Introducing Bisnow's Bosses: A Minute With Zak Guysenir

Bisnow proudly presents a new series called “Bisnow Bosses” focused on introducing you to the men and women building Bisnow, and your business, in your local market. Our mission is to help you do more business, and our bosses take it seriously. Here’s a quick chat with Zak Guysenir, our head of sales in Chicago. Please shoot him an email at zak.guysenir@bisnow.com. 

Zak Guysenir claims he has never lost a game of ping-pong, because he will break his paddle before he lets his opponent win. Now, Zak brings his competitive nature to commercial real estate as Bisnow’s Chicago business director.

We spoke with Zak about his explorations in Chicago, the worst flag football game of his life and his plans for a sandwich shop in Argentina.

To contact Zak Guysenir, send him an email at zak.guysenir@bisnow.com. 

What brought you to Bisnow?

I had been working in the finance and title insurance industries for a few years. I knew I wanted to stay in a sales role, but I wanted something with more excitement, a more innovative company. And once I started going to Bisnow events and meeting the people at the company ... I thought, “Wow this place is incredible!”

What is your most insane experience at Bisnow so far?

Honestly, it was my very first day here — my interview at Bisnow started with a SoulCycle class. I had to go through the whole rest of the day pretending that it wasn’t the sweatiest day of my life.

So you’d say you’re pretty competitive? 

Oh, definitely. I was in a flag football league a few years ago, and I ended up breaking my nose and dislocating my pinky during the same game. The guys on this other team just kept running straight at me. Leave it to me to make flag football a contact sport. I’ll have you know that we still won, though.

What’s your biggest success so far at Bisnow?

Well this deal just closed, so I can’t use names yet, but we built out a sweeping marketing campaign for a big law firm here in Chicago. It was a lot of custom work to make sure it hit every part of our CRE audience — the digital side, the event side, content — but I know they’re going to be so happy when it all comes together.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

When I was in college, I worked at a certain large orange home improvement store that will remain nameless. They put me in the paint department, not realizing that I’m a bit color blind. Thanks to me, there are a few rather eccentrically painted houses in the Boulder, Colorado, area.

How do you describe what you do at Bisnow to your buddies and clients?

I work for the most dynamic commercial real estate [media] company that produces the most informative and fun news and events content. Everything here is done by the most incredible, most talented team for which failure is not an option. Did I miss any superlatives?

What keeps you up at night?

My upstairs neighbors. ARE YOU TEACHING BREAK-DANCING CLASSES UP THERE, GLENN?!?

What’s your favorite building in Chicago?

I'd have to go with the Board of Trade building — if there’s one building that embodies the "City of Broad Shoulders,” I'd say it's that one. My dad made his living in that building as a trader 30 years ago, and it's incredible to see it at night as you walk down LaSalle. Either that or Wrigley Field. 

What’s your drink of choice?

Good tequila. Right now, Fortaleza Reposado.

What’s your favorite trip you’ve ever been on?

I try to travel internationally every year, so it’s always the last one I went on. This year, my girlfriend and I went to Morocco. We hung out in Casablanca and rode camels out in the desert.

So where are you headed next?

I’m trying to get to the 2020 World Nomad Games in Turkey — I’m still taking applications for our horseback archery team, so let me know if you’re interested. 

If you weren't at Bisnow, where would you be and what would you be doing?

My most treasured possessions are my car, my passport and my backpack because they help me go anywhere I want. If Bisnow doesn't work out, I'm going to sell everything, ride a motorcycle down to South America and figure out a way to get into the Dakar Rally Race.

Where will you be 10 years from now?

Owning a sandwich shop in an old Airstream trailer I plan on salvaging on a beach in Argentina.

You can meet Zak Guysenir at any of Bisnow’s upcoming Chicago events or contact him at zak.guysenir@bisnow.com or (520) 405 6375.