Articles
9 February 2012

Christopher M. West

Becoming Indispensable

by Candace Little

09 February 2012—

 Chris West’s business is facing 100 percent growth between now and 2011—a challenge not too many business owners relate to right now. A schooled civil engineer turned real estate buff, West started Green River Capital after nearly 20 years in the real estate industry. Even though West started Green River Capital during the housing boom of 2004, his experience guided him to build a business around managing foreclosed commercial and residential real estate. Today, West has built his company up to 22 clients nation-wide with 200 employees, and growing.

West says he doesn’t like fitting a description of the “grim reaper” of the housing crisis, but says someone has to do something with the foreclosed properties and Green River Capital happened to be ready and waiting for a market like this.  

“I guess we had the right idea, just a little early on the execution,” says West. “The blessing here is that we were more than prepared when business presented itself.”

West is focused on one core business philosophy: being indispensable to his clients and to his employees. “If we fail at either one of these, we cannot be a leader in our industry,” West says. “We have to have a relationship with our clients such that they can’t afford to use anyone else. The same is true for our employees; we have to create a welcoming environment such that they don’t want to leave Green River Capital.” 

To West, his job is all about people—his clients, his employees and his community. He recently sent his team of executives to help a client on a two-week-long project, free of charge. West says that though the project may cost his business now, the relationship built will be well worth the investment in the long run. 

West says he’s passionate about real estate, but his favorite part of the job is getting to work with the best group of professionals he has ever managed. “I enjoy watching people in my company succeed both professionally and personally,” says West. “They are loyal, intelligent and truly care about the welfare of Green River Capital and their fellow workers.”  

A believer in continued community service, West has made giving back an integral part of Green River Capital’s corporate culture. The company is currently involved in the Make a Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, St Vincent DePaul, Habitat for Humanity, Christmas Box, Pennies for Pets and the Utah Food Bank.  

West has succeeded in being prepared, overcoming challenges and taking risks, which he attributes to his will power and ability to learn from mistakes. “I am a very driven person and that comes from my parents and my upbringing. We were always taught to ‘suite up and show up’ for any and all obligations, regardless,” West says. “I know my success over the years stems from the valuable lessons learned from making many mistakes.”

West advises future business leaders that 1) taking uncalculated risks is foolish but taking calculated risks is not, 2) failure is OK as long as it is not repetitive, and 3) success takes time, is a lot more fun and lasts longer if done with integrity and honesty, so, West says, “make sure your partners and employees have the same philosophy.”    

 


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