20 Questions With Ian Black

Ian Black is the founder of Ian Black Real Estate. He has worked in commercial real estate, in Sarasota-Manatee since the 1980s but prior to that, he lived in his homeland of Northern Ireland, which he fled shortly after his real estate office in Belfast was destroyed in a bombing during The Troubles.

He opened Ian Black Real Estate, one of the area’s largest, locally owned commercial real estate and property management firms, in Sarasota, with a partner in 2003 (they currently have 23 employees). 

1. College alma mater? I didn’t go to college. 

2. Last show you binge-watched? White Lotus. 

3. Favorite place for a business meeting? Waterworks SRQ.

4. iPhone or Android? iPhone.

5. What time do you wake up on workdays? 6.30 a.m.

6. What part of your morning routine can you not miss? A workout.

7. What movie terrified you as a child? Too long ago to remember.

9. Proudest moments? Seeing my team at Ian Black Real Estate work effectively to keep us as one of the leading commercial real estate brokers on the West Coast of Florida.

10. Dream dinner companion? Rory McIlroy (a professional golfer). 

10. Biggest business failure? Getting involved in businesses I don’t understand.

11. Best concert you’ve ever seen, live? Neil Diamond.

12. What is your cellphone wallpaper image? My grandson Austin, Buddy (my trainer’s dog) and me.

13. Most famous person you’ve ever met? Shimon Peres (Former Prime Minister of Israel). 

14. What is your go-to drink order? Irish Whiskey.

15. How do you manage the volume of emails you receive? Delete, delete, delete.

16. Last thing you ordered from Amazon? Slippers.

17. Emojis in the workplace, yay or nay? Yay.

18. Charity you support? Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

19. Favorite childhood memory? Spending summers at our seaside home in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

20. Best advice ever received? Always tell the truth because you don’t have to remember what you said!

You May Also Like
20 Questions with Dr. Kent Ingle

Dr. Kent Ingle serves as the president of Southeastern University, in Lakeland. Ingle is the executive head of the institution and all its departments, directing the university’s operations following its

Read More
kent-ingle-SEU-tbbw
20 Questions with Gilbert Broco

President of CI Group, in Tampa

Read More
20 Questions with Sabina Chaudhry

President & CEO of American Infrastructure Development

Read More
20 Questions with Rene Cantu

President & Chief Executive Officer, Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber

Read More
Rene-cantu-LGBT-chamber
Other Posts
Florida authors to represent the Sunshine State at the 2025 National Book Festival

Two Florida writers whose work explores family, culture and identity are headed to Washington, D.C., this fall, to represent the state at one of the country’s most celebrated literary events.

Read More
New IICF chapter takes shape in Tampa Bay, with statewide philanthropic goals

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is expanding its reach in Florida, thanks to the efforts of Maggie Potter and Misty Carson — two Tampa-based professionals who are leading the

Read More
Gasparilla Bowl announces 2025 game date and kickoff time

The Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl will return to Raymond James Stadium on Friday, Dec. 19, with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff and national broadcast on ESPN. Owned and operated by

Read More
Colliers launches specialized retail investment team in Florida

Colliers has launched a new, specialized retail investment team led by long-time brokers Mike Milano and Nicholas Coccodrilli. The newly formed Milano & Coccodrilli Retail Investment Team brings together more

Read More