Meet Kari Negri | Chief Executive Officer, SKY Properties, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kari Negri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kari, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Well, this used to be an issue for me because I did everything around my business. Until one day, a few years ago, I stood up from my emails and realized I was completely caught up and therefore done for the day. It was 10 in the morning; my husband was at work, my son was at school, and I had no idea what to do with myself. I had no hobbies except doing research on property management. Trust me on this – it was not a good feeling to literally have no idea what to do with my free time. I had worked myself into a corner. Now don’t get me wrong, I have a big family and a lot of friends, but they all worked too. I highly recommend having interests outside of work that you can do on your own. I have been the President of the Toluca Lake Homeowner’s Association for a few years. It’s a distraction that I have loved being involved with and also makes me feel like part of the community that I live and work in. But, it is still not a hobby or interest just for me and everyone needs that, or you retire and do what? There is more to life than work.

What should our readers know about your business?
My company, SKY Properties, Inc. is a boutique-style property management company that I started when I was a single mom in a one-office suite. SKY Properties has since grown into a successful and award-winning property management company for the last 27 years! I attribute most of its success to old fashioned, “roll up your sleeves” hard work, surrounding myself with good, positive people, and going above and beyond to stay up to date on technology, as well as the ever-changing property management laws. It was extremely challenging to accept all the risks involved, but over time we have been able to minimize them. It is equally as important for me to give as much as I receive, and I encourage everyone to do their part in their own communities.

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.
We would start the weekend off strong by grabbing Pricilla’s coffee (located in Toluca Lake) to start our day! Then, spend the entire day at Universal Studios, especially at Harry Potter World to enjoy a butter beer. If you have a chance to try one, be careful, they are sweet! After that, go back to Toluca Lake to Forman’s Whiskey Tavern for a late-night bite. I highly recommend their brussel sprouts! The next day, we would grab another coffee and go to Pergolina’s unique gift shop. It has an Italian flare and the cutest knick-knacks! Next, my best friend and I would catch a show at the marvelous Garry Marshall Theater. With this intimate theater, you feel like you are apart of the show. Finally, have dinner at the famous Smokehouse restaurant and of course end our weekend at the Spin the Bottle Wine shop. Perfect weekend right at home in Toluca Lake!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say that without the help of my 1st boss in the business who gave me my 1st client Sam Rand with 300 units, my aunt Donna Altounian at Ramsey-Shilling giving me my 1st office, my dad a former Assembly member and attorney encouraging me at an exceedingly challenging time in my life (going through a divorce), and my daughter as well as my 1st child Skyla’s patience and love – none of this would have ever happened.

Website: https://www.skypropertiesinc.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-negri-075068a

Image Credits
Alisha Jucevic/Wall Street Journal Daniel Deitch/Toluca Lake Magazine