In this exclusive interview with Stephen Nalley, the Founder and Managing Partner of Black Briar Hotel Group and Black Briar Advisors, we delve into the world of real estate investment, leadership, and personal growth. He shares his experiences, principles, and vision for the future of Black Briar Advisors.
Stephen Nalley: A Multi-Talented Entrepreneur and Real Estate Visionary
What is Black Briar? What are the services provided by your company?
Stephen Nalley is the Founder and Managing Partner of Black Briar Hotel Group and Black Briar Advisors. Black Briar is a uniquely positioned full service real estate investment company that specializes in the acquisition, repositioning, renovating and asset management of distressed hotel & resort assets. Black Briar and its Managing Principles have significant transactional experience and are experts in all phases of the real estate life cycle. This includes deal structuring, contract negotiation, due diligence, underwriting, raising and closing on debt/equity capital structures, asset management, renovations and property management. Black Briar and its principals have owned and asset managed over $2B in real estate assets, which includes over 100 hotel & resort assets.
What is one specific habit or behaviour you follow to keep yourself in success path?
I have strong foundations and principles that I live by everyday that guide me in my endeavour’s. I keep practicing this for years and years, that is learning by experience, making myself a better version from my mistake, I always plan things to be done, I have a list of do’s and don’ts in every bucket list of work to be done. My daily routine life has space for recollecting the day and mark best out come and mistakes which shouldn’t be repeated. My goal for everyday is to wake up as a better person than I was the day before. I don’t seek perfection, but making the same mistakes over and over again due to the fact that we refuse to improve is a self-imposed limitation. As I said earlier, best is not good enough when best can be better. Maximizing your full potential is all about pushing past your limitations and your weaknesses are your biggest limitation.
Please share us your professional experience, which led you to start Black Briar Advisors?
Prior to Founding Black Briar, I was the Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee for Ocean Waters. Ocean Waters was a multifaceted real estate investment company, which consisted of over 129 separate entities, 79 real estate assets, 45 operating hotels, and various office, retail, and residential components. I was responsible for the day-to-day leadership and general management of the company. I assisted Ocean Waters and its Principals in creating over $1 Billion in value by acquiring nonperforming Hotel & Resort assets and leading them to profitability.
Prior to my civilian career, I got opportunity to serve in the United States Army as a light infantry squad leader and Commando with the 10th Mountain Division’s Special Troops Battalion. Later I was honourably discharged and is a disabled service-connected veteran.
I gained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of North Florida, and earned his MBA and DBA from the University of Atlanta and a Law Degree from Washington University School of Law.
I am a Certified Hotel Administrator through the American Hotel & Lodging Association and a Professionally Certified Life Coach through the International Association of Professions Career College.
In the year 2005, the majority partner happily retired and I co-founded a company with the other partner. The name of the company was Inner Circle. Inner Circle was a full-service real estate company which owned and operated 11 hotel & resort assets along with residential, office and restaurant components.
In the year 2020, I formed Black Briar Advisors to address the unique problems caused by the pandemic. Mainly, the amount of financially distressed hotel & resort assets, as well as, the fact that a large majority of the assets which were becoming functionally obsolete would need to be repositioned and/or repurposed.
Does Black Briar Advisors support the other countries in the globe, or do you have any future plans in supporting hotel businesses round the globe?
Recently, we formed Black Briar Puerto Rico to address many of the challenges in the hospitality industry. We are currently involved in several significant projects and looking to expand throughout the Caribbean.
What are the strategies you follow to keep the business strong and focused?
The Black Briar Advisors Culture is outcomes based. Everything revolves around solving problems and taking an asset that most people have exhausted their resources and transforming back into an income producing asset. Our most valuable resources is our team. We believe in training everyone to be leaders and independent thinkers. We do this from the ground up.
Can you help our readers to know about yourself?
I am an American Real Estate Executive, Entrepreneur, Veteran and Author. I am the Founder & CEO of Black Briar Advisors. I have officially written and published 5 books, my latest book is, “The Ultimate Guide to Managing Distressed Hotel Assets”. And my previous published books are namely “Relentless Pursuit,” “The Foundation and Principles of Mental Toughness,” “The Foundation and Principles of Leadership,” and “The Foundation and Principles of Real Estate Investing.” I am currently a member of the Forbes Business Counsel and a Leadership Writer for Entrepreneur Magazine.
In “The Ultimate Guide to Managing Distressed Hotel Assets,” I have shared my past experience and profound understanding of real estate to provide an exhaustive guide on the management and monetization of distressed hotel assets. It goes beyond the theoretical to provide pragmatic advice and strategies, promising to be an insightful read for anyone involved in real estate investing, hotel management, or finance. I am committed in educating others through my vast experience and knowledge firmly positions. In this new book as an essential resource for those looking to succeed in the distressed asset market.
On the cover of my book “Relentless Pursuit” there is a quote by me that states: “The only real talent that I possess is the fact that I cannot be outworked”.
What is biggest motivation behind your successful journey so far?
It is going to sound cliché, but without a doubt it is my children. To be honest, I do not like the term motivation. Motivation is something that is temporary. I am extremely passionate about what I do day in and day out. As a parent, I preach discipline and work ethic to my children on a daily basis and I firmly believe in leading by example. It has never mattered much to me about how others see me and what people think. However, I do care how my children see me and I want them to be proud of who their father is.
“Best is not good enough, when best can be better”
“The only real talent that I possess is the fact that I cannot be outworked”
Company Name : Black Briar Advisors
Website : www.blackbriarus.com
Management Team
Stephen Nalley, Founder & CEO