About

Brian Potratz — Founder & President

Brian Potratz

Founder & President — Black Seven Capital

Brian Potratz is the founder and president of Black Seven Capital, a privately held commercial real estate investment firm based in Minnesota. He has built a portfolio of 34+ properties across five states, with a focus on value-add acquisitions and lease structure optimization — particularly converting gross leases to NNN through active ownership, backfilling vacancies, and tenant extension negotiations.

Brian began his career in mortgage banking, where he developed an instinct for deal structure, risk, and capital — disciplines that translate directly to how he underwrites and manages commercial assets today. He transitioned full-time into commercial real estate in 2018, and has since built a growing portfolio with a clear identity: active operators who find the value others leave on the table.

In 2022, Brian co-founded CEG Management with partner Jeff Salzbrun, formalizing the property management and leasing operation that serves the Black Seven portfolio and select third-party clients. He also holds his real estate license through Commercial Equities Group, maintaining a direct brokerage connection that gives Black Seven an edge in deal sourcing and tenant relationships.

Brian is based in Minnesota with his family.

The Name

Black

Operating in the positive

To be "in the black" is to be profitable. It's a standard we hold every asset to — not just at the portfolio level, but property by property, deal by deal. We don't chase growth that doesn't pencil. We run real numbers and we operate accordingly.

Seven

Luck & conviction

Seven is the most favored number in most cultures — it represents fortune, conviction, and the belief that preparation meets opportunity. We believe in doing the work. The luck follows. Combined, Black Seven represents the firm's core identity: disciplined capital, operating in the positive, with conviction.

Career Arc

The Path Here

Early

Mortgage Banking

Career began in mortgage banking — learning the capital stack, deal structures, and risk analysis at the foundational level. The financial discipline developed here became the backbone of how Black Seven underwrites every acquisition.

Side

First Investments

While still in banking, began acquiring commercial properties on the side. Learned the operator's reality — the difference between owning an asset and managing one. Built conviction that active ownership was where real returns lived.

2018

Full-Time Commercial Real Estate

Made the full transition to commercial real estate. Black Seven Capital became the primary vehicle for acquisitions, management, and capital deployment. The portfolio began its consistent growth trajectory.

2022

Co-Founded CEG Management

Partnered with Jeff Salzbrun to co-found CEG Management, formalizing the property management and leasing operation serving the Black Seven portfolio and select third-party assignments. The firm operates from Minnesota with active presence in all markets.

Now

34+ Properties · 5 States · Still Building

Black Seven Capital operates a growing portfolio of 34+ commercial properties across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio, and Arizona. Every property is owned with intent — managed closely, leases optimized with each renewal, and positioned for long-term cash flow creation.

The Family

Beyond the Portfolio

Kelly

Partner in Life

Founder of Edgewater Title Group. Entrepreneur in her own right — running a title company that serves the real estate community.

Jack

Next Generation

Works at Commercial Equities Group. The business is a family one, and Jack is already learning the trade from the inside.

Max

University of Tennessee

Go Vols! Studying finance & real estate at the Haslam School of Business. Member of Phi Kappa Tau — the perfect foundation for what comes next.

Everly

The Performer

Everly is a natural performer — always on stage, always in the spotlight, and bringing energy to everything she does. The family's brightest entertainer.

The Operator Arm

CEG Management &
Commercial Equities Group

In 2022, Brian co-founded CEG Management with partner Jeff Salzbrun. CEG handles property management and tenant relations for the Black Seven portfolio and select third-party assignments. Leasing is done in-house through Commercial Equities Group (cegspaces.com) — a team of young go-getters learning new ways to market property alongside seasoned veterans with deep market experience.

Keeping management in-house is a core competitive advantage. When you manage your own assets, you know what's happening in your buildings before problems become expensive. You build the tenant relationships that make renewals smoother and lease conversions more achievable. The leasing team at CEG spans both fresh talent bringing new marketing approaches and experienced brokers who know every corner of the market.

Leasing is done in-house through Commercial Equities Group (cegspaces.com) — a diverse team ranging from young professionals pioneering new marketing strategies to seasoned veterans with decades of experience in the market.

Learn About CEG

CEG

Commercial Equities Group

Leasing · Management · Brokerage

Co-founded with Jeff Salzbrun in 2022. Serving the Black Seven portfolio and select third-party clients across Minnesota and beyond.

cegspaces.com →

The Path Here

Beyond the Portfolio

CEG Management &Commercial Equities Group

CEG Management &
Commercial Equities Group