E90: Peter Borzak of Pine Tree | How to Build a Retail Empire That Wins in Any Market Cycle
In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Peter Borzak, the Chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Pine Tree, a leading national retail real estate company. Peter shares insights from his nearly 30-year career in developing, acquiring, and operating retail assets, and the journey that shaped Pine Tree into a $3 billion portfolio company. The discussion includes Peter's career beginnings, his experience navigating the 2008 financial crisis, and tips on leadership, trust, and resilience in the real estate industry. Peter also delves into Pine Tree's strategic focus on necessity-based open-air shopping centers and their coast-to-coast presence in the United States.00:00 Introduction to Peter Borzak and Pine Tree01:49 Peter's Early Career and Real Estate Beginnings04:26 Founding Pine Tree and Overcoming Challenges07:15 Navigating the Real Estate Market and Scaling Pine Tree11:23 The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis17:20 Rebuilding and Future Outlook38:21 Realizing the Importance of Effort Over Results39:52 Balancing Business and Family Life43:26 Coping with Stress and Maintaining Health45:21 The Responsibilities and Challenges of Being a CEO50:04 Motivations and Influences57:15 The Importance of Listening and Learning01:02:13 Pine Tree's Success and Future Plans01:07:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts