From NYC to Dallas: How James Roland Built a Legacy | 8/12/25

From New York City to Dallas, James Roland has spent 50 years building a
business legacy rooted in relationships, grit, and family values. In this episode of
Small Business, Living It, host Dean Castelhano sits down with longtime friend and
Business leader James Roland at 2nd Floor Studios for a conversation about the
power of trust, perseverance, and purpose-driven work.

James opens up about his journey from starting at New York Life to becoming a
Respected Rockwall home builder, sharing five decades of hard-earned lessons
along the way. From capital markets to construction sites, from big business 
boardrooms to small-business ownership, his story reveals what it takes to create a
lasting impact.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
● Why grit and family values matter more than shortcuts in business
● How to thrive as the trusted middleman in capital markets
● The art of relationship-driven success that stands the test of time
● Why passion beats retirement — and how to build a career you love
● Lessons from mentors, family history, and decades of deal-making

This isn’t a podcast about quick wins or financial hacks,  it’s about building
something meaningful and living your business every day.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Small Business, Living It wherever you get your
podcasts to hear more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs, business leaders, and
everyday people shaping their industries.

Episode Links
🌐 Website: https://sbli-podcast.com
🎧 Audio Archive: https://sbli.transistor.fm
💼 Dean on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dean-castelhano
🏦 Graham Mortgage: https://gm-tx.com
️ 2nd Floor Studios: secondfloorstudios.co