We were lucky to catch up with Jonathan Cross recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jonathan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My father instilled in me the importance of accountability from a very young age. Anytime I got into trouble as a kid, my natural response was to claim it wasn’t my fault. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the lesson he was trying to teach me. He would respond, “You were there, so it’s your responsibility. You shouldn’t have been in those situations to begin with.”

As a boy, I didn’t grasp the significance of his words, but as a man and a leader, I see their value clearly. It’s my responsibility to move past assigning blame and focus on finding solutions as quickly as possible. That’s where growth begins—taking full accountability.

This mindset allows me to constantly self-assess, whether the outcome is good or bad, and ultimately helps me grow while improving the team around me. It’s not about who got it wrong but rather about identifying the steps we need to take to make it right.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

If you had told me as a kid that I’d be impacting my community by developing homes in the inner city, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Growing up, we didn’t see builders in our neighborhoods or could even articulate what a developer was fully—it felt like a far-fetched idea. Even now, there are days when I’m still in disbelief at what we’ve accomplished.

But GOD wrote this story for me long ago. I can still picture myself as the smallest kid on the street, lugging 60-pound bundles of shingles up a ladder in the middle of July during summer break. While most kids were looking forward to camps and vacations, I spent my childhood learning and growing alongside tradesmen in the construction field.

At 18, I signed my first contract with the United States Army as a construction engineer, focusing on horizontal construction. My work involved building helicopter pads, runways, parking lots, roads, and bridges. This time with the Corps of Engineers allowed me to fully test the limits of machines and operators. By the time I left the military, I had led and participated in construction operations across the globe, from Louisiana to Kabul.

After achieving my goals in the military, I returned to my hometown, Cleveland, Ohio, and began rehabilitating distressed properties in the inner city alongside my father. Together, we completed numerous rehabs and supported Cleveland’s housing initiatives. This hands-on exposure to the trades was crucial as I prepared for the next chapter of my journey.

At one point, I wasn’t sure what was next. Although we had accomplished what we set out to do in Ohio, I had plans on making a larger impact. That’s when my mentor, Karl Jones—a retired builder and veteran—encouraged me to explore new construction. The Cleveland market wasn’t quite ready for it, especially after COVID, so I packed up my expertise and moved to Houston.

What sets me apart is my story. I didn’t wake up and model myself after someone I saw on social media. My path has been molded by real-life experiences in the field, long before I even knew what my purpose would be. While I can’t draw or sing, construction has become my canvas, and it’s where I get to be truly creative.

As your builder, I’ll push your project across the finish line—on time and on budget. We stay present in the field, constantly learning and growing. I’m proud of what Cross Builds has achieved in Houston, from affordable housing and attainable housing to multifamily developments. Each project has been received with a positive impact that reinforces why we do what we do.

At Cross Builds, we’re a growing company with deep roots in the construction trades. We remain committed to making an impact, which is one of the pillars of our success in the real estate industry. You can always count on us to be just as reactive as we are proactive for your project. We owe that to you.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

This is actually the first time I’m sharing this publicly. My first rehab project was funded through my saving account and the bi-weekly salary of a full-time electrical technician at the time. A normal day would consist of a 7am to 3pm workday with the company and 4pm to 9pm pushing my project to the next phase.

Around that time, the average duration of a full rehab project was a little over two months, with costs averaging about $30,000, depending on the size of the project. By being present in the field and having a few trades under my belt. Negotiating quality and dependable tradesman were opportunities that I took advantage of. Even then, I knew that buildings those relationships would be fruitful.

That combination of funding and timing gave me the foundation I needed to start my journey in the construction and rehab industry.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

For me, prayer is the foundation. The Serenity Prayer has been a guiding principle in my life:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

When it comes to resources that have shaped my mindset, I turn to a mix of powerful videos and impactful books:

YouTube Videos
-Eric Thomas (ET) the Hip Hop Preacher: “Want success as bad as you want to breathe” – This video taught me about the relentless drive and focus needed to achieve success.
-Inky Johnson: “It’s not just about you” – A powerful reminder that our actions and decisions have a ripple effect on others.
-Suli Breaks: “The Dorm Room” – This spoken-word piece challenged me to think deeply about purpose and passion.

Books
-Atomic Habits by James Clear – A masterclass on how small, consistent changes can lead to monumental results.
-The Peeples Principles by Don Peeples – This book offers incredible insights on leadership and decision-making.
-Deep Work by Cal Newport – A transformative guide on the value of focused, undistracted work in a world full of distractions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Cross-builds.com
• Instagram: @Cross_builds
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crossbuilds/
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/jonathan-cross-ba7738241
• Twitter: @crossbuilds

Image Credits

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