On Investor Trust & Transparency

This Wasn't a Text I Expected to Receive

One of our largest investors, Nate and Beckie Lambert, who also manage a fund-of-funds, texted me that they were flying in to inspect one of our properties.

I'll admit, my first thought wasn't "This is awesome." It was "Okay … let's make sure they see everything." Because out of all the deals in our portfolio, this one has faced the most struggles and challenges.

But we're overcoming them, not because we were hiding anything. Being trusted with someone's capital is a responsibility we don't take lightly. So we opened every door, answered every question, and invited them straight into the process.

A few days later, they sent this:

"Your openness and response … was EXTREMELY comforting."

That message meant more than they probably realize. Anyone can communicate when things are going well. Trust is built by being just as transparent when things are tough.

I'd rather have an uncomfortable conversation today than lose an investor's trust tomorrow. That's how we do business.