We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Armstead Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Armstead, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the early days of establishing your own firm. What can you share?
Starting Imagine Think Tank was all about creating something that could truly make a difference in the communities I care about, especially through real estate development and urban revitalization. I wanted to merge my real estate experience with my deep passion for social change and community impact. The first thing I had to do was figure out where the gaps were—there were so many opportunities for positive change, but not always the infrastructure or support in place to make it happen. That’s when it became clear that I needed to step up and create a firm that could bridge that gap.
The early days were about laying the groundwork—getting the logistics and finances in order, while also building a network of partners and collaborators. One of the biggest challenges was establishing credibility and making sure people knew who we were and what we stood for. I spent a lot of time cultivating relationships with local businesses and nonprofits because I wanted to make sure we had a positive presence in the community right from the start.
Managing the uncertainty was definitely one of the hardest parts. When you’re just getting started, there are so many moving parts and you’re not always sure where the next opportunity will come from. Being a one-person operation at the beginning meant I had to juggle everything—project management, business development, and even the books. It was a lot, but it also gave me a solid understanding of how to run every aspect of the business.
Looking back, there’s not much I would change, but I do wish I had sought out mentorship sooner. It’s easy to want to handle everything yourself, but having someone with more experience to lean on can really make a difference. I also would have scaled my team earlier. Having the right people in place sooner would have helped things move much more smoothly and freed me up to focus on growing the firm.
For anyone thinking about starting their own firm, my advice is to start small but think big. Build your network, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. The relationships you build are just as important—if not more—than the work itself. And most importantly, make sure you’re passionate about what you’re doing, because that passion will keep you going through the tough times.
Armstead, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For those who may not be familiar with me, my name is Armstead Jones Jr., and I’m the founder of Imagine Think Tank, a real estate development firm focused on creating impactful projects that benefit communities, especially through urban revitalization. My journey into this field came from a combination of my passion for real estate and my commitment to making a difference. Growing up, I always had an interest in how cities and neighborhoods evolved, and I saw firsthand how development can transform communities—for better or worse. That’s when I decided to take my skills and apply them to projects that could create long-term, positive change.
At Imagine Think Tank, we provide real estate development services with a focus on affordable housing, mixed-use spaces, and community-centric projects. We’re about more than just building properties; we’re about solving the problems that underserved communities face, such as lack of affordable housing, underdeveloped infrastructure, and limited access to resources. Our projects aim to bridge those gaps, creating spaces that are not only functional and sustainable but also contribute to the social and economic vibrancy of the area.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We’re not just focused on the real estate side; we also prioritize building strong relationships with the communities we serve, understanding their needs, and involving them in the process. Our work is driven by the belief that development should uplift people, not displace them, and that the impact of a project should be felt long after the buildings are completed.
What I’m most proud of is the work we’ve done through programs like Project CORE, Developer Incentive Program and other grants which focuses on local hiring and minority business involvement. We’ve been able to create job opportunities and economic growth in communities that need it most, and seeing the direct impact of that work is incredibly fulfilling.
For potential clients and partners, what I want them to know about me and my work is that I’m deeply committed to building projects that have a lasting, positive impact. Whether it’s through revitalizing a neighborhood, creating affordable housing, or ensuring local businesses are involved in the process, I’m focused on the long-term success and well-being of the community. At Imagine Think Tank, we’re not just developing buildings—we’re developing a better future for the people who live in those spaces.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A moment that really stands out to me when I think about resilience is during the early days of starting Imagine Think Tank. Like most entrepreneurs, I faced a fair share of challenges—managing the financial uncertainty, building the brand from the ground up, and juggling all the moving parts of running a business. But the real test came when I was working on my first big project—redeveloping 38 townhomes—and things just weren’t going according to plan.
We hit some unexpected roadblocks with our funding source, and there were definitely moments when I wasn’t sure how I was going to push through. There were sleepless nights and a lot of doubt creeping in. But during those tough moments, I had to remind myself why I started this journey in the first place: to create real change and make a meaningful impact on the communities I care about.
I reached out to mentors for guidance, took a step back to reassess the situation, and then made adjustments. I sought new partners, tweaked our strategy, and keep pushing. Little by little, the project started picking up steam again. When we finally finished and saw the positive effect it had on the community, that sense of accomplishment really reinforced how resilience, patience, and staying focused on the bigger picture can turn things around.
What I took from that experience is that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about learning, adapting, and continuing to move forward, even when things aren’t going your way. It’s a mindset I carry with me into every project I take on.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What truly set me apart and helped me build my reputation in the market is the unrelenting combination of consistency, community commitment, and, frankly, delivering results that others only dream of. From day one, I’ve made it a point to not just prioritize the community but to revolutionize the way things are done. Whether it’s affordable housing, local hiring, or ensuring our projects are in line with the long-term needs of the neighborhood, I’ve consistently delivered where others fall short. I built trust not just with residents and businesses but with key stakeholders who know that when I say something, it gets done.
But it’s not just about doing the work—it’s about doing it right. I’ve built my reputation on quality and transparency, refusing to take shortcuts and always prioritizing the impact over the quick win. In a world where too many focus only on the bottom line, I focus on long-term growth, community success, and setting the standard. I don’t just talk about it—I show up, I build, and I change neighborhoods for the better.
My network? It’s second to none. Collaboration has been one of the biggest drivers of my success. I have extensive networks from attending powerhouse institutions like Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Morgan State University, I’ve cultivated relationships that amplify my reach and impact. Those collaborations have helped me not just participate in the market but lead it.I’ve established myself as a force to be reckoned with, and when I commit to something, it’s more than just business—it’s about creating change that lasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imaginethinktank.com
- Instagram: @imaginethinktank
- Facebook: ImagineThinkTank
- Linkedin: armsteadjones
Image Credits
Armstead Jones