Small Business, Living It

In this episode of the Small Business Living It podcast, we discuss various themes including the impact of March Madness on business, the importance of consumer spending as an economic indicator, the evolution of technology and learning, the integration of AI in business practices, and the significance of community in learning.

As we navigate an exciting future filled with challenges,we take a minute to look back at 2025. GMC continues to forge ahead providing needed capital to the commercial real estate community in Dallas and across the country. Most important to our year I am honored to welcome Adam Tunks and David Smith as partners in our company.As I approach 70 years old in 2027 their support is crucial to our success, our future and keeping me motivated to continue to be the best underwriter I can be. Our past year was proof we are a great unit.

Dallas isn’t just skyscrapers, sports bars, and steakhouses, some buildings in this city have stories that never made the brochures. In this episode, we explore the haunted legends behind iconic Dallas landmarks like The Adolphus Hotel and Nick & Sam’s, uncovering the eerie histories, strange sightings, and real estate secrets that continue to fuel speculation.Enjoy this Halloween edition of SBLI!

In this episode of Small Business, Living It, Dean Castelhano welcomes longtime friend and business leader James Roland for a conversation about passion, grit, and the relationships that sustain a 50-year career. From New York Life to home building in Rockwall, James shares how family values, trust, and problem-solving have shaped his journey.They discuss moving from big business to small business, the role of culture in career satisfaction, and why “living it” means showing up, staying engaged, and celebrating the wins — big or small.

In this episode we welcome Joe Graham, founder of Graham Mortgage, to Small Business, Living It.Joe is an innovator in our real estate finance community. From roots in Midland and Kilgore Texas to becoming the go-to lender for complex, fast-moving deals. We get his perspective and wisdom on his life and how he wanted to be a business guy from the start.Enjoy this special edition of our own living legend. Be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share your own small business wins or lessons. We’d love to hear how you’re living it.

Honoring Joe Foster, Dallas commercial real estate icon! Discover how business networking, relationships, and mentorship built a Texas business legacy.In this episode of the Small Business Living It podcast, Dean Castelhano reflects on the legacy of Joe Foster, a legend in the Dallas commercial real estate world. We dive into how his famous breakfast club built real, lasting business relationships and why old-school networking still matters today. Joe wasn’t just a mentor—he shaped a community through trust, collaboration, and consistency.Dean talks about the evolution of Dallas business culture, the magic of personal relationships over LinkedIn profiles, and why fostering community beats cutthroat competition. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, Joe’s story proves that success in business isn’t just about deals—it’s about people

Small business success requires resilience, strategy, and smart investments. In this episode, we explore entrepreneurship, real estate, business growth, and the 2025 housing market with expert insights.In this episode of Small Business Living It, host Dean Castellano sits down with Bruce Kaminsky and Shawn Zafarpour, two entrepreneurs who transitioned from the restaurant industry into real estate development. They share their journeys, lessons in resilience, and insights on navigating business challenges in highly competitive markets.

At Graham we truly believe in the Texas economy and the builders that lay our foundations. We brought in long-time friend Jim Moore, of Urban Innovations, to discuss many topics including the joys of challenges in the redevelopment of residential real estate in Dallas. Jim is known for taking on properties that may intimidate others, deriving success from his drive and experience.

Join us as we delve into a record-breaking year at Graham! We'll hear from Klaudia to touch on the Construction Loans and LinkedIn. Then, we dive deep into the real numbers with Dodge, analyzing the challenges and successes of 2024. Get ready to build on this momentum as we prepare for even greater success in 2025!

We're back! Easing in with an easy listen, Dean and Wes discuss small business ideas in Dallas as Dean answers questions on practical tips.

Featuring Dean, we are excited to share this episode from the Cheaper Than Therapy Podcast! Learn more about their podcast here: Cheaper Than Therapy Podcast

Continuing on the discussion on following from last month we sat down with Jack Tallant and Ben Kuiper, our summer Interns, for a change of perspective.

We talk about leadership a lot. How about an episode about following? Dean and Wes discuss the influences that have impacted them most to shape their work ethic.

Bringing on our Millenial crew to discuss the current state of AI. What is it? What is it not? How can we use it to our advantage?

Join Graham Mortgage for an insightful podcast episode featuring Executive Vice President Adam Tunks and Senior Underwriter Dodge Carter. This exclusive look inside Graham offers a deep dive into our unique processes and company culture. Gain insights from our leadership team as they discuss Graham Mortgage's approach to lending and its commitment to exceptional client service. The episode also features a comprehensive update on Graham Mortgage's performance for the first quarter of 2024 (Q1).

Part 2: The American Dream Continues! Picking up where we left off, we discuss how Csongor found success in the US. Tune in to part 2 for the inspiring conclusion.

We're kicking off a brand new series on the Small Business Living It podcast: American Dreams, Diverse Journeys. In this series, we'll be sharing the inspiring stories of our amazing colleagues who came to the US in search of a brighter future. Get ready to hear a tapestry of unique experiences, all leading to the powerful theme of achieving the American Dream. These journeys are as diverse as the individuals themselves. From overcoming incredible challenges to finding unexpected opportunities, we'll delve into the remarkable paths that have brought them to where they are today. We're so excited to share Csongor Bibza's story with you, but it's so captivating that we have to split it into two parts! We were inspired hearing this story, we think you will be too

Welcome to our Pilot episode where we discuss what's to come how we came here.

Welcome to the "Small Business, Living It" Podcast, here is just a quick preview of what this show and series is about. The full episode coming soon!