Cheskie Weisz is a Brooklyn entrepreneur who is a leader in the local real estate community. As founder and CEO of CW Realty, he focuses on identifying emerging neighborhoods and undervalued properties with significant upside potential. He coordinates the efforts of engineers, architects, and contractors in devising optimal syndication pathways, maximizing available space, and increasing property value. Cheskie Weisz also serves as senior partner at Ranco Capital, where he informs operations of a prominent local real estate investment enterprise.
Mr. Weisz’ experience includes the closing, renovating, and refinancing of more than 30 major Brooklyn properties, as well as half a dozen Manhattan luxury condo developments. Over a 4-year span, he successfully transacted more than 50 properties across Queens. Working with an award-winning architect, he has overseen high-profile North Williamsburg projects that blended with and enhanced the neighborhood’s historically industrial atmosphere.
Cheskie Weisz has extensive knowledge of sustainable development practices and emphasizes development strategies that drive livability and community growth. An active musician, he has composed wide-ranging albums of Jewish inspirational tunes.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day always begins before sunrise, with a firm commitment to my religious practices. I go to the synagogue at 5 am to pray, study the Talmud, and focus on other spiritual topics. This morning routine is my foundation; it provides me with clarity and purpose before the demands of the business world begin. After a healthy breakfast, I go straight to the office, where I greet my wonderful staff. Together, we strategize how to make the day as productive and profitable as possible, which often involves planning our meetings and setting clear goals. After a long day of work, I head home to spend the evening with my lovely wife and amazing children, as they are my true motivation.
How do you bring ideas to life?
The process of bringing an idea to life is a collaborative effort that starts with a trusted circle. I first bounce new ideas off my trusted friends and my team at work to get their initial feedback and insights. This helps me to refine the concept and identify any potential challenges. Then, I delegate the heavylifting to my son, who is my right-hand man and is incredibly adept at executing the plan. This collaborative approach, combined with the trust and efficiency of my team, allows me to transform a concept into a tangible reality.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the rapid advancement of technology. The way technology continues to evolve is fascinating, as it allows us to do things faster, smarter, and with greater efficiency. I believe that technology, specifically tools like AI, will continue to play a pivotal role in optimizing our business operations and freeing up time for more creative and strategic work.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
A unique habit that helps me stay productive is creating and composing music. This is my escape from the world of business and a way to channel my creative energy. Composing music helps me to quiet my mind, providing a sense of focus and calm that I can then bring back to my work. It’s a powerful and personal way to recharge and maintain my productivity.
What advice would you give your younger self?
The most important advice I would give my younger self is to get a business coach as early as possible and to always trust my gut. A business coach provides invaluable perspective and guidance, helping you to navigate the complex world of business without making the same mistakes as others. In addition, I would tell myself to listen to my intuition. While data and research are important, your gut feeling can often be your most reliable compass, especially in high-stakes situations.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that you shouldn’t worry about what people think about you. This is a belief that is hard for many to accept in a world so focused on public image and social validation. However, I have found that true freedom and peace of mind come from living your life according to your own values and principles, regardless of external opinions.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
The one thing I repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do is to think. In today’s fast-paced world, many people are reactive and simply move from one task to the next without pausing to reflect. I believe that taking the time to truly think, to process information, and to consider different perspectives is the most powerful tool for making informed decisions and achieving long-term success.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I turn to music. I find that music is a powerful tool for shifting my mindset and regaining clarity. Whether I am listening to a favorite piece or composing my own, the rhythm and melody help to quiet the noise in my mind, allowing me to destress and refocus my energy on the tasks at hand.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
The most impactful strategy for growing my business has been to work with a coach. A coach has provided me with invaluable guidance, helping me to identify my blind spots and develop a more strategic approach to my goals. This mentorship has allowed me to make more informed decisions, navigate complex challenges, and, ultimately, grow my business more effectively than I could have on my own
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
A significant failure in my career was getting involved with the wrong deals, which led to lengthy and costly litigation. I overcame this by learning a crucial lesson: you can never do enough due diligence. This experience taught me that it is essential to be meticulous in my research and to thoroughly vet every opportunity before committing. The financial and emotional toll of litigation was a powerful reminder that taking extra time upfront can save you from immense trouble later on.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
The one piece of software that has significantly boosted my productivity is AI, specifically ChatGPT. I use it as a tool to rapidly generate ideas, summarize large amounts of information, and draft content. This allows me to offload time-consuming tasks to the AI, so I can focus on high-level strategic thinking and decision-making, ultimately making my work more efficient and impactful.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
My favorite book is Andrew Carnegie’s The Gospel of Wealth. The book has provided me with a great deal of value by shaping my perspective on success and giving back to the community. It reinforces the idea that with great wealth comes great responsibility, and it has inspired me to think about how I can use my resources to benefit others and make a positive impact on the world.
Key learnings
- Trust your gut instinct in both personal and professional life.
- Seeking out a coach can be a transformative strategy for career growth and overcoming challenges.
- Building a support system of honest and loyal partners is vital for long-term success.