Time With The Boss - Debi Blanchard, Centerco Office Suites and Centerco Properties

Debi Blanchard
CENTERCO OFFICE SUITES AND
CENTERCO PROPERTIES

Website: www.centercoofficesuites.com

Industry: real estate management

Education: bachelor’s degree from Tulane

Family: two daughters – Madison, a sophomore at Northwestern, and Paige, a junior at MICDS

What is your mission?
To provide top management services and a great working environment for our tenants.

What was your first job?  
Steaming clothes at The Image on Clayton Road.

What was your worst job?  
See previous question (steaming clothes … I still don’t iron!).

What led you to your industry?  
My father, Arthur Loomstein, started Centerco 55 years ago.

What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?  
Hired Tricia, our Office Suites manager.

Who is your industry role model?
My father.

How do you try to differentiate your business from others in your industry?
Exceptional service and integrity.

What’s the hottest trend in your industry, and are you going to jump on board?

Co-working, but we found in Creve Coeur private offices are more appealing.

What’s the hardest part of your job?
Not always having the right-sized space that a prospect needs.

What’s the best part?
Finding someone an office space that they love.

What best advice would you share with new entrepreneurs?
Have an office at Centerco – an affordable price with a growing community of entrepreneurs.

What’s your favorite place in St. Louis?
Cunetto’s, all bakeries and Strange Donuts.

What book is on your nightstand?
“What Alice Forgot” by Liane Moriarty.

What has made you successful in your industry and in St. Louis?
Being a longtime local business with a great reputation.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Bake (often for our tenants!).