swiss Real Estate, Startup Ecosystem, Investment Insights, Network Power

    In this episode of the Tell Me More podcast, host Ruslan Hajduk speaks with Lars Sommerer, Managing Director of SwissPropTech and Advisory Board Member at Swiss Circle. Lars shares his career journey from working at UBS in banking to becoming a key voice in the Swiss PropTech ecosystem. The conversation covers the evolution of digital innovation in real estate, the current trends shaping the Swiss residential market, and the unique funding dynamics of the local startup scene. Lars highlights three standout PropTech startups tackling real-world challenges and emphasises the importance of solving core industry problems through technology. He also shares practical insights on relocating to Switzerland, the country’s high quality of life, and its stable yet complex real estate landscape. The episode concludes with Lars’s book recommendations and lessons learned from a life bridging finance, innovation, and real estate.

    #008 – Lars Sommerer – SwissPropTech: Swiss Real Estate, Startup Ecosystem, Investment Insights, Network Power

  8. 05/12/2025

    #007 – Sofia Iturbe – Libeen: Redefining Homeownership in Spain and Beyond

    In this episode of Tell Me More, Ruslan Hajduk speaks with Sofia Iturbe, co-founder of Libeen, a PropTech startup based in Madrid, redefining home ownership through a Rent-to-Buy model. Sofia opens up about her multicultural background, transition from hospitality to real estate, and the drive to launch a company from scratch in one of Europe's most challenging housing markets. She explains how Libeen helps young people in Spain become homeowners, using technology to simplify the process and boost accessibility. The conversation also explores the company’s recent €25 million financing round, the excitement of building in Madrid, and the mindset shifts required for startup success. Sofia reflects on the importance of mentorship, intuition, and learning fast while scaling. Whether you're interested in PropTech, entrepreneurship, or housing innovation, this episode offers powerful insights from someone building the future of real estate.

    #007 – Sofia Iturbe – Libeen: Redefining Homeownership in Spain and Beyond
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In this podcast, Ruslan Hajduk and his friends uncover the stories of the people who shape the real estate industry worldwide. Beyond buildings and blueprints, real estate is driven by the vision, perseverance, and life experiences of industry leaders. Join us as we explore their journeys, stories of grit, ambition, and impact that inspire the next generation of professionals. Each episode sheds light on the human side of real estate, showing that with determination, anything is possible.

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