Sean Lyons on Resilience, Success, and the Power of Consistency

Real Estate Moguls

In a recent episode of "The Real Estate Moguls Podcast," host Nick DeGregorio sat down with Sean Lyons, founder and partner of Triad Real Estate Partners and Jackson Dearborn Partners, to delve into the principles that have propelled Sean and his companies to remarkable heights. This conversation is a treasure trove of wisdom, filled with actionable insights for anyone looking to excel in the real estate industry or any field.

Sean Lyons' journey is a testament to resilience and persistence. As Nick and Sean discuss, Triad Real Estate Partners has completed an astonishing $6.8 billion in real estate valuations, with over a billion in total closings. Since its inception in 2017, Jackson Dearborn Partners has undertaken 11 development projects totaling over $650 million in capitalization. These numbers are impressive, but the story behind them is even more compelling.

Sean attributes much of his success to a mindset of persistence and focusing on controllable factors. "Our business is really challenging, like a lot of businesses are," Sean notes. "We can really only focus on the things that we can control, and I think by doing that, we've been able to make progress year over year." This mindset has not only sustained his business but has also forged strong professional relationships built on mutual respect and shared values.

Nick guides the conversation towards the importance of daily habits and routines. Sean's approach, inspired by Darren Hardy's "The Compound Effect," emphasizes the power of small, consistent actions. "Do the little things every day," Sean advises. "The belief that if you continue to do the same things day in, day out, those efforts compound over time and ultimately produce positive results."

Education and early career experiences also play a crucial role in shaping one's professional journey. Sean reflects on his time at Boston College and Marcus & Millichap, highlighting how these experiences laid the foundation for his current success. "Every step along the way was a necessary step in order for me to be sitting here talking to you now," he tells Nick.

A significant part of Sean's philosophy revolves around maintaining a work-life balance, a lesson he learned through his role as a father of four. He emphasizes the importance of controlling one's time to prioritize what truly matters. "Time is the one commodity that none of us get any more of," Sean explains. "To me, that's the definition of success."

For those aspiring to transition from brokerage to development, Sean offers invaluable advice: find a mentor. Teaming up with someone who has walked the path before can provide the necessary support and legitimacy. "We wouldn't have been able to do the majority of what we've been able to do to date without the help of our partner Chris Saunders," he shares.

As the episode concludes, Sean leaves listeners with a powerful piece of advice: focus on what you can control. "When something comes at me, a challenge or an issue, I immediately put it into one of two categories: can I influence or control the outcome here in any way? If the answer is yes, it goes to one side of the ledger. If the answer is no, it goes to another side."

This conversation with Sean Lyons is a must-listen for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of real estate with resilience, strategy, and a focus on what truly matters.