Member Spotlight: Exclusive Interview With Jon Bombaci, CEO of Candor Realty

While there are several key players in the Boston real estate market, one name has stood out over the past five years in terms of performance and adaptability: Candor Realty. Although relatively new in the space, Candor already boasts over half a thousand units across various parts of the country.

Headed by Jon Bombaci, the company is setting new benchmarks on what a realty firm should be. In this edition of our Member Spotlight, Bombaci shares his journey so far, his projected growth trajectory, and the role EO Boston plays in it.

Tell Us About Yourself and Your Business

I'm Jon Bombaci, founder and CEO of Candor Realty. We’re an investor-focused real estate company that helps people achieve financial independence through real estate investing. Since starting in 2019, I’ve grown from owning 29 units to over 550 across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Candor Realty is not just a real estate company. It’s a one-stop shop with in-house property management, leasing, and construction management. Our ultimate mission is to empower others through real estate while continuing to grow as a team.

How Did You Become an Entrepreneur?

I transitioned into full-time real estate in 2019 after a career in finance and accounting leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies. I had always been interested in real estate as an investment vehicle and had been building a portfolio on the side.

Eventually, I realized that real estate could provide me the freedom I was seeking, both financially and personally, so I made the leap. I’ve always believed in the power of real estate as a team sport, which helped drive my decision to create Candor Realty.

How Passionate Are You About Real Estate?

Honestly, I love the work. I’m passionate about real estate and building something meaningful, so I don’t mind putting in long hours. My wife would probably say I’m not home enough, and she’s not wrong.

I tend to dive deep into what I’m doing. Balancing work and personal life is something I’m continuously working on, but at the end of the day, I really enjoy the process of growing the business and helping others succeed through real estate. It’s what drives me.

What Have Been Your Greatest Challenges and Successes in Business?

One of the greatest challenges has been scaling quickly while maintaining the culture and integrity of the business. When you grow as fast as we have, it’s easy for things to break or for quality to slip, so ensuring we keep everything streamlined and on track has been a challenge we’ve had to face head-on.

How Do You Network With Other Entrepreneurs?

I’m big on collaboration and sharing knowledge. Networking for me often happens through events and mastermind groups. We even host eight or nine free real estate meetups a month to help our clients.

I believe in surrounding myself with other like-minded individuals passionate about growth and learning. Platforms like EO are also a huge part of that. There’s no better way to stay sharp than to be in the room with other successful entrepreneurs.

Who Have Been Your Strongest Mentors?

I’ve been lucky to have found some great mentors throughout my journey. Early on, some of the leaders in corporate finance were my mentors. I had some family members who acted as mentors early on in my journey, and now, some of our more seasoned investors have become mentors, helping to guide and shape my businesses.

What Have You Learned Since Joining EO Boston?

I joined EO Boston because I wanted to be around people who are on a similar journey as entrepreneurs building something special. So far, I’ve learned that EO is not only about networking but also about growth and accountability. I am still new and getting started, but I’m looking forward to diving into the forums and attending events to help sharpen my leadership skills.

What’s on the Horizon for You?

For me, the next phase is scaling the business even further, with a focus on adding a few hundred more units each year. I’m also working on developing a wealth-building coaching program to help others reach a $1 million net worth within 10 years through real estate. Long-term, I’m planning to step out of the day-to-day operations and bring on a CEO so I can focus on bigger-picture growth strategies.

What’s the Best Piece of Advice You Can Give to Up-and-Coming Entrepreneurs?

Owning a business is a team sport, and the stronger your team, the easier the game gets. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Surround yourself with people who are better than you in areas you’re not strong in, and always be willing to learn. Finally, take action; analysis paralysis will get you nowhere.

Connect With Jon Bombaci and Other Business Leaders

As the saying goes, if you want to go fast, ride alone. But if you want to go far in your entrepreneurship journey, then you need a team of like-minded people with experience. EO Boston provides an exclusive opportunity to network with renowned industry experts like Jon Bombaci and others in the Boston entrepreneurial community.

Here, you can get access to high-end mentorships and forums and learn from various entrepreneurship events. Ultimately, you can see your business flourish while your revenue increases. If this aligns with your goals, EO Boston is definitely the right entrepreneurship network for you. Check whether you qualify for membership.