“AI Catalyst” Jay Norris is an innovative leader and entrepreneur, with over 20 years in lifestyle marketing, real estate, technology, experiential concepts, cultural currency building and AI solutions. He uses his creativity and imagination to uncover opportunities across multiple industries. Jay is the CEO and Founder of Guesst Software, a creative leasing platform that disrupts standard lease agreements for physical retail and restaurant operations and the CEO and Founder of Lifestyle EQ, a boutique CRE brokerage and management consulting firm.

Jay is passionate about connecting, inspiring and helping others, be it through one of his signature “Right Room” Events, a podcast, community organization, or new technology. In consulting, he empowers direct-to-consumer brands, and provides sustainable, relevant value propositions in the real estate industry. On the technology side, Jay works on new software development for businesses and consumers. Personally and professionally, Jay is driven to help inspire individuals to grow and thrive, and foster inclusivity. His latest mission is to educate and train 1 million small businesses in how to implement AI solutions into their everyday operations.

Jay grew up in Detroit, Michigan, studied at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and later moved to New York City, then Westport, Connecticut. After graduating, Jay worked in the music industry for Clive Davis, Arista Records and Sony Music. He developed multi-city tours for top recording artists including Celine Dion, The Notorious B.I.G., Usher, Whitney Houston, TLC and Pink. In 1997, Jay founded Tastemakers Media, which published a cutting-edge magazine throughout the U.S., featuring the best retail, entertainment and lifestyle offerings, domestic and abroad. 

Jay then brought his expertise in lifestyle marketing to commercial real estate. As Director for Marcus Millichap and later Eastern Consolidated Properties, his real estate brokerage career flourished. He built his lifestyle and real estate consulting business through strategic placemaking in retail, restaurant and office spaces throughout New York City. 

Jay lives in Westport with his wife, Crystal, and their two children, Jacob and Sophia. Jay is highly involved around town, fostering community events and mentoring local entrepreneurs and young professionals. Jay is the Co-Founder and a Board Member Startup Westport, a community of innovators, and Founder of Westport 10, an organization that strives to make Westport a more diverse and welcoming town for people of color. Jay is also the Co-Chairman of the Technology and Innovation Council for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. He also is a board member of the New York Urban League, is a mentor for Techstars Detroit, and is the host of Visionary’s Podcast, which illuminates what defines a true “visionary” and how they push their dreams and goals forward.