Welcome to Northstar’s article series, “Meet the Partners of Northstar: Guiding Our Strategic Vision & Company’s Success.” As part of Northstar’s 15-year celebration, this series has highlighted the experiences and journeys of the partners who have shaped the company’s trajectory.
We close with Kirstin Brown as we wrap up this chapter and look ahead to Northstar’s 16th-year celebration this month.
A Crossroads of Uncertainty for Kirstin Brown
Kirstin Brown found herself at a crossroads when the economy hit the worst recession in recent history. At the height of her career and at a critical point in her life, with family and financial responsibilities, would starting a new business satisfy her need for constant education, professional growth, financial stability, and career advancement? And could she recover if this didn’t work out? These questions kept her up at night and kept her dreaming during the day. Fortunately, she wouldn’t be doing this alone. Four of her current partners worked with Kirstin at JLL. They, too, grappled with the same questions Kirstin faced. The allure of creating a firm of their own took hold. They had all the traits needed to start a business.
The Formation of Northstar: A Leap of Faith
In 2010, Kirstin joined her three former JLL colleagues to found Northstar Project & Real Estate Services, leaving behind the security of established careers to pursue a shared vision. Despite economic uncertainty and corporate upheaval, they took a leap of faith and built something of their own. Kirstin brought the same skills, mentality, and perseverance that made her successful in her first development job, traits that still define her as a successful entrepreneur.
