Member Spotlight: Mat Zalk, Keyrenter Tulsa

36ºN member Mat Zalk is the owner and property manager of Keyrenter Tulsa. He specializes in the acquisition, renovation and operation of single and multi-family properties. Mat also serves as a “big brother” for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma (and encourages you to do the same!).

Where and when do you get your best ideas?
We get our best ideas under pressure. We find the old adage "necessity is the mother of invention" to be very true. We often come up with creative solutions to critical issues, but without that critical issue, it would have been difficult to arrive at a creative solution.

What's a work tool or ritual that you couldn't live without?
Coffee. I love to get the systems fired up!

What skill would you like to master?
Digital marketing

What advice would you give to someone seeking to launch or grow a business?
Focus on grit. You've got to put in the hours to make a business work. If you work hard, day after day, success will come. Don't look for big wins; rather put one foot in front of the other to build small wins every day. And finally, the risk-adjusted returns of a small business are greater. In other words: it's much easier and less risky to build a lifestyle business than to start the next Uber.

What are you most looking forward to in the year to come?
Building the processes and team that will allow us to double in size!

Why 36 Degrees North?
What a great spot! It's fun, creative and community supported. I love being part of an office space that houses so many creative, dynamic folks. Long live the small business!!

Do you want to give any shoutouts?
To everyone that makes 36°N possible and my Keyrenter team!