When people ask me how I became an entrepreneur, I usually smile and say, “It started a lot earlier than you might think.” The truth is, my journey didn’t begin in a boardroom or on a construction site—it started in the fields and backroads of Beaumont, Texas. Looking back now, I can see that everything I’ve built in business—every risk taken, every lesson learned, every success and setback—has its roots in the values and experiences of my Texas childhood.
Growing Up Texan
I was born in Beaumont in 1962, the son of hardworking parents who knew the meaning of sacrifice. My dad came from a dirt-poor farming family in East Texas. He joined the military at sixteen—too young, technically—but a friendly county clerk helped him fudge the paperwork so he could enlist. My mom was from Beaumont too, the daughter of a painter and a chef. Together, they raised me with a strong sense of family, faith, and hard work.
Growing up, I spent most of my time outdoors. I built treehouses, fished with my aunt, and rode my white horse, Gigi, through the fields behind our home. My dad taught me how to take care of animals, fix things when they broke, and take pride in a hard day’s work. At the time, I didn’t realize those lessons would someday shape how I approached business and leadership—but they did.
My First Real Estate Deal
In 1972, my parents decided to move from Beaumont to a nearby suburb called Lumberton. That move ended up changing the course of my life. I was nine years old, about to turn ten, when I got my first taste of real estate.
Back then, our house on Cleveland Street in Beaumont was up for sale, but there wasn’t a lot of marketing going on—no online listings or fancy agents. So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I grabbed a piece of plywood, some paint, and a hammer, and made my own “House for Sale” sign. I even added the price—$8,000—right there on the board, then nailed it to a tree in our front yard.
A month later, we had a buyer. I still remember the day that house sold. At ten years old, I didn’t know much about contracts or closing costs, but I knew one thing for sure: I had just sold my first house. Looking back, that moment wasn’t just a funny childhood story—it was the spark that lit a lifelong passion for real estate and entrepreneurship.
Lessons from the Land
Around that same time, my dad started farming a small piece of land out near Silsbee, Texas. He was friends with a Cajun concrete contractor named Harold Broussard, and they sharecropped about five acres together. My dad had an old Ford 9N tractor that he loved, and every Saturday, we’d go out there to plow, plant, and harvest.
To me, it felt like hard labor. It was hot, dirty, and the Texas sun didn’t show any mercy. But my dad saw it differently. To him, that land represented freedom—an honest living, something built with your own two hands. And whether I liked it or not, I was learning lessons that would stick with me for life.
I learned patience when the crops didn’t grow as expected. I learned resilience when a long day left me sore and tired. I learned the value of reward—because after every long day of picking okra or shelling peas, my dad would take me to Nelson’s Pool in Lumberton for a swim. To this day, I can’t see a high dive without thinking of those weekends.
Those long, hot days on the farm taught me something vital: success doesn’t come easy, but it always comes to those who show up, work hard, and stay the course.
Building Barns and a Work Ethic
Before I even turned ten, my dad and I built a barn together on about twenty acres of land he owned on Hell Big Road in Beaumont. It was a classic Texas barn—tall in the middle, lean-tos on both sides, built with grit and sweat. I helped him every step of the way, from carrying lumber to nailing boards. I’m sure I wasn’t all that useful at the time, but to him, it wasn’t about efficiency—it was about teaching me the value of work.
That barn became a symbol for me later in life. It reminded me that all great things—whether a business, a building, or a legacy—start with a foundation. You have to dig in, get your hands dirty, and believe in what you’re building even when it’s just a pile of boards and nails.
The Seeds of Entrepreneurship
It wasn’t just barns and farming that shaped me. I also learned about opportunity—often by accident. I still remember the day I sold vegetables out of the back of my dad’s old white step-side pickup truck. We had stopped at a swimming pool after working on the farm, and while he was talking with some folks, people started asking if they could buy the produce we’d brought along.
Without missing a beat, I started selling. I didn’t know the going rates, so I made up prices on the spot and filled bags with whatever people wanted. By the time my dad came out, I had a wad of cash in my hand. At first, he looked shocked—but when he realized what had happened, he just laughed and said, “Well, son, you might have something there.”
That moment stuck with me. It taught me that opportunity is everywhere if you’re paying attention. Sometimes it’s in a “For Sale” sign on a tree; sometimes it’s in the back of a pickup truck full of vegetables. You just have to see it—and act on it.
Looking Back
Today, after decades in real estate, development, hospitality, and entertainment, I can see how those early years shaped everything I am. Building barns, farming, selling vegetables, and painting my first “House for Sale” sign weren’t just childhood memories—they were the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey.
The lessons I learned growing up in Texas—hard work, resilience, creativity, and a sense of community—still guide me every day. Whether I’m leading a company or mentoring someone new, I carry those values with me.
From barns to business, the path has been long and winding, but the roots run deep. And for that, I’ll always be grateful for where I came from.