Joshua Volen did not stumble into commercial real estate. He built toward it, one lesson at a time, starting from childhood ventures that taught him more about business than any classroom ever could.
In Episode 110, Dustin sits down with Joshua Volen, co-founder of CIRE Equity, to unpack how authenticity, vulnerability, and a fundamental shift from scarcity to abundance mindset transformed his approach to leadership, culture, and commercial real estate investing.
🔑 Key Topics
Childhood Influences and Early Entrepreneurship
- How growing up in a unique household shaped Joshua's identity and drive
- Early business ventures that laid the foundation for his real estate career
- The lessons from family dynamics that still inform how he leads today
Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership
- Why being the same in all situations is a leadership superpower
- How vulnerability builds trust faster than any management strategy
- The connection between personal identity and professional performance
Mindset: From Scarcity to Abundance
- The shift that changed everything about how Joshua approaches business
- How fear can be reframed rather than a reason to stop
- Navigating the tension between fear and love in business decisions
Building a People Centric Company Culture
- The core values behind CIRE Equity and how they show up daily
- Why psychological safety is the foundation of high performing teams
- How communication shapes culture from the inside out
Commercial Real Estate and Business Growth
- Joshua's path from early ventures into commercial real estate
- Lessons learned from deals that did not go as planned
- What launching CIRE Equity taught him about vision and execution
💡 Key Takeaways
- Authenticity is not just a personal value it is a business strategy
- Scarcity mindset is the silent killer of growth in business and in life
- Fear does not have to stop you. In the right hands it becomes rocket fuel
- Psychological safety is the foundation every high performing culture is built on
- Vulnerability builds trust faster than any policy or process ever will
🧠 Memorable Insights
"Be the same in all situations."
"LOVE is my rocket fuel."
🎯 Who This Episode Is For
- Commercial real estate investors and operators
- Entrepreneurs building companies with strong culture
- Leaders working on mindset and personal development
- Anyone navigating fear and trying to turn it into forward momentum
📚 Resources Mentioned
🔗 Resources and Links
Podcast Homepage: toolstalentstechniques.com
