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

On this episode of The Matthews Podcast, Matthew Wallace is joined by Jose Berlanga, a seasoned builder, investor, and developer with over 35 years of experience. Discover how Jose transitioned from various industries into real estate, co-founding Tricon Homes and leading the construction of nearly 2000 homes. Jose shares his inspirational story of overcoming personal challenges, developing Houston's inner city, and making commercial real estate investment accessible. This episode is packed with insights on navigating the real estate market, entrepreneurship, and practical advice for aspiring real estate investors.

00:00 Introduction to The Matthews Podcast

00:42 Meet Jose Berlanga: Builder, Investor, and Developer

01:23 Jose's Early Life and Entrepreneurial Beginnings

04:23 Overcoming Adversity: Jose's Childhood Challenges

07:10 Jose's First Business Ventures

13:12 The Journey to Real Estate

14:18 Founding Tricon Homes with His Brother

19:25 Revitalizing Houston's Inner City Neighborhoods

22:45 Innovative Beginnings in Inner City Building

24:40 Balancing Growth and Execution

26:08 Transition to Outsourcing

28:46 Venturing into Commercial Real Estate

29:15 Accidental Success in Multifamily Investments

32:07 Challenges and Strategies in Property Management

39:53 The Business of Home Building: A Roadmap

44:57 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

48:10 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of The Matthews Podcast, host Matthew Wallace is joined by Michael Flynn, Senior Director of Economic Development at Destination Medical Center (DMC) in Rochester, Minnesota. Together, they dive into one of the most ambitious public-private partnerships in the United States—a 20-year, $5.6 billion initiative to position Rochester as “America’s City for Health” around the globally renowned Mayo Clinic.