Jason Hughes on Becoming a San Diego Industry Leader

San Diego-based executive Jason Hughes says leading a company that describes itself as having “the hardest workers in the room” has been a key component of his success.

As the co-owner of one of the largest commercial property firms focusing on tenant representation, the San Diego CEO is busier than ever as the life science sector continues expanding in San Diego. He also continues to scout out new locations for his brand.

With offices in Orange County, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Walnut Creek, Seattle, New York, and Denver, and headquarters in San Diego, Hughes has found a niche with tenant representation. Honored by San Diego Daily Transcript as one of San Diego’s Top 120 Most Influential People and Most Admired CEO by the San Diego Business Journal, Jason Hughes reports he’s changing the commercial property industry with his team members and it’s been a rewardingexperience.

“Enjoying the journey is one of our core values,” he states. “We want our clients to feel informed, confident, and appreciated. If we can make that happen for our clients, we are winning, because our clients are winning.”

Making clients feel appreciated is another part of the San Diegobusiness owner’s mission. For Jason Hughes, building a successful company has been a team effort that has taken commitment and creativity, and “when passion and hard work intersect, you’ll find excellence,” he declares.

Delivering excellence daily is another mantra Jason Hughes sharesacross his brand. Even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he ramped up communication with his team and continued serving clients.

“We’re one of the few businesses that expanded during the pandemic,” he says. “We quickly sorted out internal and external communication and our team has banded together to help each other and our clients, of which we couldn’t be more proud.”

Jason Hughes Reveals How His Team Continues To Exceed Expectations

Jason Hughes says despite the uncertainty of the pandemic, his team was always prepared to handle challenging situations.

“I have never been more proud of the fantastic people that make up our team,” Jason Hughes asserts. “In a moment when nobody knew what was happening, it was our job to step in and do what we do best: have difficult conversations with landlords in order to deliver solutions and savings across the board for our corporate clients. The truth is, we were built for this.”

TheSan Diego tenant representation expert adds they’ve assisted hundreds of companies in navigating their commercial property needs and they’ve continued on a path of positive momentum.

“As our team continues to grow, we have managed to deliver the same, if not higher, level of excellence to our clients while always having their best interests at heart, and that will never change,” he says.

Reflecting on His Earliest San Diego Business Days

Before launching his firm with his wife, Shay, Jason Hughes began his career as a broker with Cushman & Wakefield, and then president and owner at San Diego firm Irving Hughes.

While he found quick success even in his earliest days as a rookie broker inSan Diego, the entrepreneurial-minded businessman says his passion for representing tenants has been a lifelong career mission.

“We take pride in the fact that we are champions of the underdog,” he says.

He adds that asan advocate for tenants, delivering top-notch service is part of the company’s culture, and it’s the culture that truly sets it apart from competitors. Business coach Joe Calloway featured Jason Hughes’ firm in his book The Leadership Mindset.

“Our company was recognized by Entrepreneur as No. 2 Top Company Culture in the Nation for multiple years,” Hughes explains. “We were also chosen by Fortune as one of the Top 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials in the Nation. Our company culture and the happiness of our team has always been a top priority.”

Those aren't the only accolades Hughes and his company have racked up over the years. The San Diego Daily Transcript featured him on its Top 100 Business Professionals and San Diego’s Most Influential People lists. In 2018, Fortune magazine selected his company as the No. 1 best workplace in America, and the Los Angeles Business Journal voted the firm the No. 1 Best Place to Work in Los Angeles. He’s appeared on various media platforms, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and the Huffington Post.

“We have been able to accomplish great feats for our team, our clients, and our communities,”Jason Hughes says of his business, which is in its 11th year of operation. “We've tried to be a beacon of light in this industry. Those that join our company say it is beyond what they could have ever had hoped for. We’re all about enjoying the journey.”