Meet Dr. Michael Scott McCain | Real Estate & Property Management Professional
We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Michael Scott McCain and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Michael, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson my career has taught me is that luck favors the prepared. As a chess enthusiast, I know how important it is to strategize with intention. Getting small wins along the way are the milestones that reassure me that I’m on the right path. If an unforeseen interruption happens to present itself, I learn from those experiences, correct course, and power on. I never take my eyes off of the prize because I know how satisfying it is to taste victory.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Tell us more about your career:
I started working in the mortgage industry in 2001. It was a whole new world for me, however, I appreciated the challenge of learning something that appeared to be left out of the traditional academic curriculum. I thrived on being able to learn from successful people in an industry that seemed to be the blood of all things real estate.
When the real estate market crashed in 2007, It was virtually impossible to find work. Mortgage professionals were blackballed because of their perceived involvement in the economic collapse. So, I reevaluated my options and knew I needed to develop a more sustainable skillset. Motivated by the people I worked alongside, I went back to school to learn accounting and business. Though accounting didn’t really inspire me much, I quickly realized how valuable that skillset is in every industry. After all, what good is making money if you can’t account for it?
After an involuntary hiatus, I knew I wasn’t done in the real estate industry and needed to find my way back in. Serendipitously, I started working for a large property management company where I learned more about management, development, and construction. It was at Hines Property Management where I determined that I wanted a permanent career in the real estate industry, specifically in property management. Since then, I have worked for several top-rated property management companies where I was fortunate enough to have climbed the ranks. I‘m currently the Chief Operating Officer of a growing company in the South Bay called Mabry Management. We are expanding rapidly and I am really excited about the direction in which the company is headed. I am proud that I am trusted to contribute my voice to a growing organization in an industry that I adore.
What sets you apart from others:
My work ethic is what sets me apart from others. I was always told a job worth doing, is a job worth doing well and it is not complete unless you are willing to guarantee that it meets your standard of excellence. However, I also believe in taking/ creating the path of least resistance. So, while I am a hard worker, I am also a stickler for enhancing systems that automate processes that create better flow. Once a flow is in place, we can move toward taking the organization to the next level without having to worry about the trivial stuff.
Was it easy:
It wasn’t easy, but I don’t look for things to be easy, I look to become a better & stronger version of myself that can neutralize difficulties whenever they may arise.
How did you overcome challenges:
I made a conscious decision long ago to learn from my elders, my experiences, and people who have previously navigated the course. So, when people speak, I tend to listen. Usually, I am able to filter out the minutiae and pick out the gems that are being shared in the moment. So, in most discussions, I am usually the one who is listening to gain understanding on how to become better and add value.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Certainly!
Sunday – We’d have to start the day off with a nice hike at Kenneth Hahn Park and the Stocker Corridor Trail so that we can catch some awesome views of DTLA while opening up our lungs for the day. I’m pretty sure we would work up an appetite, so we’d grab a table at Post & Beam to enjoy some tasty (well-seasoned) brunch and feel-good atmosphere. Afterwards, we’d go check out Sole Folks in Leimert Park to see what new artist-exhibit they have for us to admire. Mid-day, we’d cruise and find open houses to check out in the area so that we can network with the local Realtors. Sunday dinner would probably be provided by Dulan’s, they have thee best mac & cheese!
Monday: Head over to Los Liones hiking trail to get in touch with nature and climb to at least the second highest look-out point. On the way back to the city we would stop and grab some pupusas at Mateo San Miguel on MLK Blvd. After lunch, hit the Ladera Center or Fox Hills Mall for some retail therapy. Then, stroll down the Venice Beach Boardwalk, then drive past and admire the Venice Beach Canals . We can finish the evening at La Louisianne for some good music and vittles.
Tuesday: We’d go to Roscoe’s for Breakfast. Afterwards, we would go check out the Reparations Club Bookstore off of Jefferson. There’s always a unique vibe in there that I can’t get enough of. Mid-day, we’d hit Jim Gilliam Park to play a game of tennis. Given that it is a Taco-Tuesday, its only right we hit Taco Mel’s for dinner.
Wednesday: We’d have to go visit the good folks over at Vacancy Avenue in Inglewood to support one of my favorite local black-owned business. The vibe in there is always pleasant and the merchandise is hand selected by the owner. Afterwards, we would make a stop at Simply Salad on Slauson for some hand-crafted chopped salads. Then, end the night over at Pips On LaBrea. They always have a nice jazz band playing, the food is great, and the bartender makes us feel right at home.
Thursday: Grab some breakfast at CJ’s then head on over to the Underground Museum on Washington, they have a vast book selection and their exhibitions are extremely fascinating. Afterwards, we would head to Earle’s Grill for some vegan chili cheese fries. From there, we would go mural-chasing to admire the works of the local artists like Keenan Chapman and Enkone Goodlow. Once the sun sets, we head over to Social Hookah Lounge on Pico to unwind with some good convo with chill-people. The Nipsey Hussle mural in there is one of my favorites.
Friday: Starts with some fry jack and fried beans over at Little Belize restaurant in Inglewood. Because of my intense sweet tooth, we would definitely have to roll over to Zooies on the west side and grab some cookies to munch on throughout the day. For recreation, we would shoot some hoops over at Ladera Park. Since I can’t get enough of the cauliflower wings at the Hot and Cool Café in Leimert Park, It’s necessary for us to stop in and grab an 6 piece at some point during the day. We’ll probably end the night over at The District on Crenshaw Blvd.
Saturdays – We’d attend the Peace Awareness Labyrinth Garden in the Historic West Adams District to start the day. After some meditation and reflection, we’d head over to the Baldwin Hills farmers market off of MLK and Crenshaw Blvd. From there we head straight to Leimert Park to get lost in the rhythm of the drum circles provided by the elders. For dinner, we’d have to ensure we hit Simply Wholesome for some spinach patties and smoothies.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, all glory to the most high.
Growing up in a rough neighborhoods, I’m so grateful that my mom had the foresight to reach out to a gentleman in her network to mentor me. Theodore Van Buren was pivotal in reinforcing my confidence, encouraging me to make better decisions, and exposed me to different arts, cultures, and opportunities that would keep me on the right path. “Theo” was the first person who showed me that nothing is insurmountable when it comes to business. The time we spent was the exact balance I needed as a malleable young man who would become motivated to be better by seeing someone who was doing better. Having a mentor really saved my life by shifting my mindset, and I am eternally grateful for his guidance. Shout out to Theo and all the other mentors who are selfless with their time.
Theo recommended that I apply to the Shell Youth Training Academy (SYTA) program while I was attending Crenshaw High School. It was an inner-city program (on Western and Manchester at the time) that introduced and prepared students for the working world. I interned at Media One (now Spectrum). I met executives in my community that fostered my curious mind, taught me about business etiquette, and showed me how to conduct myself as a professional. This exposure was invaluable and I can’t recommend early exposure enough as the secret sauce of success. Shout out to SYTA.
There are several people in my life who were instrumental in making sure that I was successful. I believe the people who contributed most to my success by providing me with exposure, tough love, and opportunities to grow, helped me interpret life from several different perspectives. I had an upbringing that combined Jewish, Latin, and African American elements that gave me a few different lenses to navigate life. I didn’t know it at the time, but each segment of my life was giving me the tools I needed to become successful through relatability. It was like walking around with a social swiss-army knife in my pocket. I had no problem eating latkes with my Jewish homies, comiendo tamales con mi Familia Latino, or sitting down at Sunday dinner with the black-folks in my family/community. It gave me the open-mindedness, understanding, and ability to sit down at larger tables and break bread with professionals from all walks of life and find common ground with practitioners who have become part of my extensive network that I consider extended family. A huge shout out to my Mom, who always instilled in me the importance of family. I dedicate this shoutout to the family that took time to pour a little culture from their hearts into my soul.
Website: www.10togetin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelscottmccain/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscottmccain/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelsmccain
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