The Fort Worth Chamberletter

Glen Hahn, P.E., president; Mark Presswood, vice president real estate, and Nina Petty, vice president strategic real estate.

An old proverb says: “Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.”

An example: How Innovative Developers, Inc. won the 2009 Small Business of the Year Award in the “11-50 Employees” category.

They had already explored self-discovery paths several years ago when retooling the highly successful enterprise that offers a comprehensive blend of real estate and construction expertise.

“We looked for successful examples to follow” and reached out to several mentors in the business community, said President and CEO Glen Hahn.

They rethought their mission “and made sure we had the right people on the team,” which led to creating new positions such as managing director of strategic growth, a role filled by Nina Petty, formerly vice president of corporate real estate at RadioShack and a founding member of the Greater Fort Worth Real Estate Council where she serves on the board.

The strategy “has been very successful for us,” Hahn said.

Just as successful was IDI’s strategy in SBOY competition.

Twice before, entries hadn’t made the first cut because “we just sort of wrote down who we are,” Hahn said. “But the third time … we started looking at ourselves and how other people see us.

“We put together a picture of how we would look through a client’s eyes (and) wrote a story: If you were a client, this is what you would expect and receive. When you become a person with feelings and concerns, that’s a whole different presentation. It really opened my eyes.

“I’ve always had the attitude of let me get after it and I’ll deliver it back to you,” Hahn said, but the value of collegial involvement with clients quickly surfaced.

Noting a sales projection of $20 million, IDI’s application presented an in-depth look at a diverse company shaped internally by highly detailed, creative thinking – qualities that sold Petty on joining the company’s team.

“It took me a while to grasp what they did,” she said. As IDI’s SBOY application explained, their turnkey approach encompasses “overall concept, architectural and engineering, renderings, site selection and acquisition, program economics and financing, construction planning and management along with property management and leasing services.

Equally extensive is the company’s community involvement. Many arts and humanitarian non-profit organizations’ boards and memberships are bolstered by IDI management and staff. Hahn, for example, is involved with more than a dozen organizations ranging from Casa Manana to the Day Resource Center for the Homeless in Fort Worth where he chairs the board.

It’s all part of IDI’s passion for this community, he and Petty said.

In work and service, Hahn added, “we’ve created lifetime friendships. Very few communities in the world allow that to happen.”

More Links:

• Innovative Developers, Inc. Web site.
• Nominate a business or apply for 2010 Small Business of the Year. Get info here.

L to R: 2009 SBOY winners Glen Hahn, Innovative Designs, Inc.; Mike Micallef, Reata Restaurant; Jason Smith III, Arcos; and David Goodroe, Designs for Living.

Today’s difficult economy sets a high bar for entrepreneurs, but winners of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Small Business of the Year Award have met that challenge.

They and their categories are Arcos computer systems integration and Web site design (emerging, operating less than three years); Designs for Living (1-10 employees) custom homes and remodeling; Innovative Developers, Inc. real estate development and construction (11-50 employees); and Reata Restaurant, Texas cuisine and catering (51-150 employees).

Presented by American National Bank of Texas, the Small Business of the Year award recognizes business growth and performance, sound business strategies and practices, business challenges, unique and innovative approaches, and community involvement and contribution.

Judges selected 11 finalists, all of whom discussed their practices in on-air interviews with Shivaun Palmer during January and February on Biz Radio 1110 AM. Winners were announced Feb. 12 at Mayor Mike Moncrief’s State of the City luncheon at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Arcos (Greek for “leader”) specializes in helping businesses utilize Internet marketing, President and CEO Jason Smith, III, said.

One aspect involves demystifying social media for clients, Smith told Biz Radio. The fundamentals are the same as in personal networking, he said. “You build relationships, you look for opportunities to share business, you look for ways that you can work together.”

Design for Living specializes in custom remodeling and new-home construction, drawing on skills from master craftsmen and project managers.

Owner David C. Goodroe told Palmer of a building inspector’s reaction to Design for Living work: “You’re the most honest builder I know.” Goodroe added: “From what I’m hearing, we should be in a recession, but … we’re busier than ever.”

Glen Hahn, IDI president and CEO, and colleagues Nina Petty and Mark Presswood gave Palmer insights into their detailed approach to providing planning, site selection, design, financing, construction and management of real estate projects.

“Our processes and methodologies allow us to through every step to make sure clients are taken care of and there are no ‘gotchas,’” Presswood said.

Al Micallef, owner of the Reata restaurant and catering operation, offers Texas cuisine that draws on native and immigrant-influenced flavors, all served in a four-level downtown restaurant that features two levels of roof dining above Sundance Square.

Keys to success, Al’s son Mike told Palmer, revolve around a unique Western-themed product, “an organization that has a can-do attitude,” seven chefs and great employees. Reata’s recently published cookbook, Mike said, aims “to help brand Reata around the world.”

More links:

• Arcos Web site
• David C. Goodroe profile on LinkedIn
• Designs for Living site
• IDI Web site
• Reata Web site