KC Kronbach is a commercial real estate executive who guides companies such as Moxiebridge and Bridge Hollow Investments. At Bridge Hollow Investments, he combines private equity real estate holdings with alternative investments. He also works to forge partnerships aligned with objectives such as sustainable growth and identifying overlooked opportunities. KC Kronbach’s hands-on approach focuses on long-term capital appreciation.
He is also the cofounder of Caliza Capital Partners. Taking a controlling stake in invested firms, the company assists with financial administration and helps transform operations in ways that boost efficiency and create new competitive advantages.
Mr. Kronbach previously led Knightvest as cofounder for more than a decade, working to renovate and reposition numerous multi-family properties. His design-driven, people-first approach to managing 30,000 units across the country, from Texas to Florida, positioned the firm as one America’s largest US apartment owners. Consistently outperforming the market, Knightvest met investor expectations in high-growth metro areas.
KC Kronbach holds a BBA from Baylor University and a graduate degree in leadership and ethics from St. Edward’s University in Austin.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts early. With seven children, there is always a lot of action early in the morning. I want to protect that time and enjoy my family, so I tend to start my work days a little bit later, around 9 am. My calendar is very regimented, and everything is planned, including free time.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas to life requires buy-in from others around you. When I have an idea I want to turn on, I start by discussing and brainstorming with others around me. Depending on the level of resonance, I move it forward or don’t. Creating excitement around the idea is pivotal to it succeeding.
What’s one trend that excites you?
They hybrid work environment is what excites me. Technology has made it where you can nearly work from anywhere. The days of 8 am to 5 pm in the office are long gone; it has become acceptable to work from anywhere. The flexibility that provides my family is wonderful.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
The more focused I am, the more productive I am. The world we live in is constantly bombarding people with the next shiny object. This could be social media, video games, unrelenting news and opinions firing at you…I am most productive when I turn off the noise and focus in on the task at hand.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You become like the people you spend time with. It is wise to surround yourself with the type of people that want to accomplish the same things as you. More importantly, surround yourself with people of high character and integrity. These can’t be taught, and a person either possesses these traits or doesn’t.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
The American culture is “play now, pay later.” People don’t want to invest in their future as much as they should. Delaying gratification for the longer good is not easy in this culture. But the people that “pay now, play later” will win out in the long run. This is in all of life, not just professional.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Health. It’s easy to ignore your health when times are busy, but without your health, you can’t do anything else. I am very intentional with my health. Daily supplements, exercise, regular physician visits. It is much easier to be proactive with your health than reactive.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I will write it out. Make a to-do list. Slow my brain down by making my hand write it out.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
The most impactful strategy that has helped me grow my business is reputation. It is very important to me to treat others as I would want them to treat me. I look for opportunities to make a decision counter to what our culture would say. I want to be recognized as a person that never compromises on character and integrity. Over time, people recognize this as an incredible strength.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I bought a winery out of a bankruptcy. I was so focused on the price I was paying that I missed the amount of capital it would take to steer the business back to profitability. I just assumed a low basis would make everything okay, but the reality was the venture needed much more cash than I originally underwrote. That small miss caused several years of hard work while losing money. It wasn’t fun, and I don’t miss on that anymore.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’ve been waiting to buy a reversable tie, but no one seems to think it’s a good idea to manufacture.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Definitely Microsoft Outlook. I know that’s not a very trendy answer, but I literally don’t think I could survive without it. It manages my entire life.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The absolute best book on business and life ever written is “Eccliastes” in the Old Testament. It was written by King Solomon, and it explores the meaning of life and mortality. I read this book multiple times a year, and it gives me incredible perspective each time.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
My wife and I recently went and saw The Matrix in theaters for it’s 25th anniversary. I really enjoyed rewatching what the producers though living in the “matrix” would look like 25 years ago. And here we are…living in the matrix! It was an interesting watch.
Key learnings
- Character and Integrity matter.
- Family is a more important part of your life than work.
- Reputation matters.