Today’s pace of change is relentless due to globalization, technological innovation, and the growing number of linkages among people. People also mix and mingle and forge new partnerships to create more culturally diverse workplaces. As a result, there is an increasing group of companies that collaborates to investigate new opportunities and explore new markets along with new technologies that can shake up entire industries.
Hence, as the pace of this change accelerates, there is a greater need for effective leadership. Companies need an irreplaceable leader, who keeps up with the times. They know that to stay abreast of this moving world, one needs to be agile, creative, innovative and willing to change at a sheer pace. Such leaders are the ones with adaptability and foresight.
Also, what makes such leaders unique and stand out is their clear vision. Their aim is not just to distinguish their business, but to create unique and customer-centric services without deviating from the company’s original mission. Such outspoken leaders take companies to the zenith of success through their skillful command and a dynamic and collaborative approach.
Featured on the cover of this edition of Insights Success is the story of one such dynamic leader, Robbie Antonio, Founder, and CEO of Resident Holdings. His vibrant vision lets him cut through today’s clutter of information to communicate to multiple stakeholders or partners in a memorable way.
The Journey to Prominence
A real estate developer, tech entrepreneur, and art patron, Antonio has many identities. Though all of these identities stand out, the most acclaimed and credited one is that of an entrepreneur and a branding expert. Before we dig deeper into the entrepreneurial journey of Antonio, let us look at the chain of events that initiated this journey.
Antonio’s upbringing in a business-oriented family is the result of why he was already aware of the real estate market. The fact that he grew up in a business-oriented family only intensified his desire to build a unique real-estate company using his abilities, network, and experiences. His early exposure to this sector made him appreciate its intricacies and complexities.
However, the stepping stone towards achieving greatness is going against the norm. After spending years doing research, Antonio had foreseen the potential and growth of prefab in the real-estate industry. The result of the research is what we see as Revolution Precrafted; the flagship company under the holding company- Resident Holdings. True to its name, this company has led a revolution in the prefab industry, eventually making Antonio and Revolution Precrafted a prominent name in this business.
To date, Antonio has worked with more than 100 Pritzker Prize Architects/firms such as Philip Johnson Alan Ritchie architects, Zaha Hadid, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, I.M. Pei, and Christian de Portzamparc. He has also collaborated with renowned designers including Tom Dixon, Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders, Ron Arad, and Campana Brothers.
He has also worked with more than 100 notable brands in various fields—including Hollywood, fashion, design, luxury, and art. He has also successfully established the largest number of luxury branded real estate developments across the globe, by working with Versace Home, Wallpaper Magazine, Paris Hilton, Giorgio Armani for Armani Casa, Lenny Kravitz, and Missoni Home.
Creating a property-tech company was only the beginning for Antonio, however. Because of his keen passion to explore more industries, he has leveraged his branding skills to numerous businesses and ultimately created an umbrella organization that champions celebrity-curated brands, products and services: Resident Holdings.
A Review of Resident Holdings
Launched in 2019, Resident Holdings is fast becoming a household name because of its successful businesses across multiple industries. Revolution Precrafted currently serves as the flagship company under the umbrella firm, and Antonio has created over 15 business units engaged in fashion, beauty, direct marketing, e-commerce and retail. What connects all of these companies is a DNA of celebrity-branding.
“We wanted to create businesses that will harness the power of celebrity branding. We believe that by partnering with celebrities, we create value-added products and services that consumers will patronize and enjoy,” Antonio added.
One of the most successful units under the company is Roaring Pets Company, an online marketplace for pet toys and accessories. One would think, that such businesses won’t be lucrative but the company has enjoyed strong sales since its roll out last September 2019.
“Because of the great demand for unique items for their pets, Roaring Pets has seen steadily sales despite the presence of numerous competitors. That only proves our business model. By asking celebrities to curate toys and accessories, you offer something new to the market,” Antonio added.
Other successful business units under Resident Holdings include:
· Renegade Branding Concepts is a one-stop-shop for franchising and licensing concepts that offer an unparalleled list of possible retail and business opportunities in partnership with some of the biggest celebrities. · Renaissance Touch is an online marketplace for celebrity-curated home accessories and interior spaces. · Rebel Specs Design—a celebrity-branded eyewear e-commerce company that features sleek, top-notch design with unbeatable prices. · Regal Jewelry Selection—a curated e-commerce jewelry brand that sells gorgeous celebrity-branded rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets · Radiant Beauty Selection—an e-commerce company that provides beauty products and perfumes. · Replenish Corporation—the premiere celebrity-inspired nutrition and vitamin e-supplements company
A Curator of Art
Apart from his love for designs and technology which is visible in all his work, Antonio is also known for his extensive love for art and is one of the youngest collectors of international modern and post-war contemporary art in the world. His passion for art has also led him to collaborate with artists such as
Marina Abramovich, Julian Schnabel, Damien Hirst, Marilyn Minter, Julian Opie, Zhang Huan, David La Chapelle, Francesco Clemente, Takashi Murakami, and Julian Schnabel.
His accomplishments as an art collector have helped him receive numerous awards from different organizations. Artnet recognized Antonio as one of the ‘12 Young Art Collectors to Watch in 2016,’ and as one of the ‘The World’s Top 100 Art Collectors for 2016.’ In the year 2014, Artnet had recognized him as one of the ‘20 of the World’s Most Innovative Art Collectors,’ and in 2015, he also part of Artnet’s ‘Top 200 Art Collectors Worldwide.’
A Man of Many Feats
The glorious odyssey of Robbie Antonio does not end here. His achievements for art can be called as a reward for his passion. However, the achievements for his work are well-deserved and a reminder of his contribution to the industry. One would go out of words to describe the tenacity of Antonio and his zeal to bring change in the industries. Below-mentioned are just some of Antonio’s achievements:-
- Real Estate Personality of the Year by PropertyGuru
- 25 Most Influential Personalities” by the Philippine Star
- 50 Under 50” by Town & Country
- Real Estate All-stars in New York” by Real Estate Weekly, New York
- Top 40 Rising Stars of Real Estate Globally” by Institutional Investor Magazine at the age of 28
He was also nominated as one of the ’25 Pioneers Who Are Transforming the Built World’ by BuiltWorlds and ‘50 Asians Who Are Transforming the Way We Live’ by The Singapore Straits Times.
