Skilled advice to unlock enhanced value
Based in San Francisco, Anjee Solanki is Colliers’ National Retail Director for the U.S., where she has provided strong leadership to more than 500 retail professionals, nationally, reaching members of Colliers’ 140 markets. Anjee’s exceptional integration of Retail, Supply Chain and Industrial expertise benefits Colliers’ professionals and clients with a more holistic perception of global trade’s impact, which leads to better-informed business strategies.
How long have you been in retail real estate and what led you to join Colliers?
My focus in commercial real estate for the past 31 years has been in Retail, starting with The Irvine Company as a client and working in smaller retail boutique companies. Years ago, I leaped into a larger organization which allowed me to meet a considerable pool of talented colleagues and develop my expertise. Every day at Colliers brings new ideas, and it’s rewarding to work with amazing experts who aspire to make a positive impact on the world. I’m drawn to such enthusiastic trailblazers, pushing the envelope as seekers of proactive solutions to today’s problems. Now, with the integration of Industrial real estate, Supply Chain advisory and Retail, we’ve been able to give our clients the edge by expanding their perspective. I’ve always found innovation such as this to be inspiring.
What do you love most about your job?
"I love the access that the distinguished Colliers name gives me, opening doors to new clients or connecting me with talented experts within."
I love the access that the distinguished Colliers name gives me, opening doors to new clients or connecting me with talented experts within. At the same time, our company culture values the sharing of expertise. This means I have a front-row seat, an experience that is multiplied by sharing the learning opportunity with others. Knowledge flows in many directions at Colliers, and it’s wonderful to be a part of that.
What is your advice for people starting off in the industry?
It’s crucial to learn about the different specializations and asset classes in CRE. Become well-informed through experiences such as internships that expose you to different aspects of the industry. Make the effort to explore all specialties to find your passion and become great at it. Focus on building many relationships for mentorship and networking, as you never know what specialization or person might be the key to your future. Women should not be intimidated by their own perceptions of CRE. Be bold, and if you believe in your value, show it!
How does Colliers Retail provide value and differentiate from its competitors?
"Colliers’ integration of Retail, Supply Chain and Industrial services makes us the complete and seamless resource. "
Colliers’ integration of Retail, Supply Chain and Industrial services makes us the complete and seamless resource. Our clients enjoy full access to Colliers’ international team of expert advisors providing specialized industry knowledge that leverages proprietary analytics to deliver personalized recommendations throughout every phase of the real estate process. Whether a client is preparing for an international rollout, re-developing or repositioning in a transitioning downtown area, or if they’re endeavoring to attract top retailers to a property — whatever their goal — they can count on our expert insights and innovative solutions to accelerate their success.
