Today we’d like to introduce you to Monetha Cobb, Managing Director for Franklin Street Real Estate Services and president of CREW Atlanta.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Monetha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Like many other commercial real estate pros, I got into the business because of my family. Every summer in high school and college, I honed my skills working alongside my sister at a development company and with the group that built the Mall of Georgia, familiarizing myself with every facet of the industry. I stuffed envelopes, arranged and updated lease abstracts, organized blue prints from the construction team, and did some office work while falling in love with the industry.
After graduating from UGA, I was introduced to two women specializing in big box retail tenant representation for The Shopping Center Group and began my career there. After ten years of learning and career growth, I made the leap to Franklin Street to help launch our Retail Tenant Services Group in Atlanta. I lead that group today, and we’ve closed more than $220 million in leases in the past seven years. I’m also very proud to have been elected president of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Atlanta, which has given me an amazing opportunity to support women and their achievements.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Since I grew up around real estate and went straight into the field from college, I feel like I’ve had a fairly smooth road. However, my single career track has made it more difficult for me to get out of my comfort zone. Typically, when you’re 21 and just starting out you’re given opportunities to take risks and fail, so you learn how to fail. I had support –which was great to nurture me at that time in my career – but it also meant I didn’t know how to make the wrong choice and suffer the consequences. This caused me to learn that lesson later than I would have liked and I believe it stunted my growth.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Franklin Street is different from other large real estate firms. We offer hands-on guidance and support, and each one of our team members is hungry and constantly learning. We don’t have the opportunity to become complacent.
From the beginning, we have focused on providing our agents with the tools and leadership they need to succeed within the industry’s competitive and fast-paced sales environment. Unlike many other sales-oriented companies, we advocate mentorship from our company leaders to new professionals who are learning the market to help expedite development.
With CREW, I’m proud of our work to elevate women to positions of power in the “boy’s club” that is commercial real estate through networking opportunities, fellowship, education, career outreach and so much more. Commercial real estate is a heavily male-dominated industry, and CREW is doing incredible work to make sure that women have a seat at the table. While great strides have already been made, there is still a long way to go to. As CREW president, I have an incredible opportunity to work with our Board of Directors and seven committees to help the organization to provide real value to the more than 100 participating members in the Atlanta chapter. Helping support other women has always been a passion of mine.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not a big believer in luck. I think you should make your own opportunities and put yourself out there. Some people attribute their success to luck or being in the right place at the right time, but when you put yourself in that place and that time, it’s not just a coincidence. Whatever your career path, you need to be mentally present and always looking out for the next place to be and people to meet. It’s important to face things that make us get uncomfortable and take risks. I certainly feel like I’ve been blessed in my life, especially when it comes to family, but I don’t think I’ve gotten to this point in my career on good luck alone and I’m proud of the work I’ve done to get here.
Contact Info:
Address: 55 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard,
Atlanta, GA 30308
Website: https://www.crewatlanta.org/home.aspx
Phone: +1 404 853 5371
Email: [email protected]
