Eric Garrett is the CEO and founder of The Garrett Companies, a multi-faceted holding company focusing on national multifamily development, construction, and asset management. Over the span of a decade, Eric has engineered The Garrett Companies into a $500 million annual revenue business, achieving notable growth with a unique approach in site evaluation and development. Eric's background spans real estate brokerage, banking, and multifamily development, showcasing his vast industry knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit.

In this episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes interviews Eric Garrett, CEO and founder of The Garrett Companies. The conversation delves deep into the complexities of growing a multifaceted real estate development and construction business that has achieved phenomenal growth since its inception in 2014. Eric shares insights into his unique site evaluation strategies, the importance of operational excellence, and his company's expansion into various sectors including capital fundraising, subcontracting, and restaurants.

Eric Garrett's journey from a career in banking and brokerage to founding a multifamily development empire is explored, highlighting key lessons and strategies. From hiring slow and methodically to leveraging technology and AI for site selection, Eric reveals what makes The Garrett Companies stand out in the competitive real estate market. The conversation also touches upon the importance of company culture, strategic advisory teams, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that has guided their success.

Key Takeaways:

• Eric shares how The Garrett Companies leverage their proprietary site evaluation software, augmented by AI, to identify lucrative development sites swiftly.
• Deep dive into their slow, meticulous hiring process ensuring cultural fit and technical expertise, contributing to high employee retention.
• Insights into maintaining a vibrant company culture through unique team-building activities and a strong pursuit of excellence principle.
• Discussion on strategically expanding into new markets and adding business lines in subcontracting and capital funds to create a self-sustaining development ecosystem.
• Eric’s career trajectory offers valuable lessons on seizing opportunities, understanding every facet of the business, and applying a holistic approach to real estate development.

Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.

Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!

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Rob Hagan is an Associate Principal at CBT Architects, where he leads multifamily, mixed-use, housing, and hospitality work with a focus on retail planning and the public realm. With more than 25 years in practice, Rob brings a global perspective shaped by projects across the U.S., Abu Dhabi, Taiwan, and Europe.

In this episode, Rob explains why retail and the public realm are inextricably linked and how the experience economy is transforming urban development. He shares how online shopping, hybrid retail models, and data-driven design are changing what belongs at the ground floor, and why understanding human behavior is crucial to the success of mixed-use projects.

The conversation also explores Rob’s career journey, leadership philosophy, and commitment to inclusive culture. From mentoring young architects to founding initiatives like CBT Proud and Out in Design, Rob offers a clear view on how thoughtful leadership and community-building strengthen both firms and the industry.

Key Takeaways

• Ground-floor retail shapes how people experience buildings.
• The experience economy is redefining urban retail design.
• Cultural context changes how architecture works and is lived in.
• Strong leadership comes from trust, inclusion, and empowering teams.

Notable Quotes

• “The place where the average person has a chance to really have a meaningful experience with your building, if they’re not living there or working there, is at the ground level of the building.” - Rob
• "The best ideas are really the ones that come from multiple viewpoints coming to the table. And it’s not one individual who decides. Some of the tough decisions are the ones that are made through consensus." - Rob
• “[People are] really focused on going and making meaningful experiences. They’re not focused on going out and grabbing a good at a particular store as much as they used to be.” - Rob
• “Success in the business world is equal parts what you know and who you know, and the relationships you’re able to build really are the thing that can catalyze the next opportunity for you.” - Rob
• "I always tell people that leadership really is an act of continual greater efforts for selflessness. If you’re doing it right, it’s not about you. You are a conduit to meeting your clients’ needs and providing your team the opportunity to grow and learn."- Rob

Resources:

• CBT Architects
• Rob Hagan
• Book Recommendations: Turn the Ship Around! by David Marquet, Start With Why by Simon Sinek, and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.

Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!

Leave your thoughts in the comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

This week's episode is a guest episode on the Growthitect Podcast with Tyler Suomala (also featured in Design Development, Episode 147).

Our discussion offers an insightful exploration into building a robust, long-term growth strategy that effectively balances relationship building with strategic marketing, since word of mouth alone may not suffice in today's competitive landscape.

I unpack the prevalent myth that architecture and engineering firms can thrive on word of mouth alone by emphasizing the necessity of developing a comprehensive business strategy. With an aim to equip firm owners with the right tools, the conversation navigates through essential concepts like the identification of the ideal customer and the critical importance of delivering distinguishable value.

Key Takeaways:

• Value Articulation: Understanding and clearly articulating the unique value your firm provides is essential for attracting ideal clients and driving successful word-of-mouth marketing.
• Strategic Growth Planning: Avoid relying solely on word of mouth; instead, implement a long-term growth strategy that includes active marketing and brand consistency.
• Client Language: Communicate your firm's value in terms that resonate with clients, like cost savings or efficiency improvements, rather than industry jargon.
• Business Resilience: In downturns, firms that demonstrate clearly defined value propositions and strategic marketing plans maintain a competitive edge.
• Continual Learning: Constantly seek out business education opportunities to mitigate risks and increase the value of your firm over time.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The actual goal is to win the right project with the right customer for the right price. It's not to win every project at any price." – Rens Hayes
2. "Word of mouth doesn't just mean, like, I hope they say Rens is cool. It's about what they are actually saying about your firm." – Tyler Suomala
3. "A lot of businesses are the same. The unique part is the industry-specific delivery." – Rens Hayes
4. "How do architects know if word-of-mouth referrals will not dry up, and are they prepared for when that day comes?" – Tyler Suomala
5. "If you don't know who you serve and how you create value to them, you can't influence word of mouth in the right direction." – Rens Hayes

Resources:

• H+O Structural Engineering
• LinkedIn: Follow Rens Hayes
• The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
• Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink

Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.

Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!

Leave your thoughts in the comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/