Texas Business Minds

It takes long-term vision, patience and persistence to be successful in commercial real estate and development. Often, the ability to see or feel what nobody else envisions leads to success. That's exactly what developer and entrepreneur Peter Brodsky saw when he purchased the struggling Red Bird Mall in 2015. Almost a decade later, like a diamond in the rough, the new RedBird is thriving, as...

Few have had as big of an impact on the Alamo City as Leticia Van de Putte. As a business leader, state representative and consultant, she's worked both sides of the aisle to get things done. In this episode, she spends time with SABJ Editor-in- Chief Ed Arnold, reflects on her career, and offers her advice to the next generation of leaders.

As the epicenter of energy, Houston companies will play a major role in determining the world's future fuel. In this episode, Octopus Energy CEO Michael Lee shares his vision for renewable energy with Jonathan Adams. In Part 2, HBJ Reporter Naomi Klinge sits down with Phillips 66 CEO Mark Lashier to learn what his almost century-old company is doing to innovate for the future.

With oil & gas, aerospace and a multitude of manufacturing companies based in Texas, there's no shortage of metals, minerals and e-scrap to procure and recycle. Amermin's advances in the sector have it well positioned for growth. In this episode, ABJ Senior Staff Writer Justin Sayers connects with Amermin CEO Ryan McAdams to learn more.

National restaurant chains and local franchise owners are feeling the double whammy of declining traffic and higher labor and operating costs. With closures and consolidation comes opportunity, as BRIX Holdings CEO Sherif Mityas shares with DBJ Digital Editor Alexa Reed.

Only one in ten family businesses successfully transition to the third generation, so DOCUmation's success story is unique. In this episode, SABJ Editor-in-Chief Ed Arnold welcomes brothers and Co-CEO's Hunter and Preston Woolfolk to share their story. The brothers trace their success to solid family values, hard work, and not getting too big for their britches as they expand statewide.

He's led his family's legendary Houston-area restaurants, and now Levi Goode is taking his culinary talents to another level. In this episode, he shares what's cooking, and why he's adding some flavor to what's already been a recipe for success.

He started Sweet Leaf Tea with only $14,000 and his grandmother's recipe, and has either launched or invested in a string of successful beverage brands. In this episode, ABJ Staff Writer Sahar Chmais connects with Clayton Christopher to trace his success, and tap his advice for future entrepreneurs.

Back to the office may be a struggle in other markets, but Dallas is all about business, and people dress the part. That translates to the real estate market, where companies seek upscale amenities for their teams. In this download, DBJ Digital Reporter Alexa Reed connects with B2 Architecture + Design Founder Allison Brooks to learn more, and the scoop on B2's re-brand.

San Antonio's close knit community can count on giving, and the San Antonio Area Foundation makes a big impact. In this episode, SABJ Editor Ed Arnold invites the foundation's new leader, CEO Nadege Souvenir to share her impressions of the city and her plans to make a difference in the community.

The cannabis industry in Texas is growing, pumping billions of dollars into the economy. But the industry faces potential bans on the use of psychoactive derivatives from hemp, Delta 8 and Delta 9. In this download, ABJ Staff Writer Sahar Chmais connects with Shayda Torabi, CEO of RESTART and President of the Texas Hemp Coalition to learn more.

Devoid of a major theme park since Astroworld closed almost 20 years ago, Houston is in line to land what could be a game-changer for the entire state. In this episode, HBJ Managing Editor Jonathan Adams chats with former Disney theme park analyst Lizzy McGee, who's hoping to make TexasLand a reality.

After taking over in 2021 and engineering a turnaround at Texas Capital Bank, Rob Holmes is now focused on growing business relationships across North Texas. In this episode, DBJ Associate Editor Alexa Reed invites Holmes to share his vision, and what sets his bank apart from others in the region.

The trucking industry is the backbone of the US economy, delivering $940.8 billion in goods and accounting for over 80% of the nation's freight cost (Source: American Trucking Association) . In this episode, SABJ Editor-in-Chief Ed Arnold invites Nitro Founder Vikrant Asher to share his entrepreneurial journey to revolutionize this vital sector that impacts literally every American.

Lacking the incentives most states offer, Texas is often overlooked when it comes to film and television production. In spite of that, studios are eyeing Austin and other locales for upcoming opportunities. In this download, ABJ Senior Staff Writer Justin Sayers connects with TXMPA Executive Director Paul Jensen and Deputy Director Fred Poston for an update.

Since taking over as President and CEO of the Houston Association of REALTORS in 1988, Bob Hale has seen it all. As he counts down to retirement in January of 2025, Hale reflects on the past, present and future of the industry, and how real estate professionals and prospective homeowners can navigate this challenging market.

The past three years have been the most challenging for restaurant owners across the country, but they've also been the three most profitable years for popular Dallas staple Eatzi's Market & Deli. In this episode, DBJ Associate Editor Alexa Reed sits down with CEO Adam Romo, who shares Eatzi's recipe for success, and future expansion plans.

Energy demand is entering peak season across Texas, and CPS Energy CEO Rudy Garza and his team are prepared for another hot summer season. In addition to Mother Nature, the CPS Energy team is adding capacity for the Alamo City's continuing growth. In this episode, SABJ Editor-in-Chief Ed Arnold invites Garza to provide an update.

The Houston Business Journa l recently awarded Kirksey Architecture Founder & Chairman Emeritus John Kirksey with a 2024 Landmark Award for Lifetime Achievement. In this episode, Kirksey President Wes Good joins HBJ Managing Editor Jonathan Adams to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in building design, and how he views the office of the future. 

Can we print our way out of a housing crunch? Alex Le Roux at Austin-based startup ICON3D thinks it's possible. In this episode, Austin Inno Editor Brent Wistrom invites Le Roux to share the technology he and his team have developed to print homes, with the goal of reducing housing costs by as much as 50 percent.

With the FIFA World Cup coming to DFW in 2026, North Texas cements the region as one of the world's premier sports destinations. In this episode, DBJ Reporter Alexa Reed welcomes Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul, who shares why the big events are coming to DFW, and the commission's role in attracting major events.

The countdown is officially underway for next year's men's Final Four, April 5-7, 2025 at the Alamodome. In this episode, SABJ Editor-in-Chief Ed Arnold goes 1-on-1 with San Antonio Sports President & CEO Jenny Carnes. She shares how her team executes big events, while delivering year-round after school programs that promote healthy living.

Austin's explosive growth has led to the extinction of numerous, iconic locales. But Amy's Ice Creams is growing right along with our surging population. In this download, ABJ Reporter Sahar Chmais gets the scoop from Founder Amy Simmons

He's a born & raised Texas native who  lived in all of our major cities prior to arriving in San Antonio in 2019.  That said, James Nortey knows the nuances of economic development as well as anyone. In this download, SABJ Editor-in-Chief Ed Arnold invites the CEO of San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside (SAGE) to share his vision for that Alamo City neighborhood, a target for developmen...

He's the man behind some of the most successful restaurant concepts in Texas. In this delicious download, FB Society President & CEO Jack Gibbons chats with DBJ Reporter Alexa Reed and shares how he and his team have delivered local favorites like Whiskey Cake Kitchen Bar, Ida Claire, Haywire and his previous success with Velvet Taco.