427: Real Estate, Culture, and Northwest Arkansas’s Future with Marshall Saviers

Summary In this week’s episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce, Caleb Talley, and Jeff Amerine welcome Marshall Saviers, CEO and President of Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, for an in-depth conversation about commercial real estate, entrepreneurial timing, and building community in Northwest Arkansas. Marshall’s journey is rooted in real estate, inspired by his family's legacy and shaped by his diverse childhood living in multiple cities. Moving to NWA in 2005, he witnessed firsthand the explosive regional growth that was transforming cow pastures into thriving business corridors. Early on, Sage Partners carved out a niche serving office tenants among the surge of Walmart-vendor relocations but faced severe challenges during the 2009 recession. Marshall recounted the decision to double down rather than abandon ship, fueling Sage Partners’ transition into a full-service firm spanning property management, development, and investment. Additionally, throughout the episode culture emerged as a recurring theme; Marshall stressed hiring the right people over simply hiring for skills, refining Sage Partners’ team to maintain quality and a sense of local connection even as they scaled up to manage over six million square feet of property. The conversation also delved into his entrepreneurial adventures, like co-founding Arkansas Craft Distribution, where timing and adaptability proved critical to success. Looking ahead, Marshall remains bullish on NWA’s prospects, identifying opportunities in redevelopment, housing, and continued community investment. His blend of commercial acumen and civic commitment is driving both urban transformation and local growth, underscoring his advice to entrepreneurs: grow intentionally and never overlook the importance of culture! Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (03:28) The Regional Impact of Walmart’s Vendor Influx (06:32) Weathering the Pandemic and Its After Effects (09:57) Bentonville’s Development and New STEM University (15:21) Insights on Alcohol Distribution Changes (18:49) Forecasting Trends in Northwest Arkansas (26:34) Empowering Sage Partners’ Next Generation (29:28) Prioritizing Intentional Growth over Rapid Expansion (30:05) Closing Thoughts Links Daniel Koonce Caleb Talley Jeff Amerine Startup Junkie Startup Junkie YouTube Marshall Saviers Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners