Essays
Notes from the field.
Notes on operating, real estate, and building businesses in the Southeast.
- Operating·April 12, 2026·8 min read
Insurance as a Starter Business
Auto, home, life insurance is one of the highest-leverage starter businesses for an operator. A book of business is an asset. Here's why it works.
- Hiring·March 1, 2026·8 min read
Hiring in Tampa Bay's Tightest Labor Market
We've hired over 250 people across 12 years. Character and urgency beat pedigree. The first 30 days tell you everything.
- Real estate·February 28, 2026·9 min read
The Southeast's Underrated Commercial Moment
Migration into Tampa, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Atlanta. Cap rates, small-bay industrial, and why institutional money is still asleep at the wheel.
- Operating·February 10, 2026·7 min read
Why I Started with a Liberty Tax Franchise
A tax franchise wasn't sexy. But it taught me systems, seasonality, and hiring at scale — lessons I reused in every business since.
- Real estate·January 15, 2026·9 min read
What 150 Tenants Taught Me About Commercial Real Estate
Operating four buildings with 150+ tenants. The biggest mistake is chasing rent over retention. Occupancy math, lease terms, and why we avoid Class A.