September 2021
3
SITDOWN WITH SUCCESS
T. J. Lee of Leeland Ventures: Keep Your Eyes Open and Listen Twice as Much as You Speak This month’s installment of the Huntsville Business Journal’s series “Sitdown with Success” features developer T.J. Lee. “Sitdown with Success” spotlights local entrepreneurs who describe their successes and failures, with tips for upcoming business owners. For the full-length interview, visit huntsvillebusinessjournal.com. T.J. Lee built Hampton Cove Christian Academy in 1996 when that Huntsville neighborhood was lacking in preschool programs and daycare options. Since then, Leeland Ventures, Lee’s joint venture with Ardent Preschools and Daycare Center of Birminham, built Christian values-based Ardent Preschool and Daycare facility near Cummings Research Park in 2000; an Ardent school in Jones Valley in 2018; a 25,000 square-foot Ardent school at Redstone Gateway in 2021; and he has just announced the groundbreaking of a fourth Ardent school on U.S. 72 at Clift Farms. His company recently broke ground
on Leeland Plaza anchored by Dunkin’ Donuts in Hampton Cove, and Slim Chickens restaurants at Town Madison and Clift Farm. Was real estate and development always your career choice? No. I went to Auburn and got my first degree in economics and business with the intent of going to law school for construction law, it was a relatively new field in legal practices at the time. I graduated, applied to law school, and got accepted, but decided not to go because I wanted to be out in the field, rather in a law office. I went back to Auburn for a second degree in civil engineering and building science, then went to work for BE&K Building Group, an international industrial engineering firm out of Birmingham. They moved me around the country for five or six years. What challenges have you faced in the building of your business? The first was eminent domain. I already had the plans drawn up for
a Christian preschool and elementary school on the property next door to Hampton Cove Christian Academy when the City of Huntsville came in and, five times, took most of it to build the eastern bypass, paying me pennies on the dollar when considering its future worth. I had to scramble quickly to put something together for the Village at Hampton Cove, or otherwise they were going to take it all. That issue dragged on for several years. What advice do have for someone getting into building and development today, not necessarily schools, but anything? Keep your eyes open and listen twice as much as you speak. Opportunity falls like rain all around you, but you must recognize opportunity and act on it. If you don’t take advantage of it, you will never know what you missed. Also, when you find people older and more experienced than you, learn
By Kimberly Ballard / Photo Steve Babin
as much from them as you can. And lastly, never forget where you came from, and pass it on to the next person. What is the secret to your success? There are two: my Christian faith is number one and has always gotten me through the deepest, darkest times. And I never giving up on my dreams and ideas. No matter how many people say your dreams are no good or impossible, perseverance will get you through it. If you can interconnect your dreams with passion, then you are blessed. u
