NWA Founders: Real Estate & Construction founders, episode pages (no audio)

Ep. 46: David Harris, David Harris Construction

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Relationships are your competitive moat. David has kept some subcontractors for 30+ years, not by overpaying, but by paying on time, treating them with respect, and staying loyal. When things go wrong (and they always do in construction), that loyalty is what gets problems fixed.

Know the gap in your market. Whether it's a price point no one else is hitting in a neighborhood or a type of buyer underserved by national builders, David's success comes from reading the market carefully and building to fill real demand, not just building what's easy or profitable.

Balance is a strategy, not a weakness. Staying roughly 50/50 between custom and spec homes wasn't an accident. It protected David through the 2008 crash, gave him creative fulfillment, and kept his business resilient across multiple market cycles.

Ep. 35: Jeremy Hudson, Specialized Real Estate Group

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Culture Is Your Competitive Advantage, Jeremy attributes longevity to values alignment, internally and with capital partners. If your investors, consultants, and team don’t share your vision, growth will fracture your mission.

Grow Boldly, But With Advisors, Specialized scaled quickly by partnering with experienced capital and development teams.

Think in Decades, Not Deals, Drake Farms may take “more than one decade and hopefully less than two” to fully realize that kind of timeline changes how you build. It changes how you hire. It changes how you underwrite risk.

Ep. 30: T.J. Lefler, Lefler Capital

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Know when to bet on yourself - Leaving a steady income isn’t easy, but timing, preparation, and conviction matter more than comfort.

Simple systems win - Don’t overcomplicate your growth strategy. Start with a clear plan, tight numbers, and steady execution.

Ownership changes everything - When you own the asset, whether it's real estate or your business, you think differently about risk, time, and long-term value.

Ep. 28: Marshall Saviers, Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Play the long game, Marshall’s entire career proves that real estate isn’t about chasing fast deals, it’s about showing up, staying steady, and serving people well over decades.

People over property, At every turn, Marshall reinforces the idea that relationships drive results. That mindset has built trust with clients, partners, and the region as a whole.

Local roots scale better, Even while partnering with a global brand like Cushman & Wakefield, Marshall and the Sage team have stayed deeply committed to Northwest Arkansas, because that’s where the real value lives.

Ep. 22: Ward Davis & Jason Keathley, High Street Real Estate & Development

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Persistence matters most, Every business will face roadblocks. Stubbornness and grit are the traits that carry you through.

Conviction is non-negotiable, If you don’t believe in your vision, you can't be in development.

Care creates culture, When you care about design, tenants, and neighborhoods, you inspire others to care too.

Ep. 20: Clinton Bennett, Focus Commercial Real Estate

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:00:00 GMT

The long game always wins, Clinton’s story is a reminder that meaningful success doesn’t come from chasing the biggest check, it comes from playing the longest game with the right people.

Values scale faster than tactics, When you build your business on trust, consistency, and character, your reputation becomes your strongest asset.

Real estate is about people, not property, Whether it’s a lease or a $10M deal, Clinton shows that every transaction is an opportunity to serve, build relationships, and shape a better community.

Ep. 12: Marlon & Ati Blackwell, Marlon Blackwell Architects

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Architecture is a service and a cultural act, The Blackwells approach every project, from homes to embassies, as an opportunity to enrich daily life and elevate public experience.

Success requires both risk and repetition, They built their practice on the idea that systems, creativity, and discipline must coexist, and that consistency outperforms flash.

Great design can happen anywhere, From a parking garage in Bentonville to buildings in Boston and Central Africa, their story proves that place is not a limitation, it’s a strength.

Ep. 5: Stuart Collier, Collier & Associates

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Stuart’s radical transparency about addiction and recovery underscores the power of vulnerability in leadership.

Collier & Associates thrives because it focuses not on chasing commissions, but on empowering agents and adding true value to clients.

Stuart’s definition of success is deeply rooted in faith, family, and impact, not just transactions or revenue.

Ep. 3: Blake Hanby, City Title

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 11:00:00 GMT

Start before you’re ready, Blake didn’t have everything figured out, but he acted decisively when the time was right and built the rest as he went.

Bet on people, not just process, His early team and community connections were the foundation of City Title’s growth and reputation.

Integrity scales, Even as the business grew, Blake never lost sight of the values that set him apart: honesty, service, and attention to detail.