Like Father, Like Son: Jeff Buslik on Updating Adams & Co. for 21st Century

Is it hard for you to differentiate yourself from your father? And do you think the general perception of your company is a tough one to shake?
I think initially it will be. But I believe we’ve done a good job of shaking it thus far, which is why we’ve had the recent success that we’ve had. When I started out, I worked at Insignia ESG, and when CBRE purchased Insignia, I felt that was an opportune time to make the jump to a smaller, more boutique-operation.

Why didn’t you instantly jump into working for the family company?
I felt that I needed to prove to myself and to others that I could do something on my own and it was important to me, and it still is important to me, that people do business with me because of my first name.

How would you like to see your team grow these next few months?
I would love to see our growth include not just the growth of my team, but more brokers here with their own teams as well. I think that our history and position in the market make us an attractive place for brokers to work, and I would love, in the next three to five to seven years, to see that happen.

This is such a highly competitive environment—you have Avison Young expanding, you have other brokerage houses growing. You already have a foothold in the market, but is it easy to expand on that?
I think there is always going to be competition. If you’re good at what you do, you’re not scared of the competition. I am not concerned about competition when I compete for business. I am confident in what I do, how I do it, and my ability to get it done. However, I do believe we are more of a niche player. The companies you say are expanding, they have global platforms. We don’t. We are a New York City-focused company, and that’s who we deal with, that’s where we operate from, and that’s where our expertise is.

drosen@observer.com