About Leah Maki
Leah Maki
When I co-founded Relevate One, it wasn’t just about starting a business—it was about solving a real problem I saw in multifamily developments. There was a clear gap in how technology, particularly access control and surveillance, was being implemented in these environments. Residents wanted security and convenience, but many solutions in the market either missed the mark or were too complex to manage.
Starting as a small team, we didn’t have massive resources. But we had a vision: to deliver tailored, cutting-edge solutions that improved safety, simplified processes, and made property management more efficient. The journey wasn’t without challenges—there were doubts from potential clients, technical hurdles, and even moments where we questioned our capacity to compete with big-name players.
One pivotal moment came when we pitched to a national property management firm. They loved the concept but doubted our ability to execute on the scale they needed. Instead of getting defensive, we leaned into transparency. We showed them our roadmap, the partnerships we’d built, and the steps we were taking to ensure scalability. We admitted where we were still growing but demonstrated our commitment to excellence.
That meeting turned into our first major project and opened doors to others. It was a lesson in leadership: that vulnerability, paired with clear vision and actionable plans, builds trust.
Fast forward to today, Relevate isn’t just a business—it’s a platform for innovation and empowerment. We’ve carved out a niche in luxury apartment and condominium security solutions and have a growing funnel of opportunities.
The takeaway for you as WBEs? Leadership is about clarity of vision, adaptability, and the courage to admit what you don’t know while taking bold steps to grow into what’s possible. Sometimes, the greatest leadership strength is turning doubt into an opportunity for trust and partnership.