🎧 Episode Summary In this episode, host Wesley Deese sits down with Teddy Abdelmalek from HH Redstone to discuss the current state of student housing operations following the recent Shop Talk Executive Summit and LeaseCon/TurnCon conferences. Teddy shares his unique professional journey, transitioning from a pre-med track and Resident Assistant (RA) role into a career in property management and business development. The conversation explores the critical impact of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) on leasing success, specifically highlighting how comfortable mattresses can significantly influence a resident's experience and decision-making. Teddy also outlines HH Redstone's "secret sauce" operational philosophy: treating residents as if they are the CEOs or owners of the property to drive performance and reputation. Finally, the discussion covers the importance of "speed winning" in leasing, the transition from operations to business development, and why investing in onsite talent is crucial for 2025.   ⏱ Episode Timestamps & Key Topics 00:01:38 – Recap of the Shop Talk Executive Summit and LeaseCon 00:04:55 – The Strategic Importance of FF&E and Mattresses in Leasing 00:07:05 – Innovations in Common Areas: The Recre Kiosk 00:08:45 – Teddy’s Journey: From Pre-Med to Student Housing Property Management 00:15:30 – Building on University Relationships and Operational Growth 00:18:20 – Advice for Transitioning from Operations to Business Development 00:21:25 – HH Redstone’s Geographic Focus and Market Strategy 00:25:40 – The "Secret Sauce": Treating Residents Like CEOs 00:33:15 – Moving the Needle: Speed Wins and Bias Towards Action 00:36:15 – The Role of AI as a Supplement to Human Effort 00:37:30 – 2025 Takeaways: Investing in Staff and Professional Development   🤝 Episode Sponsor Student Housing Mattress Move-in day is stressful enough without the added worry of missing or uncomfortable mattresses. Powered by Jameson Bedding, Student Housing Mattress provides US-made mattresses that ship quickly anywhere in the lower 48 states, ensuring you are ready for move-in. 👉 Learn more and stay move-in ready: https://www.studenthousingmattress.com   🔗 Sources & References Mentioned in the Episode Student Housing Insight: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com Shop Talk Home Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com StudentHousingMattress.com (Jamison Bedding): https://www.studenthousingmattress.com HH Redstone: https://www.hhredstone.com Lease Con / Turn Con (Interface Conference Group): https://interfaceconferencegroup.com