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East Windsor, New Jersey (May-June 2022) – For Carey Tajfel, property management is a family affair. He is the current president of TFE Properties and Hotels Unlimited Inc. and got his start in the business through his parents, who owned and managed hotels. In 1990, Tajfel and his brother got involved, helping oversee TFE’s transition from the hotel business to just about every type of property under the sun. Despite the expansion, TFE is still very much a family business. Tajfel’s wife, Francine Tajfel, is the company’s general counsel, and they have several children in the fold as well.
Unlike national companies that focus on build-for-sale projects, TFE focuses on rentals for their own portfolio. This approach allows Tajfel and his team to maintain control over their projects even as they’ve expanded into asset classes outside hotels, such as retail, self-storage, multifamily, and office space. It’s a perfect middle ground that allows TFE to maintain a small business ethos even while managing an ever-expanding range of properties.
“We had to learn as we went,” Tajfel said. “That gave us a very broad foundation. It gives us an edge that we can enter any sector and figure out a way to make a deal work. Or if it’s a deal that requires multiple components, we’re able to bring multiple disciplines to the table.”
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TRAIT FOR SUCCEEDING IN BUSINESS?
I would say follow-through, attention to detail, and multitasking.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE BEACH DESTINATION AND FAVORITE BEACH ACTIVITY?
I like a lot of different beaches and I like variety. I guess if I were picking one, I would say the beaches in Hawaii. I like to be in the water.
WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE SONG ON YOUR SUMMER PLAYLIST?
Right now, I’m into the song “Woman” by Doja Cat. My kids laugh at me, but I like the rhythm.
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