We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thomas Nguyen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thomas below.
Alright, Thomas thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
It is never too late to pivot to your dream job!
From 1994-1998, I worked my ass off to get into the best law school in Texas. After three miserable years in a job I had no interest in, I left. I did not have a backup job or plan. I spent the next three years trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I was 27 at the time.
I finally found something that I could get extremely passionate about and co-founded a South African restaurant brand in 2009 called Peli Peli. I helped it grow into a beloved Houston restaurant chain with multiple locations, reality show appearances and many awards. After 11 years, it was time for a change.
In 2021, at the age of 45, I started my third career – as a commercial real estate broker specializing in real estate for restaurants.
In 2022, I was elevated to Restaurant Practices Leader – Houston at CBRE and officially joined Brian Ashby, Sydney Dixon and Leni Wile- Sandoval to form the top tenant representation team at CBRE Houston.
Thomas, 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?
I truly believe I am following a plan and path set forth for me by God.
For years I thought I would be in restaurants forever, but now I realize I am exactly where I am supposed to be and am now armed with the type of experience in restaurants that helps me provide so much more value to my clients than just real estate.
There is no other broker in the industry that has my restaurant pedigree. Because of this, I am able to be more of a “partner” to my clients in their restaurant growth and operations. In addition to providing the right real estate for them to achieve maximum profitability, I help clients with their public relations, marketing and operations and can better understand what deals make sense for them, since I have been in their shoes and have made all of the mistakes.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I have always believe in the concept of “body of work” which means how you have acted and treated people over the course of your life dictates how you really are as a person.
My parents were immigrants to this country so their first jobs were as janitors at the Sears Tower and at Burger King. Because of this, I try to treat everyone with respect and kindness, because those were my parents at one time.
I didn’t have many friends when I was younger, so I have a lot of empathy for people, because I know how it feels to be excluded and ignored.
In networking, I have always tried to be a problem solver for people and have done so over the course of my life. I believe my body of work has allowed me to become very successful in my new career within a very short period of time.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Referrals. Acquiring new business is always a must, but it is very difficult. I appreciate that most of my clientele has come from referrals because that means I have done a really good job for all of my clients. Good enough for them to want to work with me and to also encourage others to use my services as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cbre.com/people/thomas-nguyen
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomasnguyenrealestate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomaspnguyen/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasnguyencbre/
Image Credits
Candy Poisl