When people ask me how I got started in real estate, I usually have to laugh. Most entrepreneurs talk about business plans, mentorship, or formal education. For me, it all began with a simple hand-painted sign nailed to a tree in my front yard in Beaumont, Texas, when I was just ten years old. That moment—selling my first house—set the stage for a lifelong passion that has carried me through decades of real estate, development, and entrepreneurship.
Growing Up in Beaumont
I was born in 1962 in Beaumont, Texas, into a family that valued hard work and self-reliance. My father came from a dirt-poor farming family in East Texas. He joined the military during World War II at sixteen, and later became a man who taught me the value of labor, discipline, and persistence. My mother’s family also had strong roots in Beaumont. Together, my parents instilled in me the importance of family, responsibility, and finding opportunity where others might not see it.
I grew up like most boys in Texas—playing outside, fishing, building treehouses, and learning lessons about work and life from my dad. But one particular memory stands out above the rest—the moment I realized I could create an opportunity and see it through, long before I understood what real estate or entrepreneurship really meant.
The Move to Lumberton
In 1972, when I was nine going on ten, my parents decided to move to a new home in Lumberton, a suburb of Beaumont. That move ended up being more than just a change of address—it was the catalyst for my first entrepreneurial experience.
Our old house on Cleveland Street needed to sell, and rather than wait for an agent to handle it, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Armed with a piece of plywood, some paint, and a hammer, I created a “House for Sale” sign and nailed it to a tree in our front yard. I even wrote the price—$8,000—right on the board. Looking back, I had no idea that simple action would mark the beginning of a lifelong journey in real estate.
The Sale That Started It All
A few weeks later, the phone rang. Someone was interested in buying the house. I remember the excitement and pride I felt as I helped facilitate the sale. At ten years old, I didn’t fully understand contracts, negotiations, or closings—but I knew one thing: I had just sold a house.
That first deal taught me something invaluable: opportunity favors those willing to act. You don’t have to wait for perfect conditions, a formal plan, or someone else to give you permission. You just need to notice the chance in front of you and take the initiative. That lesson has guided me through every real estate deal, construction project, and business venture I’ve pursued since.
Learning from Experience
Even at that young age, I began to understand the basics of value, negotiation, and presentation. I learned that people respond to confidence, clarity, and preparation—even if it’s just a ten-year-old with a paintbrush and a homemade sign.
Over time, those early lessons expanded. I watched my father work on home improvements, build barns, and manage property. I learned firsthand the importance of attention to detail, planning ahead, and the pride that comes from creating something tangible. My first house sale combined all of those elements—initiative, action, and a tangible result. It was real, it mattered, and it stuck with me.
From Childhood to Career
That first $8,000 house sale wasn’t just a childhood anecdote—it was the spark that ignited my passion for real estate. From that moment on, I was fascinated by the idea of buying, selling, developing, and improving property. It was a tangible way to see effort turn into value, a lesson that became the foundation of my career.
Decades later, I’ve overseen hundreds of real estate projects, commercial developments, and residential properties. But every time I reflect on my beginnings, I think back to that little plywood sign in Beaumont. It reminds me of the simplicity of taking initiative, the thrill of closing a deal, and the satisfaction of creating something real and lasting.
Lessons That Last a Lifetime
The first deal taught me more than real estate principles—it taught life lessons. Opportunity is everywhere, but it requires courage to act. Hard work, preparation, and attention to detail matter more than luck. And most importantly, taking responsibility for your actions, even as a child, can lay the foundation for a lifetime of growth.
I still carry that sense of initiative and curiosity into every project I undertake today. Whether I’m leading a company, mentoring someone new in business, or guiding a development from blueprint to finished property, I think about the ten-year-old who painted a sign on a tree and believed he could sell a house. That belief, combined with hard work and persistence, has shaped every success I’ve had since.
The story of my first real estate deal is more than just nostalgia. It’s a reminder of where I came from and the values that continue to guide me: initiative, perseverance, and the courage to take action. That $8,000 sale in Beaumont was small in scale but monumental in impact—it launched a passion that has lasted a lifetime.
For anyone starting their journey in business, real estate, or life in general, I encourage you to take that first step. Notice opportunities, act on them, and embrace the lessons that come along the way. You never know which small action today could ignite a passion that shapes your future.