What does it take to see opportunity in a city that others are leaving behind? Troy Maxwell came to Houston when office buildings were still boarded up and found a way to build something new. 

He talks about:

• The value of relationships and how one introduction at a bank changed his career path
• How risk-taking and perseverance led him from picking up range balls to real estate development
• Why Houston is a place where anyone willing to work hard can still achieve the American dream

To learn more about Integrity Bank, go to itx.bank.

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Key Takeaways

1. Business success is rooted in authentic relationships. Troy Maxwell emphasizes how personal, genuine connections—like those formed at Houston National Bank—create opportunities and foster long-term trust. Treating every interaction with respect, regardless of immediate monetary value, can lead to meaningful, lasting business partnerships.

2. Building something significant requires calculated risk and perseverance. Troy’s journey from picking up range balls to developing large tracts of land exemplifies Houston’s entrepreneurial environment, where grit, hard work, and being willing to "scuff" (work resourcefully and persevere) is key to achieving the American dream.

3. Houston offers unique opportunities for upward mobility and success regardless of background. The city's welcoming and business-friendly nature, diverse economy, and expansive growth make it a prime environment for anyone willing to work hard to pursue and achieve their ambitions.

4. Development success in Houston has been about vision, timing, and adaptability. Troy’s recounting of land assembly, partnership formation, and the city’s westward expansion illustrates how Houston’s open development landscape allows driven individuals to conceptualize, create, and scale projects from the ground up—even starting with minimal resources.

5. Mentorship and passing on hard-earned wisdom is integral to sustaining Houston’s entrepreneurial culture. Troy highlights how being mentored by experts and, in turn, advising the next generation—whether family or community—is about fostering passion, supporting others’ growth, and perpetuating a legacy of opportunity.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Golf Dreams to Business Reality

04:35 Cultivating Relationships Over Money

08:31 From Golf to Development Shift

11:10 From Engineering to Grayson Lakes

15:10 Meetings, Houston, and Resilient Entrepreneurs

18:38 Love for Houston's Growth

20:52 Greater Houston's Unmatched Appeal

23:12 Home-Based Restaurant Success Tips

27:50 Reflections on Urban Growth

30:24 Streamlined Home Building Challenges

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