Shaping a City's Future: Tomball EDC Commercial Development Success Stories feat. Matt Lawrence with Lone Star Development
In this engaging episode of Small Business Origins, host John The Marketer sits down with Matt Lawrence, founder of Lone Star Development, to explore the journey of building a family-owned real estate development company deeply rooted in community values. From growing up in a small Texas town surrounded by entrepreneurship to managing multi-million-dollar development projects in Tomball, Matt shares insights on balancing work, family, and business growth. Discover how Lone Star Development transforms properties with a people-first approach and works hand-in-hand with the Tomball Economic Development Corporation to foster local business success.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The evolution of their definition of success: from flashy dreams to focusing on integrity, family, and community respect (00:02:14)
- Matt's entrepreneurial roots growing up in a family car wash business, including his international experience managing a major car wash in Germany (00:17:12)
- Transitioning from family legacy to founding Lone Star Development, rebranding from a “mom and pop” model to a full-service development company (00:22:27)
- Challenges and rewards of managing construction, leasing, and property management within development (00:24:59)
- Importance of community engagement and creating developments that reflect neighborhood needs—not just quick profit (00:48:44)
- The vital partnership with the Tomball Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to secure grants, support, and tenant connections (01:10:05)
- Overview of Lone Star’s projects including the Hufsmith-Kohrville Business Park in Tomball and the upcoming Theis/Cherry development (01:02:27 and 01:31:40)
- How Lone Star Development supports small business tenants—from fledgling startups to expanding operations—offering flexible leasing and hands-on support (00:56:19)
- The future direction of development in Tomball, balancing city infrastructure, community growth, and thoughtful planning (01:17:35)
Notable Quotes & Moments:
- “Success, to me, is holding true to your promise—being a man of integrity and being respected by your community.” (00:02:35) - Matt Lawrence
- “We really see all of our tenants as partners. If they're successful, we’re successful.” (01:01:00) - Matt Lawrence
- “If you build something and the community doesn’t like it, it’s pretty much not going to be successful.” (00:49:50) - Matt Lawrence
- “The Tomball EDC has been 10 out of 10 to work with. They’re really there to help local businesses grow.” (01:10:05) - Matt Lawrence
- “We’re focused on building a brand and a community, not just structures.” (00:22:41) - Matt Lawrence
Episode Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Introduction & Icebreaker on defining success
- 00:17 – Matt’s origin story and family background in business
- 00:22 – Founding Lone Star Development and vision for growth
- 00:24 – Daily realities of construction and property management
- 00:48 – Community engagement and tenant relationships
- 01:00 – Collaborations with Tomball Economic Development Corporation
- 01:02 – Highlighting key development projects in Tomball and Kemah Texas
- 01:14 – Importance of city infrastructure and balanced development planning
- 01:31 – Future developments and investor partnerships
- 01:37 – Closing remarks and final thoughts
Relevant Links & Resources:
- Lone Star Development Website: lonestardevelopment.com
- Tomball Economic Development Corporation (EDC): Explore Tomball EDC
- Sponsor: Wingman – Streamline your marketing and sales workflow
If you enjoyed this deep dive into Lone Star Development's community-driven approach, please subscribe to Small Business Origins for more inspiring entrepreneur stories. Leave us a review and share this episode with friends and fellow business enthusiasts. Connect with John Kelley and Lone Star Development through their website to learn about leasing opportunities or future investments. Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay updated with new episodes and behind-the-scenes content!
Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Small Business Origins. Stay Beefy, my friends!
Please don't forget to leave us a review, subscribe to the show to get notified of new episodes, and share each episode with a friend! Thank you for your support.
