Chris Powers of Fort Capital and The Fort Podcast - The Intersection of Mentorship and Business Growth
Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Chris Powers, Founder and Executive Chairman of Fort Capital and host of The Fort Podcast, who shares his personal and professional journey and highlights the intersection of mentorship and business growth. During the interview, Chris talks about growing up in El Paso and Lubbock, Texas, and how he started getting into real estate after seeking mentorship from another young entrepreneur who inspired him as a college student at Texas Christian University. He shares some fun stories and lessons learned during the early years of being an entrepreneur and talks about how those experiences have helped build and shape the company today. What started with residential real estate evolved into a focus on multi-family and now Class B industrial, after teaming with Jason Baxter, who is CEO and President, and building the business structure for scalability to become "the best real estate operator in the world." Fort Capital is a privately-owned real estate investment firm with a track record of transacting more than $2 billion in assets throughout Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Fort's mission is to acquire prime real estate, operate with excellence, and deliver exceptional returns to all stakeholders. Chris discusses why Fort Capital narrowed its focus on Class B industrial after he and Jason read "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, and how they have built a culture based on the purpose of creating a place that attracts the most talented individuals and provides an environment that inspires them to be their absolute best. He talks about some of the industry trends, current challenges and opportunities, and then some of the lessons he has learned from guests on The Fort podcast. The Fort is an entrepreneurship podcast hosted by Chris Powers. Each episode’s mission is to help you to level up your entrepreneurial game by hearing directly from the men and women in the arena. Chris talks about how "Great takes time" and uses his recent podcast episode featuring Rusty Reid of Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services as an example. Throughout the interview, though, Chris talks about the importance of mentorship and how others have helped guide and shape his personal, professional and spiritual journey, and led to his own growth and development and that of his business. He shares valuable lessons and advice from his father and how his father continues to impact his life everyday, even after his loss; and how his mother, wife, and family inspire and guide him with his faith. He wraps up with a fun lighting round that touches on golf, travel, the power of anonymous giving to help others in need, and creating a legacy of giving more in the community. Visit www.fortcapitallp.com to learn more about Fort Capital. Visit www.thefortpod.com to learn more about The Fort Podcast hosted by Chris Powers and to watch and listen to past episodes. About Chris Powers: Chris is a serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of real estate development and investment experience. He founded Fort Capital and to date, the company has invested over $2B in Class B industrial, and land development projects throughout the state of Texas and the Sunbelt. Chris spends time focusing on Fort’s long-term strategy, fostering strategic relationships, and building capital relationships that will help complement the firm’s growth. He is also the host of The FORT Podcast, a Top 100 Business Podcast that has published 340+ episodes to date through a series of raw business conversations with business leaders and entrepreneurs. Chris graduated with a BBA in Finance & Marketing from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. Chris is a member of the Fort Worth YPO Chapter and attends Christ Chapel Bible Church. He lives in Fort Worth, TX with his family.
