TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

Developer Robin Team joined High Point University President Nido Qubein in the Power List Interview, a partnership for discussions with some of the state's most influential leaders. Interview videos are available at www.businesssnc.com.

Robin Team is managing partner of Front Street Capital, which has developed notable projects such as the 400 Bellemeade office building in Greensboro and Bailey South office/retail center in Winston-Salem. The Wake Forest University graduate's company has raised more than $200 million in equity with "zero investor losses," the company website notes.

Team's sons Alston and Coleman are partners in Front Street along with Jonathan Starnes and Matt Mclnnis and Principal Lori Starnes. During the interview, Qubein noted that Team has done "a masterful job of bringing together the Triad region" with projects across the region.

This story includes excerpts from Team's interview and was lightly edited for clarity.

You have tentacles across the Triad. What is your secret?

in a single word, "relationships." We've developed relationships with all the municipal bodies in the Triad. We've got builders, architects and engineers. We treat those folks as if we've been doing business with them forever--and, quite frankly, we have.

What got you into this business?

I came out of college and I went to work for BB&T for a short while. BB&T basically put me through a master's in finance, and I found that invaluable. Then I spent a stint in the furniture business in marketing and advertising, which gave me insights into that area. Then I went to work for a local Lexington tax attorney who was also a real estate developer. He taught me the tricks of the trade.

I eventually decided I wanted to try to go out and try and do it on my own. Here we are today.

What was your first project?

We built the first building in Greensboro for Replacements Ltd. Three years later we expanded that building for them again. What a success story they have been for our communities.

How have you financed your projects?

We have a stable of investors, folks that have been very loyal to us over the years. We try and keep at least 10% of each deal ourselves. We invest right along with our investor cadre. It makes them feel comfortable. It also helps us with our bottom line.

What have been your firm's specialties?

We started out doing an awful lot of medical office space in Winston-Salem for quite some time. We then morphed into general purpose office space...