EPISODE SUMMARY
Ever wonder how the most successful leaders in proptech make it to the top? In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, host Jonathan Treble sits down with Natalie Cariola, CRO at SmartRent, to uncover the game-changing decisions and bold risks that have defined her 25-year career in the multifamily technology space.
Natalie doesn’t just talk about leadership—she lives it. From starting out as a leasing agent at 17 to scaling Zumper into one of the leading names in proptech, Natalie’s journey is one of fearless innovation, calculated risks and relentless learning. She shares how stepping outside of her comfort zone has fueled her growth, and why taking charge of your own career is the ultimate key to success.
With 25 years of experience in multifamily and technology, Natalie dives deep into how she uses autonomy and trust to build high-performing teams and innovative solutions. She also talks about the invaluable lessons she learned from scaling startups in the fast-evolving proptech industry, where embracing change and continual learning are non-negotiable for success.
Natalie’s approach to autonomy, team building and leadership will challenge the way you think about scaling companies and your own professional development. Whether you’re leading a startup, climbing the corporate ladder, or simply navigating a tech-driven industry, this episode will give you the tools to think bigger, push boundaries and confidently bet on yourself.
Natalie Cariola’s career is a masterclass in leadership, risk-taking and scaling innovation. Ready to break free from your comfort zone and learn the secrets of proptech leadership from one of its trailblazers? Tune in now!
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The amenity wars of the recent years have seen high-end apartment communities battle for renters on the basis of spectacular amenities.
Cue the arrival of dog spas, maker spaces, axe-throwing rooms, recording studios, Amazon lockers, game arcades, boxing gyms, rooftop community gardens, bowling alleys, golf simulators and more.
Of course, none of these come cheap. All are likely to add to the monthly rent payment. And therein lies the rub. Many renters’ paychecks are insufficient to pay even the cost of an average apartment shorn of amenities. For many renters of Gen Z, soon to make up much of the apartment resident cohort, renting by themselves is financially infeasible.
Jonathan Treble, WithMe company founder and CEO, believes many residents prefer practical as opposed to over-the-top luxury amenities. “While luxury amenities like movie theaters, crystal lagoons and spas are attractive and flashy, they often go underutilized,” he says.
“Residents prioritize features they can consistently use and benefit from, ensuring the investment in their apartment home is worthwhile. As hybrid and fully remote work models continue, amenities that promote productivity are essential in meeting residents’ evolving needs and supporting their work-from-home lifestyles. Transforming lobbies and shared spaces into one-stop shops with convenient and high-quality amenities, like printing and coffee machines, makes residents’ daily routines easier. It removes costs and the time it takes to get there, which ultimately increases resident satisfaction.”
In an era of unpredictable for-sale housing markets compelling more and more people to rent, many renters prize genuine value and cost savings, Treble says. Amenities that are, he says, “designed to seamlessly integrate with residents’ lifestyles and help them save money will help them decide to live in one community over another but will also increase the community’s overall value.”
The 2024 OPTECH Conference & Expo, hosted by The National Multifamily Housing Council, is the hub for the most important conversations and business deals in multifamily housing technology and operations. The annual event boasts brilliant keynote speakers, exceptional educational sessions, informative workshops and numerous networking opportunities.
To help you make the most out of your time at OPTECH, we’ve put together 7 tips to ensure you maximize your time and have a great experience:
Curated by the Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center (RETTC), the FUTURESlab is a vibrant space that will offer more than just networking - it promises to be a hub of innovation and inspiration. Engage with short, impactful presentations, relax in comfortable seating areas with charging stations, and visit the FIRE Pavilion, a hands-on tour of the latest construction tech. Whether you visit the FUTURESlab to recharge or to spark new ideas, this exciting new conference feature is your destination for forward-thinking in multifamily real estate.
FUTURESLab Hours
At OPTECH’s inaugural Advocacy Day, you’ll be equipped with the tools and resources to engage in effective policy advocacy for the future of rental housing technology. The day includes an Advocacy Briefing and Workshop and organized Hill and agency meetings.
Advocacy Day Schedule
General Sessions
From the official launch of the groundbreaking Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center to thought-provoking presentations by forward-thinking leaders, this year’s general sessions cover some of the industry’s most important and most talked about topics, including:
Opening Pitches
From 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, hear short pitches highlighting the latest innovative multifamily products and services.
Breakout Sessions
These sessions allow you to take a deep dive into specific topics and participate in informative and interactive Q&As.
Topics include:
Technology Workshops
OPTECH technology workshops are 75-minute sessions loaded with takeaways.
Topics include:
Breakfast Briefings
Start your day with an informative update on the constantly shifting regulatory and legislative landscape. From HUD Fair Housing guidelines to housing affordability and tax updates, breakfast briefings are your chance to stay informed, ask questions and connect with NMHC to share your challenges and interests related to current and upcoming policy changes.
Topics include:
Create a prioritized list of the booths you want to visit so you can maximize your time at the Expo and avoid overlooking solutions that are of the most interest to your business. Dedicate time for meaningful conversations with vendors that interest you. OPTECH is multifamily’s foremost forum for innovative tech, and you are guaranteed to uncover new products and services that can help you elevate your property and add significant value to your business.
Expo Hours
Be sure to visit the WithMe team at booth 535 to fuel up with a cup of delicious SipWithMe coffee, check out a PrintWithMe device and find out how our amenities can help you decrease spend, control costs and create efficiencies - all while elevating the resident experience.
Feel like doing a little recon before OPTECH? Browse the LinkedIn profiles of everyone from WithMe who will be attending:
Make time to dive into the rich history and vibrant culture of the nation’s capital! Washington, D.C. offers a wealth of iconic landmarks, world-class museums and lively neighborhoods.
See the sights:
Enjoy world-class dining:
For even more ideas, check out TripAdvisor’s 3 Days in Washington, D.C. city guide. It’s almost as if it was curated for OPTECH attendees!
Leverage the opportunity to grow your multifamily network!
Exchange contact information with the professionals you connect with during the conference and at networking events - and make it a point to stay connected! Interact with social media posts. Schedule 15-minute “coffee chats” over Zoom. Make time to build relationships.
Also be intentional about scheduling conversations with suppliers and vendors who you think can help add efficiency and drive more value for your business! After all, OPTECH was designed to showcase simplified, integrated, sustainable tech for better performance and communities.
We’re teaming up with our friends at Flamingo, PointCentral, Apartment List and Agua Plus to host the FREE Runtech_5K on October 22! Enjoy stunning views of the city on the scenic race route, which will begin at the Potomac River Waterfront Park (just a few steps away from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center).
Whether you’re sprinting, jogging or taking a leisurely walk, this event is the perfect way to start your day with fellow industry professionals. Enjoy AguaPlus water at the finish line, network with peers and make the most of this unique conference experience.
We encourage everyone to arrive by 6:45 a.m., as the 5K will start promptly at 7 a.m.
Register here.
We can’t wait to connect with you October 21-23 in Washington, D.C.!
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to reassess how you're protecting resident and company information at your property. While locking down devices and strengthening passwords are essential, there’s one often-overlooked source of risk: printers.
Yes, you read that right - printers. According to The Washington Post, a disturbing number of third-party printing services read, store and even sell confidential user information.
Whether in the leasing office or a shared space, printers process a significant amount of personally identifiable information (PII). Without proper security measures, sensitive documents—like tax returns and resident income verification forms—could be exposed.
Unlike many printing services, PrintWithMe is fully transparent about its data collection practices. More than just a convenient tool and service, PrintWithMe is dedicated to safeguarding personal and business-related documents.
When you submit files via PrintWithMe’s website, app or email, they’re encrypted, preventing interception or tampering. Think of encryption as your digital bodyguard, ensuring secure delivery to the printer.
This level of security is especially crucial for printer amenities for apartments and printers for leasing offices, where sensitive information like social security numbers and banking details are often printed. Without a secure system, privacy is at risk.
PrintWithMe’s state-of-the-art encryption and secure release features ensure that documents stay confidential. Files only print when the user is physically present, reducing the risk of sensitive information being left unattended in shared trays.
This level of security is appreciated by property managers and residents alike. LuAnne Acton Ross, Partner and Executive Vice President at Asset Living shared, “When you combine the positive resident impact with the cost savings for our properties and the reduced liability from our on-site teams who may have been helping residents by printing their private documents, it is simply a no-brainer."
If you don’t have access to a printing solution that transparently manages data security, adopting these smart habits can help mitigate risks:
By following these best practices, you can reduce risks. But why worry about it when PrintWithMe’s encrypted printing solutions offer foolproof protection?
Take the first step in securing your community’s sensitive information. Contact us for a demo or pricing today.
EPISODE SUMMARY
What does it take to shake up the multifamily industry in a tech-driven age? In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Jonathan Treble sits down with Terry Slattery, CEO of IDScan.net, to explore the leadership lessons and strategic insights behind his success.
From building ForRent to leading CheckpointID, Terry shares how innovative tech is transforming multifamily operations—reshaping resident experiences, safeguarding communities and streamlining processes.
With decades of innovation under his belt, Terry Slattery isn’t just riding the wave of technology—he’s helping lead it. But it’s not just about tech. Terry’s leadership playbook is built on adaptability, vision and a forward-thinking mindset.
Curious about scaling a company in a fast-evolving market? Terry’s leadership is rooted in adaptability, humility and a deep understanding of the people around him. From navigating the complexities of company acquisitions to launching startups, Terry reveals the importance of building a strong culture, surrounding yourself with the right team, and never underestimating the power of listening—both to customers and employees.
Whether you're a property manager aiming to boost resident satisfaction, an executive seeking innovative tech solutions or just fascinated by the future of real estate, this episode is your insider guide. Get ready to challenge the status quo, embrace new ideas and future-proof your multifamily operations with Terry Slattery’s expert insights.
Tune in and discover what it really takes to lead in an industry on the brink of transformation.
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Jonathan Treble’s idea to create a network of printing kiosks and self-service coffee stations has grown into a burgeoning company that services thousands of multifamily communities nationwide and in the Phoenix area.
In the evolving landscape of remote work, Jonathan Treble, CEO of WithMe, Inc., has positioned his company at the forefront by embracing a remote-first model. With a workforce spread across the United States and five different countries, Treble has successfully navigated the complexities of remote work, leveraging technology to enhance communication and collaboration. In a recent interview, Treble shared insights into how WithMe has thrived as a remote-first organization and the critical role communication plays in this success.
Picture this. Your residents, bleary-eyed from an early morning wake-up call or a long day at the office, walk into your lobby. Instead of being met with a run-of-the-mill pod brewer or an uninspired drip coffee machine, they’re greeted by a sleek, barista-quality, bean-to-cup machine that fills the air with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans. It’s not just coffee; it’s an experience.
America’s love affair with coffee is undeniable. Nearly three in four Americans drink coffee every day, according to Drive Research’s 2024 Coffee Report. Bean-to-cup machines like SipWithMe deliver convenience, quality, and a little luxury—all without residents having to leave your apartment community.
Not all coffee machines are created equal, and SipWithMe is proof of that. It’s more than just a way to caffeinate—it’s a personalized café at your residents' fingertips. Here’s what makes SipWithMe a standout:
It’s one thing to offer coffee; it’s another to offer a coffee experience residents can’t live without. According to a recent survey from WithMe, Inc., 82% of residents in communities with SipWithMe called it an "essential" amenity. And it’s easy to see why. Sherry Haney, a Senior Property Manager at Security Properties, notes, "Our residents love the SipWithMe coffee and machine. I have received multiple compliments on the variety of brews they can select from, how the machine is easy to use, and the flavor of the coffee."
For residents, it’s all about:
Sure, residents love the coffee, but what about the property managers? SipWithMe isn’t just a perk for caffeine enthusiasts—it’s also a powerful tool for streamlining property management and boosting community appeal.
Here’s how SipWithMe makes life easier for property managers:
Bean-to-cup coffee isn’t just a trend—it’s a shift in how we think about amenities. With SipWithMe, property managers can offer residents the luxury of a café experience without leaving the building, while also keeping operations smooth and efficient.
Ready to take your multifamily property to the next level? Let’s talk about bringing SipWithMe to your community. Contact us today.
This e-book, inspired by a webinar co-hosted by WithMe and Flamingo, delves into the art of creating impactful resident events.
From emerging trends to mastering the design process from start to finish, learn how to elevate your planning skills and create resident events that will leave a lasting impact on your community.
Here's what's covered:
Starting a business is a thrilling journey filled with challenging financial decisions that can significantly impact the future of your venture. Thirty-eight percent of startups fail because they have run out of cash or failed to raise new capital, so one of the most critical choices entrepreneurs face is deciding whether to bootstrap or fundraise. Both methods have unique advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on various factors, including the nature of your business, personal risk tolerance and long-term vision.