Experienced Businessman and Entrepreneur
The Perfect Storm: Why 2021-2022 Retail and Hospitality Loans Are Facing Their Moment of Truth
The commercial real estate market is facing a reckoning. Loans originated during the historically low-interest-rate environment of 2021 and 2022 are now coming due, and borrowers across the retail and hospitality sectors are finding that refinancing in today's market...
Retail Real Estate 2026: Navigating Uncertainty with Strategic Clarity
In my previous article, I discussed where retail stood at the end of 2025—a market in transition that requires more innovative strategies from everyone involved. Now, as we look toward 2026, one word sums up the overall feeling: uncertainty. ...
The State of the Retail Market in 2025: A California Developer’s Reality Check
As we approach the end of 2025, the retail real estate market across California and the Western U.S. tells a complex story—one that requires us to look beyond the headlines to understand what's happening locally. At LRE & Co, we focus on creating...
Beyond the Rent vs. Buy Debate: Building Wealth on Your Terms
My previous article on renting versus buying sparked conversations that went deeper than I expected. People shared their own stories, questioned long-held assumptions, and asked a crucial follow-up question: "If I choose to rent, what does a real wealth-building...
Gas vs. Electric Vehicles in California: A Developer’s Perspective
As CEO of LRE & Co., I spend a lot of time thinking about infrastructure—not just the buildings we develop, but the systems that support how people live, work, and move through their communities. And right now, no infrastructure question is more urgent in...
Building Smarter, Not Just Cheaper: The Retail Value Engineering Advantage
When our team reviewed the construction documents for our latest retail development last quarter, we identified significant savings without compromising a single element that would impact tenant operations or customer experience. The QSR pad sites still have the same...
The Loneliness at the Top: Navigating Entrepreneurial Isolation
There's a conversation that doesn't happen enough in business circles, the one about how isolating leadership can be. We talk endlessly about strategy, growth, market trends, and scaling operations, but we rarely address the quiet reality many entrepreneurs and CEOs...
Navigating Economic Uncertainty: How Real Estate Developers Can Thrive During Market Volatility
Economic uncertainty has become the new normal in today's real estate landscape. Fluctuations in interest rates, changing market dynamics, and unpredictable capital flows have created an environment where traditional development strategies often fall short. However,...
The Hidden Power of Hiring: Part 2 – Building Your Leadership Team
In Part 1, we examined the essentials of hiring, beginning with self-awareness and creating a team that matches your company's culture and tempo. However, as your business expands, the stakes become higher. Hiring entry-level and mid-level workers is one thing;...
Retail’s Renaissance: Partnering with Cities for Community Revival
For years, we heard the same story: brick-and-mortar retail was dying, physical stores were becoming outdated, and the future was fully digital. But now, in 2025, something extraordinary is happening along America's commercial corridors. Retail isn't just surviving;...