Jordan Fletcher

Jordan Fletcher is a Niagara-based real estate developer with a focus on projects in southern Ontario. For the past 16 years, Fletcher has built on this experience in property management and development at Gorge Holdings Inc., a real estate investment and development company with a focus on commercial, retail, residential and industrial developments in the southern Ontario region.

In 2006, Jordan Fletcher began as a property manager of Gorge Holdings. Four years later, he became president of the company. Gorge Holdings’ portfolio includes developments and holdings in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Thorold, Niagara on the Lake and London.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

Gorge holdings was started by my grandfather. His hard work and dedication built a strong and stable company. After many years working and learning from my grandfather, I took over the company and continued with the work ethics he taught me. A few years after I took over Gorge Holdings, my brother Tyler joined me in operating, expanding, and diversifying the company’s holdings and investments and grew Gorge Holdings to what it is today.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My day starts with a morning coffee and healthy breakfast followed by an hour workout. After my workout the first thing I do is look at my to do list and idea list I wrote the evening before. And add any details or thoughts that pop in my head. This gets my work day started and keeps me productive during the day. During the day I am constantly in direct contact with my property managers and construction team. I love to stay up to date daily with my existing properties and developments. I always end my day with writing out a to do list for the next morning outlining my tasks as well as my ideas and thoughts.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I’m always writing down my thoughts and ideas. This helps me stay organized and on top of things. I bring ideas to life by meeting and brainstorming with the people and professionals I work with regularly. This often opens up a game plan for my ideas and provides solutions to any potential issues or roadblocks to getting started.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Definitely writing out my to do list and any thoughts or ideas every evening. It keeps me on track and organized. I believe it’s very important to put trust and responsibility on the people you work with and depend on.

What advice would you give your younger self?

To be patient! To be present and enjoy every day as it happens.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

That’s a tough question. I’m not sure if this is something that most disagree with, but I believe it’s very important to not control and do everything yourself. I believe, in life and business, to learn at an early age your strengths and weaknesses. Do the work you are great at and let the rest be handled by others. Build your team and support group and allow them to handle the work that you are weak at or don’t enjoy. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Be humble and empower others.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I think it is very important to constantly network with people in your industry. I have learned a lot from others. I have also created a lot of opportunities by meeting and building strong relationships with others.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Besides writing down my to-do list and ideas as I mentioned above, I would say one strategy would be to build a strong support team and constantly meet with them/speak with them about your ideas and plans.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

One failure would be that my younger self sometimes allowed my emotions to get the best of me. I overcame this as I got older and realized that taking a moment before reacting helps clear your mind and collect your thoughts. A colleague of mine once told me that if something really bothers me or upsets me to not react for 24 hours. This allows me to collect my thoughts and really think of the best solution to an issue or problem without making drastic and often negative decisions I may regret.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

My Otterbox for my iPhone because I constantly drop my iPhone.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I would recommend The Alchemist. I just read it for the first time in the last year and I think it really helps put life in a positive perspective.

What is your favorite quote?

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. — William Shakespeare

Key Learnings:

• Know your strengths and weaknesses. Work with your strengths and delegate the work you are weak at.
• Be patient.
• Always network and build a good support team.