About this Podcast:
Our own Nathan Griffis recently had the chance to sit down with Colliers Executive VP David Gabbai at ICSC@FLORIDA. With more than $1B in closed transaction value, David has built a reputation as a leading site selection specialist in the restaurant, hospitality and retail corporate real estate sectors. Beyond his professional success, he’s passionate about giving back to the industry that has given him so much. That commitment is evident in his role as FSU Director on the Executive Board of Directors for the School of Real Estate and College of Business.
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Episode Transcript:
DAVID GABBAI
There's four stages to a career. There's finding the job, making that job a career, excelling in your career, and then giving back. I'm in the giving back stage, trimester of my career. I want to be able to be known as somebody who cared enough about the industry that gave back to the industry that gave me so much, that allowed other kids now, the next generation, like my daughter, to take over and lead where I left off and do better than I did.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
830 last night I figured out how we're starting this conversation. Damian. There's no warm ups, so I'm actually. So I sat down with Theresa. She invited me to her happy hour for Ferber last night. I'm standing in the Ferber. I'm having a conversation. Out of my left periphery I see you, you're having a conversation. I'm like, oh, that's cool.
And you were. You know, I wasn't going to leave my conversation. And although I love our conversations. And then out of my right, I see your daughter.
DAVID GABBAI
Oh, well, listen, you can't have a better way to start.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
Standing at the bar. Now we can probably talk about whether her mom knows that you were taking her to the bar, but we won't get to that today. But I see her. So how cool is it that you're doing that type of event with your daughter? Here's a proud papa softball.
DAVID GABBAI
Right. This is a great softball because my daughter started the industry a year ago. Right after this coming weekend. So for me it's been a journey. We were on a panel at ICC yesterday.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
Oh, I see. I didn't know that. I would have sat.
DAVID GABBAI
That was a generational panel. Boomers to Zoomers. And I'm sitting next to my daughter, which is like a dream come true. You want your kids to do better than you do. We just got back from Toronto, and for the first time we weren't talking about homework or oil changes. We were talking shop — retail layouts, facades, signage, how malls invite people in. It was incredible. One day they're in diapers, and the next you're talking business. I just hope she continues to excel in this people-driven, relationship-driven industry. We're the luckiest people on earth to be in it.
I've been doing this 35 years. She's wrapping up her first. We both went to Florida State — 34 years apart. We took the same class, in the same building, with the same professor. That was surreal. That one brought tears. He somehow looked younger than I do.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
So legacy is a big deal for you.
DAVID GABBAI
It is. When the time comes, I want the industry to say I was fair, I was a good guy, and I gave back. I don't care about the number of deals. I care that I helped guide people who didn’t know where to go, the way others helped me. That's what matters.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
What do you tell someone who’s in their first job, maybe a few years in, to help them flip the switch from job to career?
DAVID GABBAI
You have to love what you're doing. If you don’t, it’s work. If you do, it’s a career. The path isn’t straight, but it’s always up. Ask questions. There’s no such thing as a bad one. Be a sponge. Be first in, last out. Make the investment in yourself. You get out of it what you put into it.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
When do you enter the give-back stage? How do you manage work-life balance?
DAVID GABBAI
It’s hard. I’m still transitioning. My wife is forcing me to slow down. She retired a few years ago and reminds me we need to enjoy life while we can. There’s never a perfect time. Find the reason to say yes.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
You also set a random goal — getting back to your high school weight. Are we there yet?
DAVID GABBAI
Four pounds away. Almost there.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
Any other random goals?
DAVID GABBAI
I’m a car nut. That’s dangerous. But another goal is reading more books — books that fit where my life is going. I’m ADD, so it’s work, but it’s a goal.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
I appreciate you spending time with me today.
DAVID GABBAI
I wasn’t missing this. Your energy is addicting. You make people feel special, and that’s a gift. I hope when I hang it up, these relationships last beyond the spotlight. That’s what matters most.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
Absolutely. Go sign a deal.
DAVID GABBAI
Thank you so much.
There's four stages to a career. There's finding the job, making that job a career, excelling in your career, and then giving back. I'm in the giving back stage, trimester of my career. I want to be able to be known as somebody who cared enough about the industry that gave back to the industry that gave me so much, that allowed other kids now, the next generation, like my daughter, to take over and lead where I left off and do better than I did.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
830 last night I figured out how we're starting this conversation. Damian. There's no warm ups, so I'm actually. So I sat down with Theresa. She invited me to her happy hour for Ferber last night. I'm standing in the Ferber. I'm having a conversation. Out of my left periphery I see you, you're having a conversation. I'm like, oh, that's cool.
And you were. You know, I wasn't going to leave my conversation. And although I love our conversations. And then out of my right, I see your daughter.
DAVID GABBAI
Oh, well, listen, you can't have a better way to start.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
Standing at the bar. Now we can probably talk about whether her mom knows that you were taking her to the bar, but we won't get to that today. But I see her. So how cool is it that you're doing that type of event with your daughter? Here's a proud papa softball.
DAVID GABBAI
Right. This is a great softball because my daughter started the industry a year ago. Right after this coming weekend. So for me it's been a journey. We were on a panel at ICC yesterday.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
Oh, I see. I didn't know that. I would have sat.
DAVID GABBAI
That was a generational panel. Boomers to Zoomers. And I'm sitting next to my daughter, which is like a dream come true. You want your kids to do better than you do. We just got back from Toronto, and for the first time we weren't talking about homework or oil changes. We were talking shop — retail layouts, facades, signage, how malls invite people in. It was incredible. One day they're in diapers, and the next you're talking business. I just hope she continues to excel in this people-driven, relationship-driven industry. We're the luckiest people on earth to be in it.
I've been doing this 35 years. She's wrapping up her first. We both went to Florida State — 34 years apart. We took the same class, in the same building, with the same professor. That was surreal. That one brought tears. He somehow looked younger than I do.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
So legacy is a big deal for you.
DAVID GABBAI
It is. When the time comes, I want the industry to say I was fair, I was a good guy, and I gave back. I don't care about the number of deals. I care that I helped guide people who didn’t know where to go, the way others helped me. That's what matters.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
What do you tell someone who’s in their first job, maybe a few years in, to help them flip the switch from job to career?
DAVID GABBAI
You have to love what you're doing. If you don’t, it’s work. If you do, it’s a career. The path isn’t straight, but it’s always up. Ask questions. There’s no such thing as a bad one. Be a sponge. Be first in, last out. Make the investment in yourself. You get out of it what you put into it.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
When do you enter the give-back stage? How do you manage work-life balance?
DAVID GABBAI
It’s hard. I’m still transitioning. My wife is forcing me to slow down. She retired a few years ago and reminds me we need to enjoy life while we can. There’s never a perfect time. Find the reason to say yes.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
You also set a random goal — getting back to your high school weight. Are we there yet?
DAVID GABBAI
Four pounds away. Almost there.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
Any other random goals?
DAVID GABBAI
I’m a car nut. That’s dangerous. But another goal is reading more books — books that fit where my life is going. I’m ADD, so it’s work, but it’s a goal.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
I appreciate you spending time with me today.
DAVID GABBAI
I wasn’t missing this. Your energy is addicting. You make people feel special, and that’s a gift. I hope when I hang it up, these relationships last beyond the spotlight. That’s what matters most.
NATHAN GRIFFIS
Absolutely. Go sign a deal.
DAVID GABBAI
Thank you so much.
Meet your hosts:
Nathan Griffis
Host
