Broker's Angle

On this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Benjamin Schanzer of Norman Bobrow to talk about making the leap from retail to office leasing, the realities of cold calling, and why brokerage is ultimately a people business. Benjamin shares how mentorship, market knowledge, patience, and genuine connection shape successful deals, and why setting expectations early is everything. A candid conversation on growth, grit, and what it really takes to build a lasting career in commercial real estate.

In this episode of Broker’s Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with James Famularo for a wide-ranging conversation on the current state of the retail market and what truly drives successful real estate deals. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, James shares why retail remains resilient regardless of who is in office, highlights the hottest tenant categories, from food and beverage to health and wellness, and explains the critical role funding and passion play in an operator’s success. 

In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Michael Davis, a seasoned New York City real estate broker at Compass, to discuss his unique career trajectory, insights into the commercial and residential markets, and the systems that have fueled his long-term success. Michael shares an optimistic outlook for both residential and commercial markets heading into 2026, noting increased activity, more reasonable landlord pricing, and rising competition, all reinforcing his belief that New York City remains an electrifying place to do business.

In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Jacob Wolkenfeld, Managing Director at Norman Bobrow & Co., to discuss his journey and approach to commercial real estate. Starting as an intern at 21, Jacob built his business from scratch through cold outreach, persistence, and what he calls “mental fortitude.” He shares how focusing solely on tenant representation allows him to align completely with clients’ interests and how consistent activity, strong follow-up systems, and long hours have fueled his success. Jacob discusses the current strength of Manhattan’s office market and the importance of conviction and resilience for new brokers.

In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Alex Turboff, Executive Vice President and Head of Food & Beverage at Mona. With more than two decades of experience in restaurant real estate, Alex shares insights on the unique challenges of New York’s F&B market, from rising construction costs and liquor license delays to the critical role of due diligence in site selection.

In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Gabe Marans, Vice Chairman at Savills and the #2 ranked CRE voice on social media. Gabe shares how he went from cold calls at 6 AM to building a 10,000-contact database, and how LinkedIn video and zagging when others zig helped scale his business.