In Episode 9 of Unconventional, host Bill Tessar welcomes Terry Thayer, whose rise from modest roots as a carpenter to a powerhouse in real estate development is truly inspiring. What sets Terry apart isn’t just his business acumen or construction skills—it’s his relentless commitment to legacy, community transformation, and personal evolution.

Roots in the Craft

Terry’s story begins in New York, shadowing his father, a carpenter. By his early twenties, he was managing 250 people and helping scale his father’s contracting operation along the East Coast. But something inside him pushed for more.

Despite earning a solid income and working in a family business, Terry walked away. “I just knew I had more drive and ambition,” he said. That decision marked the start of an entrepreneurial leap into the unknown—a move that wasn’t just bold, but also deeply personal.

Reinvention and Resilience

With little knowledge of licensing, financing, or the broader real estate game, Terry bootstrapped his way forward. He started by flipping homes—one of which had fire damage and barely turned a profit. But that learning experience set him up for what was to come.

By 2003, Terry earned his general contractor license and built his first home near NC State University. The project snowballed into 30 more in the same neighborhood, thanks in part to a DIY sign labeled “Titan Development”—a company that didn’t yet exist. The hustle was real, the vision even more so.

Weathering the Crash

When the 2008 housing market crash hit, Terry narrowly escaped disaster. His business partner at the time parted ways, and Terry shifted focus to high-end renovations just to stay afloat. “We wouldn’t take on a project unless it was a minimum $150,000,” he explained.

It was during this difficult time that Terry rediscovered himself as a builder—not just of homes, but of systems, strategy, and ultimately, impact.

Building to Transform

Perhaps the most powerful part of Terry’s story came in 2013, when he and his wife Christie began buying lots in one of Raleigh’s most dangerous neighborhoods—an area riddled with gangs, crime, and abandonment.

Instead of testing the waters, they dove in headfirst. “We had to make a difference,” Terry said. They bought multiple lots and began transforming the area one build at a time. They even paid local residents’ utility bills in exchange for being “eyes and ears” on the ground.

The change was dramatic. “It went from gangs and drug deals to people pushing strollers down the street,” Terry recalled. One of the most touching moments came when a veteran police officer shook Terry’s hand and thanked him for turning a no-go zone into a safe, livable community.

Scaling with Systems

Terry’s transition from technician to entrepreneur truly accelerated after reading The E-Myth. He realized the key to scaling wasn’t just doing—it was systematizing. “McDonald’s is run by teenagers on minimum wage. If they can do it, why can’t we?” he said.

Today, Terry’s business builds around 40 homes a year, including high-end properties worth up to $2.5 million. Sixteen of those builds are held as rentals—a strategic move to balance short-term gains with long-term wealth.

What makes Terry’s model exceptional is its clarity: no custom builds, tight geographic focus, and pre-sales with limited buyer customization. It’s streamlined, disciplined, and deeply rooted in values.

Giving Back Through Coaching

Terry’s commitment to giving back is evident in his coaching program. For a modest investment, real estate newcomers and veterans alike gain lifetime access to Terry’s systems and mentorship. “It’s a passion project,” he says. “Teaching keeps me sharp.”

It’s more than generosity—it’s vision. Terry hopes that the builders he’s mentoring today will form the next powerhouse mastermind group in a few years. And judging by his track record, they probably will.

The Legacy Mindset

What drives Terry today isn’t just profit or recognition—it’s legacy. He often reflects on the families who’ve lived in his homes. “There’s going to be birthdays, weddings, memories made in those homes. That structure will be around long after I’m gone.”

In a world obsessed with fast success and flashy lifestyles, Terry Thayer reminds us that true success is built—literally and figuratively—on strong foundations, long-term thinking, and a heart for people.

Stay tuned for more incredible stories by following CV3 Financial on social media @CV3financial and subscribing to The Unconventional Podcast on all your listening platforms. And as Bill likes to say: “Dare to be Unconventional”