Robert Duncan's First Job
Transwestern founder Robert Duncan says he was very fortunate to have a first job that meant an awful lot. He joined Trammell Crow right out of school in 1974, and learned five lessons that have shaped his career and his own company.
1) The importance of leasing. TCC starts everyone as a leasing agent, and Robert hit the pavement with landlord rep cold calling. He quickly learned how leasing creates value in real estate.
2) There’s no substitute for hard work. He says TCC had a strong work ethic, which he took on as his own.
3) A little success goes a long way. Robert made a couple of leases early, and it raised his confidence and gained him attention. After one year in leasing, he was able to move to San Antonio as a partner with much greater responsibility.
4) Be entrepreneurial, but within a framework. His former boss Bart Brown taught him that creativity and entrepreneurship flourish best with good discipline.
5) The power of the partnership model. Robert has implemented it in Transwestern.
