The Power of Family and Work Ethic: Lessons I Still Carry From My Father
When I reflect on the lessons that have guided me throughout my life and career, one figure stands out above all others: my father. He wasn’t just a parent—he was a teacher, a mentor, and an example of what it means to work hard, take responsibility, and prioritize family. The values he instilled in me […]
The First Deal: How a $8,000 House Sale in Beaumont Sparked a Lifelong Passion for Real Estate
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 […]
Lessons From the Land: What Farming and Family Taught Me About Building a Legacy
When I think back on the experiences that shaped me, I often return to the land. Growing up in Beaumont, Texas, surrounded by farmland, pastures, and open skies, I learned lessons that no classroom could ever teach. My father’s family were farmers, and he instilled in me the value of hard work, patience, and respect […]
From Barns to Business: How My Texas Childhood Shaped My Entrepreneurial Spirit
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 […]
Building More Than Businesses: Creating a Lasting Legacy in Community and Enterprise
When I reflect on my career, I realize that the work I’ve done in real estate, hospitality, and entertainment has always been about more than just building businesses. For me, it’s been about creating something lasting—something that goes beyond profits, something that positively impacts the people and communities around me. Building a legacy isn’t about […]
Beyond Food and Music: The Future of Experiential Dining and Entertainment
When I first entered the restaurant and entertainment world after decades in real estate, I quickly realized that people weren’t just coming out for a meal or a show. They were looking for something more. They wanted experiences. They wanted moments that stayed with them long after the check was paid or the last song […]
Adapting to Change: Lessons on Reinvention from Real Estate to Entertainment
When people ask me about my career, I often tell them that change has been one of the few constants. For more than four decades, I worked in real estate, developing residential and commercial properties across Texas. But about ten years ago, I made a deliberate shift into the world of entertainment—restaurants, bars, music, television, […]
Technology Meets Hospitality: Innovating the Guest Experience
Over the past decade, my career has taken me from real estate into the world of restaurants, bars, music, and media. One thing has become increasingly clear: technology is no longer just a tool—it’s a bridge between businesses and the people they serve. For those of us in hospitality, understanding how to use technology effectively […]
Why Giving Back Matters: Reflections on Business, Community, and Building a Better Texas
When I think about the journey of my life and career, one thing stands out more than any real estate project, any restaurant opening, or any entertainment venture: the impact we can make when we give back. Business has given me so many opportunities over the years, but the real reward isn’t just in the […]
Lessons in Leadership: How I’ve Learned to Grow and Guide a Family of Businesses Across Industries
When I look back over the course of my career, one theme keeps showing up again and again: growth. Sometimes it was growth in real estate developments, sometimes it was growth in the number of restaurants we opened, and sometimes it was growth in myself as a leader. What ties it all together is that […]