Masters of Moments

Brian Harper, co-founder of 11North Partners and former CEO of RPT Realty, shares his decades of experience in retail real estate. He discusses the principles of great retail, emphasizing hospitality and community. Brian reflects on the resurgence of physical retail, lessons from corporate turnarounds, and the distinct cultures of public versus founder-led companies. Personal experiences, including raising a son with autism, have profoundly shaped his leadership approach. This conversation reveals how resilience and values drive the creation of enduring retail platforms.

Channeling a passion for the hospitality industry, Mitch Patel established Vision Hospitality Group in 1997 on a foundation of values that guide the organization to this day.   With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Mitch oversees every aspect of the company, from investment procurement to the seamless execution of daily operations. Additionally, he oversees strategic development and implementation that has propelled Vision Hospitality Group to garner numerous awards within the industry. Links: Visionary Hospitality Group - https://www.vhghotels.com/ Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:55) - Mitch’s career and background in hospitality (00:20:40) - What did you learn about risk in the early days of your company and why did you only focus on the hotel asset class? (00:31:39) - How much do you attribute your success to your ability to develop vs. operate? (00:39:15) - How are you able to develop 10 hotels at once? (00:59:05) - Mitch’s passion for experiential and lifestyle hotels (01:20:06) - What are the non-negotiables you put in independent hotels? (01:29:54) - What concerns do you have for the future of hospitality? (01:44:10) - What is your favorite hotel? This episode originally aired in May of 2024

In this engaging talk, Micah Lacher, founder of Anchor Investments, shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in North Memphis to leading a successful real estate firm in Nashville. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the risks taken during the 2009 financial crisis, and how personal guarantees shaped his business approach. Micah also discusses balancing family life with entrepreneurial aspirations and his commitment to community impact through innovative projects like turning churches into boutique hotels.

In this conversation, Jesse Rack, Founder and CEO of Rack Electric, shares his remarkable journey from aspiring NFL player to entrepreneur in Florida's booming service industry. He discusses how his sports background shaped his leadership style and the bold vision that transformed his father's small electrical business into a multi-division empire. Jesse emphasizes the importance of hiring attitude over experience, creating training pipelines, and maintaining strong customer relations. He also reveals strategic insights on acquiring struggling companies and innovative approaches to operational efficiency.

Jake Wurzak shares invaluable lessons from his decade-long experience raising capital in real estate. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency with investors, revealing techniques for building trust. His techniques include using storytelling in pitches and leveraging technology like Juniper Square. He discusses navigating challenges in hospitality investments and the shift to preferred equity post-COVID. The insights on structuring communications and utilizing personalized videos are particularly enlightening for aspiring capital raisers.

Patrick Carroll, founder and CEO of CARROLL, shares his journey from flipping houses to amassing a $12 billion real estate empire. He discusses his strategic approach to managing over 30,000 units, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships and innovative investment strategies. Carroll explores the challenges of navigating market cycles, the nuances of acquiring affordable housing, and the mental health struggles entrepreneurs face. He wraps up by highlighting the significance of authenticity in building meaningful connections and achieving success.

In this episode of Masters of Moments, I sit down with Chris Hatch, Principal at Forza Commercial, to break down the high-stakes world of retail real estate development. Chris grew up in a real estate family, learning the business from the ground up, and those early lessons shaped how he approaches site selection, deal structuring, and scaling development projects today.We dive into: How to identify and secure top-tier retail sites The evolution of drive-thru concepts and why they’re dominating retail How tenant demand shapes development strategy The challenges of managing multiple projects at once Why triple-net leases are often called ‘mailbox money’ and how investors think about them Chris also shares behind-the-scenes stories from working with national tenants like Starbucks, Dutch Bros, and Raising Cane’s, explaining what makes a high-performing retail site and how shifting consumer trends are influencing real estate decisions.If you're interested in commercial real estate, retail development, or the business of site selection, this episode is packed with insights from someone who’s been in the trenches and built a highly successful development business.Connect & Invest with Jake:Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coachingLearn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8PwoLinks:Links:Chris on X - https://x.com/chriswhatchThe Dirt Dog Podcast on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0EyUYpLUMbJKqEzprNuLPM?si=e48d7ffc5ddb48a0Topics:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:56) - Chris’ Background and Career (00:05:36) - The Magic of Drive-Thrus (00:07:03) - Lessons from Early Real Estate Experiences (00:09:41) - Navigating the Real Estate Market (00:11:04) - The Evolution of Site Selection (00:13:35) - Building a Real Estate Portfolio (00:17:05) - Challenges and Strategies in Real Estate Development (00:32:44) - The Appeal of Triple Net Leases (00:40:53) - Retail Trends and Market Shifts (00:41:34) - Diversification in Retail Investments (00:43:38) - The Future of Gas Stations (00:45:07) - Impact of Cloud Kitchens (00:46:54) - Cap Rates and Popular Retail Tenants (00:50:36) - Challenges in Retail Development (00:58:38) - Managing Multiple Development Projects (01:15:50) - Favorite Hotels and Closing Thoughts

Katharine Lau, CEO and Co-Founder of Stuf, shares her journey of reinventing the self-storage industry. With a background in real estate and a passion for consumer experiences, she discusses how the pandemic revealed opportunities in underutilized spaces. Katharine also dives into the impact of technology on the industry, emphasizing digital tools that enhance customer experience. She highlights innovative strategies for competing against larger firms, from local marketing to community engagement, showcasing a fresh take on what self-storage can be.

In this episode of Masters of Moments, I sit down with Adam Guy to explore his unconventional path from Missouri to multi-industry success. Adam’s journey started early—performing illusion shows at just seven years old—which soon evolved into a full-fledged business, booking corporate gigs across the Midwest.His entrepreneurial instincts didn’t stop there. After a stint in basketball and communications studies at the University of Missouri, Adam dropped out to launch a wristband company, capitalizing on the craze sparked by Lance Armstrong’s charity bands. That venture turned into a profitable exit, leading him into the hospitality space, where he transformed a small bakery and café into a $150 million-a-year powerhouse.Now, Adam is redefining luxury travel with Exclusive Vacations, creating a high-end vacation rental experience built on exceptional hospitality and premium amenities. We break down his strategic approach to real estate investment, property management, and business scaling, along with the mindset that has fueled his success across multiple industries.If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, hospitality, and game-changing business strategies, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.Connect & Invest with Jake:Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coachingLearn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8PwoLinks:Adam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamguyceo/Four Seasons: The Story of a Business PhilosophyTopics:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:46) - Adam’s background and career(00:06:53) - Setting up a factory in China(00:09:38) - Dropping out of College to pursue a career in the food industry(00:25:38) - Evolving the business from restaurants into food services(00:33:53) - Learning how to acquire a food-services business(00:50:09) - Life working for fraternities and sororities(00:58:58) - The impact of delivery apps on in-house food services(01:00:46) - The operations side of the business(01:11:23) - Adam’s hospitality side-hustle

Dive into the world of hospitality investment with tales of raising millions for deals and navigating unexpected hotel challenges. Discover why smaller investments can lead to bigger returns and how experiential hotels are reshaping the industry. Learn how technology is revolutionizing boutique hotel operations and uncover revenue strategies designed for maximum profitability. Plus, explore the rise of fractional ownership in luxury real estate—perfect for those eyeing shared luxury without breaking the bank.