The white tux and the cigar on Buchanan are some traditions alumni remember here on Eye Street before they take on the world and go on to run businesses. Gonzaga is a place filled with successful alumni in recent years, one of whom is Mr. Mike Formant.
Mr. Formant graduated from the Gonzaga class of 2013 and is now a goalie coach for the soccer team at Gonzaga during his free time. He owns his own real estate property group, Formant Property Group, down on H Street. This real estate company has been in his family for generations, and he’s the third generation.
“My YiaYia (Grandmother) started it when she was 15 years old in the 1930s, [and] then my dad rebranded and took over in 1981,” said Mr. Formant, explaining the history of the business.
Mr. Formant’s dad ran the business for a couple of decades and showed some of the ropes so that when the time was right, Mr. Formant would be ready. But life is unpredictable.
“Unfortunately, my dad passed away, and by default, I had to step up in 2019,” Mr Formant stated.
His father’s death was tragic, but he knew he had some of the best teachers in the game. Along with his family, he had a Gonzaga education to help him step up to the plate.
“Gonzaga was tough for [me] school-wise, but it taught [me] good time management and how to problem solve. Very simply put-put, that’s what working for [myself] is … managing [his time], focus and figuring out how to get deals done,” Mr. Formant stated.
Formant Property Group has purchased, renovated, developed and resold more than 2,000 properties in Washington, D.C., over the last 30 years. Now, he’s in charge of a successful property group almost a century old. He’s young, yet stepped up to the challenge head-on and excelled. He had some words of wisdom to share, as well.
“The best advice I can give is to start now! Get your boots on the ground, hustle and learn. Even if you work for free at first, get into it early and make yourself become the best. […] The harder you work, the luckier you get,” Mr. Formant stated.