In this episode, Ryan welcomes Tyler Hess, the driving force behind Hess Properties. This conversation offers listeners a front-row seat to Tyler’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leader in the land development industry.
Tyler shares his early exposure to entrepreneurship, working for his father’s sidewalk company and starting his first business in college. His relentless pursuit of entrepreneurship led him to drop out of college and fully commit to his business, highlighting the risks and rewards of such a bold move.
The discussion shifts to Tyler’s strategic pivot from garage floor coatings to the world of real estate and land development. Tyler recounts the challenges of the 2008 financial crisis and how diversification into the gym business eventually led him back to real estate, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities in uncertain times. His innovative approach to business, focusing on developing and leasing properties, underscores the potential for substantial returns in real estate investment.
Tyler offers an in-depth look at the mechanics of land development, from acquiring land to navigating municipal hurdles and launching successful projects. His strategic partnerships and unique deal structures have enabled Hess Properties to thrive, particularly in high-end residential development.
Ryan sits down with Peter Murphy Lewis to talk about how storytelling can help developers and builders attract better talent and build stronger teams. They break down simple, practical ways to use video and real stories to stand out in today’s labor market.
Keith Miller joins the show to talk about his focus on building attainably priced homes at scale in Montana, why he’s using factory-built housing, and what it really takes to bring new supply to fast-growing markets.
Ryan and Charles break down falling homebuyer demand, a heated TikTok debate on millennial housing choices, a proposed property tax hike in New York City, and what a shrinking U.S. population could mean for developers.