The Advantage You Can’t Fake: Romy Cheema on Local Presence in Real Estate

The Deals We’re Chasing, The Deals We’re Passing On, and Why

FOLLOW & SBSCRIBE SO YOU NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! In this episode of Shop Talk, Jeremy and Will pull back the curtain on what’s been happening behind the scenes at Matador. From graduations and travel schedules to new acquisitions hitting the market, the team discusses the realities of operating in today’s industrial real estate environment. With interest rates remaining elevated and market conditions continuing to shift, they share how they're adapting, finding opportunities, and staying active while many investors remain on the sidelines. The conversation covers current market sentiment, creative financing strategies, sourcing deals in a competitive environment, and why flexibility has become one of the most valuable tools in real estate. They also touch on the importance of maintaining strong tenant relationships, staying informed on market trends, and identifying niche opportunities that others may overlook. Whether you're an investor, broker, business owner, or simply interested in commercial real estate, this episode offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities shaping today's market. Topics discussed: • Current industrial real estate market conditions • How rising interest rates are impacting deal flow • Creative financing and capital solutions • Finding opportunity in uncertain markets • Portfolio updates and new properties coming to market • The importance of tenant retention and relationships • Lessons learned from navigating a changing market If you've been wondering how experienced operators are approaching today's market, this episode is for you.

Dave Cheatham on Retail Real Estate, Leadership, and the New NIL Era

In this episode of The Industrialist, Jeremy Mercer sits down with retail real estate veteran Dave Cheatham to discuss the changing business landscape surrounding college athletics, NIL, and the broader evolution of real estate strategy. With more than 30 years of experience and over $3 billion in retail transactions, Dave has advised some of the nation’s largest brands including JCPenney, Hobby Lobby, Aldi, Gap, Darden, CVS Pharmacy, and Signet. Throughout his career — including leadership roles at CB Richard Ellis, Staubach Retail, and X Team Retail Advisors — he has become known for helping shape corporate real estate strategies, executing large-scale retail rollouts, and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders. Jeremy and Dave dive into how NIL is reshaping college sports, how universities and brands are adapting, and why understanding market dynamics matters more than ever. The conversation also explores the parallels between sports and real estate - from stadium developments and student housing demand to long-term investment strategy and navigating changing economic cycles. This episode is a practical discussion on leadership, adaptability, relationship-driven business, and what it takes to stay ahead in industries that are constantly evolving.

From Deloitte to IOS: Chris Wong’s Path Into Industrial Real Estate

In this episode of The Industrialist, Jeremy Mercer sits down with Chris Wong to talk about his unconventional path from tax and M&A work at Deloitte into the world of real estate investment. Chris shares how his background in accounting and corporate tax gave him a unique lens on transactions, development, and investment strategy. The conversation covers his time at Hillwood, helping build out real estate operations at Austin Industries, and how those experiences shaped the way he approaches deals today. They also get into the growth of industrial real estate in Dallas-Fort Worth, the influx of institutional capital into the market, and why understanding operations and market fundamentals matters more than ever. Chris breaks down lessons learned from both successful deals and difficult ones, emphasizing the importance of due diligence, adaptability, and long-term thinking. This is a practical conversation about career pivots, real estate fundamentals, and what it takes to navigate an increasingly competitive market. And for anyone looking to break into the business, Chris’s story is proof that there’s no single path into real estate.

The Truth About Small Bay Industrial Investing with Cody Payne and Michael Tran of Flex Parks USA

In this episode, Jeremy and Will sit down with Michael Tran and Cody Payne to break down what they're seeing in the small bay industrial market. They cover how to analyze sites, what actually matters in development, and where they see people get leasing and management wrong. The conversation gets into real operating challenges, from rent collection to tenant relationships, and why execution on the ground is what separates good deals from bad ones. They also talk through current market trends across Texas, where the opportunities are, and why small bay continues to attract serious investor attention. If you’re looking at this asset class, or already in it, this is a practical discussion on what works, what doesn’t, and where things are headed. https://flexbusinessparks.com/ [https://flexbusinessparks.com/]

BIG Announcement from Matador

Jeremy announces some big news about Matador business and then the rest of the episode is a mix of real-time market talk, deals in motion, and what we’re seeing on the ground right now. They also get into: * Why responsiveness is more important than ever in today’s market * How small delays can completely change the outcome of a deal * What Matador seeing on active transactions right now * A property management lesson on older industrial buildings and why you need to physically check on your assets, especially during weather events * Some Dallas development news and a few stories from deals we’ve been around