Jesse Schluter, Partner at Colliers | Wisconsin
Schluter shared his career insights with In Business Madison this month.
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of your job?
As a contingent fee business, time management is one of the most challenging aspects in commercial real estate brokerage. You can be super busy in this industry but not productive. Effective time management and a laser focus on high impact activities is critical.
Commercial real estate is 100% a people business. The most rewarding part of being a broker is forming long-term relationships with clients and helping them grow their business or investment portfolio.
Who do you admire in business and why?Â
Craig Culver. Craig and his family started Culver’s in 1984 and have grown the brand to over 1,000 restaurants throughout the country. I’ve been fortunate to represent Culver’s corporate and several Culver’s franchisees with site acquisitions over the years. They are a people-focused company from the top down and have experienced tremendous success yet maintain small town Wisconsin values.
I sat in a meeting with Craig years ago and will never forget his advice: “Surround yourself with people that say please and thank you.”
What has been the high point of your career so far?
Joining Colliers|Wisconsin as a partner earlier this year. I’m excited to leverage my background and experience with that of a locally owned and operated firm that has access to the resources of a global company.
What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Work harder. Stop complaining; no one cares. Embrace mistakes as a learning opportunity. Patience and persistence ultimately pay off.
What are the best things about Dane County?
It is full of outdoor recreation opportunities, particularly the lakes. The greater Madison area has big city aspects with the comforts of a small town, making it the perfect place to raise a family.
The strong economy makes Dane County a desirable place for many successful businesses. Our local economy is buffered by several key factors (UW–Madison, state government, hospitals, etc.) that contribute to its stability and resilience, even during economic downturns.
Do you have any secret talents?
As a young boy one of my favorite pastimes was playing with firetrucks. Luckily for me, I still get to. I’m a volunteer firefighter serving as a battalion chief in the Middleton Fire Department. I’ve been a volunteer firefighter for the last 26 years.
What are your guilty pleasures?Â
Slushy Diet Mountain Dew and frozen Snickers. You place a 20-ounce bottle of Diet Mountain Dew in the freezer for 28 minutes, which creates the perfect amount of slush in the bottle. Pair that with a Snickers that has been in the freezer for about one hour — it’s an outstanding combination.
