Ann Pieper Eisenbrown
President and owner
Pieper Properties Inc.
234 W. Florida St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Industry: Commercial real estate
Family: Husband, Bob; children, Evie, 4, and Jack, 5; stepchildren, Tom, 15, Megan, 19, and Katie, 21.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“Tightened our belts some more. Our industry still has a little more recovering to do. Luckily I have a smart, involved team (company and beyond) that understands and supports what we’re doing, long-term.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“No.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Hitting our leasing goals. The year has started busier than expected. The creative and professional sectors are doing nicely but we also need to see continued growth in the start-ups and tech businesses.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“LEED.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“The Golden Rule: do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Have a plan, make it measureable, stick to it (don’t let the heat of the moment influence you). This applies personally (think personal investments) as well as professionally.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“My dad, for his constant and abiding focus on integrity and high quality.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“I recently locked myself out of one of our buildings on a sixth floor balcony on a high wind day…the space was vacant and for once I had no phone on me! Luckily a neighbor was out on the street a few minutes later and realized I wasn’t just waving hello….”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Cook (and eat, and feed my loved ones); be with the entire family at our cottage…everything else just sort of melts away for a little while.”
