205 - Owning the Dirt - Jeff Peterson’s Leadership Lessons from Business & Real Estate

Jeff Peterson didn’t start with investors, privilege, or a fallback plan. At 17, he jumped into business and never looked back. On this episode of Leaders and Legacies, Jeff breaks down the leadership lessons behind building a $150 million real estate project from the ground up. What started as a cash-flowing trailer park evolved into a 316-unit, mixed-use development—thanks to years of patience, calculated risk, and grit.

Jeff reveals how starting small taught him discipline. From driving a school bus in high school to running his family’s upholstery shop without knowing the craft, every challenge refined his resilience. He also shares a sharp strategy: always charge your own business market rent. If it can’t afford that, it doesn’t belong there.

Leadership, to Jeff, is about vision, but also survival. He teaches why speculative investing is dangerous for beginners and why long-term thinking always wins. This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurial endurance, strategic property ownership, and staying grounded while scaling big.

Want to learn more about Jeff Peterson's work? Check out their website at https://petersonproperties.co.

Connect with Jeff Peterson on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-peterson-b4a4534/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.