P
hillip Cantrell, founder and CEO of Benchmark Realty, has distilled four decades of business experience into his new book, "Failing My Way to Success: Lessons from 42 Years of Winning (and Losing) in Business." The book, released on July 15, is a culmination of Cantrell's desire to give back to the entrepreneurial community.

    Cantrell believes that successful entrepreneurs have a responsibility to share their knowledge and experiences with those who come after them. He identifies four cornerstones of success: delegation, observation, working smart, and compassion. Delegation is about recognizing one's limitations and learning to rely on others; observation involves studying what works in other businesses and applying it to your own; working smart means making informed decisions rather than relying on brute force or hard work; and compassion emphasizes the importance of serving others.

    Cantrell credits Earl Nightingale, a motivational author and radio personality, with teaching him that success comes from helping others achieve their goals. He argues that focusing on serving others leads to personal fulfillment and success.

    In the real estate industry, Cantrell is critical of traditional models that fail to adapt to changing market realities. He warns that brokerages stuck in outdated mindsets will struggle to compete with more innovative approaches.

    For first-time homebuyers, Cantrell expresses empathy for those facing inflated prices and limited inventory. He believes that the market must correct itself, with prices returning to sustainable levels. Large corporate landlords and private equity firms may help alleviate inventory shortages by releasing properties back into the market.

    Cantrell plans to remain involved in supporting young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to think outside the box and persevere through criticism and adversity.