Suffolk University alumni Griffin Clark, class of 2023, and Carter Nevulis, class of 2024, are bringing together Boston’s real estate community for the X-Factor Real Estate Summit, an event designed to connect ambitious professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The summit will take place March 6 at The Grand in Boston and will focus on strategic networking, industry insights and a mindset applicable to any field.
Clark and Nevulis didn’t meet at Suffolk despite their shared entrepreneurial drive. Their collaboration began when Nevulis reached out to Clark on LinkedIn, drawn by their mutual interests and philosophy.
Clark, a former hockey player, discovered his entrepreneurial spirit early, launching a mobile detailing business. Though the venture struggled in its first six months, the experience solidified his interest in business. Over time, he transitioned into real estate and financial advisory.
Nevulis followed a different but equally entrepreneurial path. He transferred to Suffolk as a finance major after being recruited by the university’s track coach. Later, he switched to entrepreneurship and launched a clothing brand, gaining firsthand business experience. He developed an interest in blockchain technology and ticketing systems, which led him to start Ticket Tree, a company providing ticketing solutions for sports and entertainment events.
Suffolk played a key role for Nevulis in his path to entrepreneurship. He said that the freedom within the department provided him the opportunity to deeply explore his interests within the field.
“Starting a business from the ground up requires immense time and effort, and you have to be willing to push through uncertainty. Belief in what you’re building is crucial, but execution is what proves it,” said Nevulis.
Although their backgrounds differ, Clark and Nevulis share the same philosophy on success, leading them to create the X-Factor Real Estate Summit. They recognized the importance of structured networking opportunities and wanted to provide that for others.
The summit is designed to go beyond traditional networking. Instead of broad, surface-level introductions, attendees will be placed in focused groups for meaningful conversations with brokers, investors and developers.
Clark describes the core mindset behind the summit as the “X-Factor,” a term representing the drive and curiosity that push people toward their full potential.
“What if there was a way to cultivate success simply by implementing a different awareness and perspective? Oftentimes, sales professionals network with an ‘anyone and everyone’ approach when starting out. But of the hundreds or thousands of people met along the way, only a select few play an instrumental role in success. What I’ve realized is: there’s a commonality between these people. That is the X-Factor,” said Clark.
The summit’s highlight will be a live discussion between Clark and Tripp Russ, founder of 90Ten, covering topics such as scaling a real estate business, identifying investment opportunities and navigating market shifts. A market outlook presentation will focus on land acquisition, investor priorities and economic trends impacting real estate.
Attendees will be placed in assigned networking groups, engaging directly with brokers, lenders and developers. Participants will also gain exclusive access to the X-Factor Real Estate Group, which provides ongoing industry insights and off-market deal opportunities.
A special opportunity is available for Suffolk students. Ten members of the Suffolk Real Estate Club will be invited to the summit, offering them professional exposure and networking opportunities with key figures in the commercial real estate industry.
Luke Murphy, a freshman finance major at Suffolk familiar with the importance of networking, emphasized the value of such events.
“Here at Suffolk University, I’ve learned to take advantage of the situation you’re in. For instance, living right in the financial district of Boston is a huge benefit—it’s helped me connect with more professionals. Finally, fostering a discipline within yourself to make networking a priority is another important factor in success,” said Murphy.
The X-Factor Real Estate Summit is more than a one-time gathering. It aims to provide practical insights, valuable connections and engagement with industry leaders in a structured setting.
For Clark and Nevulis, the summit reflects their own experiences—leveraging connections, taking strategic risks and learning from the right people. By bringing this opportunity to Boston, they hope to strengthen the city’s real estate network while inspiring the next generation of ambitious professionals.
