Partner Perspectives: Jock McNeill on Breaking the "Founder's Ceiling"
At our recent NARPM meeting, Jock McNeill (VP of Partner Relations, PURE Property Management) delivered a masterclass on the evolution of a PM business. After 20 years and 600 units, Jock realized a hard truth: If you are the only one who can solve HR or brokerage issues, you aren't the leader—you’re the bottleneck.
The Reality of the Modern Market The property management industry is rapidly shifting toward consolidation. To survive, Jock argues you must move beyond the "mom-and-pop" model by prioritizing Innovation and Scale. This means focusing on what you love—Growth and Relationships—while handing off the "brick wall of complexity" (HR, Payroll, and Back-office).
The Exit & Scale Checklist Before considering a merger or acquisition, Jock recommends filtering every decision through these four pillars:
Financial Logic: Does the math actually work?
Rewarding Challenges: Does this push the mission forward?
Team Growth: Does this create a path for your staff, or just for you?
Client Impact: Does the resident experience improve?
The Bottom Line: Scaling requires a "mastermind" environment. If you don't delegate the tasks that chew up your mental health, you will always be the ceiling of your own company.
