Pepperdine MBA graduate and real estate developer Marcus Hiles has achieved levels of success that other business professionals can only dream about. In his real estate ventures, Marcus has developed thousands of properties across his home state of Texas, catering to the upscale residential and rental markets in some of the most economically-active portions of the state. From young business professionals to Fortune 500 executives, Mr. Hiles’ properties have provided luxury living in some of the most desirable neighborhoods of Texas’ largest cities.
Pepperdine University’s School of Business has made it easier than ever for students to enter the MBA program there. An innovative program by which MBA students can create their own cohorts was recently launched by the school. This program was designed for working professionals and those not yet ready to enter the MBA program full-time, giving them the ability to begin coursework before applying for the formal in-school program. The groups meet at the University’s campus or at remote locations such as office environments throughout the country. It is this type of innovation and student outreach that has won the University’s Business School the reputation of being one of the most prestigious programs in the world.
During his coursework at Pepperdine, Marcus began to formulate a business idea that would carry him to the lofty heights of success. As he was completing his MBA coursework at the college’s campus in Malibu, California, he and his classmates learned about real estate market trends. He was especially interested in the market back home in North Texas; there, demand for residences outstripped availability, particularly among those looking for more luxurious living accommodations. He knew that this kind of opportunity was worth pursuing, and he set about to establish his first business venture.
That venture became Western Rim Property Services. Marcus established the company in 1990, starting from nearly nothing and scrimping in his personal finances to help get the company up and running. In a short time, he had identified and purchased properties in some of the most popular Dallas/Fort Worth-area urban regions and was ready to start the development process. Western Rim was designed to cater to the lease market, and has a business model that differentiates it from competitors. The company creates upscale rental properties at lease rates about half of what other properties charge in the urban centers of Texas’ largest cities. The developments themselves are known for high-end appliances, luxury appointments like hardwood flooring and solid-surface counter tops in the kitchen, and upscale finishes in other portions of the units. The properties include amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, and jogging trails, encouraging residents to get outside for exercise. These outdoor areas also help to build community within the developments. Western Rim has earned a reputation for outstanding resident service, attending to maintenance issues quickly and providing an enhanced quality of life that adds value to the properties. The company has created over 20,000 rental units in Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. These units range from apartment buildings to condominiums and town homes, and young professionals from around the state have flocked to the developments. Western Rim has even won awards from leading rental-market authorities for its incredible value and client care. From humble beginnings, Mr. Hiles’ experiences at Pepperdine prepared him to make a splash in the real estate industry, and he is considered one of the school’s distinguished alumna.See the world through the eyes of an actual alumnus of Pepperdine University.https://t.co/UIfe48BanJ#MarcusHiles #Pepperdine— Marcus Hiles (@marcus_hiles) 26 September 2016
