BROWN AN INNOVATOR IN COMMERCIAL GROWTH
It is difficult to not recognize the name Joshua Brown in Jonesboro. Brown is half of the Haag Brown commercial development and brokerage team. Over the past several years, the firm has brokered numerous deals that have brought big name franchises like Panera Bread, Red Lobster and Longhorn Steakhouse to Jonesboro. The firm was named “Small Business of the Year” in 2016. Brown credited a lot of their success to taking the traditional real estate model and turning it on its head.
“When we accept a listing, it’s not similar to you listing your house,” Brown said. “For ours… we’ve turned that process on its head… By the time we walk into a meeting with a client, we’re three steps ahead.” Brown said his innovative approach became his professional signature and helped build his reputation, not only locally but with national retailers. He built relationships that he’s able to now leverage to continue bringing national companies to Jonesboro.
Growing up in Marked Tree, Brown remembers coming to Jonesboro frequently with his family to eat, shop, and enjoy various events. He said his personal experiences with the community give him an important perspective on the city, especially as he’s talking to out-of-town clients. “So we have to explain this trade area of Jonesboro (to potential clients),” Brown said. “But I get it because I grew up with it … I understand the regionality that exists in Jonesboro.”
Brown views Jonesboro as a central location for commerce throughout Northeast Arkansas and envisions continued growth that address not only the needs of the city, but of the entire region.
When Wade Quinn was looking to expand his successful restaurant franchise, he decided to work with Brown on a centrally located development off of Highland Drive. “Josh has a lot of going for him in regards to connections, and he’s heavily involved in commercial development,” Quinn said. “He’s got the heartbeat of up-and-coming franchises that are coming this way.”
With Brown’s consultation and help, Quinn was able to successfully open his second Newk’s location about a month ago. With the frequent traffic from Highland Drive and room for the development of additional businesses, Quinn’s second location may soon be as busy as his original store on Johnson Avenue. In working with Brown, Quinn said it helped that he knew and appreciated the brand. “He’s actually a heavy hitter for Newk’s and eats there quite often,” Quinn said. “So the fact that he likes the brand helps.”
For Brown, nothing is more important than his family and his faith. Even the most casual conversation with him is likely to include references to both. On the back of his business cards, he has one of his favorite scriptures, from Philippians 2:4 : “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
“I started this company with Greg (Haag) because we were both on the same page with our faith being the thing that we govern every aspect of our lives and companies with,” Brown said. “We’re not going to do any deals that would interfere with our faith.” As a part of his creed, Brown believes in giving back to his community. One way in which he’s done that is with the establishment of the Haag Brown Scholarship in the College of Business at Arkansas State University. Shane Hunt is the dean of the College of Business and has seen first-hand how important that scholarship has been. “(The scholarship) has been a difference maker,” Hunt said. The scholarship has been in existence for the past two years, and Hunt said both recipients have been “outstanding students with significant financial need.”
Marketing is one of the areas that Hunt has researched and taught classes on at ASU. He said Brown is setting a great example of future entrepreneurs on how to execute successful marketing strategies. “I think Haag Brown is a model for what great marketing and relationship-building can do,” Hunt said. “(The community) benefits every day from the great way that Josh has marketed Jonesboro nationally.”
It’s Brown’s efforts in putting Jonesboro on the national map that Hunt said have been integral to the “amazing changes” that have taken place in the past 10 years. “There are not many people who are more responsible for that growth than Josh,” Hunt said.
12 Who Make It Happen, Jonesboro Sun, By Jeff Bricker – Sunday, February 26, 2017 – www.jonesborosun.com
