Benjamin Berkowitz’s career in commercial real estate did not begin with big headlines. It started with learning, setbacks, and a decision to stay consistent.
He began at Colonial Commercial Real Estate in Fort Worth as a sales associate. Early on, he focused on understanding how retail deals actually work. He paid attention to tenant mix, pricing, and local demand. The details mattered.
Not every deal went his way. Some listings were lost. Some opportunities did not close. Instead of rushing to recover, he adjusted his approach. He focused on what he could control. That meant building relationships, staying disciplined, and showing up every day with a clear plan.
That shift helped him grow.
Since earning his Texas real estate licence in 2021, Berkowitz has completed more than $60 million in transaction volume. He now serves as Vice President at Colonial, specialising in retail investment sales across single-tenant and multi-tenant properties.
He also expanded into tenant representation, working closely with Flytrex. This added a new layer to his understanding of retail from the tenant side.
In 2025, he co-founded Pearl Capital. The firm focuses on acquiring and improving essential-service shopping centres in growing secondary markets. Its first acquisition in Wichita Falls marked a new phase.
His path reflects a simple rhythm. Stay focused. Keep learning. Build over time.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts early. I review active deals, check updates in the market, and look at my pipeline. I try to identify the two or three things that actually move deals forward. Most of my time is split between underwriting, calls, and follow-ups. I avoid overloading the day. Keeping it simple makes it more productive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I break them down into steps. At Pearl Capital, we will take an idea like acquiring a retail centre and map out leasing, tenant demand, and operations before doing anything. If it cannot be executed in a clear process, it usually does not move forward.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The resilience of essential-service retail in secondary markets. These areas do not always get attention, but they often have strong, stable demand. That creates opportunities if you understand the micro-market.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Consistency. I focus on doing the same core tasks every day. Pipeline building, reviewing deals, and following up. It sounds simple, but it adds up.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stop chasing quick wins. Focus on building credibility and relationships. That takes longer, but it compounds.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Doing fewer things leads to better results. A lot of people try to do everything at once. I think focus wins.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Review your pipeline every week. It gives you a real picture of what is working and what is not.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I simplify everything. I go back to the basics and ask what the next step is. Usually, it is one call or one decision.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Focusing on credibility over volume. Early in my career, I lost deals I thought I had secured. That forced me to build a stronger process. Over time, that led to better opportunities and more consistent results.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Losing deals early on. It was frustrating, but it showed me that effort alone is not enough. I had to refine my approach and focus on what I could control.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Tracking small retail centres in secondary markets and building relationships with owners before they decide to sell. There is a lot of opportunity there if you stay consistent.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
A CRM system. I use it to track conversations, follow-ups, and deal stages. It keeps everything organised.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I tend to focus on books about execution and discipline. Anything that breaks down how people build systems over time is useful.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I like shows that focus on business or decision-making. They often highlight how people think under pressure.
Key learnings
- Consistency in daily actions builds long-term results
- Early failures can lead to stronger processes and better decision-making
- Focusing on fewer priorities improves execution and outcomes
- Understanding local market details is critical in retail real estate
- Discipline and credibility compound over time