What happens when a Springdale native leaves a safe corporate role to bet on himself during a market crash?
In this episode of NWA Founders, we sit down with Blake Hanby, founder and CEO of City Title & Closing, to hear how he turned a folding-table operation in his pool house into one of the most trusted title companies in Northwest Arkansas. Blake shares how growing up in a family of entrepreneurs planted early seeds of ownership. But it wasn’t until 2011, in the aftermath of the housing crisis, that he took the leap, starting with no office, no staff, and no guarantees. Now, more than a decade later, City Title serves major commercial and residential deals across the region, with a reputation for diligence, trust, and community-first values.

If you’re an entrepreneur wondering when to make your move, or how to build a company that lasts, this episode is for you. Blake’s story is one of calculated risk, long-term thinking, and building something meaningful in the place he’s always called home.

Summary

In the depths of the 2011 housing crash, Blake made the leap. Armed with legal knowledge, a network of community connections, and a desire to control his own destiny, he founded City Title, operating out of his pool house until he could secure office space. What looked like poor timing to others became a rare opportunity for focused growth and smart hiring.

As the company grew, Blake had to evolve from jack-of-all-trades to leader-of-the-team. He explains how he recruited top talent, many of whom took pay cuts to take a chance, and built a service-driven culture where clients and closings are handled with care. His success is rooted in high-touch relationships and a deep respect for the people who trusted him early on.

Even as City Title expanded into Benton County and beyond, Blake stayed grounded in his mission: serve with integrity and invest in people. He shares how his team manages growth, maintains strong internal culture, and adapts to the future: whether it’s through AI innovation or opening new offices. His vision for the next five years is clear: sustainable growth without losing what makes City Title great.

Highlights

00:00 – Blake’s Springdale roots

15:00 – Leaving a stable job to start City Title in 2011

30:00 – Pool house beginnings

45:00 – Culture, client trust, and building a team

1:00:00 – Title industry innovation

1:15:00 – Expansion strategy

Nick's 3 Key Takeaways

1. Start before you’re ready - Blake didn’t have everything figured out, but he acted decisively when the time was right and built the rest as he went.
2. Bet on people, not just process - His early team and community connections were the foundation of City Title’s growth and reputation.
3. Integrity scales - Even as the business grew, Blake never lost sight of the values that set him apart: honesty, service, and attention to detail.

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NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer.