The Jon Schultz Podcast: The Myth of Overnight Success
Jon Schultz
82 episodes
2 months ago
The Jon Schultz Podcast unpacks the lessons from industry leaders who refused to quit. Success is a tightrope. Everyone who’s reached the top of their game has wobbled on the way up. Those losses propelled them to the bigger and better places they are today. In a curious way, it’s the upsets that lay the foundation for winning. Our guests dig into their stories; we talk about the challenges they’ve overcome, what they learned, and how they kept ongoing.
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The Jon Schultz Podcast unpacks the lessons from industry leaders who refused to quit. Success is a tightrope. Everyone who’s reached the top of their game has wobbled on the way up. Those losses propelled them to the bigger and better places they are today. In a curious way, it’s the upsets that lay the foundation for winning. Our guests dig into their stories; we talk about the challenges they’ve overcome, what they learned, and how they kept ongoing.
Building More Than Buildings: Ed Russo on Vision, Risk, and Legacy
The Jon Schultz Podcast: The Myth of Overnight Success
57 minutes
6 months ago
Building More Than Buildings: Ed Russo on Vision, Risk, and Legacy
Imagine putting every dollar you've saved on the line for your very first business deal at just 24 years old. Could you handle that pressure? Ed Russo did, and it turned out to be the best decision he ever made.
On this episode of my podcast, I’m with Ed Russo, my good friend and CEO of Russo Development, one of New Jersey's top real estate firms. Ed shares behind-the-scenes stories packed with valuable lessons, starting with the unexpected ways childhood chores shaped his business mindset.
Ed talks about how Russo Development accidentally discovered the huge potential in data centers, a lucky twist that skyrocketed their business. He also reveals why the company chose to build apartment communities in overlooked neighborhoods, transforming them and bringing new life to these areas. Get ready for some raw honesty as Ed walks us through a challenging project that nearly made him back down. Instead, facing his doubts head-on changed his entire approach to business and risk.
But it’s not all serious. Ed’s love for fishing and family adventures on the water highlights how keeping life fun and balanced makes success even sweeter. Don’t miss Ed's practical, no-nonsense advice for anyone wanting to dive into real estate: focus on one thing, master it, and build step by step.
If you’re curious how big decisions get made, how people stay grounded while chasing big goals, and what it really takes to build something that lasts, this episode is worth your time.
Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Ed Russo and Russo Development 03:03 - The Influence of Family on Work Ethic 05:49 - Early Career Decisions and Family Business Dynamics 08:53 - Lessons from Early Deals and Risk Taking 12:04 - Transitioning into Data Centers and New Opportunities 17:54 - Pivoting to Residential Development 24:09 - Building a Diverse and Skilled Team 30:01 - Challenges in Residential Development 30:21 - Building in Underserved Communities 32:42 - The Vermella Brand and Community Impact 35:40 - Overcoming Challenges in Development 38:59 - The Importance of Mentorship 46:31 - Finding Balance: Fishing and Life 50:12 - Opportunities in Real Estate for Young Professionals
Ed on Socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-russo-9ba77b36/
Jon on Socials: IG: @thejonschultzpodcast X: @JonSchultzPod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jon-schultz-podcast www.jonschultz.com
The Jon Schultz Podcast: The Myth of Overnight Success
The Jon Schultz Podcast unpacks the lessons from industry leaders who refused to quit. Success is a tightrope. Everyone who’s reached the top of their game has wobbled on the way up. Those losses propelled them to the bigger and better places they are today. In a curious way, it’s the upsets that lay the foundation for winning. Our guests dig into their stories; we talk about the challenges they’ve overcome, what they learned, and how they kept ongoing.
