In this episode of The Matthews Podcast, host Andrew Gross sits down with Jeremy Mercer, the founder and CEO of Matador Realty Investments, for a wide-ranging conversation on grit, growth, and the unique culture of industrial real estate in Fort Worth and beyond. From chasing pre-foreclosures with a Roddy List to cold calling owner-users in the Design District, Jeremy walks us through his unconventional path—from steel business heir to rehearsal space landlord to powerhouse CRE investor.

We unpack how Mercer built Matador Realty from the ground up, the tactics behind door-to-door dealmaking, and why the I-35 corridor is central to his acquisition thesis. With candid reflections on failure, hustle, and long-game investing, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring brokers, investors, and entrepreneurs alike.

00:36 Meet Jeremy Mercer: CEO of Matador Realty

01:49 Jeremy's Early Life and Education

03:36 From Music to Real Estate

05:15 Starting in Industrial Real Estate

12:46 Cold Calling and Building Relationships

16:26 Transition to Brokerage

23:47 The Birth of Matador Realty

28:30 Finding Deals and Money

28:44 First Real Estate Deal

30:00 Building a Real Estate Platform

31:30 Expanding Investments

33:01 Starting Matador Capital

34:35 Focus on the I-35 Corridor

36:39 Social Media and Podcasting

42:33 Advice for New Brokers

48:48 Dallas Real Estate Market Insights

51:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts