People You Should Know: Benjamin Gakinya
Broker Associate, Raintree Investments
AGE: 26
JOB DESCRIPTION: Most of my clients are individuals who are interested in diversifying their real estate holdings by transitioning into properties that are categorized as “armchair” investments. A majority of my clients are seasoned investors who own several multifamily assets and are interested in commercial investments.
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: I moved here in 2001 to attend Columbia College.
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Nairobi, Kenya. I lived in New Delhi, India, for five years. My life took a U-turn, which caused me to move back to Kenya. Higher learning called; Springfield, Mo., entered, stage right. Columbia’s diversity and location drew me in like a moth to a flame. So far I haven’t got burnt.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in business administration. I’m in the process of pursuing my master’s degree at William Woods University.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Board of Realtors, Knights of Columbus—even though serving eggs on early Sunday morning wasn’t part of the deal.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I was previously an insurance broker before I transitioned into investment real estate. It was the one fork in the road that really defined my career objective and fine-tuned my aspirations.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: I’m officially changing the noun “businessperson” from singular to plural. With that minor adjustment, the answer would be: Keith Neese, John Hancock, Mike Grellner, John John, Paul Land, Bill Payne, Jay Wilson, Jason Thornhill, Linda Gilpin, Grady Davolt, Jack Maher and all the other professionals in the industry I have had the pleasure of working with who realize this game is about teamwork, regardless of affiliation.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: The flexibility and the people. Not necessarily in that order.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING: I would be checkmating, castling, capturing pawns, trapping bishops, strategizing knight jumps and creating impenetrable castle walls as a chess grandmaster with an infamous alias.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME: The decision to leave a well-known real estate firm to go to an independent practice would fit this bill quite nicely. Creating an identity in this instance was challenging.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Volunteering in the cleanup of the 9th Ward in Louisiana. The devastation was unimaginable. It continues to create an opportunity to help those in need.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: It’s not about selling; it’s a process of guiding an individual’s motives to reach his/her goals.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I get to relive being a 16-month-old again with my daughter. We work tenaciously at discovering the best way to configure Mr. Potato Head’s appendages and facial features. It’s really serious stuff.
FAMILY: Married for four years to my beautiful wife, Calyn. We enjoy every moment, no matter how early, with our new addition, Lehni.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: The Trails. Can you say, “Tax dollars in motion”?
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: The rigorous training I am currently undertaking to dissuade future suitors from attempting to court my daughter.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: My capacity for the employment of the Swahili language goes beyond “Hakuna Matata,” and, yes, it really does mean “no worries.