Britney Mroczkowski, vice president of retail development, BTI Partners
Education: Bachelor of Science, real estate and marketing, minor in communications, Florida State University, 2011
What was your first paid job?
My first job was working at a small horse feed store called Horse Tack & More in Land O’ Lakes throughout high school. I loved that it was a women-owned and run business.
If you were not in your current field, what would you be doing?
If I were not in the real estate field, I would most likely still be in my first career as a professional equestrian in the hunter/jumper circuit. However, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be now in the business world.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned so far in your career?
My work in real estate has always been rewarding but comes with a lot of stress. So, I have learned that you need to find time for yourself and find a personal passion outside of work. I have been to 32 countries and counting. After every big deal I closed, I set aside time and money to invest in myself away from the familiarity of home and work. This time away allowed me to explore what the world has to offer and self-reflect to make the adjustments I needed to continue my career path.
How has Covid-19 changed your industry?
During quarantine, the commercial real estate world came to an abrupt stop. However, the broker community worked hard to network online and keep the community up to date on which tenants were surviving and thriving. Because I am still pre-leasing the retail town center at Westshore Marina District, I had to change my marketing outreach to prospective tenants. On the development side, we decided for the health and safety of everyone to briefly pause construction on all our development sites. I am happy to say, we are back under construction and moving forward with all of our projects across Tampa Bay and Florida.
What have you/your industry done to counteract that?
We have had to be creative with our marketing and keeping our current customers and future prospects included on all updates. Communications became very important to keeping everybody engaged during those difficult moments. During quarantine, I had the extra time to focus on social media and build my brand as both a real estate and construction industry expert. I enjoy interacting and learning with creative people across different platforms. Today, I am onsite daily and posting updates on our construction progress at Westshore Marina District. I also started a weekly email blast to provide updates on Westshore Marina District and other retail developments in our portfolio. The key has been staying in constant communication with our community.
What advice would you give to high school students as they look toward their future?
After starting my career, it took years working under several different specialties in real estate to finally have a clear path to follow. If I had to give students of today only one piece of advice, I would encourage them to not focus on a timeline. Instead, focus on learning and growing into the person they wouldn’t even dream of being today. Be strong in your pursuit and invest in yourself.
What do you do to have fun or relax?
You can find me by the water with friends, spending time with my horse Matthew, hanging out with my dog Bandit or drinking wine at my favorite restaurant Cru Cellars.
Quick hits:
Favorite movie of all time? “The Age of Adaline”
Favorite podcast? “Construction Brothers”
What book had a significant impact on you? “What I Was Doing
While You Were Breeding: A Memoir” by Kristin Newman
What are you currently reading? “Adapt” by Blaine Strictland, CCIM
What are you currently binge watching? “Schitt’s Creek”
If you were a professional baseball player, what would your walk-
up music be? “Jungle (Remix) [feat. Jay Z]” – X Ambassadors
COURTESY PHOTO
Britney Mroczkowski, vice president of retail development, BTI Partners
Mroczkowski and this year’s other 39 honorees will be highlighted in a special section in the weekly edition of Tampa Bay Business Journal on Oct. 23.
Brendan Ward
Digital producer
Tampa Bay Business Journal