John Rees Keeps Work Up to Scratch for Pay Dirt

John Rees, president of Rees Development Inc. in Little Rock

What first attracted you to commercial real estate?

I looked at becoming a dentist, but I had taken some business courses in college that included principles of real estate. I was introduced to the commercial real estate business through some close friends in Dallas.

What prompted you to start your own business? What was your first development?

I wanted to be an owner of property and not just a salesman who was always working for a commission. I built a 5,500-SF office-warehouse project at 8013 Interstate 30 for Centel Communications and kept that building for about 10 years.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy the challenge of starting a project from scratch and seeing the step-by-step process of getting that development completed. Along with making a development come together is the joy I get in working with other professionals in forming a team and using their expertise in helping me with a project. In other words, I enjoy the whole developmental process with my development team in creating something beautiful and useful for the community.

What challenges has Rees Commercial experienced during the pandemic of 2020?

It’s really been difficult for many restaurants, exercise studios and nail spas to survive the last 12 months when so many restrictions have been placed on them. We have tried to be understanding and helpful in allowing them to delay or defer their rents to help them during this difficult time. For the most part, I think the businesses in my centers have struggled but survived, and for that I am truly grateful.

What is the best advice you received?

I was a pre-med major and nearly passed out at the sight of someone getting stitches during college. A friend suggested I might want to consider a different career path.

What is your most important mistake that has helped shape your career?

I invested with a bunch of others in a kitty litter venture that used a byproduct from refining bauxite. The deal looked promising, but the guy in charge didn’t know what he was doing. He thought he struck a great deal selling the litter to Walmart for less money than it cost to produce. We all lost a lot of money, and I learned not to invest so much in something I had zero control over.

Who are your mentors who have made a difference in your life?

I have been fortunate to have many mentors. But the first to come to mind is my dad, Harold Rees, who showed me how to work hard and to respect the people who work with you and for you. The second is my father-in-law, Elvin Brasher. He showed me by his life how to be a man of integrity, that success was about more than just business and that a man of God lives his life by putting faith, family and community as very high priorities.